Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted · First layer not printing at all

I am very new to 3D printing, and I have noticed the first layer is not printing in any of my prints 😞 I am using the Ender 3 printer with PLA filament and Cura as my slicer.

For the first layer the extruder just moves around in the shape of the skirt (I think that's what it's called? The line around the whole print) and the first layer but nothing actually comes out. Once it gets to the infill, it starts printing. I looked up some Youtube videos and looked at my Cura settings, and everything seems to be in place (bottom layers 5, bottom thickness 1mm), so I'm not sure what is wrong.

In the picture on the left, you can see the lines of residue where the extruder went but didn't print (ignore the dots in the middle, I stopped the print midway and it is residue from that). On the top right you can see that only the infill got printed. On the bottom left, you can see in my solidworks file that there is clearly a bottom layer that should have been printed.

I have no idea what to do! I am currently trying to print a hinge, but it won't work because there is no bottom layer. Please help!

IMG-1929-COLLAGE.jpg

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted (edited) · First layer not printing at all

    You may need to review bed leveling process.  There are a lot of youtube videos on it.

    When the nozzle is too close to the bed on the first layer, the hole is effectively closed by the bed and the plastic can't get out.  The nozzle should not be leaving marks on the bed (it should be "1st layer height" above the bed.)

    When your second layer starts the head has moved up and flow starts.

    Edited by GregValiant
  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · First layer not printing at all
    On 5/29/2020 at 7:02 AM, GregValiant said:

    You may need to review bed leveling process.  There are a lot of youtube videos on it.

    When the nozzle is too close to the bed on the first layer, the hole is effectively closed by the bed and the plastic can't get out.  The nozzle should not be leaving marks on the bed (it should be "1st layer height" above the bed.)

    When your second layer starts the head has moved up and flow starts.

    I agree with GregValiant. In addition, you should listen for a clicking sound which is caused by the extruder trying to push the filament through the nozzle but unsuccessfully doing so (a good indicator that the bed is too close to the nozzle . Once you have properly bed leveled with some paper or very thin cardboard, make sure to check that the first layer cannot be easily scrubbed off using your finger. 

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now
    • Our picks

      • Help Us Improve Cura – Join the Ultimaker Research Program
        🚀 Help Shape the Future of Cura and Digital Factory – Join Our Power User Research Program!
        We’re looking for active users of Cura and Digital Factory — across professional and educational use cases — to help us improve the next generation of our tools.
        Our Power User Research Program kicks off with a quick 15-minute interview to learn about your setup and workflows. If selected, you’ll be invited into a small group of users who get early access to features and help us shape the future of 3D printing software.

        🧪 What to Expect:
        A short 15-minute kickoff interview to help us get to know you If selected, bi-monthly research sessions (15–30 minutes) where we’ll test features, review workflows, or gather feedback Occasional invites to try out early prototypes or vote on upcoming improvements
        🎁 What You’ll Get:
         
        Selected participants receive a free 1-year Studio or Classroom license Early access to new features and tools A direct voice in what we build next
        👉 Interested? Please fill out this quick form
        Your feedback helps us make Cura Cloud more powerful, more intuitive, and more aligned with how you actually print and manage your workflow.
        Thanks for being part of the community,

        — The Ultimaker Software Team
        • 0 replies
      • Cura 5.10 stable released!
        The full stable release of Cura 5.10 has arrived, and it brings support for the new Ultimaker S8, as well as new materials and profiles for previously supported UltiMaker printers. Additionally, you can now control your models in Cura using a 3D SpaceMouse and more!
          • Like
        • 18 replies
    ×
    ×
    • Create New...