First Print A Total Fail
So I finished assembly of my MK3S+ kit tonight. Everything checked out during assembly with no issues.
So I powered on and ran the Wizard. Everything passed fine. Next I completed XYZ Calibration. Again all passed fine. I loaded black PETG filament that came with my kit next and performed First Layer Calibration. Struggled a little to adjust Y for smooth print but got it looking great on my 3rd try.
So this went as smooth as possible until I tried my first test print. As suggested, I used the SD card and picked the first item,
Prusa_0.2mm_PLA_MK3S_23m.gcode
The pic below shows my result. I’m not even sure what troubleshooter to use! It looks like the filament is not adhering to the steel. I’m using the textured steel as suggested. It is clumping around the nozzle and completely failing. I tried twice with the same result. I ran the First Layer Calibration again and it was fine.
I am wondering if the print files on the SD card are incompatible with my filament since the file names all include PLA. But why would Prusa include test print files that are incompatible with the device and filament they shipped? I can’t find anything about this.
Please help out a newbie! Advice or direction to a troubleshooter would be welcome!
RE: First Print A Total Fail
PETg filament will print very poorly, if at all, using PLA settings.
I was unaware that they were shipping PETg with the printer kits. They were shipping their silver-gray filament, PLA, which is known to be very easy to work with.
You should either get some PLA filament (Filament PM is a good second source of what's sold as Prusa silver-gray PLA) and use that for your test prints, or re-slice the models (if you can find the .stl files) for PETg.
And, that blob around your nozzle does not look as bad as many I've seen. It will most likely come off easily if you heat the nozzle to 250C or so, let it sit for a while, and gently work the blobs off.
RE: First Print A Total Fail
Slice model yourself.
Clean bed with dish soap, nothing else is needed, use a lot of hot water.
Petg will stick good to the powder coated bed.(petg on pei sheet use window cleaner so it does not stick to much)
PLA will stick good to the pei bed.
PLA on powder coated is possible but difficult, for beginner I would avoid this if possible. Bed temperature 10 higher for whole print, first layer calibration on powder coated be a little lower, use a big brim attach to model, use glue stick.
To avoid sticking to nozzle:
1 clean bed
2. first layer needs to be 100%
See youtube movies on how to do this.
RE: First Print A Total Fail
And of course read this forum for more info about the printer and how to do things.
RE: First Print A Total Fail
A lot of people put silicone socks on the block.
RE: First Print A Total Fail
I am not sure if you accidentally typed PETG, but I would not start with PETG. Use PLA till you gte good at using the printer.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: First Print A Total Fail
Thanks guys!
Seems like a simple mistake on first attempt. I did load PETG Prusament. Got it as a free bonus for Black Friday. Never thought it would matter which filament I started with. I really needed to print a missing part from my kit so that’s why I had black PETG loaded. I adjusted the parameters in Slicer and perfect.
I followed advice to focus on PET, so I switched to the galaxy silver stock filament. I then switched to the smooth steel sheet and redid the first layer calibration. I followed advice closely and it looked good.
Now I did my first fun print. Take a look. It feels strong and the texture is pretty smooth. However, I’m not sure if the striations are normal or if my first layer calibration is slightly off. It is set at -1.150. Please let me know any advice!
RE: First Print A Total Fail
Sorry! I meant Prusament Galaxy Silver PLA. Typo above.