<p>Your question is a little hard to pin down, but I'll try to help anyway.  :-)</p>

<p><strong>Z-Offset:</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>It appears you may be misunderstanding the way z-offset is supposed to work especially when it comes to Marlin setup and routine bed leveling and printing.  </li>
<li><a href="http://clough42.com/instructions/marlin-firmware-setup/" rel="nofollow">This may help.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://airtripper.com/1799/marlin-firmware-home-offset-guide-using-g-code-m206/" rel="nofollow">And this</a></li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Print Quality and Skipped layer issues:</strong></p>

<p>From your pictures, you do have some loose or wobbly belts, pulleys, rails, or other mechanical components causing excessive play in your x and y axis...very apparent with the way your layers don't align well resulting in the very visible lines.  You can address this in two ways:</p>

<ul>
<li>Make sure your physical components are tight and rigid enough to handle the print speed you're using.</li>
<li>Slow down your print speed to something that your machine can handle with reasonable quality...whatever reasonable is for you.</li>
</ul>

<p>You mentioned skipped layers.  I see that in your tower.  This is most likely caused by: </p>

<ul>
<li>Tower legs too thin so Cura skips it because it can't fit there. I'd suggest using the layer preview in Cura, if the layer doesn't show in the preview, it won't print.  If this is because the leg is too thin for your nozzle diameter, you could increase the scale of the tower, edit the model to have thicker legs, or install a finer nozzle.  </li>
<li>Issues with your mesh so Cura skips it.  Also use Cura's x-ray view.  If there are red areas, you have issues with your mesh.  Search for ways to fix your mesh and make sure your model is good to print.</li>
</ul>

<p>However, it could also be caused by issues with your filament feeding or your hot end.  Clogs, snags, etc.  If this were the case, your previews in Cura would all be fine.  To solve this you could:</p>

<ul>
<li>Increase your print temperature slightly to ensure you're filament is melting quickly enough to support your print speed.</li>
<li>Slow down to allow the filament plenty of time to melt.</li>
<li>Make sure your feed system is snag-free.</li>
<li>Make sure your feed system is clean and adequately gripping the filament so it can push the filament into your hot end reliably.</li>
</ul>

