First layer and mesh

Test prints / Machine baseline

Nine two-layer squares over the whole bed: first-layer height and mesh, corner to corner.

Rendered from the STL, standing as it prints.

Material

Plain PLA

Prusa Core One+

11 min, 4.0 g

Anycubic Kobra Max

26 min, 4.1 g

Original Prusa i3 MK2

29 min, 4.2 g

Files

• First Layer (Core One+).stl
• First Layer (Kobra Max).stl
• First Layer (i3 MK2).stl

Slice it

tools/test_prints.py slice first-layer

Toolpaths

Every extrusion move in the G-code, layer by layer. Drag the layer slider, scrub through the top layer, or play the print.

Slice

Prusa Core One+Anycubic Kobra MaxOriginal Prusa i3 MK2

Toolpaths load when you open this view.

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3DTopFront

Colour by

Show

Top layer onlyTravel moves

Read from the G-code that the printer gets. The clock adds each move at its programmed speed, without acceleration or travel, so it is shorter than the slicer's estimate.

Settings

On top of the stack that the print jobs load. The printer tuning page shows that stack.

Printer	File	Changes
Prusa Core One+	first-layer (core-one-plus).bgcode	perimeters 1brim_width 0
Anycubic Kobra Max	first-layer (kobra-max).gcode	perimeters 1brim_width 0
Original Prusa i3 MK2	first-layer (prusa-i3-mk2).gcode	perimeters 1brim_width 0

Procedure

What it is for. Do this test first on each printer. It shows that the first layer is at the correct height over the whole bed. Every other test and part depends on it.

Print. Print the file for your printer in plain PLA. Look at each square before you remove it.

Measure. Look at each square: the lines must touch, with no gaps and no ridges. Measure each square’s thickness at its centre with a micrometer or calipers.

Pass. All nine squares are 0.40 mm ± 0.05 mm. If one corner is thin or thick, do the mesh again and check the bed’s screws before any other test.

Record. The nine thicknesses, with their positions on the bed.

In the tuning log

• First layer and meshTo test

Extruder calibration →