MakerGear Forum

The bottom layers on everything I print are still F'd, but everything else is coming together.

Problems that are limited exclusively to the bottom layers are almost always due to the bed height (and/or leveling), as it takes several layers to recover from attempting to print at a height that it is not expecting. Occasionally, bottom-layer problems are due to a partial blockage that works itself out eventually, which would not be repeatable.

Tim wrote:Problems that are limited exclusively to the bottom layers are almost always due to the bed height (and/or leveling), as it takes several layers to recover from attempting to print at a height that it is not expecting. Occasionally, bottom-layer problems are due to a partial blockage that works itself out eventually, which would not be repeatable.

That was my thought as well. Going to be doing some more calibration tonight. My prints are looking a lot better, and the layer adhesion is leaps and bounds over when I started. Still not dimensionally accurate though. Well, X/Y for most parts is pretty good, but wall thickness is still an issue. I know there is a calibration setup for this but I am running Slic3r and cannot find the setting to adjust for extrusion width. No matter as I am picking up S3D tonight.

Mark the Greater wrote:

Tim wrote:Problems that are limited exclusively to the bottom layers are almost always due to the bed height (and/or leveling), as it takes several layers to recover from attempting to print at a height that it is not expecting. Occasionally, bottom-layer problems are due to a partial blockage that works itself out eventually, which would not be repeatable.

That was my thought as well. Going to be doing some more calibration tonight. My prints are looking a lot better, and the layer adhesion is leaps and bounds over when I started. Still not dimensionally accurate though. Well, X/Y for most parts is pretty good, but wall thickness is still an issue. I know there is a calibration setup for this but I am running Slic3r and cannot find the setting to adjust for extrusion width. No matter as I am picking up S3D tonight.

You wont regret that choice. Also check out the new series of videos that S3D just released. Some really good tips and tricks and some stuff I had no idea about in there.

Mark the Greater wrote:I know there is a calibration setup for this but I am running Slic3r and cannot find the setting to adjust for extrusion width. No matter as I am picking up S3D tonight.

Hold your horses, no need to buy that expensive what-cha-ma-call-its. Ill get you through this. Besides, as clunky as slic3r is, I feel like I learned a hell of a lot more about 3D printing with it than I would with some magical all-in-wonder (I might be exagerating).

I haven't followed your progress around here, Mark, so I'll start from the bottom:

Do you have digital/dial calipers?
Have you run through JSC's calibration process? viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1964 DO IT!

In slic3r the main calibration settings are as follows:

File/Preferences/Mode/Expert > Restart Slic3r
Filament Settings:
>Filament/ Diameter (it can vary so don't pull your hair out.)
>Filament/ Temperature (follow what your filament spool says, make your first layer 5C hotter.
Printer Settings:
>Extruder 1/ Nozzle diameter: 0.35
Print Settings:
>Advanced/ Default extrusion width: 0.4

NOW go through JSC's calibration set up. Depending how that goes, you will be changing:

Filament Settings:
>Filament/ Multiplier
Printer Settings:
>General/ Z offset

There are many more settings to play with over time, but you need to master these settings to get any print to come out consistent.

Matt_Sharkey wrote: Print Settings:
>Advanced/ Default: 0.4

Is that the text field for line width?

Also, too late! I bought the magical software that will make everything perfect and let me stop thinking. That's how it works right? Right!?!

Mark the Greater wrote:

Matt_Sharkey wrote: Print Settings:
>Advanced/ Default: 0.4

Is that the text field for line width?

Also, too late! I bought the magical software that will make everything perfect and let me stop thinking. That's how it works right? Right!?!

Well you will still need to calibrate etc but what S3D is let you spend less time on configuring software and more time on getting actual prints. There is something to be said by learning through pain as it were, but the bottom line is in order to take 3D printing out of the maker space and into the general public space (which is what will drive innovation and improvements far more than a small use base), we need to make 3D printing as point and click as possible.

S3D has the best supports hands down though. Ive used, slic3r, cura and KISSlicer and when it comes to supports S3D just cannot be beaten.

Mark the Greater wrote:

Matt_Sharkey wrote: Print Settings:
>Advanced/ Default: 0.4

Is that the text field for line width?

Yes it's telling slic3r that I want my standard line to be 0.4mm wide (edited my post for clairity)

Mark the Greater wrote:

Matt_Sharkey wrote: Print Settings:
>Advanced/ Default: 0.4

Is that the text field for line width?

Also, too late! I bought the magical software that will make everything perfect and let me stop thinking. That's how it works right? Right!?!

Nope you spent $140+ to do the same calibration with the settings named differently.

insta wrote:

Mark the Greater wrote:

Matt_Sharkey wrote: Print Settings:
>Advanced/ Default: 0.4

Is that the text field for line width?

Also, too late! I bought the magical software that will make everything perfect and let me stop thinking. That's how it works right? Right!?!

Nope you spent $140+ to do the same calibration with the settings named differently.

Insta - shattering dreams one post at a time