Getting A Good Print What do you control?

• A Valid Model

• A Working Machine

• Calibration

Calibration Getting the First Layer Right

• Absolutely the most important part of your print

• 99% of all problems happen on the first layer

• If the first layer is good the rest probably will be

What to do? Level The Bed

• Nothing is more important

• Nothing will help if this is not right

• More tips - after we level…

How to Measure Level Use a Drop Indicator

Advantages

• Very accurate

Disadvantages

• May be un-mountable

• Cumbersome to use

How to Measure Level The paper method

Advantages

• Works on all printers

Disadvantages

• What is correct paper

• What is correct preasure

How to Measure Level Just eyeball it!

Advantages

• We all have the equipment

• Easy to use

Disadvantages

• Some printers not visible

• Takes some finesse

X-Axis Leveling If 2 lead screws (x-axis)

• Move carriage to left

• Move extruder to bed

• Move carriage to right

• Adjust screws to fix height

• Repeat until level on x

Bed Plate Leveling With adjustable sprung bed

• Loosen back right screw

• Move extruder to corners

• Adjust other 3 screws

• Repeat until level

• Tighten back right o Just touching plate only

Bed Plate Leveling If bed has under adjustment screws

• Same procedure as last

• Some printers can be

adjusted while printing.

Software Leveling MatterControl

• Included Software Print Leveling

• Wizard samples bed at 3 points

• Corrected while printing

LEVELED! Your printer should now be level! What’s next?

• Z-Height

• Filament Settings

• First Layer Speed

Z-Height • Depends on the printer

• Most are z-min

• Common procedure 1. Tighten z-pin

2. Home z axis

3. Adjust z-pin as needed

4. Back to step 2 until just on bed

Filament Settings Common Settings That Will Help You

• First Layer Temp o Just Hot Enough to Stick Well

o Raise the temperature 5°c until sticking well

o Approximately 10-15° hotter than the rest of the print

• Extrusion width of 200% is good

• Make Sure First Layer Height is Tall Enough o Good setting is ½ Extruder Diameter

o .4mm nozzle = .2mm first layer height

First Layer Speed It is Very Simple - Go Slow

• 20 mm/s is a good start

• Make sure moves are also slow

• We set a fixed number rather than a percent

Thank You! More info available at MatterHackers.com

You can also contact me directly

larsbrubaker@matterhackers.com