Printing issue on specific part of the bed
Hi Everyone and Happy Holidays,
This is my first post. Glad to be here! and the Prusa Mini+ is my very first 3D printer. I received it yesterday, and I have had some great prints from the samples on the USB drive after calibrating it. I needed to adjust the Z axis to -.900 to get a good first layer calibration. Since that, I’ve printed a Benchy, the nut and bolt, and the dog from the samples successfully.
Then I started to download other prints which were larger and tried printing them. This is when I got into some issues.
As you can see below, I’ve circled a specific area on the print sheet which is giving me problems. It seems that in that specific area, the print does not touch the bed and it messes up. Everywhere else is great. It only occurs in that same spot. I’ve flipped the magnetic plate on the other side, and I would have thought the issue would occur on the opposite side of the bed, but the print still fails in the same spot as the picture. What does this mean? Is something wrong with my plate/bed?
I have wiped the surface down with IPA wipes, I’ve used acetone (as mentioned in other post on this forum), and I’ve given the plate a thorough washing with dish soap and hot water and then dried it completely. Every time the issue still occurs in the exact same spot. I’ve only been using PLA. As mentioned in some other posts, I’ve tried a first layer modification of setting the heat bed to 70 degrees C to get a better adhesion for my print. it does not work in that spot. I would have thought that the Mesh Bed Leveling would help with this, but it doesn’t help in this specific area.
I’m reaching out to the community to see if anyone has some advice or recommendations for me.
Thank you in advance for your help!
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
Hi, I received an email this morning that a reply was posted. The message was truncated in my inbox, when when I look at this post, there is no reply.
From the email, it looks like the responder posted that my Z is not calibrated correctly and then proceeded in sharing me a link. The link was cut off so I can’t access it. I tried searching but all I can come up with for the Mini is first layer calibration and Z axis live adjustments, both of which i’ve done.
Can someone please repost the link if you know it?
Thanks!
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
Just to provide an update. I ran another print, but this time I moved the print to a differnt spot on the X and Y axis. As you can see, the print gets messed up at the same location on the circle. It just seems like the filament doesn’t touch the bed at this certain point of the print.
Could this be the STL file itself then? or does the printer have difficulties with creating perfect circles? If the problem is with the STL itself, then this would actually make me feel better if it was.
Thanks!
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
Just from looking at the picture (and without any closeups), I think the z live level is still a little too high. The inconsistent width of the lines is an indicator of that.
If you post pictures of your first level calibration print or picture of just a small square, we may be able to tell more.
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
Hi there Alex,
Thank you for your reply. Below are pictures of my first level calibration. the Z height is currently set to -0.915.
Thanks for your help!
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
@alex-hung
I agree, if leveling down z doesn't help give the sheet a hot wash with dish cleaner, dry it and use again Isopropanol.
Best regards, Clemens
Mini, i3 MK2.5S, i3 MK4, CClone (Eigenbau)
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
@titanta
Z level is still too high. There shouldn’t be any gap between lines in the square. If you see extra material between gaps then it’s too low. The difference between just too high and just too low is about 0.05-0.1 on my machine so a few calibrations may be required to dial in the height.
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
@alex-hung
Thanks again for your advice. I have recalibrated a Z axis some more. And I must say, the quality is better. However, I’m still getting some issues as you can see below. It still shows up around the same location in the base plate - every time. But it IS better.
The Z axis is now set to -.990 and when I look at the nozzle with my eyes, it almost looks like its touching the plate. It may just be my eyes, but I feel any more negative, and it might start touching the plate.
What do you think? Should i go down in increments and just see? Will the PINDA sensor know if I go down too far to cause damage?
Thank you!
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
Could there be something between the build plate and the heatbed at that point?
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
@titanta
When looking at first layer - I can still identify the lines of melted filament - there are still gaps between them - lower z. Start again this print - this 1. layer is very big and gives you good opportunity to reach right z-level.
Best regards, Clemens
Mini, i3 MK2.5S, i3 MK4, CClone (Eigenbau)
RE: Printing issue on specific part of the bed
I agree with @clemens-m, this large print will allow you to adjust the live z height and observe the effect in real time. Keep lower the height by increments of 0.02 - 0.05 until you see no gap between lines. Then lower some more until you see excess material build up between lines. This mean the z height is too low. Now decrease the height back to previous setting and you should be good.