Part Defects

Tears

12min

Tears

Part feature prints properly and breaks at a later point.

Tears


How to Identify

Tears 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 parts.
Puzzle Pieces


Broken Struts and Tears are defects that arise from the same issue but one appears on lattices and the other on surfaces, respectively.

Rigid parts experience Chipping instead of Broken Struts or Tears.

Troubleshooting

Try the following actions in order.

  1. Process Checks
  2. Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments

It is recommended that you review all the possible solutions before taking action to ensure you are pursuing the best course of action.

Process Checks

Most tears occur during post-processing. Review the scenarios below and verify if any apply to operating procedures.

Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments

It is less common for 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.

If problems persist, please reach out to Carbon Support.

Explanation & Causes

Explanation

Tears can occur in elastomeric parts 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

How the part is handled in post-processing is causing the defect.

Post-Processing Lattice


Root Issue

Problem

Why Defect Presents

Platform Removal

Aggressive

Elastomeric resins are delicate in the green state and require gentle handling.



Printing Stage

Parameter Type

Type of Adjustment

Why Defect Presents

1 Pump Up

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.