Print on half side
I have 2 SL1s. One prints like a charm, but problemss with the other. In the attachment I send photos for a better idea. Exactly in the middle of the printing area is the border when the prints stick to the FEP and not to the platform. I calibrated several times. Since the first SL1 prints without problems, I dare say that it is not a calibration issue. I also increased the exposure time of both the first layers and for the model. The only thing I achieved was that the printed model"baked" 🙂 but the other half of the print remained at FEP again. Can I ask for help? 🙁 
RE: Print on half side
That seems a little too perfect. Have you tried changing the FEP? Have you done an LCD test to verify it and the LEDs are working as expected? Have you tried swapping tanks/platforms between your SL1s?
RE: Print on half side
@gnat
No, yes, no. Will try the tanks and platforms first. Few more calibrations again. And at last will change the FEP. Thank you.
RE: Print on half side
Having the second SL1 makes things a bit easier here 😉
My process would be:
- Swap platforms and print.
- Swap tanks and print.
I think the best case is that you see the failures follow the tank. If that is the case, then try a new FEP and that will hopefully solve it.
If the failure follows the platform then you can try cleaning it. Give it a good wash with soap and water, then wipe the build surface down with a small puddle of acetone, and finally another wipe down with a small puddle of 90%+ IPA. If that doesn't help, then I think you need to reach out to Prusa. If they don't want the bad platform back, you might try hitting it with a super fine grit sandpaper and then giving it a good clean and see if that helps.
If the problem stays with the printer, then I think talking to Prusa is the only option.
RE: Print on half side
@gnat
Noob question. When I change the platforms or tanks I supose to calibrate printer again, right?
RE: Print on half side
@gnat
Noob question. When I change the platforms or tanks I supose to calibrate printer again, right?
You shouldn't need to. Other than the hassle I don't suppose there is any harm in doing so though.
I have never recalibrated after changing FEPs (effectively the same as changing tanks). I have a spare platform and use it when I need to calibrate since it's clean (it hasn't been used to print with yet) and then use the platform that came with the SL1 to actually print with. It hasn't caused me any issues.
RE: Print on half side
So...
I did all what you mentioned. I swaped tanks and printed, I swaped platforms and printed. Always same result. The second SL1 print only on half side. But I noticed that the screen is not leveled properly. Can you give me a hint what is going on? This SL1 is kit, but was built by previous owner. Photos attached show that left side is leveled properly, but right side is not. And yes I tried both tanks and they are ok in the first SL1, but on the second one this come up 🙁
RE: Print on half side
Well this is good to know as it confirms that you are doing everything correctly and there is nothing wrong with the platform or tank.
What is interesting here to me is that this indicates a left/right level issue, but what we see in the print is a front/back problem. No matter what I did when I got my printer back from Prusa, my prints were always skewed (front to back). I reran the calibration a bunch of times and tightened everything, but still no joy. Finally I took a bubble level to it and leveled both the screen and platform by hand and from that point on I was able to get perfect prints. That LCD ended up dying a premature death at only 161 hours (totally toast, not just dead spots due to UV exposure). Since swapping in the replacement I have been able to trust the calibration process and get perfect prints.
You run the risk of ending up with 2 non-functional printers (assuming you don't already have a spare LCD), but my next step would be to swap the LCDs and see if the level issue and print problems follow the LCD or again stay with the printer.
My guess is that something is not true here, but the question is what. While not cheap, if something is wrong with the LCD that is a fairly easy part to swap. Anything else is likely to be a PITA to find and fix.
RE: Print on half side
Because I never assebled kit, there is an option releveled LCD? Do I need the calibration screen what Prusa is selling?
RE: Print on half side
@binar-eu
I forgot about the calibration tool for the LCD and I don't know how much it matters☹️
As long as all the bolts are tight around the LCD frame, there isn't anything to level the LCD. Something (lcd frame, top plate of the printer, hinge for the LCD, etc..) is not true, it's just a question of figuring out what.
Failing swapping LCDs, you might simply remove the LCD from the bad printer and see if all it's sides (including top and bottom) are square. If not a new LCD should fix your issue. If it is, then you'll need to reverse the build process to get into the guts so you can figure out what is warped/bent.
As a side note, I highly recommend having a spare LCD on hand. Every time I've looked since buying my printer there has been a 4 week delay on shipping. In my opinion it would suck to have the printer down for a month waiting on a new LCD (which of course would happen right in the middle of needing to print something😉).