I've Gone and Done Something Mental

[carbon]

I am beginning to suspect something to do with levelling. It isn't consistent, every time I level it is well out on the next run. I wonder if there is something flopping about, or if the springs are too weak?

Is the print bed wobble free? What material? What print speed are you using? Are you printing the first layer slower? I usually print my first layer at 20-25% of the speed set for the rest of the print

 

[zx9]

3-D printing sounds like someone's just invented a new source of frustration?

I'm really glad I've not got room for a machine, otherwise I might have fallen for the concept like @Parm.

At around the time Parm bought or was it un boxed his 3D printer I replaced my 2D printer, I am still profiling it but getting there.


Back to my previous comments about needing a 3D printer to work straight out of the box, even a photo printer does not do that if you stray from the manufacturers papers.
Now waiting for news on the resin printers...

Telling you all, resin printers are the answer...

 

[Parm]

This is what mine is doing now. What could be the issue?

 

[AndersK]

Looks like it's levelled too close so it can't extrude and instead nozzle digs into your build plate.

 

[Bladevane]

I would say the bed is not level and the bed is too high. Could the bed be warped? Looks like variable first layer thickness over the width and length of the print. If you wanted to send me the model I can slice and print on my Prusa to see how it looks with what I consider a "good" setup.

 

[Parm]

It’s this

Knife, Scissors, Chisel & Razor Sharpener - Leading Edge System by leadingedge

This is my "Leading Edge" Sharpening System.NOTE - The LATEST (Major upgraded) version of my system will soon be available as a ready-to-assemble kit from https://www.gritomatic.com. I will not be updating this version on Thingiverse any more, but I will leave it here for free printing.NOTE -...

www.thingiverse.com

it’s printed most of the parts fine as per the earlier pictures then it’s randomly gone wrong and producing rubbish

im finding that there’s hardly any tension on the springs

when level I g the bed should the z axis be sitting on the limit switch?

 

[Parm]

I’m begining too loose patience with it all. I just want it to work but there are just so many variable, most of which I don’t understand

worst still I have no reference point to work from

 

[Bladevane]

With my (now old) 3DFactory printer I would level the bed first with the nozzle too high (about 1mm or 0.040") to ensure I did not get bed/nozzle fouling. I checked with feeler gauges at the four corners and also mid point along the X and Y axes. If necessary adding slips of paper under the heated bed to try to get a surface as level as possible. Then I set the Z height using the limit switch dropping it in tiny increments until my Home position gave me a nozzle height 0.2mm off the bed. I am not familiar with your printer but hopefully the above makes sense.

 

[Parm]

With my (now old) 3DFactory printer I would level the bed first with the nozzle too high (about 1mm or 0.040") to ensure I did not get bed/nozzle fouling. I checked with feeler gauges at the four corners and also mid point along the X and Y axes. If necessary adding slips of paper under the heated bed to try to get a surface as level as possible. Then I set the Z height using the limit switch dropping it in tiny increments until my Home position gave me a nozzle height 0.2mm off the bed. I am not familiar with your printer but hopefully the above makes sense.

Sort off. I’m baffled with where the s azis should be when levels g the bed

its an Ender 3 v2

im even more baffled with an internet search as it just throws up too many options.

my current thoughts

adjust bed screws until they are about 60% compressed so they have tension. Then adjust the s axis micro switch so nozzle is close to bed. Then adjust and level bed?

 

[carbon]

I dont have that printer but have found this, hopefully it helps
Ender 3 v2 Z offset

 

[ChrisBailey]

To show how compressed the springs on mine are. Thats with a leveled bed.
The bed is really firm.

 

[Parm]

Ok, mine is no where near that

what is it I need to do ?

 

[ChrisBailey]

Set your printer to auto home, lower your bed to get higher compression on the springs. Then lower the z axis switch.
Auto home again then adjust the bed to level it

 

[AndersK]

https://m.all3dp.com/2/ender-3-bed-leveling-all-you-need-to-know/

 

[veesix]

I usually tighten all the wheels up, loosen off 2.5 turns and start tramming the bed with a piece of paper/feeler gauge at the rear left. Not sure about the Ender 3 V2, but on my Pro I had to clip the "stop" off the Z-Axis limit switch holder to allow the X carriage to go low enough.

 

[Parm]

https://m.all3dp.com/2/ender-3-bed-leveling-all-you-need-to-know/

This is exactly what I have done. I suspect the s axis switch needs to be tinkered with first

 

[Bladevane]

@Parm I downloaded the file, sliced it (PrusaSlicer) and am now printing it with no problems so it is fair to assume the model is good. Having eliminated this variable it seems your problem is down to setting up the printer and the advice given above should be adequate. But I will reiterate that in my view the sequence should be - Level the bed then set the nozzle height. If you don't have a level bed you will never achieve a good first layer and likewise if the nozzle is not the correct height above the bed.

I made a jig to clamp a small DTI onto the print head so I could see how the "levelness" of the bed varied as I moved the print head along the X and Y axes. And the bed was curved, so I don't think we can rely on just the four corner leveling process to ensure a flat and level bed. Also my 3DFactory printer has the 2 front bed screws as non-adjustable. Only the 2 rear ones are spring loaded. I'm not saying this is an answer to all problems but it works on mine.

 

[AndersK]

When you have done the bed levelling the Z limit switch must be in switched position or it won't know what zero is

 

[Parm]

Bed screws are done up, then slack off 2.5 turns. Z axis switch is at its lowest position. Press auto home and this is where the nozzle rests

now if I level the bed, it needs to be raised then I loose all tension in the springs

 

[ChrisBailey]

File a bit off the plastic off the bottom of the z axis switch holder.
It will go lower then