<p>I hope this helps.  :-)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T06:26:36.130Z
Also looks like it went a bit fast on the upper part of the Eiffel Tower, increasing minimum layer time might help a bit.
Pelle
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T13:24:22.660Z
Hi! Thanks for helping me out. I have had few good prints, but then it randomly starts printing bad. When I enter the Z offset in the Marlin code to -0.5, it doesn't go down 0.5mm when starting the first layer. It stays at the same height, which is 0.5mm above the bed. So Z offset doesn't work trough the Marlin code. Then I tried Z offset in Repetier and the same happens. Does not lower. When setting Z offset to 0 in Marlin, and then adding G92 Z0.5 in the GCODE, it lowers the model in the slicer, so 0.5mm of the part goes into the ground. But adding that to the Gcode, lowers my nozzle to.....
MOTIVECODEX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T13:27:14.603Z
... the right height, which is one paper height between the bed and nozzle. The prints turn out better this way. I have figured out some lose parts which I will tighten up soon and test it out again. The legs of the eiffel tower do show normally in the slicer. I managed to print again with my printer, but now with really small layer shifts (which is because of lose parts I guess), and some missing outer layers (like it did not feed enough filament at that moment.). Increasing filament feed rate from 100 to 130 and increasing the temp from 220 to 230 fixed this problem a little bit, but...
MOTIVECODEX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T13:30:28.793Z
Still missing outer layers every few mm heights. maybe this is also caused by little movements in the components? Going above 230, e.g. 235, the filament feeds really hard. I thing it's too hot for the plastic housing inside the extruder hot end, or the filament just gets burnt or something. ... So my question, why does Z offset not work when adding in Marlin code, or slicer? I will update here if the quality improves after making everything stable. Thanks again
MOTIVECODEX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T14:53:56.873Z
"randomly starts printing bad"...yeah, I know it can seem that way sometimes.  There are many many variables that sometimes play together in mysterious ways.
Chris Thompson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T14:55:45.700Z
Based on your comments about Marlin Z offset, I think you are misunderstanding how that is supposed to work.  I'll update the answer to include some helpful references.
Chris Thompson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T17:27:47.267Z
Thank you for your help! I am printing some idler pulley for my x and y axis bearings (608z) so that the belt doesn't slip to one side. It moves really hard I noticed when the belt is sticking to the sides. Then I found out that my y axis just wiggles, so need to tighten that up after this print.
MOTIVECODEX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T17:30:47.507Z
Also, your answer will most likely solve lots of my problems and has answered my main question. Thank you :)
MOTIVECODEX
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-12T15:45:37.910Z
Glad to be helpful.  Good luck!  :-)
Chris Thompson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T01:55:03.807Z
2016-10-11T15:53:36.813Z
2016-10-11T15:53:36.813Z
Chris Thompson
<p>Repetier host 1.6.2.
Used Slic3r and CuraEngine in RH1.6.2 to slice my prints.</p>
<p>OK, I have a problem. Z offset does not work. Well...</p>
<ol>
<li>Flashed EEPROM clear.</li>
<li>Enabled EEPROM and CHIT CHAT within the firmware.</li>
<li>I've set -0.4 in Marlin firmware 1.0.2-1 stable and flashed it.</li>
</ol>
<p>results in</p>
<pre><code>    G28; home axis = works
    G29; auto level = works
    G28; it goes to home and then sets Z to 0.4
    G1 Z0; brings nozzle down from 0.4 to 0, so this works also.
</code></pre>
<p>But when I slice with Repetier host 1.6.2 with the latest slicer/curaengine, it does not go down 0.4 mm before starting to print.
I've set the first layer to 0.2 mm, but when it starts printing the first layer, it goes from 0.4 mm (after home Z is on 0.4 mm) to 0.6 mm instead of 0.2 mm! ...</p>
<p>How do I fix this?</p>
<p>Gcode start:</p>
<pre><code>    ;Generated with Cura_SteamEngine 15.01
    ; Default start code
    G28 ; Home extruder
    G29 ; Auto level
    G1 Z15 F100
    M107 ; Turn off fan
    G90 ; Absolute positioning
    M82 ; Extruder in absolute mode
    M190 S35
    ; Activate all used extruder
    M104 T0 S230
    G92 E0 ; Reset extruder position
    ; Wait for all used extruders to reach temperature
    M109 T0 S230
    ;Layer count: 226
</code></pre>
<p>It's definitely Repetier or its slicers. I'm using Cura 15.04.6 and it also calculates the offset set in Marlin when printing! I'm trying to use Cura 2.1 because it's newer, but I do not get the print USB option in Cura 2.1 :/</p>
<p>I just don't get it, it was printing very nice the first 4 layers, and suddenly it moved up more than 0.5 mm and continued printing there, in the air.</p>
<p>Yesterday's print:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/0D3MH.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Photo of a number of 3D printed models that printed well"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/0D3MH.jpg" alt="Photo of a number of 3D printed models that printed well" title="Photo of a number of 3D printed models that printed well" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/dyqr1.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Photo of the side of the same set of models"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/dyqr1.jpg" alt="Photo of the side of the same set of models" title="Photo of the side of the same set of models" /></a></p>
<p>Today's print:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ncQJW.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Photo of a 3D printed Eiffel Tower showing very bad print quality"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ncQJW.jpg" alt="Photo of a 3D printed Eiffel Tower showing very bad print quality" title="Photo of a 3D printed Eiffel Tower showing very bad print quality" /></a></p>

<prusa-i3><z-probe>
Z offset incorrect
MOTIVECODEX
# Z offset incorrect

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-08)

Repetier host 1.6.2.
Used Slic3r and CuraEngine in RH1.6.2 to slice my prints.

OK, I have a problem. Z offset does not work. Well...

1. Flashed EEPROM clear.
2. Enabled EEPROM and CHIT CHAT within the firmware.
3. I've set -0.4 in Marlin firmware 1.0.2-1 stable and flashed it.

results in

```
    G28; home axis = works
    G29; auto level = works
    G28; it goes to home and then sets Z to 0.4
    G1 Z0; brings nozzle down from 0.4 to 0, so this works also.

```

But when I slice with Repetier host 1.6.2 with the latest slicer/curaengine, it does not go down 0.4 mm before starting to print.
I've set the first layer to 0.2 mm, but when it starts printing the first layer, it goes from 0.4 mm (after home Z is on 0.4 mm) to 0.6 mm instead of 0.2 mm! ...

How do I fix this?

Gcode start:

```
    ;Generated with Cura_SteamEngine 15.01
    ; Default start code
    G28 ; Home extruder
    G29 ; Auto level
    G1 Z15 F100
    M107 ; Turn off fan
    G90 ; Absolute positioning
    M82 ; Extruder in absolute mode
    M190 S35
    ; Activate all used extruder
    M104 T0 S230
    G92 E0 ; Reset extruder position
    ; Wait for all used extruders to reach temperature
    M109 T0 S230
    ;Layer count: 226

```

It's definitely Repetier or its slicers. I'm using Cura 15.04.6 and it also calculates the offset set in Marlin when printing! I'm trying to use Cura 2.1 because it's newer, but I do not get the print USB option in Cura 2.1 :/

I just don't get it, it was printing very nice the first 4 layers, and suddenly it moved up more than 0.5 mm and continued printing there, in the air.

