When printing some parts, you may notice gaps or skipped layers in the print. Many 3D printer users have reported several possible causes for this issue, including poor grip of the extruder and a misaligned Z bar.

Some Solutions to the Problem

During extrusion, the printer "grabs" the filament and pushes it away from the hot end. Parts of this process sometimes fail to provide enough pressure to push the filament out at a consistent rate. Depending on the severity of this issue, you can fix it manually.

1. Set up the extrusion
First, try tightening the extruder arm by adjusting the screw around which the extruder rotates. Then increase the extrusion to 105%. This is a good fix for minor skipping issues but may not be sufficient for chronic layer gaps.

2. Add external extrusion pressure
If the problem persists, try replacing the filament and adding external pressure. When replacing the filament, firmly compress the spring by pushing the tabs in opposite directions. This causes the bed to compress the filament more tightly and the spring to stay in a more compressed state. Since you are applying mechanical force to existing parts, you will need to do this every time you replace the filament, but it must provide enough pressure to initiate even filament flow.

3. Replace extrusion gears
If that doesn't work you will probably need to buy new extrusion gears with better grip. As noted above, be careful when replacing any part of your printer, unless you have a professional service done.