1/25/2026 12:31:20 - 3D Printing - Prusa MK3S+ - Apollo

Red / Yellow Tag
1

Problem Type: Equipment
Workspace: 3D Printing
Asset: Prusa MK3S+ - Apollo
Summary: Filament not extruding correctly
Additional Info: I have tried printing three different times. Each time I’ve had to stop it because it does not get past laying down the brim. The filament gets caught around the nozzle and lays down in chunks. Tried resetting and two different types of filament.

Report generated from a filing. This report has also been sent to Asmbly staff, leadership, and space leads with any contact info that was provided. Provide additional photos or resources here to help. When the problem is resolved, ensure it is marked.

2

Update - I posted the equipment issue. I was able to move my printing to Hermes and it is printing without issue. So not my file or filament. Thanks!

3

What filament are you using? PLA? Can you attach a photo of the problem? Have you consulted the “first layer problems” sign?

4

Yes, PLA. Unfortunately I did not get a photo. I will look at the sign when I go back for my current print.

5

I cleaned the nozzle and then tried a test print.

IMG_4507
IMG_45071920×2560 421 KB

6

Thanks for the photos. Did it look like the first layer was okay, but then it got pulled up by the second or subsequent layer? Or was the problem evident from the very first layer?

Can you try thoroughly cleaning the sheet with dish soap and water (the sink under the coffee station is a good place to do this), drying it off, and then attempting to calibrate using the Calibration Network model as described here? Prusa MK3S+ - Asmbly Wiki

7

Aneel,

I can do as instructed when I go back tomorrow to get my print. Looking closely at the layer it did seem like it got pulled up but even in sections that were laying flat it had globs like the flow of the filament was off?

8

While it’s possible that there’s a problem with the extrusion rate (either because of a problem with the extruder drive mechanism or because the slicer used a bad setting), my experience is that that happens more often when the nozzle drags on the previously-printed layers.

This can happen because there was bad bed adhesion in the first layer and the print lifts up off of the build plate. Once the nozzle starts making contact with previous layers it often gets melted filament on the outside of the nozzle, which causes all kinds of quality problems.

9

I’ll be around for a while after lunch tomorrow (icy roads permitting). If you happen to be there, we can diagnose together. Otherwise I’ll do a test print.

10

I think the build plate just needed to be cleaned. When things like skin oil from someone handling the plate get on the surface, filament Downes’s d stick as well.

Before cleaning with dish soap, there was a problem on the left center:

IMG_8337
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After cleaning:

IMG_8338
IMG_83381920×1440 217 KB