What causes this layer shift during printing?
While printing out parts of for box, I noticed that about 3/4 of the way through the print job, a detectable shift in the positioning of the layers occurred. The attached photo shows one end of the box's lid, which was being printed in PLA on my MK3 -- the lid is about 2.5mm thick. The photo is oriented as the object was positioned on the printer, with the base down below the bottom of the photo. As you can see, at one end of the lid the layers after that point shift by some fraction of a millimeter. It only affects one end of the lid -- the layers at the other end stay lined-up as they're supposed to be.
This has happened during more than one print session, but to different amounts.
Is there a probable cause, and fix, for this? The base of the object placed on the steel sheet is relatively narrow compared to the height of the object, so I wondered if it might have shifted slightly on the sheet. However, the object seems properly stuck to the sheet when I remove it at the end of the job.
RE: What causes this layer shift during printing?
Have you tried rotating the print to a different orientation on the plater?
If you rotate the print 90 degrees do you get the same result?
RE: What causes this layer shift during printing?
Good question, I'll rotate the test prints over the next couple of days and see how they do.
One question. To rotate the object in PruaSlicer today, I clicked on the Rotate icon in the menu on the left, then clicked on and dragged the blue box/arrows to select how much rotation around the perimeter. As I approached 90 degrees, a numeric value was displayed that got close to 270, but never exactly 270.000 -- it was either something like 270.123 or 269.876. I did my best to settle on the number closest to 270, but I suspect that the object is not precisely lined up with the print bed.
Is there a way to fix this? I couldn't find a way to type in the number "270.000."
RE: What causes this layer shift during printing?
You can click on the box with the rotation value you want to change in the lower right panel in PS and type the value you want directly.
RE: What causes this layer shift during printing?
Thanks, I see that now.
RE: What causes this layer shift during printing?
The rotation tool that you are dragging around looks a bit like an old fashioned compass, the lines are not just fancy graphics though they have a purpose. If you notice the inner is split into 4, if you move your mouse over those lines the rotation will snap to them so you can easily set by 90 degree increments. Further out you have the 45 degree lines etc etc. I’m not at the pc at the moment but iirc the outside markings are at 5 or 10 degree increments. If your mouse is outside the widget then you are using free rotation so the angle is whatever you want.
RE: What causes this layer shift during printing?
Thank you for that information @neophyl, I was not clear on the ‘compass’ functions so I typically just type in the value I want.
Your wealth of knowledge and willingness to share is very much appreciated. I learn something new here every day because of you and so many other smart and patient folks like you.
Thank you for your contributions to the community.
Cheers
RE: What causes this layer shift during printing?
The rotation tool that you are dragging around looks a bit like an old fashioned compass, the lines are not just fancy graphics though they have a purpose. If you notice the inner is split into 4, if you move your mouse over those lines the rotation will snap to them so you can easily set by 90 degree increments. Further out you have the 45 degree lines etc etc.
Very interesting, I hadn't noticed that detail before. Thanks, great tip.