First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
Hi everyone!
Just finished assembling the MK3 kit last weekend and running calibrations (all of them -- XYZ, bed leveling, repeating Z-calibration after I moved the printer, etc.), and my prints have some issues that I don't understand.
I've printed a few of the pre-shipped STLs, including Benchie, Triceratops, and Treefrog, as well as some calibration cubes, and they all exhibit similar issues (i.e., the files aren't the culprits). For example, here's Treefrog:
Left side:
Right side:
Print settings:
- Default PLA settings (210/60 °C)
- Latest firmware (3.1.3)
- Set live z-adjust during first layer calibration to -0.410 mm
- Pre-shipped STLs, so I assume they were sliced in Slic3r PE with all the correct defaults, but I haven't checked
Issues I see:
- Striations as you move up in Z. It's worse on the left side than on the right side (same as on Benchie, whose left side looked really good and right side looked terrible). Is this layer shifting? Bad adhesion layer-to-layer? Poor infill overlap?
- Zits. Too high of an extrusion multiplier or extrusion width? Nozzle too hot?
- Strings. Nozzle too hot?
What else am I missing, and how do I improve? Any suggestions for good diagnostic prints that would isolate the issues (like 30 x 30 x 0.2 mm squares)?
Thanks!
Re: First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
I don't believe your Live Z is low enough. That skirt line around the print looks too round. Should be more squished. I'd start with getting that right before trying to troublesshoot anything else.
Re: First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
I agree. It's how mine was. Had to alter it a few times to get it right. If you end up at 1mm offset then you need to move the sensor a bit
Re: First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
OP, I agree that you should change your Live Z settings. Could you maybe post a picture of your pinda probe from straight on from the cooling fan (from the front)? Also, I would run the Z adjustment calibration routine from the Calibration menu and get a nice, squished 1st layer. If the part isn't properly adhered, it can shift around and give you issues.
Re: First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
Thanks everyone! Just got back to the printer, and I'll try dropping the Live Z closer to the sheet and PINDA probe if needed.
Could you maybe post a picture of your pinda probe from straight on from the cooling fan (from the front)?
Calipers say it's approx. 2 mm above the surface (parallax is a little screwy). Too high?
Related question: now that I've printed a few parts on here, what's the prescribed way to clean and prep the PEI sheet? It seems like forums have conflicting info -- IPA after each vs. once/week, soapy water, acetone, glue on all prints vs. never use glue, etc.?
Edit: nevermind that last question, I'm sticking with this -- https://help.prusa3d.com/l/en/article/6Gtws6Yqjg-pei-print-surface-preparation
Re: First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
You could read the included manual about PEI sheet preparation:-(
Re: First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
Sweet, think that was it -- I dropped the live z down to -0.460 mm after some tinkering and cleaned the surface with IPA. Still have some strings and a couple of zits, but the major defects disappeared. As-shipped Benchie as an example:
You could read the included manual about PEI sheet preparation:-(
I definitely did. Unfortunately, I also referred to the internet, which is always risky. At least in the case of the z-striations, though, it paid off!
Thanks all.
Re: First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
Thanks everyone! Just got back to the printer, and I'll try dropping the Live Z closer to the sheet and PINDA probe if needed.
Could you maybe post a picture of your pinda probe from straight on from the cooling fan (from the front)?
IMG_3068.JPG
Calipers say it's approx. 2 mm above the surface (parallax is a little screwy). Too high?
Related question: now that I've printed a few parts on here, what's the prescribed way to clean and prep the PEI sheet? It seems like forums have conflicting info -- IPA after each vs. once/week, soapy water, acetone, glue on all prints vs. never use glue, etc.?
Edit: nevermind that last question, I'm sticking with this -- https://help.prusa3d.com/l/en/article/6Gtws6Yqjg-pei-print-surface-preparation
Looks pretty good. Just run the Z calibration and move it by 20-30 microns at a time until it looks good a "squished." If you want more help with that I'd be happy to. You could also check your extruder screw tension - with filament in it should be like barely tight at all - enough not to fall out, but not really any past that.
Re: First Print -- Why is my Treefrog ugly?
For the sheet on mine i have just been wiping it clean with the odd wash and its working fine. Currently using PLA but I have some rPLA and rPETG on the way so i'll see how that goes.