What is a common practice to avoid under-extrusion in FDM printing?

Ensuring that the filament is free of knots and clogs is crucial for preventing under-extrusion in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing. When the filament has knots, tangles, or clogs, it can obstruct the flow of material through the extruder. This restriction can lead to insufficient material being extruded during the printing process, resulting in under-extrusion, which manifests as gaps in the print or weak layers.

A clean and unobstructed filament feed is essential for maintaining a consistent flow rate, ensuring that the printer can deposit the correct amount of material for each layer. Regularly checking the filament before printing and during the print process helps to ensure that any potential issues that could lead to under-extrusion are mitigated. This practice is part of good maintenance and preparation techniques for FDM printing, emphasizing the importance of a smooth and consistent material delivery system for high-quality prints.