What’s quality should be classed as the norm for the first layer against the bed? You don’t very often see photos of this and I wondering if I’m struggling for something most people don’t achieve.
The reason for asking is when I first setup my printer during build I was able to get fantastic smooth first layers and took it for granted. A few months in I’m struggling to get back to the original quality. I tend to print a fair few boxes etc for projects and these have flat bottoms. They have page first layers and I struggle to get them 100% smooth.
I get smooth bottoms with either Kapton tape or clean glass, sometimes with a little lip around the bottom where I’ve squashed the layer down too much. What is the issue? A photo may help!
I managed to get my bottoms perfectly smooth by adjusting the Z height. Too far away and I get gaps in the print, too close and I get a buldge around the edge. Is that what you were referring to?
https://plus.google.com/117789082000619135339/posts/1yf6Ag9JszE should give you an example. I have played with z height and extrusion amount and things improved. I did suspect my nozzel for a time and i have recently managed to make sure its a square as possible to the bed as i suspect it was at a slight angle before.
I think you are either under extruding your first layer, moving to fast, or temp is too low. Generally the first layer should be shower, higher temp, and over extruded. It also looks like you may have a bubble in your kapton. Make sure the bed is cleaned with alcohol, although it looks like you have excellent adhesion. Also make sure you’re bed is good and level. Good luck
Looking at the first picture, it looks like you had ABS lifting issues. Are you printing ABS? If so, is it a heated bed and what temperature? ABS is a picky plastic and you have to avoid air currents with it.