Part Defects

Resin Starvation

15min

Resin Starvation
Resin runs out during a print or is locally starved due to part geometry.


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How to Identify
Resin Starvation can be diagnosed as follows:
Window is not fully covered with resin at print’s end.
Part feature(s) are missing or did not fully resolve.
﻿Voids﻿ is a defect that can appear similar as it arises from similar circumstances.
Cause - Unvented Volume﻿
Solution - Print Preparation or Part Design
Cause - Part Geometry﻿
Solution - Print Preparation or Part Design
Cause - Inconclusive
Cause - Inconclusive
Cause - Inconclusive
Cause - Resin Amount﻿
Solution - Resin Check
Troubleshooting
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Process, Material, and Hardware Checks
If any of these conditions apply to your print, take the corrective action and reprint to see if the problem is resolved.
Always dispense the Required Resin Volume displayed in Project Analysis tab. Reference Project Analysis﻿ in the Printer UI training.
This is the minimum amount of resin to dispense.
For multiple prints, add the part and support volume for each additional print.
Check the resin in the cassette between prints:
To make sure resin fully covers the window.
To verify there is enough resin for another build according to the Required Resin Volume.
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Diagnostics
If the above checks & actions did not resolve the issue or do not apply to your print, the following diagnostics may further inform what is causing the issue.
1
Verify if the printer is level
Place a digital or bubble level on the printer deck, where the cassette interfaces with the printer. Orient the level in multiple directions to verify.
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Pour a small amount of resin in the cassette and install the cassette in the printer.
Let the resin settle in place and inspect the resin to see if it flowed to one side or area of the cassette.
Run an Alignment Squares Test﻿. 
2
If the printer is not level
﻿M3/M3 Max Printers﻿ - Follow procedure to level your printer.
All other printers (M1, M2, L1) - Contact Carbon Support to have your printer leveled by a Carbon field service engineer. 
Do not attempt to self-level these printers.﻿
Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments
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.
Part Geometry
Reorient parts such that features which hold resin during printing are positioned to allow resin to drain and flow during printing.
Unvented Volume
Reorient the part to vent the trapped volume
Supports may be needed with a new orientation.
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Unvented volume
Lift the part above the platform on supports to vent the trapped volume
If supporting with fences around the perimeter, you may need to break the fence up into two or three lengths with 2mm gaps in between to provide adequate venting.
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Part Geometry
Add drain holes in the part
Unvented Volume
Add vent holes in the part, at or near the platform, to vent the trapped volume
Reference DLS Design Guidelines﻿ for drain/vent hole guidelines.
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Reference Print Plan Adjustments﻿ for guidance on the following parameters:
﻿1 Pump Up Parameters﻿ 
Pump Height Parameters
Minimum Pump Height
Distance from Peak Multiplier
Minimum Distance from Peak
﻿2 Settle Up Parameters﻿ 
Delay Timing Parameters
Force Slope Up Settled Threshold
Minimum Time Force Slope Up Settled
If problems persist, please reach out to Carbon Support.
Explanation & Causes
Explanation
Resin starvation can occur during a print if:
Not enough resin was dispensed.
The printer is not level, most noticeable with an L1 printer.
Features in the geometry prevent a large volume of resin from draining, such as unvented volumes.

This can also lead to localized areas of starvation from restricted resin flow, as opposed to a lack of enough resin in the cassette.
Not enough resin was dispensed
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Causes
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Root Issue
Problem
Why Defect Presents
Part Geometry
Resin is not draining from part features.
Certain geometries, such as manifolds, can trap resin during printing if the part is not oriented or designed to drain the resin.
Part Geometry
Straw effect
Holes in the part geometry can pull in resin during the pump up stage from suction forces.
Unvented Volume
Resin trapped in unvented volume.
Resin cannot drain from an unvented volume because the pressure differential holds the resin inside the enclosed volume.
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Root Issue
Problem
Why Defect Presents
Leveling
Resin level is too low in one area of cassette
If the printer is not level, the resin may not cover the window if it's pooling on one side or area of the cassette.
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Root Issue
Problem
Why Defect Presents
Dispensing
Not enough resin was dispensed
The recommended resin volume is meant to cover the window fully during printing in addition to providing the material for the part & support volume.
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Printing Stage
Parameter Type
Type of Adjustment
Why Defect Presents
1 Pump Up
Pump Height
﻿Decrease﻿
A decrease in the pump height can limit how much resin can flow out of part geometries that hold resin.
2 Settle Up
Delay Timing
﻿Decrease﻿
A shortened settle up stage limits the amount of time resin can flow out of part geometries that hold resin.
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Root Issue	Problem	Why Defect Presents
Part Geometry	Resin is not draining from part features.	Certain geometries, such as manifolds, can trap resin during printing if the part is not oriented or designed to drain the resin.
Part Geometry	Straw effect	Holes in the part geometry can pull in resin during the pump up stage from suction forces.
Unvented Volume	Resin trapped in unvented volume.	Resin cannot drain from an unvented volume because the pressure differential holds the resin inside the enclosed volume.

Root Issue	Problem	Why Defect Presents
Leveling	Resin level is too low in one area of cassette	If the printer is not level, the resin may not cover the window if it's pooling on one side or area of the cassette.

Root Issue	Problem	Why Defect Presents
Dispensing	Not enough resin was dispensed	The recommended resin volume is meant to cover the window fully during printing in addition to providing the material for the part & support volume.

Printing Stage	Parameter Type	Type of Adjustment	Why Defect Presents
1 Pump Up	Pump Height	Decrease	A decrease in the pump height can limit how much resin can flow out of part geometries that hold resin.
2 Settle Up	Delay Timing	Decrease	A shortened settle up stage limits the amount of time resin can flow out of part geometries that hold resin.

Projection Error

Sagging

Resin Starvation

How to Identify

Troubleshooting

Process, Material, and Hardware Checks

Resin

Diagnostics

Hardware

Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments

Orientation

Supports

Design

Print Plan Adjustments

Explanation & Causes

Explanation

Causes