1 Topic by pbcrazy (edited by pbcrazy 2015-01-05 03:28:23)

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Topic: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

I recently purchased a new DaVinci 1.0 on newegg and right away I noticed the calibration was out. I used the Android app to complete the auto calibration to values of 225, 225, 235. I then attempted a new print (I've tried standard, good, and excellent quality) a Penrose triangle illusion (/thing:6513)     

But no matter how I tried it it always got stuck at layer ~6 and ends up picking up the print and creating a mess. I then tried blue paints tape instead of the supplied glue and again it got stuck at the same point. I did a manual calibration (2 pieces of paper and one piece of blue tape to account for the difference of the tape) and again, same point same problem. It appears that the nozzle is so low that it actually fuses all the layer together and just ends up picking it up.

So then I tried a dog model (/thing:462823)
I never could even get the first layer to stick (never been a problem for me with tape or glue). I'm assuming it was because the support material's geometry is so light that it just gets picked up, which leads me to believe again it isn't calibration correctly (or is the slicer so bad it can't do supports?).

Both the demo stick it prints looks and sticks fine, as well as the demo prints. Am I trying prints too difficult? Or am I calibrating incorrectly? Thank you for all your time and advice.

da Vinci 1.0
Repetier Firmware, E3D v6 Hot End
Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill

2 Reply by Fareforce

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

Are you using XYZ's slicer? Also, since you recently purchased it is it a 1.0 or a a 1.0a? If you don't know the easiest way to tell is the 1.0a has magnets to keep the front door closed, says 3D Printer on the front door, and the serial number usually starts with 3F10A.

3 Reply by tonyno

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

So, you got the 225, 225, 235 and then adjusted the bed with your shims (paper and tape)?

I used one sheet of paper and am getting good adhesion, but, I do smaller prints. My biggest printed dimension so far has been 4.75". I also used the glue stick a while ago.

4 Reply by pbcrazy (edited by pbcrazy 2015-01-05 04:11:57)

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

Fareforce wrote:

Are you using XYZ's slicer? Also, since you recently purchased it is it a 1.0 or a a 1.0a? If you don't know the easiest way to tell is the 1.0a has magnets to keep the front door closed, says 3D Printer on the front door, and the serial number usually starts with 3F10A.

Yes, I am still using all of the stock equipment (filament, software, firmware) including the XYZware slicer. And it appears I have the 1.0

da Vinci 1.0
Repetier Firmware, E3D v6 Hot End
Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill

5 Reply by pbcrazy

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

tonyno wrote:

So, you got the 225, 225, 235 and then adjusted the bed with your shims (paper and tape)?

I used one sheet of paper and am getting good adhesion, but, I do smaller prints. My biggest printed dimension so far has been 4.75". I also used the glue stick a while ago.

I got 225, 225, 235 and was still having trouble with the prints so I adjusted it manually to no avail. The only prints I have have done (or attempted) are <4" width and <3" height.

da Vinci 1.0
Repetier Firmware, E3D v6 Hot End
Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill

6 Reply by Fareforce

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

If you are on the 1.0 and getting good adhesion from the sample files, but not from others things are you using using rafts?

7 Reply by DrAnonymous

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

I would suggest removing the painters tape and cleaning the bed. Then do an auto calibration, but get the numbers to be lower, shoot for the 1xx range.

When printing try using a raft, as this should help. Also print at lower resolution.

The objects you are trying to print seem like a more difficult print, without a better slicer. I'd start with something flatter and less overhangs.

8 Reply by pbcrazy

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

I haven't used rafts, Is that something I should be using on every print or just prints with low first layer surface areas? I'll give the calibration another go and use rafts and report back.

da Vinci 1.0
Repetier Firmware, E3D v6 Hot End
Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill

9 Reply by pbcrazy

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

Re-calibrated to 195, 185, 195 (that android app really is amazing, so easy. I wish they would make an iPhone version though so I don't have to use it on my computer). The Penrose print is sort of messy, though I did just print on standard settings (with rafts).

So for now everything seems to be working correctly (except the stupid door, the clips don't lock anymore. Thank you for your help!

da Vinci 1.0
Repetier Firmware, E3D v6 Hot End
Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill

10 Reply by Gee

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

What is the reasoning behind calibrating to a lower number?

11 Reply by DrAnonymous

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

The lower numbers indicate you are closer to the bed. My belief is that the auto level routine in the stock firmware works better with lower numbers. I'm not sure why, but that's what appears to be the case, my prints worked better with lower numbers as well.

