First layer inconsistencies - what am I looking at here?
I am printing PETG Prusament White, first layer at 240 degrees. I am unable to tell what is causing this undesirable pattern. Is it:
- temperature
- low Z height
- high Z
- uneven bed
- extruder settings
- hotend issues
- belts
- something else?
Thanks!
RE: First layer inconsistencies - what am I looking at here?
RE: First layer inconsistencies - what am I looking at here?
Those waves are usually clear indicator of your live Z set too low. I'd start there.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: First layer inconsistencies - what am I looking at here?
Indeed. When you see "waves" your live Z is set too low (too negative), when you start seeing gaps or very visible lines on the bottom surface, you are Live Z is set too high (too positive). You should aim for somwhere in between where adhesion is good and you are happy with the elephant foot (incl. compensation).
Based on your image you are too low and that also explains the elephant foot.
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: First layer inconsistencies - what am I looking at here?
On a closer look at your pictures, you seem to have gaps even though you have waves too. How peculiar. Are you underextruding? How does the top surface of, for example a 2 cm cube look like?
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: First layer inconsistencies - what am I looking at here?
It's not uncommon for low Live Z to also produce holes (especially with PETG) when the nozzle drags through the filament and pulls it up. Looking at the pattern again I would also double check that the Mini's axes are properly aligned: https://help.prusa3d.com/article/squaring-your-mini_158518
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: First layer inconsistencies - what am I looking at here?
I have made a few more investigative steps playing with the Calibration Strip. And it turns out my nozzle was a bit clogged or just too worn and it was producing those extrusion waves. Once I swapped it for a brand new, never used 0.4 nozzle my prints became perfectly linear.
And a few more strips later I found what I believe to be the ideal Z height, going first in 0.2 increments and then in 0.1 increments for the last strip.
Thank you for the suggestions. I will post pictures of my final calibration strips for reference.
RE: First layer inconsistencies - what am I looking at here?
