What is a common sign of an FDM printer that is not calibrated correctly?

A common sign of an FDM printer that is not calibrated correctly is rough surface finishes. When a printer is well-calibrated, the extruder and the print bed are optimized to ensure that the filament adheres properly and layers are adequately fused together. If the printer is improperly calibrated, issues such as incorrect nozzle height, improper feed rates, or inadequate temperature settings can lead to uneven extrusion. This results in visible imperfections on the surface of printed objects, such as bumps, inconsistencies in layer height, or poor detail, all of which contribute to a rough finish.

Other options reflect characteristics that would not typically arise from calibration issues. For example, consistent layer adhesion signifies that the printer is functioning properly and that layers are bonding well. Similarly, reduced print time does not directly relate to calibration but rather could suggest that settings have been modified for efficiency, which may or may not be optimal. Uniform color distribution relates more to the filament used and the process of extrusion rather than the calibration of the printer itself, indicating that even with good calibration, variations in filament or printing parameters could affect color uniformity.