RE: life adjust Z - my way
So I probably missed why by not reading this entire thread, but in my defense this thread is HUGE!
When I run the PLA calibration print (v6.1) it looks like it sets the nozzle temp to 170C. Is that right? Thats crazy low for PLA and I canceled the print when I saw that as I was worried something might not be right about that?
That's part of the 2 step warmup. It heats the filament to a no-ooze temp that's hot enough that any stuck filament will bend on homing, but not hot enough to cause oozing when doing mesh bed leveling. After mesh bed leveling is complete, it will resume heating the nozzle before continuing the print. Let it run.
If you're interested in more behind this, I've got a documented example here you can look through.
Ah! Okay, that makes total sense and I did read from the OP that some compensation had been done to reduce oozing. Got it, thanks for the answer!
If at first you don't succeed, redefine success!
RE: life adjust Z - my way
I just got my Prusa i3 MK3S and took yesterday off to assemble it 😆
Thank you @jeffjordan for making this test really simple. This was the easiest z calibration I have done. My magic number is -0.425
@bobstro I have used your starting g-code and while doing my first print, and for some reason it is resetting the z offset to zero before starting the print. I have to manually set the z offset quickly while its printing the skirt lines. Could you please tell me which lines should I remove the the starting g-code so it wouldnt reset the z offset?
On off topic, my print is getting unstuck in the middle of the print and from that point on, the print gets moved around and the whole thing fails, obviously. Any ideas why its doing that? I have the textured steel sheet.
Thank you!
RE: life adjust Z - my way
[...] @bobstro I have used your starting g-code and while doing my first print, and for some reason it is resetting the z offset to zero before starting the print. I have to manually set the z offset quickly while its printing the skirt lines. Could you please tell me which lines should I remove the the starting g-code so it wouldnt reset the z offset?
Hmm. Do you mean the Live-Z setting is getting bumped? You do need to complete the on-board Live-Z adjustment at least once for each sheet selected. This sets a flag in non-volatile memory indicating it has been set. Use Jeff's method after doing that. Otherwise, it shouldn't drift. There's nothing in my startup gcode that should change it, but by all means use something else if it causes problems!
On off topic, my print is getting unstuck in the middle of the print and from that point on, the print gets moved around and the whole thing fails, obviously. Any ideas why its doing that? I have the textured steel sheet.
That sounds like classic adhesion problems. Assuming you're getting the Live-Z right, just take your print sheet to the kitchen sink and give it a good dunk. Use a clean plain paper towel to scrub it with Dawn unscented dish soap, and use another to dry it. Avoid touching the PEI print surface. Try immediately after washing (no alcohol or other prep) and see if adhesion improves. (Note that the official Prusa instructions advise on isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the textured sheet, so be aware that you are joining the Rebel Alliance when you do this.)
RE: life adjust Z - my way
@bobstro
Thank you for the reply. I will try to clean the steel sheet and see if that improves adhesion.
I had done @jeffjordan's method of determining the Z offset prior to posting on here and first time I tried to print an actual object, it reset the z offset and it started printing few mm above the build plate. I will try it again tonight. Do I have to save the z offset to one of the steel sheet presets on lcd?
RE: life adjust Z - my way
I just got Trolled on a Facebook forum, for daring to suggest that you should wash the buildplate, and called a liar after showing a PLA Print, in progress on a Prusa Textured Build plate...
Aparrently this didn't stick...
top picture finished print on textured build plate,
Middle Picture, Reverse sides showing Octogram spiral infill on left part, and rebate, in the right hand part after supports were removed.
the bottom picture shows the two parts together (tollerances seem a bit loose)
Tools of the Rebel alliance!
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: life adjust Z - my way
Sorry Joan...
Just be glad Facebook is more civilized than Reddit.
It is not our job to fix the world - only those coming here looking for help.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
But Joan, how could you possibly know what you are talking about? After all you are only one of the most experienced and helpful members of this forum 😏 😋.
