• Registered: 2014-02-28
  • Posts: 8

Topic: 1st Layer Issues

Hoping for a little help here.  I have been printing now for a couple months.  Most of my prints have come out pretty well.  However, I continue to have issues with the 1st layer and last layer of a print being solid.  Lately, the issue has seemed to worsen.  When I first setup my SD4, I followed calibration procedures using a 100mm straw, etc.  Again, most of my prints have turned out pretty well. 

I was trying to print a glider over the weekend from Thingiverse and continued to struggle with having the single layer portion of the wings fill in properly.  Today I began filling in a circle to test and came across the same issue.

I played with Sli3r settings, remeasuring the thickness of my Octave filament, and increasing the Extrusion multiplier.  I was using 0.85 and took it all the way to 1.1.  However, there was not much difference in the results.  I also ensured the spool of filament was not tangled preventing it from extruding properly.

I am printing at 0.2mm with first layer height set to .35mm.  Perimeters are set to 3.  Solid Layers are 4 on top and 3 for the bottom.  First layer speed is set to 30%.  All speeds are slic3r default.

I attached a photo to show results.  Note the far right side of the circle had yet to be printed.  However, you can see the gaps in between lines.

Any advice on how to improve the first layer would be greatly appreciated.

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2 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: 1st Layer Issues

In Slic3r, what setting do you have for your nozzle? Since you still have the stock .4mm nozzle, you want that number to read .48 to allow for expansion. Also, when was the last time you calibrated the extruder and leveled the bed/Z tab adjustment?

Many of your prints look great, so I doubt the extruder is not calibrate right. But the fact that it is only on the first layer could be due to the Z needing to be raised a fraction of a hair.

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  • Registered: 2014-02-28
  • Posts: 8

Re: 1st Layer Issues

Thanks for the quick response.  This could indeed be where my issue is at... I was under the impression the SD4 had a 0.35mm diameter nozzle and as such have always had the setting in Slic3r set to 0.35mm.

The last time I checked bed level and Z tab was about a month ago when I switched over to a glass bed with hairspray (which has been working extremely well).  The extrusion seems fairly flat without being overly squished according to my newbie eyes.

I will alter my nozzle size to 0.48 and see what difference that makes.

One other question, I have my filament diameter set to 1.74mm which is what I have consistently been measuring with my Octave filament.  When measuring 1.74mm, should I be using that same number in Slic3r, or do you commonly add a fudge factor?

4 Reply by wardjr

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Re: 1st Layer Issues

No fudge factor for filament diameter.  Unless your filament varies though out the spool then you have to average.

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5 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: 1st Layer Issues

[email protected] wrote:

Thanks for the quick response.  This could indeed be where my issue is at... I was under the impression the SD4 had a 0.35mm diameter nozzle and as such have always had the setting in Slic3r set to 0.35mm.

The last time I checked bed level and Z tab was about a month ago when I switched over to a glass bed with hairspray (which has been working extremely well).  The extrusion seems fairly flat without being overly squished according to my newbie eyes.

I will alter my nozzle size to 0.48 and see what difference that makes.

I checked the SD webstore before responding. So they at least are currently advertising for .4
Just remember to add that 20% to allow for expansion.

When I start printing, the first layer is nearly transparent. If it isn't for yours, I would cdertainly recommend recalibrating the height of your bed.
Hope this helps big_smile

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!
  • Registered: 2014-02-28
  • Posts: 8

Re: 1st Layer Issues

I changed the nozzle diameter and began the print again.  The result was almost worse.  It almost appears as if the printer is not providing a constant stream of filament.  It started fine and then one of the lines was just a few dots of filament and then it would print fine again. Then it went through a few lines back to back that did not print properly.  When the filament is coming out, the result is good.  My print head is set to 205C.

I again checked the spool to see if it was bound, and it was not.

I noticed plastic build up on the feeder gear (not sure if this is the proper name).  I had noticed this early today and cleaned the gear off with a small brush.  See the attached photo.  This leads me to believe it is 'slipping' as it is trying to feed the filament.  Thoughts?

This filament has been open and exposed in my basement since I bought my Solidoodle a few months ago.  I am wondering if exposure to humidity has something to do with it.  However, note I have had this issue (although not nearly this bad) since day 1 and received the same results (although again, not quite as bad) with brand new glow in the dark Octave filament just received last week.  Not sure if this is a red herring, but wanted to mention it.

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7 Reply by [email protected] (edited by [email protected] 2014-05-12 20:01:41)

  • Registered: 2014-02-28
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Re: 1st Layer Issues

Let me back up one second... I let the print finish that I started with earlier (original photo). Looking at the top layer, it is perfect.  There are no lines missing, no evidence of extrusion issues, etc.  This makes me wonder if it is something to do with either the Z tab height or Slic3r settings for first layer. 

I just checked the bed level and was fine.

If the Z tab was set too close to the glass, wouldn't that stop filament from coming out of the nozzle?  I'm betting my Z tab is set too tight at this point and I will readjust when I have time later today.  However I would love some confirmation or other thoughts.

Thanks.

8 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: 1st Layer Issues

Your tension arm may need to be tightened a little. Especially if it has been happening for some time. Even if your tension arm is perfect, if you have a clog, it will strip the filament like you saw. But a clog is a dead givaway because your extruder will click and little to no filament will be pushed down.
I awlays save the silica that comes with the filament. When not in use, I throw the filament into a large ziplock with one or two of the silica bags. So I don't have any experience with bad/moist filament.

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!
  • Registered: 2014-02-28
  • Posts: 8

Re: 1st Layer Issues

I don't believe there is a clog as I can have it manually extrude filament and it comes out very nice and clean.
I will take a look at the tension arm and check to see if it is tight.  Likewise, I will look to readjust Z tab height and see if between the two, I can eliminate the issue.