Prusament print problems, Hatchbox and Prusa PLA print OK
I’ve been using my MK3S for a few months, and have had no problems at all until just a few days ago. The past few times I’ve tried to print things I’ve had a terrible time with first layer adhesion. The print will start laying down the first layer, then after 30 seconds or so it will detach from the bed and will become a tangled mess unless I abort the print. The very strange thing is that this only happens with Prusament filament. I’ve also used Hatchbox and Prusa PLA (that came with the MK3S kit), and all of those filaments print just fine.
I’ve cleaned the nozzle (have to after each Prusament mess), cleaned the bed with 90% IPA before almost every print, and the problem continues. Everything I print with Hatchbox or Pruse PLA is fine, but the two Prusament spools I have do not stick to the bed. I’ve checked the settings in PrusaSlicer and they seem correct, although other than price, Prusament, Hatchbox, and Prusa PLA all seem to have the same settings.
The only thing that sets Prusament apart is that both spools are stored in their original zip lock bags and inside the cardboard container, while the Hatchbox and Prusa PLA spools are stored in a Rubbermaid container. All spools are stored with several desiccant packs (2 per spool for Prusament, and half a dozen for the 3 spools in the Rubbermaid container). The printer is in the basement with an ambient temperature of about 50 degrees F and humidity at or below 20%. I’ve tried moving the printer up to the kitchen (ambient 70 degrees F), and the Prusament still has the adhesion problem.
I only have the spools mounted on the printer for the duration of the print, so they’re not left lying around. Given that the problem only occurs with the Prusament, I’m left with the possibility that something has made the Prusament “go bad”. Since both spools are in their original storage bag together with 2 desiccant packs except when printing, I find it hard to believe that both spools have suddenly become saturated with water, especially given the low ambient temperature and humidity. Still, the different storage methods between good and bad spools is a common element with the problem.
Any thoughts on what the problems might be or how I can fix it? I hate to just toss both Prusament spools, but as it is now, they’re useless (and I’m getting tired of cleaning up the mess they produce).
RE: Prusament print problems, Hatchbox and Prusa PLA print OK
cleaned the bed with 90% IPA before almost every print, and the problem continues.
This is not good, almost every print.
You need to clean before every print.
Alcohol does not clean everything on the bed. You need to clean with a lot of alcohol to get bed clean.
A better way is to clean with dish soap, with a lot of hot water.
What bed are you using?
Let us see a first layer calibration of the bed if this is OK.
Most important for printing is : clean bed and a good first layer, then sticking will be best.
Extra that could help: first layer print hotter, bed for the whole print 10 degrees higher, first layer slower, and if all fails use glue stick.
RE: Prusament print problems, Hatchbox and Prusa PLA print OK
Same problem as me, except I rarely have to clean the bed at all - except with Prusament PLA... which pla isn't sticking for you? Its the silver for me.
RE: Prusament print problems, Hatchbox and Prusa PLA print OK
@spinnetti
It's Jet Black and Azure Blue PLA. As I mentioned in the original post, they used to work fine until a week or two ago, and both Hatchbox and Prusa PLA still do. It's definitely not a clean bed problem, so something else is going on. Until someone figures it out I'll have to stick with Hatchbox. It is a bit troubling that you're having similar problems after many successful prints. I wonder if it's a coincidence that this just started happening for me right after I got a notice in PrusaSlicer about an updated setting of some sort (can't remember exactly what it was).
RE: Prusament print problems, Hatchbox and Prusa PLA print OK
Same for me. Can't get Prusament PLA Jet Black to adhere on smooth PEI bed, no matter Z level, bed temp etc.
PLA silver delivered with the printer (MK3S) adheres without any problem, even skipping some cleanings between prints.
Could it be an updated setting in PrusaSlicer 2.3??
RE: Prusament print problems, Hatchbox and Prusa PLA print OK
I had the same problem in PrusaSlicer 2.2, so if it's a setting issue, it hasn't changed. I've since purchased additional filament from Hatchbox, and they work fine. No idea why Prusament doesn't stick while Hatchbox does, but it makes the decision of what brands to buy (or not) an easy one.
RE: Prusament print problems, Hatchbox and Prusa PLA print OK
I do notice a qualitative difference printing prusament verus other PLA. But sticking to the bed, in my experience, is a function of how clean, and how well calibrated. Have you tried adjusting live Z when you think you start to see a print failing/skidding off the table?
But like the others here, I'm going to assume your calibration is not just at the edge and needs a tweak (live Z) - and say that when your sheet gets the un-stickies, it's time to clean it really well. Dish soap and hot water are great. If it's the smooth PE sheet, read up about the occasional (very occasional) use of Acetone to bring the sheet's surface back.
Finally, do remember that the print beds do wear over time. I'm starting to make a set of dedicated sheets for PLA and PETG (I haven't printed any others yet). Smooth sheet for PLA only. Textured sheet for PET only (unless you want the texture for your PLA prints). Things do stick much better to the textured sheet - oh, and you need to have profiles set up for different calebration settings if you use multiple sheets)
RE: Prusament print problems, Hatchbox and Prusa PLA print OK
Update: Problem solved by cleaning the PEI with dish soap (Dreft), leaving the soap a couple of minutes to act and then rinsing with warm water.
This is indeed suggested at different places in the forum (so my lesson-learned today: RTFF)
At this stage, no noticeable difference in quality with the PLA Silver, and to be fair, an impeccable print. I guess the Prusament PLA is just more picky, less "broadband", when it comes to bed cleanliness.