Just a small problem on the first layer
Hi guys,
first of all I would like to say that your printer is amazing! The quality is stunning!
However in this few days in which I tried my printer I have encountered a small problem with the first printed layer.
I attached an image so you can see which can be the problem.
The first image show the first layer of my first print.
From the second print all my first layers look like the second image.
Can the problem be related to the use of glue stick? Because when I started using it, it is born also the problem of this "waves" on the first layer.
Also, if I watch with attention, also my first print doesn't have a perfect first layer. It has some "super small holes"
Other guys, on this forum, have shown their first layer, and they are impressive!!
How can I solve the problems?
The last problem is that always the first layer is a little bit bigger than the other layers, so, for example, if i print a cube with a hole, the screw enter perfectly from the top, but there is a lot of friction if I try to put the screw from the bottom, because the hole results smaller because of the first layer.
However, the quality of the prints, in general, are very nice!!! 😀
Re: Just a small problem on the first layer
Hello Accap!
Small holes in the first layer (and other layers) may depend on air bubbles due to the variable filament diameter from production of the filament - the extruder cannot extrude enough plastic.
If the first layer is a bit bigger it is called elephant's foot and is due to the nozzle is too close to the surface - and perhaps the waves depend on that too.
Try adjust the live-z value in the menu of the printer.
/Henrik
Re: Just a small problem on the first layer
Hi Accap, did you dial in the live z adjustment level thoroughly, according to my thread about it ?
if so, there should be no need for a gluestick (or brim), especially when printing with pla.
it's more important to get the pei sheet cleaned perfectly (99% ipa and sometimes 99% acetone).
dem inscheniör is' nix zu schwör...
Re: Just a small problem on the first layer
Hi Accap!
I know the issue you are having on the second picture.
What you have here is Over Extrusion. Your Z-height for the first layer is too low and the filament gets squeezed to the sides as that is the only way left. Even if you are just a little bit too low, the missing space will accumulate with every line that is printed next to each other. This is why the surface is fine at the beginning (the edges) and slowly gets worse.
Just get your Live-Z-Adjust a little higher. If you are printing PLA, don't worry about the stickyness, most of the time it will even stay in place if you are way too high up.
Getting a great first layer is hard and takes a lot of time. When you think you got it right and print something bigger, using space to the edges of the heatbed, you will have a bed first layer at the edges again because the bed leveling is not right.
For future prints I will give you a tip: Before you start the printjob, preheat to the necessary temperature and move the extruder to the center of the heatbed and as close to it as possible. The PINDA-Probe is affected by temperature and doing this will grant you a constant first layer Z-height and therefor a constant first layer quality. Otherwise you will probably find the perfect Z-Offset and the next day when you start the printer with a cold PINDA-probe you will wonder why the first layer looks like garbage.
I hope this helps, and happy printing!
-Stone
Re: Just a small problem on the first layer
Thank you all guys!! You are amazing! Thank you all 🙂