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Different Live Z for Different Spools?  

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Henry
(@henry-2)
Estimable Member
Different Live Z for Different Spools?

I have the following spools:

  • 1 Roll of Silver PLA, unknown brand, Live Z = -1.615
  • 1 Roll of Ultramarine Blue PETG, Prusament, Live Z = -1.515
  • 2 Rolls of Prusa Orange PETG, Prusament, Live Z = -1.615 (can't double check this right now, in the middle of a print)

I have a third roll of Prusa Orange that I haven't opened yet, so I don't know if it will be at -1.615 also. Is it normal for all spools of one material and color to have the same Live Z?

Observations of those rolls:

  • The Prusa Orange goes down beautifully. When I check the bottom of the print, I see absolutely zero evidence, aside from the bed texture, that this came out of a filament printer. This orange is set it and forget it. I don't even feel like I need to watch the first layer go down.
  • The silver I can see the lines from the printer, but I don't think I should go any lower. The top of the first layer is kind of "hairy".
  • The Ultramarine blue was a NIGHTMARE to print with when I was trying it at the same Live Z as the Prusa Orange. Just CONSTANT boogering on the first layer. I was pausing the print every few minutes to clean the bottom of the nozzle. I raised the Live Z by 0.1mm and it is better, but not nearly as easy as the orange. My wife wants me to do a 56 hour print with this blue, and it has me worried.

So, I know that different sheets with different textures require different Live Z's. I think it is normal for different material types to have different Live Z's. I wasn't really expecting that different colors of the same material to have different Live Z's. Is this normal?

Related question... is Ultramarine Blue just a PITA to print with, or do I just have not have the Live Z correct just yet?

Posted : 08/07/2021 11:25 pm
Antonio
(@antonio)
Member Moderator
RE: Different Live Z for Different Spools?

Is this normal?

Yes it is. Same brand, same material, different colour -> light adjustments on live Z

is Ultramarine Blue just a PITA to print with, or do I just have not have the Live Z correct just yet?

I finished an entire spool of Ultramarine Blue, very nice filament. Try to tune your Live Z 😉 

I'm not an expert. Ma parlo anche italiano 😉

Posted : 09/07/2021 8:59 am
Henry
(@henry-2)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Different Live Z for Different Spools?

Thank you, Antonio. I'll run a few more Live Z calibrations on the blue. Actually, I have a question about that. The Live Z calibration built into the printer lets you select PET, but not PETG. Does it actually mean PETG? The temperature seems a bit low.

Posted : 09/07/2021 12:30 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Different Live Z for Different Spools?

@henry-2

PET and PETG are essentially the same, but a subtle difference. PET, or ‘polyethylene terephthalate’, is a combination of two monomers. PETG is of the same chemical composition as PET but with the addition of glycol.  

The setting on the printer (PET) is PETG.  

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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 09/07/2021 12:33 pm
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