Hi,
I’m new to the forum, but I’ve had a LulzBot Mini-1 for years (still very pleased with the print quality). Based on my impression of the Mini, I stuck with Lulzbot for a larger volume printbed and just purchased a Workhorse+. My initial impression is not good, so hopefully someone can set me straight…
First of all, unless I clicked on the wrong link, the documentation (online and printed) is based on the Workhorse, not the Workhorse+, so while that is really no big deal, it does immediately make me wonder about quality control…
Onto actual print quality… I set the machine up based on my interpretation of the documenation and attempted to print the default octo_gear_v1.stl, and have yet to see a good print. I updated the firmware, so the printer is running Marlin 2.1.3.0.29. I’m using CuraLE 4.13.10, with printer=TAZWorkhorse+|MET285. I installed the sample PLA that comes with the unit. See attached picture for 3 different attempts. The middle one I just aborted before completion. I tried adjusting the tension setup on the MET285, but that didn’t seem to matter. All settings in CuraLE are as per the documentation (although the printed doc vs the online doc are not the same).
Also, as it prints, I notice that fast long movements of the Y axix (notably when it is initially cleaning the head) are quite “squeeky”, more than just typical motor noise.
Any thoughts?
The Z offset looks extremely high or a bit low. Can’t tell if it’s doing some squeezed-super-bacon on the first layer, or air-dropping the filament onto the bed.
Either way it’s leaving a non-uniform first layer that is catching the nozzle on subsequent layers, or on the middle example, during that first layer.
Whenever you do a new firmware, you’re going to have to set the probe offset. I haven’t played with the workhorse yet, but with the Octograb bed on the Pro and Taz 6, the offset is something like +0.3, meaning the print surface is .3mm higher than the top surface of the metal washers. (How are we still using washers on the Workhorse+?)
You are correct about the Lulzbot taz workhorse being similar though their not exactly the same but at face value pretty close other then th workhorse+ is pre set with a magnetic bed but otherwise it’s hard to see the difference so I feel you on that one
@Wrathernaut
Interesting… I adjusted the Z-offset to .200 (from .250) and it is much cleaner (thanks!); however, based on your definition of Z-offset, that implies that my print surface is higher than the metal washers… It is definitely lower than the washers…
I’m reading this thread with interest because I recently upgraded my Workhorse to the Workhorse+. My z-offset with the Meteor 285 is +0.400 after much experimentation. The Octograb surface sits just barely below all four washers.
When you try with your next batch of filement, make sure to calibrate your e-steps to ensure you are extruding the right amount.
I am curious to know what your default home position is (after auto homing) and whether yours hits the wiper pad in the middle (left to right). Mine did not.
@ksattic When I auto-home it the info screen says:
X -48 Y -15 Z 294.01
I watched the head clean on my last print and it wasn’t perfectly centered on the pad, but honestly I would have never noticed it had I not been looking at it closely.
My Z-offset was .250 when shipped, I adjusted it to .200 and the prints are very clean.
In fairness to Lulzbot team, I wanted to post an update on my status with the Workhorse+ machine… There were some non-trivial startup issues to work through; however, after returning the unit for minor fixes I now have it and am quite pleased with the performance.
