Notifications
Clear all

Filament not sticking  

  RSS
amelia.t
(@amelia-t)
Active Member
Filament not sticking

First time poster here, I've had my printer for about a month now and am still a total beginner. Please be nice 🙂

I've successfully printed things like stl downloads and calibration/test prints.

I tried to print some things (from thingiverse) this morning and nothing was sticking. It looks like the extruder isn't close to the bed at all - I've tried to do the live adjusting but it isn't getting any closer. I tried a few other prints just in case it was the file and also adjusted the settings in slic3r in case I messed something up. The line of filament that usually squirts out on the left also looks super wiggly and has a few small bubbles in it.

See attached pic. I was trying to print this chunky bracelet: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8966

I went back to the vase gcode that came on the SD card, which I've printed a few times successfully. It wouldn't stick to the machine at all, and I tried it on a clean bed and a gluesticked bed. I stopped the print halfway through the first layer because it wasn't sticking and some of the sides collapsed.

Help! What can I do to fix this?

Thanks!

Posted : 12/05/2017 9:41 pm
amelia.t
(@amelia-t)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Filament not sticking

I went through the xyz calibration (this was not a kit), the z calibration, the self test, and the v2 calibration. I did a bunch of live z adjusting and am now finally printing. It will only work with two layers of glue stick. I'm disappointed about the layer adhesion - The fill looks like a mess and the layers are pretty significant.

Am I missing something? How did my machine get so out of whack? How can I tell if it's a hardware or software issue?

Posted : 13/05/2017 12:27 am
cory.w
(@cory-w)
Estimable Member
Re: Filament not sticking

How are you cleaning the bed prior?

Posted : 13/05/2017 2:16 am
erick.v
(@erick-v)
Estimable Member
Re: Filament not sticking

it looks like you need to lower the extruder in the live Z a bunch more. the extrusion looks way too round.

Posted : 13/05/2017 2:37 am
JeffJordan
(@jeffjordan)
Member Moderator
Re: Filament not sticking

...Am I missing something?

simply: yes.

have a look at this thread (leave a post if it helped) and clean the pei sheet with 98% or 99% ispropyl alcohol, and if required (approx. every 5th print) with pure acetone.
don't use nail polish remover or 70% alcohol.... and don't use tissues with balsam or other cosmetic care products.... simply: kitchen paper towels.

if you got your first layer setting right (according to the linked thread) and clean the printbed regulary, you don't need to print pla, abs+ or petg with gluestick anymore.

dem inscheniör is' nix zu schwör...

Posted : 13/05/2017 7:25 pm
amelia.t
(@amelia-t)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Filament not sticking

Thanks all.

I was concerned about lowering it too much, or why I went from perfect prints to needing to change it to -0.700 just to get a decent start.

I've been using paper towels and 70% isopropyl alcohol to clean the bed - I'll try to get some 98 or 99% to clean it.

I managed to do the live z calibration recommended by JeffJordan and will reply over there since it seems like that might be more helpful for folks.

Thanks again!

Posted : 15/05/2017 8:47 pm
Share: