First Layer Help Request
Hey Prusa Masters,
I've been having an absolute blast with my MK3S+. I've had a lot of successful prints already and am planning out some more 🙂
However, every once in a while my first layer isn't great. I had one real bad, but just needed to clean the print surface. But this seems like it's a bit more advanced. It doesn't seem like anything is clogged. But why am I getting these odd blips in my print?
Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Mike Ressler
RE: First Layer Help Request
In comparing my pictures to some other first layers, I thought I might want to do a first layer optimization process. I followed the thread here and came out with much better results:
It's surprising to me just how sensitive it can be to a few microns either way. -1.000 was individual strands, -1.090 was what you saw initially, and -1.105 was what this most recent picture was of. So far it looks good!
RE: First Layer Help Request
@mressler
Hello
Welcome to the forum.
None of your photos are opening.
If the first layer is a solid sheet and you cannot pull the rows apart, or see any gaps then that normally meams you are in the ball park.
Tank you very much!
RE: First Layer Help Request
Sorry about that - here are the bad first layer pics:
And here's how it looks after some calibration prints:
RE: First Layer Help Request
@mressler
First 2 look too low
3rd looks ok from here but TBH its difficult for anyone else to accurately analyse your first layer from a photo, you are really the best judge of it, takes a bit of practice but once you know what you are looking for it is much easier.
I found this image https://caddesignhelp.com/2018/11/what-knowledge-is-necessary-to-use-a-3d-printer/
Along with Jeffs decription of a homogeneous layer quite helpfull is getting an image in my mind of a good first layer. Although took me almost a day to nail it.
Also make sure your bed is spotless, the slightest but of grease from your fingers can cause havoc, wash with unscented dish soap, lots of hot water to rinse, and always dry well including heating on the bed or a radiator to stop it rusting.
You can also use 100% Acetone once a week, and 99.9% IPA for regular cleaning.
It will come in time, stick with it. 3d printing is a very steep learning curve.
The first layer is the most important so be sure to spend a lot of time getting it right.
Tank you very much!
RE: First Layer Help Request
First pictures looks a little to high!.
If first layer fails, This is what I do:
Print a few squares over the whole bed, then start printing, start with a to high first layer, then lower it step by step, then you will see the good setting.
No holes, lines should stick together, underside should be flat and look the same on whole underside.
Needed to get a good print:
1. Clean bed very good, use dish soap, use a lot of hot water, and do this a few times.
2. First layer needs to be 100%.
Both settings are needed for sticking to bed, and to avoid a bog ball of filament sticking to the nozzle, and for models that release higher up in the print.
RE: First Layer Help Request
@mressler
Apologies Peter is correct.
I had a brain fart.
Too high indeed.
Had my second vaccine yesterday and clearly must have caused some brain fog.
Tank you very much!