MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
I'm waiting on delivery of my MK4, but I'm noticing a LOT of chatter about MK4s creating a divot in the front left corner of the build plate due to the auto-leveling process.
I don't see a discrete topic called out for this, so wondering if this is isolated to a handful of early and vocal MK4 users or if it's a more systemic issue in the 4.5.4 firmware.
Tried to find a reported firmware issue on GitHub, but nothing jumped out at me.
One video with an example (@ 8:10 marker): My Prusa MK4 3D Printer Issues
Best Answer by Walter Layher:
I can confirm that it left a visible indentation at that spot on the smooth sheet.
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
Isn't that he guy who tried to print MK3 g-code on his MK4?
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
Yeah; not sure what he was thinking with that, but in the case of the divot, he's not alone. I'll see if I can link other references to the issue.
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
I can confirm that it left a visible indentation at that spot on the smooth sheet.
RE:
After the last print job has just ended, I just checked on the textured sheet that has had most use so far (after one day): I can feel no indentation at that spot there. Also no indentation on the satin sheet that I used for one or two test prints.
RE:
Have you printed anything that covers the indent? Any noticeable effect on the print at that spot?
Just wondering if the divot affects leveling since the indented area is lower than the unaffected part of the build plate. But guessing the reading is isolated to that specific point and the rest of the readings unaffected.
I can confirm that it left a visible indentation at that spot on the smooth sheet.
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
No, I have not printed anything there so far. I am currently printing PETG parts on the textured sheet for the enclosure that will arrive tomorrow. But I expect the spot will be visible on a print. No big deal for me. I have ruined sheets for other reasons that were my fault and can live with that. 🙂
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
The levelling/first layer for all my prints on smooth, textured (mostly) and satin sheets was perfect.
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
The probing at that spot happens at the beginning of the print during the homing procedure and not at the full temperature of nozzle and bed. The actual bed levelling comes later. Also the smooth sheet is thicker than the other types and softer as well.
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
Thanks for the info. I haven't seen a lot of real concern – just mentions of it – so I was curious.
The probing at that spot happens at the beginning of the print during the homing procedure and not at the full temperature of nozzle and bed. The actual bed levelling comes later. Also the smooth sheet is thicker than the other types and softer as well.
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
Prusa need to address this, whether it is real or not. Had to see why it is necessary to apply so much force. I will not even consider a purchase untill this is fixed or refuted.
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
During th first calibrating your are asked to tap the nozzle lightly. I wonder if the force you use here is used to calibrate the force required when it first touches down..
Should you hit the nozzle harder would it push harder into the build plate vs someone very gentle tapping it.
Just a wild speculative thought.
If anyone has one that is pressing down hard maybe try a recalibration?
RE:
I hardly touched the nozzle during the initial setup. 🙂
In the info screen you can also see a realtime readout of the load cell. It shows a 4 digit value. No idea how that relates to sensitivity ... 🙂
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
There goes that idea!
RE:
I can confirm my MK 4 dose leav a small Divot on the sooth PEI sheet
And when watching it perform its first probe you do see noticeable bed flex
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
Same Problem here.
Bad First Layer in Front left Side.
And back left Side. Beta Firmware for MK4. 🙄🤮
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
I have an indentation just on my smooth sheet, no indentation at all on the textured and satin sheets. I did not print a test pattern so far, just practical parts, e.g. all the parts for attaching the doors to the enclosure, hinge parts, handles etc. The set covers a large part of the bed. I watched the first layer, all parts were complete on the first layer, no parts missing. All parts came out fine. Did not make a photo though :-/
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
I just started another print and placed the model into the front left corner to demonstrate. It is the cover part of the enclosure handle from this model here. The first layer was just finished when I took the photo. I waited a few minutes not to miss the right moment. The focus is a bit off but pausing the print was out of the question, would have had to repeat the whole print then probably, don't think pausing works yet with Octoprint 🙂
That booger in the middle at the front is unacceptable, right? 😉
RE: MK4 auto-leveling front left corner divot?
This is what I'm concerned about and why I posted. Seems like the firmware is just a bit too firm with homing. Ba-dum-dum.
Hoping it's addressed before I get my MK4, but if not, I'm considering not unboxing until it is. My Mini+ still happily cranks stuff out day in and day out.
I just started another print and placed the model into the front left corner to demonstrate. It is the cover part of the enclosure handle from this model here. The first layer was just finished when I took the photo. I waited a few minutes not to miss the right moment. The focus is a bit off but pausing the print was out of the question, would have had to repeat the whole print then probably, don't think pausing works yet with Octoprint 🙂
That booger in the middle at the front is unacceptable, right? 😉
RE:
That booger is not caused by a dent in the sheet, it is where I touched the sheet with my finger. I did not wipe it down before the print, totally my fault. I checked with my finger before for the same indentation as on the smooth sheet. That is "orange" and "fingerprints" in the same sentence at least the second time this week. 😉