Simplify3D User Forum

Hi all, new user here with some settings problems.

I'm using a DaVinci 1, J firmware, hacked, and the latest Simplify3D. When I brought the software I just set it up and off I went printing. The only problem I had was that I couldn't print smaller than 0.18mm for layer height. Finally this weekend I decided to have a look at this problem. I first cleaned the print bed and then re-leveled it to a factor of 245, however I now could not print below 0.25mm. When I say could not print, what happens is I get the clicking sound from the print head, meaning that the head is too low and the filament cant get out!. I re-leveled the bed, but this time to a factor of 320 and got back top the minimum print layer of 0.18. From here I tried to alter the settings in the G Code section, setting the Z value at up to .55 but it didn't seem to make any difference.

Am I right in thinking that this section is where you can increase the Z distance between the head and the printing plate or is there another setting point I should be looking at?

TIA.

From your description, it definitely sounds like the nozzle is too close to the bed. Several of the da Vinvi firmwares actually have a built-in method on the LCD panel to adjust the Z-offset. Otherwise, you can do that in Simplify3D by going to the G-Code tab and increasing the z-axis gcode offset. For example, a value of +0.2mm would move the nozzle 0.2mm further away from the build platform.

As another suggestion, you may have better luck using a thicker first layer when trying to print at 0.1mm layer heights. You can set your first layer height to 200% so that it will extrude a 0.2mm first layer when using 0.1mm layer heights. It will extrude more plastic which can greatly help with the issue you described.

There's quite a few other tips here: https://www.simplify3d.com/support/tuto ... rst-layer/

Thanks for your reply. Got it sorted now, well kind of. I broke the bed, glass delaminated, so for the time being I've put on a reprap type heater and glass. Had to set the Z G code offset to 4mm to be able to level the bed by hand but it works. Just waiting for the replacement XYZ bed now