A problem with z axis  

Re: A problem with z axis

have you tried a factory reset and full recalibration?

if memory serves me well, a factory reset is performed by holding down the selector knob on the LCD Screen, turning on the power and waiting for a couple of seconds with the selector knob still pressed...

regards Joan

Re: A problem with z axis

Just did a factory reset followed on page 27 in the manual, erased all data and recalibrate again, but the problem remains... It refused to go back.

The nozzle is about 2 mm above heatbed when Z is 0. 😕

Re: A problem with z axis

1) Have you done a new XYZ Cal?
2) Is it possible the PINDA probe got bumped and move up a few mm?

Try these steps:

http://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/prusa-i3-kit-building-calibrating-first-print-main-f6/-before-you-ask-troubleshooting-video-updated--t472.html#p39190

Re: A problem with z axis

I did the calibration, y is perpendicular to x. Z just wouldn't lower itself like it did few days ago...

https://imgur.com/a/qief0

The image is when Z is at 0.15. I am sure that PINDA probe stays still, nothing changed physically I think.

Re: A problem with z axis

Have you tried raising your pinda probe slightly? Sometimes it can start to loosen during prints and work its way down or up. If it has started to slide down just a tad then it would make the nozzle sit higher up. I would play with the pinda probe again and slightly (really slightly per time) and start calibrations again. if it looks terribly high during the calibration start again, just reset the printer, raise the pinda probe slightly again and repeat until you feel its close enough to calibrate WITHOUT it rubbing the bed and tweak from there. I suspect the pinda probe has shifted every so slighty but I am not sure. That's where I would start looking though.

Let us know if you find out what it is! Thanks. Good Luck.

Re: A problem with z axis

I raised the PINDA probe and the nozzle can now touch the bed 😀 Should have done it at first... I was so ignorant and I apologize for that. Thanks for all the help.

However, I am having the inconsistent Live adjust Z now just like many others... I ran calibrate z(when bed was cool) → auto home → moved the nozzle to the centre of bed → put a piece of paper underneath and Live adjust Z → the distance from the nozzle to bed looked perfect (0.15).

I then did another auto home, moved the nozzle to the centre again, and found the nozzle raised back to where it was before adjusting(live adjust z value remained). It seems like auto mesh bed leveling, temperature of heatbed, auto home are all affecting the Z axis... The result of V2Calibration is quite wavy, and 75x75 grid is also not helping since z changes all the time.

What to do next?

Re: A problem with z axis

You should check if anything is moving. See if you can wiggle any of the parts or see if anything can move - not under motor power.

Re: A problem with z axis

I raised the PINDA probe and the nozzle can now touch the bed 😀 Should have done it at first... I was so ignorant and I apologize for that. Thanks for all the help.

However, I am having the inconsistent Live adjust Z now just like many others... I ran calibrate z(when bed was cool) → auto home → moved the nozzle to the centre of bed → put a piece of paper underneath and Live adjust Z → the distance from the nozzle to bed looked perfect (0.15).

I then did another auto home, moved the nozzle to the centre again, and found the nozzle raised back to where it was before adjusting(live adjust z value remained). It seems like auto mesh bed leveling, temperature of heatbed, auto home are all affecting the Z axis... The result of V2Calibration is quite wavy, and 75x75 grid is also not helping since z changes all the time.

What to do next?

ok so you ran xyz calibration and then adjusted live z after? Ill write what I think you could do and hopefully it will help.

1. xyz calibration. Success, its all great!
2. Live adjust Z is at 0. Now print V2calibraion.gcode and modify to the desired value.
-If this wont produce consistent results, you can try to calibrate the PID calibration to the desired print temp. And re-run V2calibration.gcode

If your Z still seems very inconsistent, I would honestly look a the PINDA probe again. I found that for mine, even when the two screws where tight holding the pinda in place, I could still, rather easily, spin the probe. If your pinda seems easy to twist, I would find a way to get it to hold in place tighter. Even slight slight moves will cause it to have inconsistent z levels.

Re: A problem with z axis

Try out the test square mentioned here instead of the V2 calibration code.

http://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/prusa-i3-kit-building-calibrating-first-print-main-f6/life-adjust-z-my-way-t2981-s150.html

You can get a better idea of how the first layer looks.

Also my Z adjust is at 1.430 as my PINDA seems a bit less sensitive than others. But my prints still turn out great.

Re: A problem with z axis

Try printing the test square in different parts of the bed als

Re: A problem with z axis

Two hints from JeffJordan might help:
- have a look at the hyperfine bed levelling thread
- make sure your extruder is calibrated correct

http://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/prusa-i3-kit-building-calibrating-first-print-main-f6/hyperfine-bed-leveling--t4330-s110.html#p41311

Re: A problem with z axis

I checked the printer thoroughly this time and every part looked solid. However I switched from Slic3r to Cura and Z seemed to be lot more consistent(coincidence?) although the live z value was still lost upon homing or mesh bed leveling.

So what I do now: set live Z back to 0 before printing → preheat bed(mesh bed leveling is affected by temperature) → print via Cura → it mesh bed leveling before heating up nozzle → crank up Z to the value it requires(and sometimes it needs a bit fine tuning). → And it prints! Even though the results still have room for improvement, I am happy with the printer now 😀

Really appreciate all the helps! I think the hyperfine bed leveling is just what I need next. 😀