---
title: Tears
slug: troubleshooting/tears
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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**Tears**
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/Tears/Tears-01.png" size="70" width="1080" height="1080" position="center" alt="Tears" showCaption="false"}
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# How to Identify
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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.
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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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**Cause** - **Printing Forces**
*From a *[Layering](docId\:F3rkqgEoZlWauxwYNKdlP)* defect tearing under forces*
**Solution** - Print Preparation or Part Design.
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**Cause** - Inconclusive
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**Cause - ****Post-Processing**
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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 tears 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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## 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.
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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)
- 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
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
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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. |
### 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 | 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. |