Stopping After 1st Layer

[joesoap583]

I wondered whether it would be possible to automatically stop a print once the 1st layer has been laid down?

The reason for this request is that it is very important to get that 1st layer in the best shape possible, and if it can be inspected on completion then it provides a means of modifying the configuration to improve the layer for future prints.

As the 1st layer is laid at a low percentage of the master print rate (e.g. 25%) it can be very time consuming to watch this layer being laid. I'd rather set the job off and then come back later to see how it worked out.

[jimc]

not sure what printer you are running but you could use this file i made or make one like it for your printer to help you nail down that first layer. it prints very slow so you can make adjustments to bed lvl while it printing. its not exactly what your asking for but may help you out

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:180970

[Toby]

Seems like it should be possible just by setting "Stop printing at height" equal to you layer height. (That variable is in the Layer tab of the process dialog.)

I just tried it and it does what you want in the gcode preview anyway.

[joesoap583]

I have a FF Creator, so the table dimensions are 230x150 (ish). However I like what you've done so I will create one sized for my HBP.

The one "comment" I would add in relation to your design is that in order to pull the printed design off the HBP that design will currently require me to pull each of the sections separately. The thought strikes me that maybe if the islands were joined with a link then the whole design could be pulled off the HBP by just lifting one corner. However, I like what you've done and it is something I will pursue further.

It's stopping when the 1st layer has completed that is of interest. I think it would be really helpful if there were a checkbox on the print dialog which requested that Simplify3D stopped when it had completed that first layer. Otherwise I'm having to sit watching with my mouse pointer over the abandon button - and depending on the print design that 1st layer can take tens of minutes to complete.

Thanks for sharing - it is useful.

[joesoap583]

It appears that I have requested a feature which already exists within Simplify3D, so apologies for wasting everyone's time on this.

In the FFF creation dialog on the 'Layer' tab, bottom right corner you can specify start/stop printing heights. By setting the stop height to the height of the layer ('Primary Layer Height', top left), Simplify3D will print the base layer and then stop. This is exactly what I was looking for, so no further action is required.

Using this feature would also allow me to print only the first 'n' layers, so as to verify that those foundation layers are what I expect to see.

[joesoap583]

Seems like it should be possible just by setting "Stop printing at height" equal to you layer height. (That variable is in the Layer tab of the process dialog.)

I just tried it and it does what you want in the gcode preview anyway.

Yep, it does. And I have just confirmed that in another message on this thread. Thanks for your patience....