First layer varies
I am used to having a great first layer, but the recent time I have it varying... not sure if it is due to updates?
Bambu labs Filament with Settings of Prusament PLA, but also have it with prusament.
Anyone else having similar issues?
Thx!
Best Answer by Neophyl:
The pinda sensor is temperature dependant. Changing its temp effects the distance at which is reacts. On the newer models with the 'superpinda' its supposed to be temperature compensated. Supposed being the operative word.
The older plain pinda isn't but it has one advantage, it also has a thermistor built in. By running a variant of Bobstro's start code its possible to place the extruder over the middle of the bed and heat up until the pinda reaches a set temp. Only then does it do the mesh probing. This gives extremely repeatable first layers. It does take longer to get to 'working' temp though on colder days. A price that is worth it in my opinion.
Heres an example what preheating to a known temp does -
The same is still true as you will see even printers like the XL have warm up routines as part of their start up. I have to do the same and warm things up on my Sovol SV08 to get a repeatable first layer on that too.
So what printer model do you have ? and is it fitted with a pinda or superpinda ?
RE: First layer varies
No I am not having issues running the most recent firmware.
It kinda looks like a low spot in the middle of those parts. Are you sure there is nothing under the sheet and that is not caught on one of the alignment screws on the back of the heat bed?
If you are lucky it may just be a worn nozzle and recalibrating the first layer 'Z' offset may fix it, you can usually recalibrate two or three times but eventually, and especially if it has worn unevenly, it will need replacing.
Have you been using acetone on that print sheet? It looks like you may have used too much (it MUST be clean but restrict acetone to last resort cleaning as it will gradually damage the sheet) - or again, it might just be worn, try the other side.
Cheerio,
RE: First layer varies
Thank you!
But sadly no. It is not caught in the back.
I did not move the bed, after 3rd try fine again... I will need to take a closer look at this on other filaments then.
I am questioning the functionality of the Pinda sensor, should not bed leveling recognize this? But on the other hand, if it works on the 3rd time without change, can it be the Pinda sensor?
I use Isopropanol, and will bear in mind for the future to change the side of the plate and maybe replace the nozzle. Both sides look similar. The sheet and the nozzle may be already old (2019). The dots you see on the sheet are "bubbles", well I guess the layer itself went off at these dots, so it is kind of bubble with vaccuum. The surface is still flat.
RE:
The pinda sensor is temperature dependant. Changing its temp effects the distance at which is reacts. On the newer models with the 'superpinda' its supposed to be temperature compensated. Supposed being the operative word.
The older plain pinda isn't but it has one advantage, it also has a thermistor built in. By running a variant of Bobstro's start code its possible to place the extruder over the middle of the bed and heat up until the pinda reaches a set temp. Only then does it do the mesh probing. This gives extremely repeatable first layers. It does take longer to get to 'working' temp though on colder days. A price that is worth it in my opinion.
Heres an example what preheating to a known temp does -
The same is still true as you will see even printers like the XL have warm up routines as part of their start up. I have to do the same and warm things up on my Sovol SV08 to get a repeatable first layer on that too.
So what printer model do you have ? and is it fitted with a pinda or superpinda ?
RE:
Yeah, that makes sense. It even looks similar to my print, or do I just wish it to do so?
I have an MK3S with a Pinda sensor.
I did not understand yet how the preheating routine works thay you explained, but I might have a look at it another day.
Until then I can manually preheat if necessary.
RE: First layer varies
If you want an example of start gcode that does the pinda warm up I can post mine. However a visit to the late Bobstro's muppetlabs site will explain things in far more detail and is full of very good information https://www.muppetlabs.co/3dprinting_mk3_maintenance.html
RE: First layer varies
Thank you very much. If I decide to use it, I will work into it.
I am not so deep into 3D Printing, but for prototypes and some small Larp Stuff it is good enough.
And sometimes there is an issue I get Angry, like with the layer.
I recognized that after 3 starts it works better. But when I startet this topic I really did not think that this is really true. I thought that it must be something else.
I will do the manual preparing for my print and do them after each other. It is possible for me.
And if I am upset in a year about this.... well, then I take the qpproximate 2 hours (?) And read into it. 😀
Thank you all for your help! If prewarming is not the solution, I will update this post!