12 Reply by Gee

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

Ahh I see.

Thanks.

13 Reply by pbcrazy

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

Just tried the dog print again and something in the first 5 minutes the extruder head knocked over the two back legs and screwed the entire print up (.2mm layer height, 20% fill, supports and rafts). Since I'm using the painter's tape I feel like I should move it down a bit, but I'm not sure if it knocked the legs over because it is too close, I'm using crappy settings, or the abs is sticking and dragging the legs breaking them free from the bed.
Anybody have similar situations/solutions?

da Vinci 1.0
Repetier Firmware, E3D v6 Hot End
Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill

14 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

pbcrazy wrote:

Just tried the dog print again and something in the first 5 minutes the extruder head knocked over the two back legs and screwed the entire print up (.2mm layer height, 20% fill, supports and rafts). Since I'm using the painter's tape I feel like I should move it down a bit, but I'm not sure if it knocked the legs over because it is too close, I'm using crappy settings, or the abs is sticking and dragging the legs breaking them free from the bed.
Anybody have similar situations/solutions?


Once the initial layer is laid, each successive layer is placed on top. It should never touch a previous layer. I honestly was having similar issues with the painters tape. For one it would get pulled from the bed if my part curled on the edges and that would allow it to curl. I also had a few parts fall over as well. This is simply due to the drag of laying each layer exceeds the adhesion to the tape.

I went to clean glass and Elmers glue sticks. I have since had no issue with prints falling over or even curling on edges. You just have to make sure it cools to room temp. If it does it should lift right off with little effort.

The Elmers sticks clean up with a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth and the bed is spotless and ready again. Just make sure you use the manual bed level procedure which is a sticky at the top of this section.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

15 Reply by pbcrazy

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

Maybe I'll try glue again, just the painter's tape is so much easier to apply and remove (not to mention it can be used a few times). I'll try the glue and report back (hopefully solving my problem. If so I may just use painter's tape for larger objects and glue for smaller). Thanks!

da Vinci 1.0
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Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill

16 Reply by rockosmodlife

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

carl_m1968 wrote:
pbcrazy wrote:

Just tried the dog print again and something in the first 5 minutes the extruder head knocked over the two back legs and screwed the entire print up (.2mm layer height, 20% fill, supports and rafts). Since I'm using the painter's tape I feel like I should move it down a bit, but I'm not sure if it knocked the legs over because it is too close, I'm using crappy settings, or the abs is sticking and dragging the legs breaking them free from the bed.
Anybody have similar situations/solutions?


Once the initial layer is laid, each successive layer is placed on top. It should never touch a previous layer. I honestly was having similar issues with the painters tape. For one it would get pulled from the bed if my part curled on the edges and that would allow it to curl. I also had a few parts fall over as well. This is simply due to the drag of laying each layer exceeds the adhesion to the tape.

I went to clean glass and Elmers glue sticks. I have since had no issue with prints falling over or even curling on edges. You just have to make sure it cools to room temp. If it does it should lift right off with little effort.

The Elmers sticks clean up with a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth and the bed is spotless and ready again. Just make sure you use the manual bed level procedure which is a sticky at the top of this section.

I have also found this to be the case & also switched back to glass and glue.

Repinci 1.0 + Repetier host

17 Reply by pbcrazy

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

Out of curiosity, what is the "Auto Repair" option when sending the object to the printer in XYZWare (right next to supports and rafts)?

da Vinci 1.0
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Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill

18 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

pbcrazy wrote:

Out of curiosity, what is the "Auto Repair" option when sending the object to the printer in XYZWare (right next to supports and rafts)?

It does not work, but if it did it is supposed to examine the model and look for errors and water tightness like they do when you submit your model to Netfabb cloud services. The majority of the models on thingiverse have never actually been proven printable so they need to be fixed before they can be printed.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
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Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

19 Reply by tonyno

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

Regarding multiple uses of glue application, I have been doing this. Seems like one coat lasts a good while.

20 Reply by pbcrazy (edited by pbcrazy 2015-01-18 19:21:48)

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Re: Poor Prints even after Auto and Manual Calibrations?

After a few tests, I have found blue painters tape works great for larger objects and glue is a must for small (~1" surface area) objects, though I generally use glue (Elmers purple) now even though it's a bit harder to clean up. Quality is much better than before. Believe it or not, the Mac version of XYZWare appears to produce better prints than the windows software, as well as looking and "feeling" much nicer. Thanks for all your help!

da Vinci 1.0
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Successfully printed in: ABS, PLA, Ninjaflex, Nylon, and Woodfill