Prusa Logo first layer print issues
Our build of the MK3S+ seemed to be going quite well until we tried calibrating and printing the first layer of the Prusa Logo on the sd-card.
We are using Prusa PLA 215/60 filament - silve stock that came with the printer and the Prusa Galaxy black.
We were very close to getting a nice fill with this one issue.
The printer seems to print the first outer border fine but when it starts on the fill it seems like it forget where the first border is. It's almost like it is forgetting where the origin was on the x-axis start. So we get a gap at the end of the first layer where the print started as you can see in the images below. Doesn't always happen - but it seems fairly consistent and we can't figure out why.
We tried both sides of the smooth and textured plates. Cleaned them repeatedly with rubbing alcohol. We had a friend re-slice the file and send it to us but no change. Friends print worked fine on his Mk3S printer. Friend has never seen this issue before.
We tried changing the layer thickness as we were calibrating with no real change.
Belts seems tight, all x, y and z rods seem to move smoothly.
We are wondering if this might be a firmware or hardware/software issue?
Looking for any guidance on what to try next. Has anyone seen this before?
Best Answer by Dan Rogers:
You are seeing X layer shift. As JSW notes, this can be possibly caused by not tightening the little black screw on the X axis motor pulley in the proper order (flat first, round second). It can also be caused by the back plate of the X carriage assembly being over tightened. Loosen the screws holding the X carriage back plate - all of them. Loosen them until you don't think they are tight at all. On my printers, I keep the screws on that back plate just enough to keep the back plate from falling off.
Have you verified that the grub screws on the X and Y motor shafts are good and tight?
Layer shift on first assembly - very common
You are seeing X layer shift. As JSW notes, this can be possibly caused by not tightening the little black screw on the X axis motor pulley in the proper order (flat first, round second). It can also be caused by the back plate of the X carriage assembly being over tightened. Loosen the screws holding the X carriage back plate - all of them. Loosen them until you don't think they are tight at all. On my printers, I keep the screws on that back plate just enough to keep the back plate from falling off.
Layer Shift was the problem!
I've been remiss in replying to this thread. Layer shift was indeed the problem!!
We loosened up both the X and Y motor pulleys, made sure the flat side was properly aligned, and then really clamped down on the screws to tighten them. Now we are printing like mad. I've attached a few images - some from the SD card and some my nephew designed.
Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated!
Good to hear of the success stories.