First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers
 
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dimprov
(@dimprov)
Noble Member
First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers

I used PrusaControl to make the gcode files for an electronics enclosure found at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2789890

It printed successfully, but the first layer looks *extremely* dodgy. Subsequent layers look fine. See photos. What's going on, and how do I fix it from happening again?

Posted : 28/04/2018 6:06 pm
Kwaad2
(@kwaad2)
Honorable Member
Re: First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers

Your first layer calibration (Live Z) is wrong.

I'm not 100% sure which way you need to go though?

If I was to guess, It looks like you are too "high", and need to "lower" the nozzle, closer to the PEI sheet.

Hi, I'm Sean. I used to work on CNC machines.
I try to not make mistakes, but the decision is YOURS.
Please feel free to donate to my filament/maintance fund.

Posted : 28/04/2018 7:38 pm
dimprov
(@dimprov)
Noble Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers

That makes sense. For some reason the calibration works correctly for the gcode files on the SD card, but not for new files created with PrusaControl. Not sure why that is?

Posted : 28/04/2018 8:33 pm
Kwaad2
(@kwaad2)
Honorable Member
Re: First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers


That makes sense. For some reason the calibration works correctly for the gcode files on the SD card, but not for new files created with PrusaControl. Not sure why that is?

I'm unsure of what that would be, as the files on the SD card *SHOULD* be 0.2mm first layer height.

Prusa control *SHOULD* also use 0.2mm first layer height, so there shouldn't be a major difference.

The only difference I can think of that would effect this would be "Extrusion Multiplier".

I am not a fan of Prusa Control, and don't use it. (I don't feel that printers and "filament" are consistent enough to have non-customizeable options)

I use Slic3r. 🙂

Getting into some detail, if I recall right, the files on the SD are sliced with S3D, and if that's the case, you can see some differences in.

1. Extrusion Widths.
2. Speeds.
3. Coasting. (This isn't even an option in Slic3r, and is kinda outdated with Linear Advance, which is turned on in 3.2RC1... I'm not sure if they used Coasting though... They should have though if they wanted the best looking prints)

If you wanna up your quality a chunk, Upgrade the printers firmware to 3.2 RC2.

Also, learn to use Slic3r.

The major things you should learn to work with are.
1. Extrusion Multiplier.
2. Temps
3. Speeds

90% of the time, that's all I mess with, very rarely do I actually need to go into the other settings... Now, to a rookie, those 3 settings are VERY hard to get right... 😉

Extrusion multiplier I find, is easiest to set with...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1622868

Follow the instructions... Print 2, put them together, if they are super tight, you are extruding too much, and should lower the multiplier. If they don't "hold together barely" you are under extruding, and need to increase the extrusion multiplier.

Temps are a bit of voodoo. Too cool, and it's kinda thick. This will yeild more imperfections, than when it's hotter and smoother. Too hot, and it strings, and makes a mess. You can also effect the surface finish of your prints by increasing and decreasing your temp. (Shiny @ high, and matt @ low)

Speeds are a little more straight forward.
Getting all... however many speeds there are.... to work together can be a bit of a challenge, but generally it's fairly straight forward.

Hi, I'm Sean. I used to work on CNC machines.
I try to not make mistakes, but the decision is YOURS.
Please feel free to donate to my filament/maintance fund.

Posted : 28/04/2018 9:20 pm
dimprov
(@dimprov)
Noble Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers

Hmmm.. The most recent Prusa I3 MK3 firmware that I can see is only version 3.1.3: https://www.prusa3d.com/drivers/

Where are you finding version 3.2?

Posted : 29/04/2018 12:43 am
dimprov
(@dimprov)
Noble Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers

Nevermind. Found it: https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware/releases

I guess they just haven't gotten around to linking to it from the Prusa website as yet. 🙄

Posted : 29/04/2018 1:19 am
Kai
 Kai
(@kai-2)
Famed Member
Re: First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers

Be careful using 3.2 !
It´s a release candidate !!!

Wer freundlich fragt bekommt auch eine freundliche Antwort.
nec aspera terrent

Posted : 30/04/2018 11:14 am
stahlfabrik
(@stahlfabrik)
Honorable Member
Re: First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers

When you see that your first layer is way too high, you could always stop the print and start again;-)

For small corrections there is also the "live z adjust" menu item right there in the menu.

As mentioned by others: your first layer is way to high - your live adjust Z numbers need to be dialed more negative.

Maybe your PINDA probe suffers from bad temperature calibration? That could explain why sometimes your first layer is OK, and sometimes it is bad (it is the temperature of the PINDA probe that is causing this)

Posted : 30/04/2018 12:41 pm
dimprov
(@dimprov)
Noble Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: First layer looks *wildly* different than subsequent layers



Maybe your PINDA probe suffers from bad temperature calibration? That could explain why sometimes your first layer is OK, and sometimes it is bad (it is the temperature of the PINDA probe that is causing this)

Aha. That's something new to consider. Thanks!

Posted : 30/04/2018 5:05 pm
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