Different Live Z for Different Spools?
I have the following spools:
- 1 Roll of Silver PLA, unknown brand, Live Z = -1.615
- 1 Roll of Ultramarine Blue PETG, Prusament, Live Z = -1.515
- 2 Rolls of Prusa Orange PETG, Prusament, Live Z = -1.615 (can't double check this right now, in the middle of a print)
I have a third roll of Prusa Orange that I haven't opened yet, so I don't know if it will be at -1.615 also. Is it normal for all spools of one material and color to have the same Live Z?
Observations of those rolls:
- The Prusa Orange goes down beautifully. When I check the bottom of the print, I see absolutely zero evidence, aside from the bed texture, that this came out of a filament printer. This orange is set it and forget it. I don't even feel like I need to watch the first layer go down.
- The silver I can see the lines from the printer, but I don't think I should go any lower. The top of the first layer is kind of "hairy".
- The Ultramarine blue was a NIGHTMARE to print with when I was trying it at the same Live Z as the Prusa Orange. Just CONSTANT boogering on the first layer. I was pausing the print every few minutes to clean the bottom of the nozzle. I raised the Live Z by 0.1mm and it is better, but not nearly as easy as the orange. My wife wants me to do a 56 hour print with this blue, and it has me worried.
So, I know that different sheets with different textures require different Live Z's. I think it is normal for different material types to have different Live Z's. I wasn't really expecting that different colors of the same material to have different Live Z's. Is this normal?
Related question... is Ultramarine Blue just a PITA to print with, or do I just have not have the Live Z correct just yet?
RE: Different Live Z for Different Spools?
Is this normal?
Yes it is. Same brand, same material, different colour -> light adjustments on live Z
is Ultramarine Blue just a PITA to print with, or do I just have not have the Live Z correct just yet?
I finished an entire spool of Ultramarine Blue, very nice filament. Try to tune your Live Z 😉
I'm not an expert. Ma parlo anche italiano 😉
RE: Different Live Z for Different Spools?
Thank you, Antonio. I'll run a few more Live Z calibrations on the blue. Actually, I have a question about that. The Live Z calibration built into the printer lets you select PET, but not PETG. Does it actually mean PETG? The temperature seems a bit low.
RE: Different Live Z for Different Spools?
@henry-2
PET and PETG are essentially the same, but a subtle difference. PET, or ‘polyethylene terephthalate’, is a combination of two monomers. PETG is of the same chemical composition as PET but with the addition of glycol.
The setting on the printer (PET) is PETG.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog