1 Topic by keyblade4321

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Topic: Cura Initial layer line width problems

Hi guys,

I recently switched over to Repetier using Cura as my main slicer. I just open the gcode in Notepad and change all the G1 to G0 (side question: is there a better/automatic way for this to happen within Repetier Host or having a plugin of some sort?) Anyway,
I finally have been able to get really good quality prints after cleaning out the drive gears, slowing everything down, tweaking retraction, re-calibrating bed, BUT I haven't been able to get tight/flat/smooth lines on the first layer of my print [pics attached]. I'm printing first layer at .2 mm and the rest at .1 mm both at 240 C. I'm currently setting my initial layer line width to 200% but I'm not getting the desired results. Has anyone solved this or gotten tight lines on first print? Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

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2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Cura Initial layer line width problems

Actually you are supposed to change all the G0 to G1. G0's are fast moves and the stock firmware and software does not know how to handle fast moves.

As for making the changes, use notepad++ and you can replace all of one text such as G0 with another such as G1 with just a few keystrokes.

I would also advise you to use the manual calibration method that is a sticky here. The automatic method makes it too high. Your first layer should be squished down to half of your desired layer height. meaning if you are printing at .2 then your gap between your bed and nozzle should be around .1 or .15 if printing at .1 which the Da Vinci 1.0 will be very hard pressed to do you will need a gap of .05 between the bed and nozzle.

There is no ball park number like the automatic system tries to make as it does not even know what layer you plan to print at. The bed height should be adjusted with each print to be half of the desired layer height. Your first layer in whatever slicer you use should be the same height as the others. It is the bed to nozzle gap that will make the first layer thinner and squished. This should make the lines touch and make the bottom very near solid.

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.

3 Reply by keyblade4321

  • keyblade4321
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Re: Cura Initial layer line width problems

carl_m1968 wrote:

Actually you are supposed to change all the G0 to G1. G0's are fast moves and the stock firmware and software does not know how to handle fast moves.

As for making the changes, use notepad++ and you can replace all of one text such as G0 with another such as G1 with just a few keystrokes.

I would also advise you to use the manual calibration method that is a sticky here. The automatic method makes it too high. Your first layer should be squished down to half of your desired layer height. meaning if you are printing at .2 then your gap between your bed and nozzle should be around .1 or .15 if printing at .1 which the Da Vinci 1.0 will be very hard pressed to do you will need a gap of .05 between the bed and nozzle.

There is no ball park number like the automatic system tries to make as it does not even know what layer you plan to print at. The bed height should be adjusted with each print to be half of the desired layer height. Your first layer in whatever slicer you use should be the same height as the others. It is the bed to nozzle gap that will make the first layer thinner and squished. This should make the lines touch and make the bottom very near solid.

Wait, seriously! How has it been printing then. Wow, I'll fix that. Also, I am using manual calibration and everything is sticking good and proper as in layer height. I was actually talking about the latice pattern on the first layer of the print [pics are kinda blurry so I don't know if you can see it]. As you can see, the lines are really far apart and this is definitely a setting problem because it has something to do with extrusion width in Cura. The bottom is definitely solid, I just want to get the lines tighter as in distance between the widths not the height.

4 Reply by carl_m1968

  • carl_m1968
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Re: Cura Initial layer line width problems

keyblade4321 wrote:
carl_m1968 wrote:

Actually you are supposed to change all the G0 to G1. G0's are fast moves and the stock firmware and software does not know how to handle fast moves.

As for making the changes, use notepad++ and you can replace all of one text such as G0 with another such as G1 with just a few keystrokes.

I would also advise you to use the manual calibration method that is a sticky here. The automatic method makes it too high. Your first layer should be squished down to half of your desired layer height. meaning if you are printing at .2 then your gap between your bed and nozzle should be around .1 or .15 if printing at .1 which the Da Vinci 1.0 will be very hard pressed to do you will need a gap of .05 between the bed and nozzle.

There is no ball park number like the automatic system tries to make as it does not even know what layer you plan to print at. The bed height should be adjusted with each print to be half of the desired layer height. Your first layer in whatever slicer you use should be the same height as the others. It is the bed to nozzle gap that will make the first layer thinner and squished. This should make the lines touch and make the bottom very near solid.

Wait, seriously! How has it been printing then. Wow, I'll fix that. Also, I am using manual calibration and everything is sticking good and proper as in layer height. I was actually talking about the latice pattern on the first layer of the print [pics are kinda blurry so I don't know if you can see it]. As you can see, the lines are really far apart and this is definitely a setting problem because it has something to do with extrusion width in Cura. The bottom is definitely solid, I just want to get the lines tighter as in distance between the widths not the height.


A proper bed height will make the bottom layer squished and bring the lines together. Just try it, if you don't like it you can always run the automatic method again. It will print with the wrong height and may stick as well since you are printing a bottom layer that is twice your desired layer. I used the actual Cura host on my old printer and never made any changes other than layer height and speed and temp.

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.

5 Reply by keyblade4321

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Re: Cura Initial layer line width problems

Would an alternative solution be to change the Z15 part (z offset) in the gcode to like Z14.9? Is that even possible or should I just try to manually level it again?

6 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Cura Initial layer line width problems

keyblade4321 wrote:

Would an alternative solution be to change the Z15 part (z offset) in the gcode to like Z14.9? Is that even possible or should I just try to manually level it again?


I would use the manual method. Nearly everyone here will tell you it is better and should be done instead of the machines built in method. I dont even use glue or tape. Just bare dry hot glass at 110.

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.

7 Reply by DrAnonymous

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Re: Cura Initial layer line width problems

When I print I set the first layer speed to 30% and use an extrusion width of 200%, regardless of what my layer height is. I have no issue with things sticking or the lines being properly fused on a solid area. I used to print the first layer at a lower thickness than the rest, but that wasn't as good as what I do now. Also, cura can have problems with creating a skirt if the first layer height is less than the other heights. Its a known bug.

I switched to slic3r and have been really happy, though I started with cura.