By the way, over 600 posts on this thread, when should we expect it to take root as a sticky and/or achieve sentience? 😋 😋 As much as this one gets referred to helping new users who are struggling with adhesion I'm surprised that it isn't already stickied in bold print on the top of the forum!
Steve
RE: life adjust Z - my way
Well I wanted to see it stickied - and locked. This sucker just keeps getting longer.
Maybe split it into a short locked sticky that we can refer to - and an open one folks can add to.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
I just got Trolled on a Facebook forum, for daring to suggest that you should wash the buildplate, and called a liar after showing a PLA Print, in progress on a Prusa Textured Build plate...
Would love to see that thread. Got a link?
RE: life adjust Z - my way
Hello @jeffjordan, thank you very much for this method! I had absolutely no idea what to do with the built-in first layer calibration, but thankfully I knew this existed, tried it out and it helped tremendously.
Shout out also to @robrob for showing this method in the Prusa MINI youtube video and to @bobstro for a brilliant source of information on the wiki. Thank you so much guys!
P.S. If anyone's wondering, the gcode prints absolutely fine on a Prusa MINI. It's not centered, but that's not an issue.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
Maybe we should start a tips and tricks thread, one of the moderators to take ownership and add new tricks and tips with pictures instructions etc so it would end up as a sticky just with information maybe call it Prusapedia - Tricks and Tips for Printing - FDM
seperate for SLA. We would not be able to add to it, but the moderator would, that way all the best information to help each other could be kept together. Bobstro already has a lot on his own site, but the information on here is all over the place at the moment.
Normal people believe that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t have enough features yet.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
I am happy to report that the adhesion problem is no more and the start g-code is also NOT resetting my z offset. Everything is working great! I love this printer! 😀
Thank you all who helped!
RE: life adjust Z - my way
Maybe we should start a tips and tricks thread, one of the moderators to take ownership and add new tricks and tips with pictures instructions etc so it would end up as a sticky just with information maybe call it Prusapedia - Tricks and Tips for Printing - FDM seperate for SLA. We would not be able to add to it, but the moderator would, that way all the best information to help each other could be kept together.
Prusa is working on something now. Not sure why it's not getting more coverage.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
But will they add users tricks and tips or just how to use Prusa Slicer?
Normal people believe that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t have enough features yet.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
What I want as a locked sticky is just "How to adjust Live Z best practices". Nothing else.
Something I can point people to when they have first layer problems. I.E., pretty much all new users.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
What I want as a locked sticky is just "How to adjust Live Z best practices". Nothing else.
Something I can point people to when they have first layer problems. I.E., pretty much all new users.
That's why I put together these notes. It gets tedious re-typing the same stuff repeatedly. The new https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/first-layer-calibration_112364#have-a-look-at-the-nozzl e" target="true">Prusa knowledge base would be the ideal location, but "Life Adjust" is an alternative to the official Prusa on-board routine, so not sure how open they'll be.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
@bobstro - your notes meet all my requirements!
Ms Moderator - Is there any way we can get @bobstro's notes posted as a forum Sticky - or anywhere else appropriate?
I just don't want to refer users off-site.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
I've done so much research about first layer issues. I've been trying to calibrate my Z value but I really can't get it right somehow. Then I gave up to get it right because no matter what I try it will never good like you people. So i have a question about it. What if my first layer doesn't look perfect but my prints are good somehow ? Why first layer is important so much ? I need to know this.
RE: life adjust Z - my way
First layer is important because that is what "sticks" your part to the plate. If you lose adhesion, your part will warp or break loose.
See "Blob of Doom" topics for what that will do.
Did you read @bobstro's writeup I referenced?
RE: life adjust Z - my way
@robert-rmm200
I see, thank you.
Yes, i read. Those are so good for the newbies like me. Very valuable information. But unfortunately, my first layers are not consistent even though i clean the sheet every print. Some areas have jagged lines while the other has not. Also this isn't related to perfect Z value because literally i tried every 0.01 value