Flashing
Flashing
Additional cured resin at the base of the part.
How to Identify
Flashing can be diagnosed as follows at the base of the part, with the base being the surface that was on the platform during printing.
- Extra cured resin appears along the part's base edges. Fringing is a defect that may appear similar at the part's base but will be jagged instead of smooth.
- The base appears larger than the rest of the model.
- Labels on the base of the part are difficult to read or unreadable.
Cause - Inconclusive
Cause - Inconclusive
Cause - Inconclusive
Cause - Inconclusive Unreadable Label
Cause - Inconclusive Unreadable Label
Troubleshooting
It is recommended that you review all the possible solutions before taking action to ensure you are pursuing the best course of action.
If the best course of action is not apparent, try the troubleshooting options in the order listed. Refer here for more tips.
Hardware Checks
If any of these conditions apply to your print, take the corrective action and reprint to see if the problem is resolved.
Diagnostics
The following diagnostics may help determine if the issue is hardware related.
Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments
Choose among the suggested actions below and select the best approach for your application.
If problems persist, please reach out to Carbon Support.
Explanation & Causes
Explanation
Flashing is additional cured resin at the base of the part. This is due to light scattering as a result of the optical effect overcure.
Overcure can occur throughout the part (2), but flashing is a specific case at the base of the part due to the higher exposure times needed for adhesion to the platform (1).
Base adhesion generally requires exposure times 5-20 times higher than the nominal exposure throughout the rest of the print to avoid adhesion failures. The extra exposure time, however, can cause significant overcure as photons scatter.
Causes
Hardware
The printer, cassette, or platform is dirty or requires maintenance to resolve the defect.
Occasionally, a defect may indicate the printer requires servicing by a Carbon engineer.
Root Issue | Problem | Why Defect Presents |
|---|---|---|
Misalignment | Improper seating | The platform could be too close to the window, receiving a higher dose of UV light than intended. |
Misalignment | Unlubricated kinematic pin mounts M1/M2 Printers only | The platform could be too close to the window, receiving a higher dose of UV light than intended. |
Misalignment | Mechanical alignment of the printer | The platform could be too close to the window, receiving a higher dose of UV light than intended. |
Print Plan Adjustments
Print Plan Adjustments 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.
Printing Stage | Parameter Type | Type of Adjustment | Why Defect Presents |
|---|---|---|---|
5 Exposure | Exposure Timing | Increase | More UV exposure at the base increases overcure that causes flashing |
5 Exposure | Brightlining | Increase | More UV exposure at the base increases overcure that causes flashing |