Hi!
I am having a bad time with a really annoying problem:
Finally I am getting a nearly perfect first layer after disabling the part cooling fans and the heatbed (which warped the printbed) and using gluestick on the print surface. The nozzle height seems really good (Z0.785 on my printer) and the surface finish after releasing the print is fantastic.
BUT....
After the first layer the nozzle starts scrubbing through the already printed areas. It seems to get worse layer per layer. This gives a terrible sound and sometimes even offsets layers! Some prints even work and look really good (besides some "scars") but it's not consistent and the chance of failure is given all the time.
What I tried without success was...
- using the part cooling fans
- use higher temperature (using default 195°C)
- changing the z offset (lines are now separating)
- use identical settings for first and all other layers
- optimizing the extruder steps/mm (@Makertech: absolutely great trick, in my opinion a MUST in the build manual!)
- activating z-hop
Does someone have a solution for that? This would be awesome!
Thank you!!!
Quick check is your Z steps cal, done same as the E steps. Possibly the drivers need more current to push up the frame or binding in the rods/backlash?
Thanks, checking z-steps sounds like a possible solution. A 20mm test cube has a height of about 19.8mm, doesn't seem to be that obvious for z-steps. For the current I used the "settings" from the build manual, maybe I should use the multimeter instead. Will try that!
By the way: thanks dar.flem for helping out a lot here in this forum!
Also check that your Z-rollers are not on too tight, and that the anti-backlash nut tension screws are not on too tight either.
If you're sure that the z-axis is moving as it should at each layer then it might be an extrusion multiplier issue (over extrusion). In which case I would suggest resetting your board (red button) and re-uploading a fresh copy of the firmware.
We're going to be releasing updated firmware and cura by next week and that might resolve the issue if you haven't been able to fix it by then.
Thanks, I will check that.
I have no clue what to try next. A Z-offset change from 0.65 to 0.55 leads to lines not touching on the first layer and less quality in terms of surface finish. 0.65 seems to be pretty great at that. But all other layers after the first one have issues with the nozzly digging into the previous layers often creating layer shifts and failed prints.
One would think that the "magic number" is between 0.55 and 0.65 but only for the first layer. All other layers would need a much lower offset value.
What I tried was:
- belt tension
- roller tightness on Y and Z axis
- different bed leveling approaches (of my warped printbed)
- different printbed temps
- different nozzle/material temps
- extruder calibration
What else comes to your mind?
I do have another cause in mind: do the magnets effect the nozzle height? Maybe the printbed gets bend because the nozzle lifts it?
For certain areas of my bed, I get rubbing of layers for first mm because of bed level fail. Also can cause filament jam.
No more playing at moment, seems my MKS is faulty, hot ends won’t track temp so prints never start. One day I hope to be able to print something with a fail.
If I understand correctly, the first layer is put down correctly but then the second digs into it? This might be a flowrate issue, try reducing the material flow to 90%. Your first layer from the photo looks fine.
You are right. The first layers seems good and the next layer(s) dig into it which sometimes leads to layer shiftings.
The thin is: I can print a calibration cube without problems which looks nice and directly print another object afterwards which goes horribly wrong. It's this inconsistency that drives me mad. My warped printbed can't be the only problem but I really hope the new heated bed is still a "solution" to my problems...
I assume you use the exact same Cura settings for the cal cube as your next failed print? Logically, the issue is either Cura settings, Printer cal or mechanical problems. I searched the web and over extrusion or Z cal/binding/current were always one of the answers. The unlevel bed, even if messed up by poorly placed magnets, should print better as the layers increase! It's the first layer that is most messed up by this.
After the first layer is done, what would happen if you turned both Z rods by one or two "click" upward? That would increase the distance between 1 and 2. I wonder if from that point on all the layers rub as before or are clean?
Not sure your computer setup, but you only have one Cura version installed? I get bit by that a lot as I use S3D and it always keeps old versions when I upgrade.
You are right: the settings are the same and the hotend/bed are still warm. Just removed the cube, cleaned the bed and started printing another object...
The cube is nearly perfect 2x2x2cm as it should, the extruder is also "optimized".
I do have no experience with other slicers but Cura and I used the old and new version from Makertech with no difference.