1st print started off okay

arcaduck

(@arcaduck)

Active Member

1st print started off okay

hello

We just got done building our mk3s did the calibration. Went for our 1st test print and tried out the frog. Started off good then it just started pooling in the dead center.

Pulled it off and restarted it to test it again. This time it just pooled in the center without even getting as far as the 1st time.

So we tried doing the boat instead and same thing just pooled at the start. It just sticks to the nozzle.

Please help.

Posted : 28/07/2020 2:52 am

JoanTabb

(@joantabb)

Veteran Member Moderator

RE: 1st print started off okay

When you say it just pooled in the middle, do you mean that the filament didn't adhere to the build plate, and ended up dragging around under the extruder?

If so, the two primary causes are poor Live Z (First Layer) calibration, and a print bed that needs a bit more cleaning...

Instead of the Prusa First Layer calibration tool, I use the

"Life Adjust 'Z' My Way" Process https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-assembly-and-first-prints-troubleshooting/life-adjust-z-my-way/
here are test patches in a Zip File at the bottom of the first post, on the first page.

but before that I clean my build plate with hot water and a splash of dish soap to ensure any grease and finger prints are removed from the build plate surface... then rinse well with hot water and dry immediately with clean paper towels.

regards Joan

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 : 28/07/2020 5:04 am

arcaduck

(@arcaduck)

Active Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: 1st print started off okay

@joantabb

here are some pictures

As you can see it started fine and did the calibration then on the frog it did that

This post was modified 4 years ago by arcaduck

Posted : 28/07/2020 5:23 am

JoanTabb

(@joantabb)

Veteran Member Moderator

RE: 1st print started off okay

Live Z looks Ok, I would still try Life adjust Z My Way, because it does the test patch where your frog, became detatched, not towards the bottom left of the build plate.
Adhesion Looks BAD... did you have a collision on the Y axis? the frog seems to have been displaced before it broke loose!
Have you lubricated the smooth rods ans linear bearings, If not, it might be time to do some maintenance...
https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072#rods-and-bearings

Did you try washing the build plate?

Have you tried 7x7 Mesh bed levelling (Accessible through the LCD Menu ) ?

regards Joan

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 : 28/07/2020 12:44 pm

arcaduck

(@arcaduck)

Active Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: 1st print started off okay

We cleaned the plate, lubed it, and ran all the tests again. Passed them all. We did run the mesh bed leveling and it just goes point to point without doing anything else.

next we started the frog again. It got farther but, it lifted off the print bed and started to pile.

Posted : 28/07/2020 10:36 pm

JoanTabb

(@joantabb)

Veteran Member Moderator

RE: 1st print started off okay

@arcaduck

If that is the underside of your frog, it looks like your live Z is wrong. (Too High)

regards Joan

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 : 29/07/2020 4:46 am

Peter M

(@peter-m)

Noble Member

RE: 1st print started off okay

Posted : 29/07/2020 3:47 pm

bobstro

(@bobstro)

Illustrious Member

RE: 1st print started off okay

Posted by: @arcaduck

We cleaned the plate, lubed it, and ran all the tests again. Passed them all. We did run the mesh bed leveling and it just goes point to point without doing anything else.

To add to what Joan has said, your Live-Z looks way too high (not negative enough).

If you have not already done so, try using Jeff Jordan's "Life Adjust" procedure for calibrating your Live-Z setting. It is much easier to use and understand than the on-board routine and much easier to make mid-print adjustments accurately with. In general, start high (less negative) and work lower (more negative) in large increments (e.g. 0.1mm) until the filament starts to stick on its own. When you've got your Live-Z setting adjusted properly, you should be able to gently rub the extruded lines on the PEI surface without dislodging them. Then start lowering (more negative) the level until there are no gaps between layers. You should not be able to peel the lines apart after printing, but the top should be regular.

Don't worry about printing anything more elaborate until you get your bed adhesion and Live-Z set. These form the foundation on which all of your prints will build. If the foundation is weak, prints can fail in all sorts of frustrating, potentially damaging and expensive ways. Trust me, I've been there.

I've compiled some notes on cleaning the PEI print surface here and Live-Z here.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 29/07/2020 4:22 pm

arcaduck

(@arcaduck)

Active Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: 1st print started off okay

We have it set at -2.0 I dont think its that the Z is to high, could be wrong. Should we go lower?

also in all pictures that is the frog facing the way it was printed not upside down. Currently running a 50point test

will look into Jeff Jordans

We moved the prob back and changed it to -1.5

This post was modified 4 years ago by arcaduck

Posted : 29/07/2020 7:16 pm

arcaduck

(@arcaduck)

Active Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: 1st print started off okay

Posted : 29/07/2020 7:45 pm

bobstro

(@bobstro)

Illustrious Member

RE: 1st print started off okay

Posted by: @arcaduck

[nice logo]

That looks pretty good. Show us the underside of that same print. That's a good one for judging the 1st layer Live-Z settings. Congrats!

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 29/07/2020 7:58 pm

arcaduck liked

arcaduck

(@arcaduck)

Active Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: 1st print started off okay

Very happy with the frog!

This post was modified 4 years ago by arcaduck

Posted : 30/07/2020 12:48 am

arcaduck

(@arcaduck)

Active Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: 1st print started off okay

here is the back btw

Posted : 30/07/2020 1:33 am

arcaduck

(@arcaduck)

Active Member

Topic starter answered:

RE: 1st print started off okay

So in conclusion we adjusted the Z to -1.5 and super cleaned the plate then did the 50 point test.

Printed the Prusa test block and the frog and everything seems to have worked.

We are happy with it but we are conserend about one thing. The time it took to print. It took us 4 hours to print the frog at 125. In the book it shows 1h 51m at settings lower then that. Is it normal for it to take so much longer?

Posted : 30/07/2020 1:50 am

Neophyl

(@neophyl)

Illustrious Member

RE: 1st print started off okay

I don't know what you mean when you say 125. 125 what ?

Also that bottom layer on the prusa logo above has slight waves in it indicating its very slightly to low. That first layer should be low enough to merge all the print lines but not give any of those waves as that indicates the nozzle is pushing already laid down plastic around.

Posted : 30/07/2020 6:03 am