I have recently started having an issue with what appears to be a low Z offset. I have recently updated both the A1 firmware and Bambu Studio in addition to changing my stock 0.4mm nozzle for a hardened steel nozzle.
I also changed the nozzle settings in both Bambu studio and on the printer interface but for some reason my first layer looks horrid. It is almost as though the nozzle scrapes on the bed.
I have checked the heater block screws to ensure they are tight, done multiple auto bed levels, adjusted the GCode to raise the nozzle from -0.02 to 0.08 and nothing seems to work.
I have reverted both software and firmware to no avail so not sure what could have mechanically happened for this to be the case? Not sure the z axis can sag being a lead screw. Could there be a fault with the stepper motors?
I have now changed my nozzle back to the original that came with the printer (steel nozzle) and it prints ok. So I suspect some gcode changes when you use a hardened steel nozzle which results in the nozzle being too low. @BambuLab can you guys please confirm what changes happens in the gcode when you select a hardened steel nozzle on the A1?
same problem for me. Changed to hardened steel 0.4mm nozzle from stainless steel; I don’t have issues with the first layer but I have noticed the nozzle scrapes too low now when cleaning before printing starts. The noise is terrible and does not sound like it did with the stainless steel.
If reverting to the original nozzle works fine, it could indeed be related to GCode settings for nozzle types. It might be worth checking with BambuLab support to confirm whether any specific GCode adjustments are needed for the hardened steel nozzle. They should be able to provide clarity on this.
Hi no, I have created a ticket with Bambulab and what they have done is send me another hardened steel nozzle and heater block which personally I do not think will resolve the issue. I honestly think it is software related as nothing changes geometrically between switching the nozzle with the only real change being that I have to select nozzle type in both slicer and on the machine itself. This makes me believe that something changes in the gcode when I change the nozzle type setting. I might just try the standard nozzle without changing the setting to see what it does.
I agree with you on this. I have raised a ticket and made them aware of my thoughts, yet they have sent me a new hardened steel nozzle and heat block which I do not think will resolve the matter. I am going to try and change the nozzle out to the hardened steel nozzle again without changing the nozzle type selection in both the machine/bambu studio. My suspicion would be that it should print as normal like I was using the stainless steel nozzle. This will confirm at least if it is gcode driven as technically, no dimensions should really change between the nozzle’s being swapped out.
When using the Textured Build Plates by BL if you take a gander at the [Starting G-Code] within your printers parameters you’ll notice near the bottom the section that states [When Textured PEI is being used; Lower Z offset (-0.03mm) ]
Along those lines I’m just stating the example that the text is along those words.
But you can edit that (-0.03mm) Z value and it’ll raise the Z saved mesh value after bed leveling.
I’ve had to go the opposite route and [Lower] on the plates i’ve had to resurface with light sanding. So my starting g-code is set for a (-0.05mm) value and all is well but my A1 Mini is (-0.02mm) and my A1 is @ (-0.03mm)
I’m intrigued your idea here (I’ve seen it mentioned in other places as well) but I am not sure that changing that setting truly had the desired effect for my situation.
Issue is that I tried adjusting that Z value to just 0 which should be a relatively solid adjustment, and its still just too close. I’ll try maybe making a very large change like 0.05 instead of just setting to 0.00 and see if it raises it pretty strongly. I’m fine to use some manual fix like this if it gets my first layers printing properly.
If a drastic value change doesn’t result in any significant change I’d start speculating at other points of motion.
Ensure Z screws are lubed, bed is trammed using Bambu labs dedicated Z bed Tramming gcode (provided from the A1 official wiki) then move towards inspecting the toolhead. Remove the nozzle and ensure the eddy sensor is secured which sits above the heatsink of the nozzle when inserted. Ensure the nozzle is properly aligned and flat against the hotend and there’s no wiggle. The nozzle when leveling does move up when the nozzle probes the bed this is how it’s detecting pressure in which the “eddy sensor” reads the heat fin as it comes near.
After that I’d check and make sure the clamp mechanism is working properly as well holding the nozzle completely steady and solid.
The (-0.03) z value is a default by Bambu so going higher isn’t a good sign to achieve a proper first layer.
Proto is giving some good feedback on things to check. I freely switch between the stock 0.4mm nozzle and a hardened 0.8mm nozzle and don’t have any scratching issues on the 4 A1’s/mini’s I have. I’m pretty sure nothing is changing in the G code between them.
I did just help someone else on the forum here who’s first layer was too thin and it was fixed by tramming the bed. They said it wasn’t too hard to do so I think would be worth a try if you’re having issues.
Thanks - ya I’ve been through most of these checks. Interestingly a more drastic change, proved to show the value is being used. I set it recently to 0.1 vs -0.02, and it came out the best so far. Being that it took THAT much of a Z offset though, leads me to believe there is a larger issue at play (perhaps hardware as you say) or something in the firmware that’s doing math wrong
Comparison - 1/2 are done with default profile I believe (which in my Bambu Studio is -0.02 for textured plate). Last one is the last print where I set it to 0.1. So a change of .13 overall adjustment seems pretty drastic and shouldn’t be required.
Hmm. Now this is very interesting. Firmware shouldn’t play a role but could possibly be a cause. I’d rollback to previous firmware version and then upgrade again. Make sure to rollback, reboot printer, upgrade then reboot again and run a full calibration.
This has been my routine and hasn’t failed me once. Treat these machines as computers, essentially they are.
Also (I doubt this is it) but have you checked within the slicer in printer setting to ensure you do NOT have a value in the (Z compensation) parameter? It might not be within bambu studios but I know within Orca Slicer there’s a setting that you can raise/lower Z height by a value which all around adjusts Z in all instances versus just when a plate is selected.
I swapped from stainless 0.4 mm to stainless 0.2 mm nozzle, 1st layer started to be squishy with arifacts and extruder clacking, no matter what I did (even decrease flow rate to 0.55 but did not help) I’ll properly calibrate flow rate for top layers, then print something with 0.2 mm profile that confirm the bottom layer is really that bad. If the issue not solved, I think I’ll must do some bed tramming (WHAT IS NOT REALLY CONVINIENT TO DO AFTER EVERY NOZZLE SWAP) but I think so far that nozzle size is inconsistent from the side of bambu and if you have issues like this after nozzle swap, you must do bed tramming again. WOULD BE NICE IF SOMEONE WOULD COMFIRM THIS FROM THE SIDE OF BAMBULAB: (I 've already wrote a ticket, now its matter of patience that i get answers)
Sadly, I didn’t upgrade it at all. This was the firmware it came with - err … maybe I updated as first step when I got it? I’ll have to check. But it’s worth a try to be sure something didn’t get done whacky in firmware. Totally get the compute nature (I work in tech, specifically security software, but am very familiar with electronics/firmware/software woes unfortunately ). But a worthy investigation.
@ebert_coetzer were you able to make any progress on your issue?
Hi, I have not managed to fix this issue, I have now printed using the hardened steel nozzle without changing the setting to hardened steel and it still prints the same. Bambu has sent me a new heat block and nozzle which did not fix the issue either. I have also re-trammed my bed fully and it still prints amazing with the standard steel nozzle but squishes down too much on the hardened steel nozzle. @BambuLab my service ticket is #US240702502002 - it is clear that others have a similar issue as me so clearly there is some underlying problem as it is not just a singular case.
Can you guys please look into this with to see if you can replicate and resolve the issue?
once its consistent., then if its off, you can properly use the offset provided in the printer selection. Change it the appropriate amount, save that as your printer for that sheet. And quit using the bad presets they provide. like the Overture PLA profile with 60% fan speeds…
). But a worthy investigation.