Layer offset problems
Hello community,
I became the owner of the Prusa MK4S. Very happy (and relieved) to have finished assembling the printer.
I performed the self test and everything was ok. I updated the firmware, I am in 6.1.4+7908.
So I tested a few prints to get an idea of the machine's performance. Unfortunately, everything did not go well.
Indeed my first impression was perfect in my eyes.
Then I tried the BonkersBenchy and there I had my first fault.
Then I tried spatula and again no problem. But immediately, I tried the BenchyRules and again the lag problem, but this time much more pronounced. Not having enough filament left, I gave up printing.
This morning, new attempt on the BonkersBenchy and another big shift in layers but the printing ends.
I'm quite perplexed and lost. Do you have any ideas for me or even better a solution to the problem?
Thank you in advance for your time.
Best Answer by Diem:
The Prusa plaque and to a lesser extent, the spatula, are designed to be easy to print and to succeed on most new builds as a confidence boost.
The benchy is a torture test to be used to check most of the parameters affected by fine tuning, frankly, a perfect benchy, whilst good, is irrelevant on a newly built machine as most of the fine tuning will drift as the printer shakes down and runs-in. All the initial setting up will have to be rechecked at your first monthly maintenance session after which there is a good chance the machine will remain stable indefinitely.
The Bonkers Benchy is just that, bonkers, it is a nod to a minority sport racing to produce a benchy in minimal time - in the process it loses most of the benchy's useful diagnostic properties and just produces a flimsy, useless, trinket. That said, it is only printable on a perfectly calibrated machine but may well stress that machine so much that it needs attention before attempting a second one.
I am going to ignore your first Bonkers Benchy, it's quite good for a new build. Your second and third Benchy's suggest the first shook loose a slight misbuild.
Check the tension in your belts. If they have not come loose take a look at Step 26 of: https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/3-x-axis-x-carriage-assembly_707749
(and the equivalent step for the Y motor) Did you make sure the grub screw faced the flat on the motor shaft?
Cheerio,
The Prusa plaque and to a lesser extent, the spatula, are designed to be easy to print and to succeed on most new builds as a confidence boost.
The benchy is a torture test to be used to check most of the parameters affected by fine tuning, frankly, a perfect benchy, whilst good, is irrelevant on a newly built machine as most of the fine tuning will drift as the printer shakes down and runs-in. All the initial setting up will have to be rechecked at your first monthly maintenance session after which there is a good chance the machine will remain stable indefinitely.
The Bonkers Benchy is just that, bonkers, it is a nod to a minority sport racing to produce a benchy in minimal time - in the process it loses most of the benchy's useful diagnostic properties and just produces a flimsy, useless, trinket. That said, it is only printable on a perfectly calibrated machine but may well stress that machine so much that it needs attention before attempting a second one.
I am going to ignore your first Bonkers Benchy, it's quite good for a new build. Your second and third Benchy's suggest the first shook loose a slight misbuild.
Check the tension in your belts. If they have not come loose take a look at Step 26 of: https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/3-x-axis-x-carriage-assembly_707749
(and the equivalent step for the Y motor) Did you make sure the grub screw faced the flat on the motor shaft?
Cheerio,
RE: Layer offset problems
Thank you Diem for this precise and very clear answer.
I now understand why I got these results.
I thought I understood from certain information on the web that this type of error came from too much demand on the machine, so I launched a new print with the Alpaka and it was quite a success.
Compared to step 26, I think I paid close attention to this step, but I will not hesitate to check again.
I also put my monthly equipment check on the calendar.
Thanks again for your feedback.
Beautiful day or evening.
By the look of your alpaka your belts could still use some attention.
It's time to start designing your own; begin small and simple so the early mistakes are also small and simple and build up as you gain experience.
Cheerio,