Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
OK, I'm at an impasse with getting things to work right. Out of the box after the build things worked great. Then I started getting weird "waves" on the first layer that would transfer up and started getting caught up and causing blobs, fails, etc. Came across info that suggested it was Z too low and the filament wasn't able to flow easily. So slowly raised that, but then started having adhesion problems. I had been switching back and forth between PLA and PETG and figured I had clogged up the hotend/nozzle etc. That sent me down a voyage of discovery taking the hotend apart and back together a few times to get it right.
OK, hotend back together, everything is calibrated and seems to be working fine. Printed out decently complex articulated lizard for my grandson and came out great. Changed color of filament (same brand) and printed out something else, same thing, worked great. About an hour later tried reprinting the lizard with this same filament, no changes to anything, and the first layer had adhesion problems, filament would glob up and catch and just make a mess
Don't understand what would have changed (I had cleaned with IPA before printing.
Seems to wander with calibration. It'll look fine, then seems to change. I've double checked tightness of belts and made sure no screws or loose. Any guidance?
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
Hi there -First off, I would wash the plate thoroughly with water and unscented soap. Don’t use a brush just a good amount of soap on your hands and rub it on the plate and use lots of warm water to rinse it off and dry with clean cloth, only touching the edges from then on.
This could make a difference. I do it from time to time (every 25 prints or so) and I don’t rely on IPA alone.
If problems persist, can you post a picture of a first layer calibration? That may show more clues.
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
Yeah, I've been trying to keep it clean and had washed it recently. Am going to clean with acetone and then will run a z calibration and will post some photos.
Thx
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
Not saying that acetone is never any good but I still have to see a case myself where it made a difference.
Have you checked that your PINDA is not loose? Give that screw that holds it in place an extra turn.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
I agree. But honestly all the cleaning methods are only effective when you use them well and at the right time. I hardly use acetone anymore since I discoverer how well the washing with soap works. And IPA really only works when you use it on a cold plate and rub it quite thoroughly. On a warm plate it evaporates too fast to really work well.
My SOC: IPA every 10 prints or so, washing every 25-40 prints, acetone maybe once every 4-6 months
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
Figured I'd do everything to start from a clean slate. What I'm confused by is how it could do a couple of great prints, then with now changes, all of a sudden everything is out of whack.
Running a new Z calibration check and will post pictures.
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
This is some other problem prints, bottom and top. There's a "bulk up" just before it would get to the outer perimeter. Not sure why it would do that consistently in about the same place, both directions
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
That z-axis calibration doesn’t look bad at all. You may have a little room to go somewhat lower, but perhaps the acetone cleaning did the trick. If not, try the soap washing as well.
Meanwhile, fingers crossed!
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
Looks a touch low to me, there are ridges between the strands. Maybe take it up 0.025 to 0.050.
Cheers
-Bob
Prusa I3 Mk2 kit upgraded to Mk2.5s, Ender3 with many mods, Prusa Mini kit with Bondtech heat break, Prusa I3 Mk3s+ kit
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
Well, in typical fashion, now that I've posted about the problem it isn't happening (for now) . I do think doing a good cleaning with Acetone did help, probably also a little bit from checking tightness on everything (didn't find anything loose, but you never know) I had washed it with Dawn dishsoap and wiping with IPA (91%) but maybe I didn't do a good enough job at it. Will follow up if I run into problems again, thanks for all the input.
JR
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
Thank you for posting this. And @Thomas, thanks for the advice. I clean with acetone and my prints stick pretty well, but some smaller ones go awry if I don't add a raft... but the soap and water cleansing method is one I had not tried until today. It makes sense, I just hadn't thought of it. Rafts had solved the issue, so I had moved on... But following some hearty soap and water cleaning... so far, no need for a raft on my small prints. 🤓 (score!)
RE: Struggling to get things to print, z-offset calibrated, then isn't. Won't stick, then does...
If I remember correctly, Prusa advises that Acetone makes the PEI sheets brittle and should be used rarely, if at all.
I try to give answers to the best of my ability, but I am not a 3D printing pro by any means, and anything you do you do at your own risk. BTW: I have no food for…
RE:
My bad I meant to say alchy. >_< I don't think I have acetone in the house.
Good to be reminded of in any case. I wouldn't have thought about it hurting the sheets.