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[HELP] First time printing PETG  

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Ithilan
(@ithilan)
Active Member
[HELP] First time printing PETG

Hello, I’m trying to print PETG for the first time. However so far I struggle with it. I can print PLA without a problem. And my first layer calibration is okay.

However when I use PETG with the Generic PETG profile in PrusaSlicer (my filament isn’t listed in the slicer). It prints wobbly and wavy.

I tried various solutions like adjusting the temperature, the flow rate or the speed. But it doesn’t seem to help a lot. On the picture you can see on the right with the default flow rate, and on the left with increase flow rate (at 130).

And the spool is new, so I don’t think I need to dry it. (maybe I shall ?)

Can you provide me some hints or directions please? I’m at lost here

Best Answer by JoanTabb:

Loookd like you need to adjust LiveZ

First layer calibration

Posted : 15/03/2025 3:43 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: [HELP] First time printing PETG

Loookd like you need to adjust LiveZ

First layer calibration

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

Posted : 15/03/2025 6:18 pm
Ithilan liked
Crab
 Crab
(@crab)
Reputable Member
RE: [HELP] First time printing PETG

Do some searching here to see what a good first layer looks like. When starting out, one doesn't know what to look for. You are much too high. There is a thread here called "Life adjust Z - my way". Give it a read.. (typo.. means "live adjust z"). Printing one layer squares and adjusting the Z height on as it is printing is a good way to find the proper level.

Posted : 15/03/2025 6:28 pm
Ithilan liked
Ithilan
(@ithilan)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: [HELP] First time printing PETG

My first layer calibration is already good with PLA, that is what is weird. Am I supposed to redo the first layer calibration for each kind of material?

Posted : 15/03/2025 6:35 pm
Crab
 Crab
(@crab)
Reputable Member
RE: [HELP] First time printing PETG

I suspect that you have different PEI sheets.. I think you have a system that uses a PINDA sense probe .. not an auto-adjustment type and so you store a Z height for each different PEI sheet. If your PLA first layer looks like that above, I can't imagine it sticking to that sheet for small parts.. Either way.. whether the PLA works or not.. the layers above in the pic are too high by quite a bit.

Posted : 15/03/2025 6:46 pm
Crab
 Crab
(@crab)
Reputable Member
RE:

On my 3S+ if you hold the knob down as you print a one layer square, the Z distance pops up and you can turn the knob to lower your height and you can visually see the difference.. you should see it smooth out as the square prints (the build in 1st layer calibration has a square at its end.. but you can print an STL with a bunch of 0.2 high squares as well).. you might need to adjust quite a bit.. write down the setting for reference.. if you go too far, you will get waviness in the layer.. I adjust down to the waviness and then back up until that goes away.

This post was modified 24 hours ago by Crab
Posted : 15/03/2025 6:48 pm
Crab
 Crab
(@crab)
Reputable Member
RE: [HELP] First time printing PETG

Look at images in this post:

https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/how-do-i-print-this-printing-help/petg-first-layer-test/

 

Posted : 15/03/2025 7:00 pm
Ithilan
(@ithilan)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE:
Posted by: @crab

I suspect that you have different PEI sheets.. I think you have a system that uses a PINDA sense probe .. not an auto-adjustment type and so you store a Z height for each different PEI sheet. If your PLA first layer looks like that above, I can't imagine it sticking to that sheet for small parts.. Either way.. whether the PLA works or not.. the layers above in the pic are too high by quite a bit.

Yeah that’s it, I totally forgot to redo first layer calibration. Because I’m not used to different sheets. I only used the smooth sheet before and did my calibration on it. But I didn’t redo it on my textured sheet.

I will try again tomorrow, but I think that’s the answer to my problem. I feel a bit stupid tho ^^'

This post was modified 23 hours ago by Ithilan
Posted : 15/03/2025 7:35 pm
_KaszpiR_
(@_kaszpir_)
Prominent Member
RE: [HELP] First time printing PETG

Notice you can set z offset per sheet in the menu. Just make sure to select the proper one when changing it.

See my GitHub and printables.com for some 3d stuff that you may like.

Posted : 15/03/2025 10:53 pm
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