Wont Stick to Build Plate  

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

Looking at the bit still on the bed, it's very clear that your Live-Z is way too high. The sheet does "just work" but you do have to set it up properly.

• A dirty PEI print surface. Even if you don't think this is the cause, it's always a good idea to make sure your PEI surface is clean before trying any other fixes. If it's a smooth PEI sheet, take it to the kitchen sink and give it a good dunk with Dawn (original formula, no vinegar or hand softener variants) dishwashing soap or your local equivalent (e.g. Fairy in UK). Use a clean paper towel to clean it off, and another to dry it. Avoid using any sponge or cloth that has been in contact with grease. Above all else, avoid touching the PEI print surface. Once it's good and clean, you should be able to use 91%+ isopropyl alcohol between prints, 100% acetone when that fails , and another dunk when acetone fails. Worst-case, use a 3M 7445 ScotchBrite pad or equivalent on smooth PEI to give it a very light buff, but only infrequently. If you've got a textured powder-coated PEI print surface, the official instructions are to use 91%+ isopropyl alcohol on it only. Rumors persist that some tribes deep in the jungle have had good luck getting started with these sheets by giving them a wipe with 100% acetone and a dunk with Dawn. Either way, there's no real warranty on these sheets. YMMV.
• If you have not already done so, try using Jeff Jordan's "Life Adjust" procedure for calibrating your Live-Z setting. It is much easier to use and understand than the on-board routine. It's much easier to make mid-print adjustments accurately with. In general, start high (less negative) and work lower (more negative) in large increments (e.g. 0.1mm) until the filament starts to stick on its own. When you've got your Live-Z setting adjusted properly, you should be able to gently rub the extruded lines on the PEI surface without dislodging them.  Then start lowering (more negative) the level until there are no gaps between layers. 

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

Side note: No one makes a 3D printer that "just works".  They all require correct setup and maintenance. Given those - you can get great results.

If that is your expectation - expect some disappointment and bumps in the road ahead.

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@robert-rmm200

Actually.....the Makerbot is self-leveling and as far as the set up ----- it REALLY "just works"; however, their extruders are garbage and they jam up all the time - which is why I bought a Prusa

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

I have spent the last 7 hours trying to get my Prusa MK3s to work correctly. I have been through the entire XYZ calibration four times and just the Z calibration 3 times. I have cleaned the plate three times - and my model is still not adhering. I have another printer (Creality Ender 3) that I put together myself. I have to manually level its bed before each print - but I at least get a print every time. I purposefully bought the Prusa model because a) I didn't want to have to assemble it and b) I didn't want to have to level the bed manually before each print. The instruction booklet claims that the already-assembled printer has been calibrated - it wasn't. At this point, if I thought I could box this POS back up and return it for a full refund (including shipping), I would.

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@curtis

You are still too high.  

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

Please use this

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

Clean your plate with some dawn and a kitchen sponge with the scrubby side.  Dry and then do the above method.  This is foundational to having any success at 3d printing.   Keep in mind that PLA might have a "right" zOffset and PETG a different one.  Also changing from textured to smooth to satin to whatever also requires you figure out the z for that plate.  The printer allows you to set up different sheet profiles so that you can quickly switch between material+plate combinations.  See https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/steel-sheet-profiles_1955/

The prusa is a fantastic printer and as folks above pointed out any printer is going to require something like this.  Auto-leveling is NOT the same as a your zOffset.

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@curtis

Others have already said it, your Z is too high. This Prusa is my second printer, and I LOVE that it can do the live Z adjustment. While setting it up though, I was terrified that I was going to jab my hot end into the bed and scratch it to heck. But, I just kept lowering it. I got it down to about -1.5ish before it started to squish, and then about -1.6ish before it was good.

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@henry-2

Agree.  It’s important to note that no two printers will be precisely the same in regards to Z.  I have two prusa assembled printers and the z offsets between them are very different.  This is why it’s important for folks dial it in on their printer

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@ssill2

Isn't that the truth.  I have 13 Prusas, 2 Crealities, and 2 Anycubics.  Each has a different Z Offset.  

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

Thank you all for the responses. After adjusting the Z value over a millimeter, I'm now getting some limited success (still having trouble printing miniatures from HeroForge). My original point, however, is that the instruction manual claims the printer was calibrated at the factory as part of the assembly. To me, that means "plug and play." If I wanted to mess with the printer, I would have stuck with my Creality Ender 3.

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@curtis

If you're going to stay with 3d printing you might need to adjust your expectations.  Every print can be a potential challenge in some way.  When I got my two assembled prusas they had a pla print on the plate right from the box.  However, getting jostled around in shipping etc it's good they force you to calibrate z when you first turn the thing on.  

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

Semi serious question here ...

Am I the only one who doesn't have trouble getting printed objects to stick to the plate?

Every time I log in here it seems like there's one or more people struggling getting stuff to stick! Maybe I'm just lucky?

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@annier

There are hundreds of thousands of Prusa Printers out there, at any one time we see a few with adhesion issues; most of them are due to failing to follow the instructions or just plain not cleaning ...

Go figure: the 0.01% reported(here) fail rate suggests you are not alone.

Cheerio,

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@annier

Nope. Very seldom for me anymore. The new satin steels hers are awesome

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

it takes some longer then others to get it, and still a few never get it. 3d Printing is not for everyone.

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

@swiss_cheese

That is the truth and protectionism is the enemy of success.  Every print has its flaws.  

RE: Wont Stick to Build Plate

I have very few failed prints, and those that fail are seldom due to the first layer not sticking.

I'm not at all shy about using an adhesion booster/release agent when appropriate, either Layerneer or glue stick.  I have not yet found a combination of filament/plate that will not properly adhere and release if proper attention to detail is done.

I do, however, have occasional prints that are discarded in what I would call an 'iterative improvement' cycle.  If a large print has a tricky part I'll often times do some cuts and test print the tricky part(s) with the intention of discarding it/them.  Drafting and testing mating pieces can be tricky.

I have not tried the satin sheet and I probably won't order one unless/until I have a need for it for a specific job.