---
title: Broken Struts
slug: troubleshooting/broken-struts
description: Discover effective solutions for addressing the "Broken Struts" and "Tears" part defects from Carbon DLS printing. This comprehensive document explains how to identify, troubleshoot, and understand the root causes.
docTags:
createdAt: 2024-06-14T01:05:30.663Z
---
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**Broken Struts **
Part feature prints properly and breaks at a later point.
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::Image[]{src="https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/Education/Troubleshooting/Part-Defects/Broken-Struts/Broken-struts-01.png" size="70" width="1080" height="1080" position="center" alt="Broken Struts " showCaption="false"}
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# How to Identify
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Broken Struts can be diagnosed as follows:
- Areas of breakage will fit together like puzzle pieces.
- Features will not be missing printed material when the broken area is held back together.
- Occurs on elastomeric lattices.
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[Broken Struts](docId\:DAeN8lGS6GP8auw-ue5lS) and [Tears](docId\:oJz-12lSnz1_5bo4GyW06) are defects that arise from the same issue but one appears on lattices and the other on surfaces, respectively.
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Rigid parts experience [Chipping](docId\:LwfeMtuBtirwS-IJ-caio) instead of Broken Struts or Tears.
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**Causes - ****Printing Forces**
**Solution** - Print Preparation or Part Design
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**Cause** - Inconclusive
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# Troubleshooting
Try the following actions in order.
1. Process Checks
2. Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments
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**It is recommended that you review all the possible solutions before taking action to ensure you are pursuing the best course of action.**
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## Process Checks
Most broken struts occur during post-processing. Review the scenarios below and verify if any apply to operating procedures.
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### Aggressive Part Removal
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Follow recommended procedures for [part removal](docId\:AvN2rNsLSHhmUz9rbYkmN) and proceed gently with elastomeric resins which are delicate in their green state.
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### Lattices Washed on Platform
**Thin strut** lattices washed on the platform may tear during washing as parts swell temporarily from solvent\*. Wash these lattices off the platform:
- Using a part washer basket
- Manually with spinning
*\*Does not apply to solvent-less washing techniques with L1 platforms.*
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## Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments
It is less common for broken struts or tears to occur during printing but can occasionally happen due to print forces. The following solutions will address print or part-related causes of the defects. Choose among the suggested actions below and select the best approach for your application. Usually, only one type of adjustment is needed.
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### Design
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Add struts to provide more structure at the problematic struts.
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The performance of the lattice will change.
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### Print Plan Adjustments
Reference [Print Plan Adjustments](docId\:NxUK0dltz_vemEAU0DIpN) for guidance on the following parameters:
[1 Pump Up Parameters](docId\:XP2lRJPJ4njFl_Z8N58rL)
- *Pump Height Parameters*
- Minimum Pump Height
- Distance from Peak Multiplier
- Minimum Distance from Peak
- *Platform Speed Parameters*
- Motor Speed Up
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If problems persist, please reach out to [Carbon Support](mailto\:support@carbon3d.com).
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# Explanation & Causes
## Explanation
Broken Struts can occur in elastomeric lattices when they are stretched and pulled to the point of breakage. This can occur during post-processing or printing, with the former being the common scenario.
## Causes
### Post-Processing
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How the part is handled in post-processing is causing the defect.
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| **Root Issue** | **Problem** | **Why Defect Presents** |
| --------------------------- | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Platform Removal | Aggressive | Elastomeric resins are delicate in the green state and require gentle handling. |
| Lattices Washed on Platform | Swelling | Solvent is temporarily absorbed into parts which causes swelling. Thin struts can be stretched and torn by swelling when the platform constraints the lattice on on side. |
### Print Preparation or Part Design
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How the part is **oriented**, **supported**, or **designed **is causing the defect.
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| **Root Issue** | **Problem** | **Why Defect Presents** |
| -------------- | ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Design | Weak Struts | Thin struts that are supporting larger struts or cross sections can tear under suction forces. |
### Print Plan Adjustments
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[Print Plan Adjustments](docId\:NxUK0dltz_vemEAU0DIpN) adjust the print plan to optimize mid to high volume production and/or address part defects.
In doing so, adjustment may both **prevent or cause defects**. Below are adjustments that can cause this defect.
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| **Printing Stage** | **Parameter**
**Type**
| **Type of Adjustment** | **Why Defect Presents** |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1 Pump Up | Pump Height | **Increase** | A large pump height can stretch and break struts that are still clinging to the dead zone's surface tension. |
| | Platform Speed | **Increase** | Increased Motor Up Speed increases suction forces which can be especially problematic if a large cross section occurs later in the print after delicate struts. |