<p>This is probably a result of bad quality filament. If you haven't changed much in your setups, haven't changed slicers, but may have changed spools, then this might be the result. I would try using another spool and perhaps switch suppliers. I know it's expensive and there seems to be a stigma around it, but MakerBot Industries provides quality PLA (some ABS also).</p>

<p>Other than that, you've done some of what I would suggest in this case which are the following:</p>

<ul>
<li>Speeds</li>
<li>Layer height</li>
</ul>

<p>My only other suggestions would be:</p>

<ul>
<li>Check how level your build plate is</li>
<li>Check material requirements. ie ABS is ideal between 230-240C according to MSDS with about 110C build plate temp, PLA between 210-230C. Sometimes too hot of a hotend can result in overextrusion or ooze.</li>
<li>If the cylinder is smaller, try changing your slicing settings to have a time minimum for each layer. In my experience, a material like ABS will begin to flare out with variations in the print environment. When the material flares out, as the nozzle comes across the area again, the flared areas will be pushed aside. If you adjust your slicing settings to about 15 seconds (<a href="http://www.abcgroup3.com/toolbox/mold_cooling_calc.htm" rel="nofollow">refer to this calculator</a>), then the material will have time to cool slightly from its plastic state. You can cheat this slightly by adding another object somewhere further on the plate with the same height, since the time it takes to rapid to the area and print the layer might be enough time for cooling.</li>
</ul>

<p>I would also recommend doing <a href="https://blog.pinshape.com/3d-printer-maintenance/" rel="nofollow">some in depth maintenance</a> to eliminate in obvious problems (such as cleaning your nozzle, rods, belts, etc.)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T17:39:48.303Z
Quality of filament != how much moisture it has absorbed. Any quality filament can abosrb moisture...
Leo Ervin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T17:48:30.997Z
You're right, (quality of filament) != (amount of moisture absorbed) directly. However, (amount of moisture absorbed) is a contributing variable to the (quality of filament). If you're a machine shop and buy your steel from a boat yard, that means you're probably using bad quality material and thusly need to find a better supplier. You, as the manufacturer can inhibit bad quality in your materials as well by storing/handling them improperly. I'll update my answer later to include more things to look out for or some proper storing/handling techniques.
tbm0115
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T17:59:39.250Z
Indirectly as well. I'll be perfectly honest with you: that's an unrealistic analogy, and I believe so is this. So if my food is rotten what's the probability that it's me storing it improperly rather than the company which produces it? I don't think it's a 50/50...
Leo Ervin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T18:07:23.320Z
My response was unrealistic to simplify my point. Also, I am not inferring any probability, there are no statistics in my responses. I'm merely stating possible problems and any potential solutions I have for those problems stated. I'm editing my answer to remove my reference towards your comment to avoid any further confusion that I'm directly relating moisture to the OP's issue.
tbm0115
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T18:16:54.733Z
Well an unrealistic analogy doesn't help prove anything. I really don't see where you're going with this. If you've removed the part of the moisture being the problem your answer is based on a premise that the OP has changed spools which he hasn't mentioned he has. Also, what do you mean when you say "Speeds" and "layer height" as possible issues.
Leo Ervin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-09T03:17:09.143Z
Also, just changing spools is trying to solve a problem without figuring out what the issue is. Unless you know what you're fixing the issue might come back and haunt you some other way in the future. It's just putting band-aid on it  (These comments I made are just to make these points known to the OP, nothing personal involved).
Leo Ervin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-09T05:05:06.570Z
While I appreciate your constructive criticism, the comments of an answer are not the proper place to log helpful information. If you feel that you can provide substantially different information, please post your own answer. I will continue to update my answer, however, as I learn more about the OP's situation.
tbm0115
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-09T07:13:58.053Z
I disagree, because my info doesn't answer the question itself
Leo Ervin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T15:26:29.493Z
2016-02-08T23:52:36.447Z
2016-02-08T23:52:36.447Z
tbm0115
<p>I'm printing cylindrical pins for a <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:283656" rel="noreferrer">spool holder</a>, but all my pins have irregularities on the external surface of the cylinders (see photo for partially printed pin with irregularities).</p>

<p>It's hard to tell for sure, but it appears that the hot end will occasionally move a piece of soft plastic it previously laid down.</p>

<p>I've tried decreasing print speed, travel speed, and layer height but I still get the irregularities.</p>

<p>What parameters are most likely to effect cylinder regularity?</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/TaUln.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TaUln.jpg" alt="Cylinder Irregularities"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-07T00:45:25.277Z
Could be moisture in the filament, overextrusion, partially clogged hotend, too high extruder and/or bed temp or a combination of these.
Leo Ervin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-07T02:43:01.220Z
Thanks Leo. I'm a 3d printing n00b. I hadn't even considered any of those things.
Doug Richardson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-07T02:43:26.973Z
You should make that an answer instead of a comment so I can vote it up and accept it.
Doug Richardson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-07T04:50:47.763Z
Looks like wicked over-extrusion to me.
Ryan Carlyle
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-07T07:45:37.823Z
I'm not sure though. Could be other things as well. Like it could be a thermistor malfunction which causes reading fluctuations which causes overextrusion only in some parts, or could be a partial clog cuasing it, or something else.
Leo Ervin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-07T07:56:57.663Z
BTW I'm sure your question is about very uneven/bumpy printed object surface, not about printing circular objects. The main issue with circular objects is backlash, we should make a topic about that one day. But you should edit the title of this one.
Leo Ervin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-07T09:13:02.690Z
Hi. What infill percentage are you using here?
Tormod Haugene
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T00:26:16.987Z
@TormodHaugene I've tried .2 and .3
Doug Richardson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T00:33:51.507Z
@LeoErvin You might be right, but in my limited experience, I have a lot more difficulty getting a smooth surface on small cylinders than on large flat surfaces.
Doug Richardson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-08T10:15:28.213Z
Then it's probably (still not 100% certain) overextrusion. It's simple, on large objects you still use the same perimeter and shell widths. So the size of the print increases, but the overextrusion amount doesn't. It's like how your eyes don't get bigger since childhood... or something...
Leo Ervin
<print-quality>
What parameters affect cylinder regularity?
Doug Richardson
# What parameters affect cylinder regularity?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-02-07)

I'm printing cylindrical pins for a [spool holder](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:283656), but all my pins have irregularities on the external surface of the cylinders (see photo for partially printed pin with irregularities).

