First Layer Calibration Problem
I have successfully made a few PLA prints after performing a first layer calibration to get the print to stick to the steel sheet. I just changed materials to ABS and the print did not stick to the steel plate at all. So, I decide to do a new first layer calibration. I perform it, and the first layer seems to thin but did not squish out wide like I would think it would. Also, if too close why was my print not touching the steel plate. After the first layer calibration, the adjustment menu did not appear. So I did the whole thing again with same result, no menu to adjust the first layer height. I am in a loop. I go to the Calibration Wizard, which leads me through a whole calibration. I have the steel plate off and the nozzle is moving over a piece of paper which it catches on. Instructions say to stop the printer. So, that is where I am at. Any suggestions for climbing out of this ditch?
Thanks, Steve
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
Back to square one. You need to go back to the guide that explains why you are doing the XYZ calibration, and make the adjustments it is calling for when the paper drags. The concept is simple: you are manually leveling the X axis to be parallel with the bed. This is to avoid damage to the bed when doing the next few calibrations that set the X and Y scales.
The entire process is predicated on the PINDA being set correctly. Too high and the nozzle will bury itself into the bed. Too low and the PINDA drags on the bed. The magic number is a 0.800 mm clearance PINDA to Nozzle - about the thickness of a cable tie leader.
Go back to the assembly guide on the web, and work through it. After the XYZ cal is done, then you can go back to calibrating the Z-Offset. Live-Z, Z-offset - interchangable terms for setting the first layer thickness to 0.200 mm.
As a post script: I've hardly ever worried about changing Z-offset when I change plastics. Some worry about it, and do the change for reasonable reasons, e.g., to reduce adhesion for sticky plastics. But I just print and use a release agent for TPU or PETG.
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
@tim-2
I know why I am doing the calibration; it is because the first layer calibration isn't working. I just redid the first layer calibration. I responded YES that I wanted to readjust and it gave me the main menu. So, I did it again, this time after completion, it went straight to the main menu without any questions. This first layer calibration is something that I have done before. Without the proper menu showing up, how do I make the adjustment?
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
@rose359
Do you mean the menu no longer exists on your printer?
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
@cwbullet
The appropriate menus are not being presented. After I answer YES to I want to make an adjustment with the dial, I expect a menu to present that possibility. So, I tried again and wasn't asked if I wanted to make that adjustment; I was back at the main menu.
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
In the menus, Calibration : First layer calibration
...
If that menu is missing, you have larger problems than first layer issues.
And - - is there a pause and beep after pressing enter and show the Prusa Mk3 stuff? Or does the menu just change back to the main menu without doing anything else?
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
ps: ABS is not known to be sticky and often needs help; ABS Juice, gluestik, etc.
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
Oh - and besides the first layer cal (runs the zigzag and small coupon test) there is the Settings: Live adjust Z function that allows adjustment of the Z value stored from running the cal.
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
Steve, did you watch Josef´s video for beginners? (49) Original Prusa i3 MK3 guide for a new user - YouTube
And, btw, just to be on the safe side: The X-button is not to confirm any menue options but causes a reset. To confirm menue options, press the dial button.
I try to give answers to the best of my ability, but I am not a 3D printing pro by any means, and anything you do you do at your own risk. BTW: I have no food for…
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
Another possible roadblock here is some of these items might only select when the printer is at temp - though pretty sure mine allows selecting and changing the Z-offset even when cold. And on mine, the cal layer one option will ask for filament type and then proceeds to heat, and then runs the zig-zag.
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
@tim-2
Can you clarify that last statement? I am not sure I understand.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
@cwbullet
The menus change depending on printer state. If printing, holding the button down does one thing, If not printing it does another. A few of the menus are like that: state dependent.
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
Though - in this case, the issue of not being able to select the Live Z tune or Layer one cal might be as simple as pressing Reset [X] instead of pressing Enter [knob].
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
I threw in the towel and powered it down for the day. I came back to the project a couple days later and everything behaved as expected. No missing menus, no longer stuck in a loop.
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
@rose359
Good that its back to normal. Thanks for the update.
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
@rose359
Sometimes taking a day off fixes everything. Great news. I still wonder what it was.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: First Layer Calibration Problem
@rose359
Are you running the most recent firmware? I've seen devices act strange if you have unstable power. I run my printers on UPS to not only give me some tolerance to power flickers, but also to condition the power coming in. Maybe you had a brownout and it put things in a weird state?