First mk3s calibration.. new kit printer
Print passed self checks after assembly... new powdercoated wiped clean with alcohol pad included in kit...
nozzle calibrated to slightly touch across x-axis, pinda calibrated with ziptie. etc.. where do i begin to resolve.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Best Answer by Crawlerin:
This is first layer calibration, one of the most important steps towards good 3D prints. While printer prints this pattern, you are supposed to turn the knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to raise or lower your nozzle over the steel sheet. In your case, it looks like nozzle is too high. Run this test again, turn knob counter-clockwise, and observe the line carefully. You want the nozzle to squish that filament to surface, but not too much that rough surface is protruding from the print. When it prints the small square, all lines should touch each other and when you remove it from sheet, they need to stick together and form one solid thin layer.
While you adjust with the knob, notice the negative number value increasing on display. Once happy with your first layer, make a note of this number somewhere, that's your Z value. Write it down to a piece of paper or masking tape and keep it with the steel sheet. You need to do this for every new sheet, possibly with every new filament type, and every time you do some work on extruder (change nozzle, adjust probe, ...)
RE: First mk3s calibration.. new kit printer
This is first layer calibration, one of the most important steps towards good 3D prints. While printer prints this pattern, you are supposed to turn the knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to raise or lower your nozzle over the steel sheet. In your case, it looks like nozzle is too high. Run this test again, turn knob counter-clockwise, and observe the line carefully. You want the nozzle to squish that filament to surface, but not too much that rough surface is protruding from the print. When it prints the small square, all lines should touch each other and when you remove it from sheet, they need to stick together and form one solid thin layer.
While you adjust with the knob, notice the negative number value increasing on display. Once happy with your first layer, make a note of this number somewhere, that's your Z value. Write it down to a piece of paper or masking tape and keep it with the steel sheet. You need to do this for every new sheet, possibly with every new filament type, and every time you do some work on extruder (change nozzle, adjust probe, ...)
RE: First mk3s calibration.. new kit printer
For a new powder coated sheet specifically - and counter to Prusa advice - really scrub your sheet with an unscented detergent like Dawn and copious amounts of water. Dry with an unused paper towel - and don't touch the print surface. Dry it on the heated bed.
Then do your Z calibration.
Oh - and the new firmware keeps track of the Z setting by sheet type. Make sure you are set to "Textured".
RE: First mk3s calibration.. new kit printer
Thank you!.. Progress... I have 1st level adhesion and finished a test print...
I cleaned with Dawn and my first layer Z is now around -1.10
Need lower Z or something else to improve the fill attaching to the edges in the gears?
This is the gears test print flipped upside down to see the first layer...
RE: First mk3s calibration.. new kit printer
Z is too high - but use a Live Z Calibration object to set / check it. Only takes 12 minutes to print.