It's hard to tell for sure, but it appears that the hot end will occasionally move a piece of soft plastic it previously laid down.

I've tried decreasing print speed, travel speed, and layer height but I still get the irregularities.

What parameters are most likely to effect cylinder regularity?

[![Cylinder Irregularities](https://i.sstatic.net/TaUln.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/TaUln.jpg)

**Tags:** print-quality

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could be moisture in the filament, overextrusion, partially clogged hotend, too high extruder and/or bed temp or a combination of these.  
> **username_0**: Thanks Leo. I'm a 3d printing n00b. I hadn't even considered any of those things.  
> **username_0**: You should make that an answer instead of a comment so I can vote it up and accept it.  
> **username_2**: Looks like wicked over-extrusion to me.  
> **username_1**: I'm not sure though. Could be other things as well. Like it could be a thermistor malfunction which causes reading fluctuations which causes overextrusion only in some parts, or could be a partial clog cuasing it, or something else.  
> **username_1**: BTW I'm sure your question is about very uneven/bumpy printed object surface, not about printing circular objects. The main issue with circular objects is backlash, we should make a topic about that one day. But you should edit the title of this one.  
> **username_3**: Hi. What infill percentage are you using here?  
> **username_0**: @username_3 I've tried .2 and .3  
> **username_0**: @username_1 You might be right, but in my limited experience, I have a lot more difficulty getting a smooth surface on small cylinders than on large flat surfaces.  
> **username_1**: Then it's probably (still not 100% certain) overextrusion. It's simple, on large objects you still use the same perimeter and shell widths. So the size of the print increases, but the overextrusion amount doesn't. It's like how your eyes don't get bigger since childhood... or something...  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-02-08. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

This is probably a result of bad quality filament. If you haven't changed much in your setups, haven't changed slicers, but may have changed spools, then this might be the result. I would try using another spool and perhaps switch suppliers. I know it's expensive and there seems to be a stigma around it, but MakerBot Industries provides quality PLA (some ABS also).

Other than that, you've done some of what I would suggest in this case which are the following:

* Speeds
* Layer height

My only other suggestions would be:

* Check how level your build plate is
* Check material requirements. ie ABS is ideal between 230-240C according to MSDS with about 110C build plate temp, PLA between 210-230C. Sometimes too hot of a hotend can result in overextrusion or ooze.
* If the cylinder is smaller, try changing your slicing settings to have a time minimum for each layer. In my experience, a material like ABS will begin to flare out with variations in the print environment. When the material flares out, as the nozzle comes across the area again, the flared areas will be pushed aside. If you adjust your slicing settings to about 15 seconds ([refer to this calculator](http://www.abcgroup3.com/toolbox/mold_cooling_calc.htm)), then the material will have time to cool slightly from its plastic state. You can cheat this slightly by adding another object somewhere further on the plate with the same height, since the time it takes to rapid to the area and print the layer might be enough time for cooling.

I would also recommend doing [some in depth maintenance](https://blog.pinshape.com/3d-printer-maintenance/) to eliminate in obvious problems (such as cleaning your nozzle, rods, belts, etc.)

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Quality of filament != how much moisture it has absorbed. Any quality filament can abosrb moisture...  
> **username_4**: You're right, (quality of filament) != (amount of moisture absorbed) directly. However, (amount of moisture absorbed) is a contributing variable to the (quality of filament). If you're a machine shop and buy your steel from a boat yard, that means you're probably using bad quality material and thusly need to find a better supplier. You, as the manufacturer can inhibit bad quality in your materials as well by storing/handling them improperly. I'll update my answer later to include more things to look out for or some proper storing/handling techniques.  
> **username_1**: Indirectly as well. I'll be perfectly honest with you: that's an unrealistic analogy, and I believe so is this. So if my food is rotten what's the probability that it's me storing it improperly rather than the company which produces it? I don't think it's a 50/50...  
> **username_4**: My response was unrealistic to simplify my point. Also, I am not inferring any probability, there are no statistics in my responses. I'm merely stating possible problems and any potential solutions I have for those problems stated. I'm editing my answer to remove my reference towards your comment to avoid any further confusion that I'm directly relating moisture to the OP's issue.  
> **username_1**: Well an unrealistic analogy doesn't help prove anything. I really don't see where you're going with this. If you've removed the part of the moisture being the problem your answer is based on a premise that the OP has changed spools which he hasn't mentioned he has. Also, what do you mean when you say "Speeds" and "layer height" as possible issues.  
> **username_1**: Also, just changing spools is trying to solve a problem without figuring out what the issue is. Unless you know what you're fixing the issue might come back and haunt you some other way in the future. It's just putting band-aid on it  (These comments I made are just to make these points known to the OP, nothing personal involved).  
> **username_4**: While I appreciate your constructive criticism, the comments of an answer are not the proper place to log helpful information. If you feel that you can provide substantially different information, please post your own answer. I will continue to update my answer, however, as I learn more about the OP's situation.  
> **username_1**: I disagree, because my info doesn't answer the question itself  

---

