Fine Tuning the First Layer

[RocknRolla]

I've recently started a project to really button up my first layer tuning. I think I've gotten the kind of result that a lot of people would be happy. Honestly, I'm pretty happy too. But I'm seeing minor stubborn issues that I would love to improve. If nothing else, I want to understand them.

Issue #1: There is a wave pattern in the corners. It is strongest in the corners where the toolhead path is short. Here are photos of where it is good (the 'x'), and where it is more wavy. It was hard to photograph the waves. They are worse than they look in the photo. What causes the wavy pattern, and is there a way to get rid of it without messing up the rest of it?


Issue #2: The edge all the way around is rough. Very rough in some places. And the wave pattern mentioned above is significantly worse when it intersects these edge areas. Are there things that can be done to get edge to edge smoothness?


Thanks in advance for any tips.

 

[NoGuru]

Bed is too close and you are over extruding.

So make sure you are micro tuning. I do this by making the first layer like you did and fine tuning it as the layer is going down but feeling it as it prints. Just be careful.

Also what are you using for your bed probe?

 

[p45q]

for me it looks like PA and/or flow is not calibrated perfectly if the z-off is good.

 

[Agatkaa]

I've recently started a project to really button up my first layer tuning. I think I've gotten the kind of result that a lot of people would be happy. Honestly, I'm pretty happy too. But I'm seeing minor stubborn issues that I would love to improve. If nothing else, I want to understand them.

Issue #1: There is a wave pattern in the corners. It is strongest in the corners where the toolhead path is short. Here are photos of where it is good (the 'x'), and where it is more wavy. It was hard to photograph the waves. They are worse than they look in the photo. What causes the wavy pattern, and is there a way to get rid of it without messing up the rest of it?
View attachment 5768View attachment 5769

Issue #2: The edge all the way around is rough. Very rough in some places. And the wave pattern mentioned above is significantly worse when it intersects these edge areas. Are there things that can be done to get edge to edge smoothness?
View attachment 5770

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Wavy corners are usually from over-extrusion or the toolhead movement. Try adjusting the extrusion multiplier or play with speeds. For rough edges, it might be a bed adhesion issue or first layer height. Calibrate the first layer, maybe bump up bed temp a bit, and try some glue stick for better adhesion.

 

[RocknRolla]

Thanks for the help all... One of my linear Y-rails just failed pretty badly. From various comments, it is plausible that it might have just been that rail failing. Will test again after fixing.

 

[3dCase]

Thanks for the help all... One of my linear Y-rails just failed pretty badly. From various comments, it is plausible that it might have just been that rail failing. Will test again after fixing.

I still think the first reply is spot on. I think it is unlikely one y-rail will cause trouble everywhere to the same extend. I would expect worse effects closer to the failing rail.
It will not help anything, that is for sure but see what happens. I bet your solution will be in fine tuning height and extrusion.