First layer calibration driving me mad!
I just got my printer built last night. It seems to have come out well. The wizard came back with no errors. The only thing that concerns me is the bed sounds a bit "rough" when moving it by hand and its not a quiet and the extruder when it moves back and forth. I dont feel any binding, but not sure how it should sound.
2nd I cant seem to get the stupid first layer right. It wont stick at all. I set the pinda to the height of a zip tie, put the spring sheet back on, run the calibration and look at the lines coming out. They dont seem to change much when I rotate the knob. I have messed with it from 0 all the way to -0.950 and not much luck. No sticking at all.
I did manage to print the prus logo with it all the way at 0.950 once and it looked okay. Thought I had it so i Printed the marvin and it layer shifted on me 3 or 4 times before it completed, before the first shift it looked great, so again no idea. So I used the prusa edition slic3R and tried to brint a PSU box off the web I got, sliced it and a total mess, zero first layer adhesion.
So how should bed sound when new? How the heck can I get this first layer correct. I am dying to use my printer.
Re: First layer calibration driving me mad!
The bed will always be loud if you push it by hand, you're hearing the motor spin. Try cleaning your bed with 90% iso alcohol. Oils from your hands will prevent filament from sticking to PEI.
Also, I went absolutely nuts trying to get my first layer dialed in too. The filament extrudes to the thickness of a hair and is extremely hard to see around the extruder. I'd suggest printing the Prusa model and adjust your Z axis by performing a live Z adjustment. I was able to get my first layer dialed in perfectly that way.
Re: First layer calibration driving me mad!
Hi Paul. Have a look here: https://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/prusa-i3-kit-building-calibrating-first-print-main-f6/life-adjust-z-my-way-t2981.html
DJ
DJ
Re: First layer calibration driving me mad!
Seems like using the live adjust is better than the stupid built in thing and trying to get those lines figured out in time! I will give it a try.
I have 99% IPA I have been using, maybe I need to use a bit more or something. Also when using the Slic3R from the prusa support page do you just load in the modem and select slice now, then export gcode? I tried that and the result of the box I wanted to print was an absolute mess!
Re: First layer calibration driving me mad!
Seems like using the live adjust is better than the stupid built in thing and trying to get those lines figured out in time! I will give it a try.
I have 99% IPA I have been using, maybe I need to use a bit more or something. Also when using the Slic3R from the prusa support page do you just load in the modem and select slice now, then export gcode? I tried that and the result of the box I wanted to print was an absolute mess!
Go figure. I finished building mine 3 am saturday morning, and its been running practically non stop printing pieces for my DJI Spark. Have you updated the firmware? I printed a benchy first and it failed once it got to the smoke stack (fell over or lost adhesion, not sure but it was all messed up). This was on the firmware that it shipped with (I didnt check to see which one it was), and I saw that there was a new release on 18 Jan. It was late and I think I missed doing the Z axis calibration because it says XYZ calibration so why would I need to do it again? Anyway, did it again and then first layer calibration and its working like a champ. Still have some things I need to improve, but I'm sure with more experience I will get it dialed in better.
Also, I have yet to clean the sheet.
Re: First layer calibration driving me mad!
Wow, such a different experience! Yes I did update the firmware to the one from the 18th. I havent ran the XYZ calibration by itself, but I did run the Wizard a few times. It comes back perfect every time.
Re: First layer calibration driving me mad!
I had same problem with first layer adhesion at first too.
Firstly, I think the built-in first layer calibration tool is running too fast, there is not enough time to fine tune the z height.
I suggest you calibrate the first layer by printing out a large flat single layer 3d model. You can make it yourself or download any similar objects form thingiverse, then fine tune with live Z height adjustment. Be patient, you need accuracy down to two decimal digits for good results.
Just for your reference, my optimal Z height is -0.66. That might be a good starting point. But every machine is different.
You can try to increase the first layer height and width when using a slicer. I found it help tremendously.
( I learnt this from Tom, check this : )