Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
This isn't technically initial setup or anything. I did assembly, setup, and calibration about a year ago and even did first prints. Everyhting wen perfectly greatt. That week some major health related issues came up and I had to put everything on hold for over a year. Here I am now. So... since Im starting off fresh again... I figure I should post here.
Im doing the Calibration Wizard and everything seems to be going fine except for two very weird (imo) things. First off, I feel like an excessive amount of filament is oozing out. Im constantly having to clear excess so as not to interfere with any testing after filament is fed.
Second and most importantly... I believe it's the base layer test portion of the calibration, the header is suppose to print in a zigzag pattern while you manually calibrate the z-depth. Ive had to set mine to -1.5 in order to get straighter lines. However, when it gets to the end where its supposed to do something of a square fill based on y/x axis, the header is moving strictly on the x-axis, resulting in a buildup, almost like its supposed to build a wall, but the header is not rising up (z-axis) so its getting these results. Most recent firmware (3.13) has be flashed.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what could be causing this?
Best Answer by gudnimg:
With FW 3.13.0, you can now use other nozzle sizes than 0.4mm (but FW 3.12 and older assume 0.4mm is used) in 1st layer calibration. But the nozzle size must be set correctly in the LCD settings because it will be used to adjust the extrusion widths/heights.
I'm using 0.6mm myself.
RE:
The three common reasons for prints suddenly failing after a printer has been unused for a while:
A dirty print bed. Give it a really thorough clean and avoid touching the print area.
Damp filament. Look up threads here about drying filament especially if it has been left open. Excessive oozing is a common symptom of damp filament.
General neglect, dust and cobwebs... Basic cleaning, lubrication and general maintenance have all been missed. See: https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072
Your first layer is far too high, the filament is not being squished at all ... you need to go down until the filament begins to grip the bed then the square will begin to form and you go lower until it merges into a sheet. It should be possible to peel it off in one and fold it without the threads seperating. If it breaks into lines it is too high, not squished enough. If it is a single sheet but with wavy lines or drag marks on it you are too low.
Cheerio,
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
SOOO sorry for delayed response. And thank you for your feedback. Got hit with health issues and surgeries T_T Trying to play catch up before next surgery.
I made sure that everything was clean and the Filament was dry, but not brittle or anything. Been in extremely clean storage, though Ill double check lubrication and what not. You're probably right, that its not squished enough. But I was concerned about the nozzle touching the bed. Will tinker with it asap. Also, when doing the calibration, does the nozzle size have to be the original size installed during assembly? The one I have attached is a .25.
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
I completely forgot to ask you if you knew any reason why my printer wont let me run the base layer test by itself. Id have edited the previous post and added this, but it wont let me edit my reply. Anyway, Ive updated firmware, reverted down, and then updated again. Ive turned it off, and unplugged it. Ive reinstalled the software, which I don't think would affect this... nothing will work. In order to run the base layer calibration, I have to run through the entire calibration wizard. Its extremely frustrating.
The built-in first layer calibration routine assumes you are using a 0.4mm nozzle. With other sizes you will have to source a suitable one-layer file - easiest is to lay out a one layer thick 'cube' in slicer 'though there are plenty of alternate patterns on Printables.
Once you have it set it should last until the nozzle wears (say, three months steady printing) or you next change the nozzle so although it's a chore it doesn't have to be done often.
Cheerio,
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
U rock! Thank you! When I switch out nozzle back to .4mm, I just go into printer settings and select corresponding nozzle right?
Ugh... Now I just have to figure out which nozzle is best for the job/print when creating slicer file. Making Mold housing. Pretty straight forward, but trying to do do a solid fill. Think .4mm should be good? Im using the Prusa for larger prints, and then the Elegoo resin printer for prints with detail. So I figure if I get the idea for this project, most other projects Ill do will probably use the same nozzle.
When I switch out nozzle back to .4mm, I just go into printer settings and select corresponding nozzle right?
Yes, 'though if you've been tweaking other settings they may need to be reset as well.
