What is one potential problem that can occur during FDM printing?

Stringing is a common issue in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printing, particularly when the nozzle travels between different areas of a print without stopping to deposit material. This occurs due to the residual plastic that can ooze from the nozzle, forming thin strands or "strings" between parts of the print. It can interfere with the final appearance of the model, resulting in unwanted artifacts that may require additional cleanup and precision in post-processing.

Stringing can be influenced by several factors, including temperature settings, retraction settings, and the type of filament being used. Optimizing the retraction distance and speed, as well as adjusting the temperature of the nozzle, can help mitigate this problem. Understanding stringing is crucial for improving print quality and achieving more aesthetically pleasing results in FDM prints.

In contrast, layer sticking typically pertains to adhesion issues between layers that can occur due to insufficient temperature or improper print settings, while color mixing primarily involves the blending of different filament colors during printing, and filament knots relate to physical tangles that can obstruct the feeding mechanism.