Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints  

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

Here is a pic of yesterdays print:

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

And todays

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

My two guesses are a change in temperature or a worn out nozzle.

Steve

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

Posted by: @steven-p8

My two guesses are a change in temperature or a worn out nozzle.

Steve

Cheers Steve... Temperature no... Printed the same time of day and the central heating is on... So the house is at a constant temperature.

Worn nozzle is a VERY likely explanation.. I am still on my 1st Nozzle and have printed 10,000s of Meters.. But how could it change so much in 24 hours.. Literally.. I have the prints side by side and they are totally different...

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

Random temp changes during mesh leveling will cause this if the gcode doesn't wait for the PINDA to stabilize to a known temp.

Make sure you use M860 in the start-up gcode and random temp variations can be minimized.

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

Posted by: @tim-m30

Random temp changes during mesh leveling will cause this if the gcode doesn't wait for the PINDA to stabilize to a known temp.

Make sure you use M860 in the start-up gcode and random temp variations can be minimized.

Odd that I created the gcode files for these prints years ago and have not had any problem before now.. But I will look at the M860 option to see if it helps.

How best to use it.. Bring the prinda close to the bed and let it warm? What temperature should I use with the M860 command?

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

There are several examples of PINDA heatup routines. The only one that I remember off the top of my head is by @bobstro and published with explanations here:

http://projects.ttlexceeded.com/3dprinting_prusaslicer_gcode.html

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

@sembazuru

Cheers.. I got that one and only last week added it to a new printer profile.. I have been using it but the longer start up times annoyed me, so reserved it for when I have the time.

The problem I have here is that I created the g-code that I am using over 2 years ago and its been faultless, and now, using the same filament and settings I am having problems.

I sourced a new nozzle today, so I am going to swap that before going too deep.

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

My problem has got even worse and I was finding that I could not even lay down my first layer.. During my drive home, i had a sudden brainwave and had a thought as to what the issue was.. And I was right

I had toggled from my Smooth bed (z = -0.375) to my Textured bed (z=-0.650)... So my Z was 0.3mm too low...

I do love the new feature where you can change beds.. But i wish it gave you some kind of warning.

I am just glad its solved as I have been unable to print properly for a few days now.

Thanks for everyones help

Jon

RE: Getting Random "Elephants Feet" on my prints

Posted by: @jweaver

My problem has got even worse and I was finding that I could not even lay down my first layer.. During my drive home, i had a sudden brainwave and had a thought as to what the issue was.. And I was right

 

I had toggled from my Smooth bed (z = -0.375) to my Textured bed (z=-0.650)... So my Z was 0.3mm too low...

I do love the new feature where you can change beds.. But i wish it gave you some kind of warning.

 

I am just glad its solved as I have been unable to print properly for a few days now.

 

Thanks for everyones help

Jon

 

Ok... new mod idea:

RFID tags on each side of the bed (each side might have a slightly different coating thickness, particularily DIY beds that might have completely different print surfaces) and an RFID reader on the Y carriage. When starting the mesh leveling routine (and/or manually from the menu when not printing) the FW reads the RFID and chooses the right stored z-height based on the serial number in the tag. Could probably use the small glass encapsulated RFID tags used to chip pets, and encase them in a small mound of epoxy under the front-left corner of each side of the flexible bed. That way the epoxy bump is on the front corner away from where the purge line is done.