Making Mold housing. Pretty straight forward, but trying to do do a solid fill.
that depends on what you're moulding. Solid fill is probably a mistake, for most moulds a relatively thin wall - say 2 perimeters and a resilient fill, perhaps 20% gyroid together with plenty of draft in the original design aids considerably when removing the product from the mould.
Think .4mm should be good?
Should be OK, I made some mould moulds for lead casting using 0.2mm layers and 0.4mm nozzles. These were PETG moulds in which to cast sacrificial plaster moulds that were dried and themselves used to cast specialised 1kg and 2kg lead weights. The plaster moulds only survive a single use with molten metal so having masters from which to cast several moulds for a larger melt made a lot of sense.
If the layer lines cause too much adhesion to the cast then painting the inside with a gap-filling resin and using a release agent might help.
Cheerio,
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
You are awesome and I deeply appreciate your breakdown of feedback. Ill try messing around with it today. I only plan to use silicone molds for creating things out of resin. I'm under the impression that silicone can only support lighter ... material/substances(?) like resin and not metals. But if silicone can support metal, and I ever get a smelter, I think doing some of those items (especially dice) out of metal would be amazing! However, I have a lot of things goin on on top of my health, and even after a month I haven't figured out this first layer issue (until your reply anyway) so... the idea of learning mold housing for metal working, let alone the art of metal working itself, is WAY too overwhelming for me. Being that I only plan on making silicone molds for repeated use, do you think full fill would be ok, or should I still stick with your recommendations?
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
With FW 3.13.0, you can now use other nozzle sizes than 0.4mm (but FW 3.12 and older assume 0.4mm is used) in 1st layer calibration. But the nozzle size must be set correctly in the LCD settings because it will be used to adjust the extrusion widths/heights.
I'm using 0.6mm myself.
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
Awesome! Thank you. One last question. Any thoughts on why my printer is absolutely non-responsive to running the first layer calibration? I can get into the menu from settings, but when it asks if filament is loaded or not, it gets stuck on this dialogue box. Its not "frozen" per-say... it allows me to toggle between yes and no, but it wont respond to either selection. I always have to click the X under the knob.
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
If you have any thoughts as to why the printer wont let me just do first-layer calibration, Id really like them. But, either way... you absolutely rock!! I switched it back to the .4, adjusted the settings accordingly, and then adjusted to -1710 during first-layer calibration. Its so smooth and strong! Thank you so very much!
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
silicone can only support lighter ... material/substances(?) like resin and not metals
Nearly right - there are high temperature resins that, combined with low temperature eutectic alloys *can* mould metal - but this is expensive and doesn't work with lead, silver or any of the usual hobby alloys.
plan on making silicone molds for repeated use, do you think full fill would be ok, or should I still stick with your recommendations?
Every case is different. Use my suggestions as a starting point. My instinct would be to make thin silicone moulds for the actual job but, to stop them distorting under load, make cases to hold the mould in shape out of whatever cheap filament you have to hand. That way the unmoulding would be closer to: Open case, remove mould and model, peel mould off model...
Releasing the end product from the mould is always worth considering at the design stage.
any thoughts as to why the printer wont let me just do first-layer calibration
I've never encountered that one. You are confirming your selections by clicking the selector wheel?
Cheerio,
RE: Calibration issue of first/base layer - Y-Axis
Definitely appreciate the suggestions. Brand new to molding, so every bit of help is appreciated.
You are confirming your selections by clicking the selector wheel?
Ya, thats kind of the issue. Theres yes and no... turning the knob toggles between the option. If I toggle to yes and push in the knob to confirm "yes", nothing happens. It doesnt freeze, it doesn't do anything. I toggle to "No" and push the knob to confirm "No", nothing happens. Its like it recognized the knob for toggling between choices, but not when I push it in to confirm the choice. This is the only dialogue box I have issues with. All other settings and options recognize it when I push in the knob to confirm/select a choice.
Sorry for long winded response. But hoped to be clear for anyone else that might know whats goin on.
Also, I don't want to deviate on this thread, but I posted on the Slicer (sub?)forum regarding an issue Im having with nozzle options and presets If you know anything about that and want to jump over there for a look. Again, help is always appreciated.