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Can a print mess up first layer calibration or z height  

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buckeyestargazer
(@buckeyestargazer)
Estimable Member
Can a print mess up first layer calibration or z height

I'm scratching my head on this one.  I have two MK3S printers.  I print almost non stop and exclusively with PETG.  

After months of relatively error free printing, today both of my printers started exhibiting the same problem at the same time: the first layer isn't sticking on the bed properly and so a small blob forms on the nozzle that then messes up the first layer.  Nothing changed from last nights successful prints to today.  I keep trying to run first layer calibration (which I've done many times in the past) and nothing I do seems to be effective.  Before the calibration lines even start there is a significant blob on the nozzle so the first line gets messed up.  I've tried to run the first layer calibration with different rolls of filament, same problem.  I've changed one nozzle, same problem.  I've made sure the bed is clean etc.

Last night I printed the same model on both printers (basically a long bar 1" wide and 8" long, 0.5" high).  This is the common denominator between the printers that were both printing fine yesterday (different models on either printer).  Is it possible that last night's print caused some sort of problem on both printers?  I'm just out of ideas. 

Posted : 05/03/2021 7:34 pm
buckeyestargazer
(@buckeyestargazer)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Can a print mess up first layer calibration or z height

First layer calibration.  No matter what I do this is what it looks like.

 

Posted : 05/03/2021 7:41 pm
Dan Rogers
(@dan-rogers)
Noble Member
RE: Can a print mess up first layer calibration or z height

Would suggest enabling 7x7 bed leveling mesh on print start.  From the looks of your picture, the head is too close to the print, and is dragging in the filament as it is being laid down.  Try backing off your live z by +20 or so, try again, and repeat.  

 

Posted : 05/03/2021 9:02 pm
buckeyestargazer
(@buckeyestargazer)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Can a print mess up first layer calibration or z height
Posted by: @dan-rogers

Would suggest enabling 7x7 bed leveling mesh on print start.  From the looks of your picture, the head is too close to the print, and is dragging in the filament as it is being laid down.  Try backing off your live z by +20 or so, try again, and repeat.  

 

I agree that's what it looks like, but I tried backing off the live z height by a wide amount (in steps) without success.  

I ended up doing a full printer calibration using the wizard and also using PLA instead of PETG and now the first print seems to be going OK.  So hopefully that will work for the other printer as well.  It's just bizarre that both printers started doing this at basically the same time.  I am admittedly a bit of a novice (printing almost 1yr now) but this had me stumped.  It's like all the calibration got erased somehow from both printers.  

Posted : 05/03/2021 9:13 pm
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