Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed  

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

The display as the printer was printing.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

During the print.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

The printhead lifts.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

Also, for a lark, I tried to print the triceratops skull that came loaded on the card. I stopped after it seemed to be getting the same kind of nowhere in a hurry as with the rectangle test pattern.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

I notice you're printing on the textured sheet.  This requires the zOffset to be much lower than the smooth plate before anything will stick.  This is because the texture sheet is thinner.

I'd recommend setting up steel sheet profiles. 

https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/steel-sheet-profiles_1955/

I name them for the material and plate so "Spla" for PLA on smooth sheet and "Spetg" for PETG on smooth sheet.

Once you've defined them you can quickly switch between them as needed.

Once multiple profiles are defined the first layer calibration will apply to the selected sheet.  Keep doing first layer calibrations and lower the zOffset(more negative) until it start sticking.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

The focus isn't good but it looks like your Z level needs to  be lower, more squished,  Also there are marks on your steel sheet that suggest cleaning will help.

Clean the sheet with dishwashing detergent (Dawn/Fairy) and plenty of HOT water, rinse well and dry with a fresh paper towel. Handle by the edges only.

At the end of the calibration you are aiming to print a single layer *sheet*. It should be possible to peel it off in one and fold it without the threads seperating. If it breaks into lines it is too high, not squished enough. If it is a single sheet but with wavy lines or drag marks on it you are too low.

For most people it pays to use 7x7 mesh bed levelling.

Many beginners have problems with the built-in first layer calibration routine. There are alternatives, see this page by a regular poster here:
http://projects.ttlexceeded.com/3dprinting_mk3_live_z_calibration.html

and look at this thread:
https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-assembly-and-first-prints-troubleshooting/life-adjust-z-my-way/

Cheerio,

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

Here's an image of a layer one test coupon that is almost correct (it is still a tad high and has a few gaps between filaments).

ps: 225 is too hot for most PLA materials.  Try stepping back and use default profiles: you'll save yourself an ocean of problems. For example, I am still using the default Generic PLA profile to this day. 215 layer 1, 210 other layers, and I use it with ALL PLA I have ever purchased (100+ spools).

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

@cjshayward

Definitely not low enough.  Make the Z more negative slowly.  

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

Way to high! The filament is literally dropping down to the sheet...

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

@diem Thank you; I've read the first and have a question.

How exactly do I adjust the Z calibration?

If I go to settings, I can move the Z axis, and I moved it from 0.2mm up to 1.1mm and then down to 1.1mm, and got a mess stuck to the printhead (somewhat clumsy photo attached). I don't know if I am in the right area to configure the Z calibration; I thought I saw a recommendation of moving up or down 0.2mm at a time until "squish" was right. I don't think I've navigated to the right area of settings.

How can I navigate in settings to calibrate the Z axis up or down by 0.2mm or whatever you'd advise me to step by?

Thanks,

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

@cjshayward

He means in the Live Z Adjust from the menu.  While printing the first several layers of something there is a menu option to adjust the live z.  turning the knob counter clockwise moves moves the nozzle closer to the bed in small increments.  If, while printing the 75mm square, you slowly lower the zOffset in small increments using that method, you should find the one that works best.  The printer remembers what zOffset you end up with when the print job is done.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

you can also get this by doing the printer's built in first layer calibration though it's not as useful as the the 75mm square.  In the printer menu go to Calibration->First layer calibration.  That will ask you what material type you are doing the calibration with.  It will also automatically open the z offset adjustment screen.   But the life z adjust my way post is really the best way to do this as it gives you more time to adjust while the print is going.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

For a shortcut to live-z adjustment and avoiding going through the menus, when printing starts (during or after the wipe line) press and hold the knob until it appears on screen.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

@cjshayward

Seeing your last photo, I‘d recommend this https://www.help.prusa3d.com/en/article/extruder-blob_2005

before continuing with calibration….

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

Also, I suspect you confuse z-Position (the position of the extruder, normally starting with 0,2 for the first layer) and z-height (the height of the nozzle over the printing surface at the moment PINDA senses the surface).

If you have calibrated the z-height correctly, the printer is able to move the extruder to the correct z-position to start the print… otherwise it’s not. 

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

PS. Because coders a wired and consider the point where PINDA triggers the origin of the system rather then the printing surface the z-height is negative….

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

What folks are trying to say: Have you completed a successful Live-Z calibration?

That cal procedure sets an offset that adjusts for the gap distance between the PINDA detection point and the metal sheet; it compensates for the PINDA to NOZZLE height differential.

Since the PINDA is always higher than the nozzle tip, the offset is always negative - the printer needs to lower the extruder  to make the nozzle touch the bed (aka Z==0.0).

https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/live-adjust-z_112427/

Not sure what reading the manual and other information sources seems so hard for some people; but seriously, it isn't painful, and will save you some serious trouble as you learn about printing in 3D; and probably save you a lot of money in material and repair costs.

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

I've completed my first mostly intact print at a z-adjustment of -2.4, but the surface looks roughed up. Is the sensor or debris from previous thermoplastic removed from around nozzle causing an abrasion?

Can you clarify whether this roughed-up look is intended or not?

RE: Test pattern is not sticking to heatbed

The "roughed-up" look stopped appearing when I raised the Z adjustment to -2.2. Trying one test print before trying a "real" bunny test print...