Hi folks, I’ve had my ender 3 v2 for around 2 years and it’s been trouble-free until lately. Recently, I’ve had major issues with the first layer. I found a few worn components, so I got a dual gear extruder and replaced the nozzle, recald the esteps, bed level and z offset. Nothing I do seems to work.
The issue happens on the first layer when it first starts to extrude. The first 5mm or so of extrusion curls up behind the nozzle, then the extrusion sticks to the bed and it continues normally… Until it needs to starts a new extrusion, then the same thing happens…the curl.
I have to think it’s something with temperature, but I haven’t changed anything about the filament since these issues started.
Looking for any advice. Thanks!
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You can try a few things. Add a brim to the part in your slicer. Look at your first layer to make sure the nozzle isn’t too far (you can find pics online for this).
And mostly importantly!! You might not believe this, but even if all of your settings are the same, you can get finger oils on the bed over time from grabbing prints. Wash the surface with soapy water and spray/wipe with rubbing alcohol between prints. Use a glue stick or hairspray if you’re still having adhesion issues. Make sure that the bed is 60-70 and that the first layer of first few layers are slow. You want a good base, that will keep the part from detaching from the bed.
This. Finger oils are the enemy. If you’ve never washed the bed with soap and water, it usually fixes adhesion issues on a properly leveled machine.
ok ok, I’ll put the old bed on after I wash it real good…I do this periodically but maybe I was eating chips or something.
Gahhhh same thing… I’m on day 4 of this bs. I’m gonna throw my printer out a window
Glass is really hard to stick to. You’ve gotta get the z axis just right. I know it was working before but it happens. Don’t give up but definitely take a break if you need. Highly recommend putting down some purple gluestick, it helps a ton. It isn’t your fault if you’ve cleaned the bed, it’s gonna take some patience. Maybe look into getting a PEI sheet if you don’t have one? There happens to be a limited time deal on one your size (235x235mm, ender 3 v2 and aquila are the same) on amazon for $10: https://a.co/d/emfbtnc
Not a referral link or anything, but I really recommend one. They’re usually around $15-20. I haven’t touched my glass bed since I got one. Other than that honestly dude just go back when you’ve got more patience and download a bed leveling test print, and keep tweaking.
A little aqua net hairspray will do the trick too.
I use a glue stick specially made for 3D printing that works fantastic, but another great option is painters tape.
Have you tried a new nozzle?
If your nozzle is worn flat (from scraping), it could affect your nozzle-bed gap (assuming no adjustment). If the internal diameter is worn (from long-term usage or an abrasive filament), it could cause a type of under-extrusion.
Ok new symptom: the corners of a box that I’m printing are curling up
For issues with corners curling I either use a brim, or if a brim is not good for that model, I add a 1-2 layer circle at that corner in like tinkercad.
I had this happen on my ender 3 v2 recently as well, a thin layer of washable purple gluestick has solved it for me (though parts are now sometimes a bit difficult to remove and sometimes require a moist rag to get the gluestick residue off)
I’ve heard of using gluestick…but dang it sounds messy. Do you have a link to the stuff you tried?
Any brand will work. I dont like glue, but its easy to apply and also clean it with water. Glue can fix huge problems like uneven bed, wrong temp etc. You are facing common 3D printing problems. Not sticking to the bed and curling. It can be frustrating, get some patience and you will sort it out.
You did major upgrades, so tunning is hard to avoid. Do PID tuning for your hotend, your temps might be not stable. Check your hotend mount for play. Make sure your part cooling fan is off on the first layer. More squish, higher temp and low speed are your friends. Try with 205/60 C and 10-15 mm/s. Check your retraction, you might have oozing that can cause not sticking at first. If you are printing tiny parts like 5 mm circles on first layer you need to have crazy dialed printer to print that consistently. Still possible of course, but even then some issues at start /end of extrusion can occur. 0.24 mm first layer height is much easier to print than 0.15, simmilar thing with nozzle size. Your filament might be shit, better filaments are more forgiving.
Print 1 layer square and take a picture. Lines must fuse and surface shouldnt be rough when touching it. If you didnt print 100 squares dont give up yet 😉
Edit: any PVA glue stick (the one that is used by kids in school to glue paper)
