Print quality issues
I recently purchased an I3 MK2 printer and really like the design and build quality. As this is my first printer I'm trying to learn as much as I can and have been taking my time however I've been having a handful of issues with it. First most of my prints start to curl at the corners when printing unless I use the included glue stick. Sometimes the part curls so much that the print head catches it and kicks it off the bed and the filament starts creating a mess. This happens on most prints including the included batman g-code. I've got some pictures located here: https://goo.gl/photos/1naPhNbVjnuiVBaS7
I've also found that printed overhangs are warped and do not come out correctly. This seems to happened both with and without supports generated. More pictures of this issue are located here: https://goo.gl/photos/3igktS7Hj5k7Qkjf7
There also seems to be an extrusion issue where even though the z calibration looks OK and using the version 2 calibration works the nozzle is either getting too close to the print or something else is happening. Again I have more pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/3q7zZkuu4qpbsrUK7
So far I've tried the following: verified the Y axis is square, cleaned the tip, cleaned the print bed, made sure the Z axis is even, checked and rechecked the live Z calibration, and swore at the printer.
At this point I'm unsure of how to proceed. If I'm able to get past the adhesion issue most of my prints come out successful though usually I have to use a TON of glue to make this happen. I've reviewed the support material as well as the common issue video looking for the answers.
More pictures of the printer: https://goo.gl/photos/vCn15FmZTzdDTVbGA
Re: Print quality issues
Bed adhesion issues fixed by one of more of the following:
Clean the bed with IPA
increase bed temperature
adjust hot nozzle gap for best adhesion (about 0.12mm for FW 3.0.5)
clean the bed with IPA
ensure first layer is printed at correct height
install latest firmware (currently 3.0.5RC)
clean the bed with IPA
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Print quality issues
My bed is set at 55 degrees for PLA (though I've tried 60 as a test) and I've cleaned the bed multiple times (before and after each print) with 90% IPA. That said I am running v3.0.3 of the firmware so I could try to update that once I find it. Do you happen to have a link to that firmware?
As for "ensure first layer is printed at correct height" do you have any tips or tricks to go about verifying this?
Also is their an easier or more fool proof method for adjusting the nozzle height? I've tried doing the V2 calibration test but even after I think its correct it seems to still be off.
Re: Print quality issues
3.0.5RC is here: http://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk2-f23/fw-3-0-5-rc-t1270.html
The Z_MIN setting in this version is 0.15mm rather than the 0.2mm in earlier versions, so once it is loaded and you have run the X/Y calibration, do the following to get a good starting point:
with printer cols, and the nozzle clean, settings/auto home
Slide a folded piece of copy paper (2 thicknesses) between nozzle and bed and use live adjust to get the paper tight-ish, but still moveable.
Remove paper and preheat
slide a single piece of copy paper between nozzle and bed, use live adjust to get a light drag on the paper
run V2Calibration for final adjustment (should not need much, maybe 10 to 20 microns upwards)
When printing PLA with the Mk42 bed, I use 60 degrees as a minimum; you may need to increase to 65 degrees.
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…