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First Layer Outline Issues  

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Darren
(@darren)
New Member
First Layer Outline Issues

I'm having trouble with the MK3 print on the first layer, beginning with the outline sticking. The issue is happening both what I have sliced on S3D as well as the test prints shipped with the MK3. I've been reading through the forums and trying different things, but the results remain the same, as you can see in the photo below, beginning with the line it prints at the front which does not seem to begin at the beginning as it has in the past.

So far I have:

  • Updated the firmware to the latest
    Cleaned the bed with Isopropyl Alcohol
    Cleaned the bed with Acetone
    Let the printer heat up for 10 min with nozzle close to bed prior to printing
    Ran first layer calibration
  • The printer was working fine several days ago, and suddenly this has started for no apparent reason. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    Posted : 16/03/2018 12:45 pm
    stahlfabrik
    (@stahlfabrik)
    Honorable Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues

    I think the first layer is too low. Live adjust Z a little higher

    Posted : 16/03/2018 12:53 pm
    Bigdogbro1
    (@bigdogbro1)
    Estimable Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues

    What plastic type?
    What layer height are you trying to print at?
    What speed?
    What nozzle temp?
    What bed Temp?
    How many walls are in the pictured print?

    Results like yours tells me that the plastic is not transferring to the bed and sticking ... obviously. Try washing the flex plate with dish soap and hot water and try again. The 1st layer height on the squish is critical so inspecting that with magnification is important.

    This width of the squished walls should be consistent or VERY close the same throughout the entire build sheet surface telling you that the print bed leveling is properly working. Your picture may show that the rear right side may not be enough squish to adhere properly.

    You could also try a different brand of same type plastic as different manufacturers material react differently.

    MK3 Kit, Designed, built 4x4 CNC Plasma Cutting Table, Motorcycles Bigdogbro's Adventures
    http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5djrxBeeOKB9_6rHnn6G8A

    Posted : 16/03/2018 12:59 pm
    PixelPerfectCT
    (@pixelperfectct)
    Eminent Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues

    I cant seem to get anything to stick to my PEI sheet anymore, I now have to use a glue stick for everything. give that a try.

    Posted : 16/03/2018 3:13 pm
    Sulya
    (@sulya)
    Trusted Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues


    I cant seem to get anything to stick to my PEI sheet anymore, I now have to use a glue stick for everything. give that a try.

    Please refer to the manual and clean it with acetone.

    Posted : 16/03/2018 3:31 pm
    PixelPerfectCT
    (@pixelperfectct)
    Eminent Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues



    I cant seem to get anything to stick to my PEI sheet anymore, I now have to use a glue stick for everything. give that a try.

    Please refer to the manual and clean it with acetone.

    Been there done that, doesn't help. and yes I'm using 91%

    Posted : 16/03/2018 3:39 pm
    Kai
     Kai
    (@kai-2)
    Famed Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues

    91% Acetone, or 91% isopropanol?

    Wer freundlich fragt bekommt auch eine freundliche Antwort.
    nec aspera terrent

    Posted : 16/03/2018 3:54 pm
    m2tts
    (@m2tts)
    Trusted Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues

    From your picture it looks as if the front is squished and the back isn't touching. Something is going on with the mesh bed level. Is something stuck underneath the sheet steel? Did you flip the steel and not remove everything from the other side?

    Posted : 16/03/2018 9:38 pm
    Darren
    (@darren)
    New Member
    Topic starter answered:
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues

    Thank you all for the quick responses; such a great community!

    I wanted to provide an update. I spent the day cleaning and tweaking, and didn't have much luck. I tried different combinations of cleaning with warm water and dish soap, sometimes followed by cleaning with Isopropyl Alcohol or Acetone, used both the stock PLA filament from Prusa as well as some that I have bought, both printing things that I was slicing myself and the stock examples sent with the printer. Sometimes it would stick a little better, and other times it would start peeling up right away on the first outline of the 3rd or 4th shape.

    Then it dawned on me that I had not tried the other side of the metal sheet. I flipped it over, started a print, and it stuck. The take away for me, is clearly it's residue left on the sheet, and the soap I was using was not effective in removing it....but the printer if functioning as expected. Next step is to try a few different kids of soap and different concentrations, to find what works best.

    If anyone would like to share what they are using, and the steps they take to complete the cleaning process, that might be helpful, as I suspect there is a good, better, best approach, depending on what material you are using. A little trial and error will get me there now that I have at least isolated, in my mind, exactly what the issue is. Once solved, I can get on to working on dialing in the first layer to be a little more consistent.

    Thanks again for everyone's input!

    Darren

    Posted : 17/03/2018 7:02 pm
    Sendeva
    (@sendeva)
    Eminent Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues



    If anyone would like to share what they are using, and the steps they take to complete the cleaning process, that might be helpful, as I suspect there is a good, better, best approach, depending on what material you are using. A little trial and error will get me there now that I have at least isolated, in my mind, exactly what the issue is. Once solved, I can get on to working on dialing in the first layer to be a little more consistent.

    Thanks again for everyone's input!

    Darren

    I Pre heat my printer to pla and clean the bed with 99% isopropyl and paper towel and give it a good scrub and if poor bed adhesion still persists give it a scrub with acetone.

    Posted : 17/03/2018 9:20 pm
    pascal.w2
    (@pascal-w2)
    New Member
    Re: First Layer Outline Issues

    I kind of got the same issue.
    After the "First Layer Calibration" everything went fine. The Testprints from the SD-Card came out pretty good except for one or two layer shifts.
    But now - after a few prints - I got the same issue. The skirt usually sticks but as soon as the printer trys to print the outline of the first layer it just pulls it away right where it starts.

    I already checked my First Layer Calibration several times and the lines look ok.
    tried to but it a bit deeper but as soon as I do it starts to scrape through the first layer.

    I cleaned the Steelsheet several times in any way I could find (IPA 99%, Acetone, Dishsoap etc..)
    It still refuses to stick properly. Gluestick doesnt help either.

    I tried to play with the temperatures. 70C on the heatbed and up to 230C for the nozzle but not a slight improvement.

    I just dont understand why it worked at first and now it wont work properly.
    Could it be a matter of the PLA itself? Though its just 2 days old.

    Posted : 17/04/2018 11:29 am
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