Yesterday's print:

[![Photo of a number of 3D printed models that printed well](https://i.sstatic.net/0D3MH.jpg "Photo of a number of 3D printed models that printed well")](https://i.sstatic.net/0D3MH.jpg "Photo of a number of 3D printed models that printed well")

[![Photo of the side of the same set of models](https://i.sstatic.net/dyqr1.jpg "Photo of the side of the same set of models")](https://i.sstatic.net/dyqr1.jpg "Photo of the side of the same set of models")

Today's print:

[![Photo of a 3D printed Eiffel Tower showing very bad print quality](https://i.sstatic.net/ncQJW.jpg "Photo of a 3D printed Eiffel Tower showing very bad print quality")](https://i.sstatic.net/ncQJW.jpg "Photo of a 3D printed Eiffel Tower showing very bad print quality")

**Tags:** prusa-i3, z-probe


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-10-11. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Your question is a little hard to pin down, but I'll try to help anyway. :-)

**Z-Offset:**

* It appears you may be misunderstanding the way z-offset is supposed to work especially when it comes to Marlin setup and routine bed leveling and printing.
* [This may help.](http://clough42.com/instructions/marlin-firmware-setup/)
* [And this](http://airtripper.com/1799/marlin-firmware-home-offset-guide-using-g-code-m206/)

**Print Quality and Skipped layer issues:**

From your pictures, you do have some loose or wobbly belts, pulleys, rails, or other mechanical components causing excessive play in your x and y axis...very apparent with the way your layers don't align well resulting in the very visible lines. You can address this in two ways:

* Make sure your physical components are tight and rigid enough to handle the print speed you're using.
* Slow down your print speed to something that your machine can handle with reasonable quality...whatever reasonable is for you.

You mentioned skipped layers. I see that in your tower. This is most likely caused by:

* Tower legs too thin so Cura skips it because it can't fit there. I'd suggest using the layer preview in Cura, if the layer doesn't show in the preview, it won't print. If this is because the leg is too thin for your nozzle diameter, you could increase the scale of the tower, edit the model to have thicker legs, or install a finer nozzle.
* Issues with your mesh so Cura skips it. Also use Cura's x-ray view. If there are red areas, you have issues with your mesh. Search for ways to fix your mesh and make sure your model is good to print.

However, it could also be caused by issues with your filament feeding or your hot end. Clogs, snags, etc. If this were the case, your previews in Cura would all be fine. To solve this you could:

* Increase your print temperature slightly to ensure you're filament is melting quickly enough to support your print speed.
* Slow down to allow the filament plenty of time to melt.
* Make sure your feed system is snag-free.
* Make sure your feed system is clean and adequately gripping the filament so it can push the filament into your hot end reliably.

I hope this helps. :-)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Also looks like it went a bit fast on the upper part of the Eiffel Tower, increasing minimum layer time might help a bit.  
> **username_0**: Hi! Thanks for helping me out. I have had few good prints, but then it randomly starts printing bad. When I enter the Z offset in the Marlin code to -0.5, it doesn't go down 0.5mm when starting the first layer. It stays at the same height, which is 0.5mm above the bed. So Z offset doesn't work trough the Marlin code. Then I tried Z offset in Repetier and the same happens. Does not lower. When setting Z offset to 0 in Marlin, and then adding G92 Z0.5 in the GCODE, it lowers the model in the slicer, so 0.5mm of the part goes into the ground. But adding that to the Gcode, lowers my nozzle to.....  
> **username_0**: ... the right height, which is one paper height between the bed and nozzle. The prints turn out better this way. I have figured out some lose parts which I will tighten up soon and test it out again. The legs of the eiffel tower do show normally in the slicer. I managed to print again with my printer, but now with really small layer shifts (which is because of lose parts I guess), and some missing outer layers (like it did not feed enough filament at that moment.). Increasing filament feed rate from 100 to 130 and increasing the temp from 220 to 230 fixed this problem a little bit, but...  
> **username_0**: Still missing outer layers every few mm heights. maybe this is also caused by little movements in the components? Going above 230, e.g. 235, the filament feeds really hard. I thing it's too hot for the plastic housing inside the extruder hot end, or the filament just gets burnt or something. ... So my question, why does Z offset not work when adding in Marlin code, or slicer? I will update here if the quality improves after making everything stable. Thanks again  
> **username_1**: "randomly starts printing bad"...yeah, I know it can seem that way sometimes.  There are many many variables that sometimes play together in mysterious ways.  
> **username_1**: Based on your comments about Marlin Z offset, I think you are misunderstanding how that is supposed to work.  I'll update the answer to include some helpful references.  
> **username_0**: Thank you for your help! I am printing some idler pulley for my x and y axis bearings (608z) so that the belt doesn't slip to one side. It moves really hard I noticed when the belt is sticking to the sides. Then I found out that my y axis just wiggles, so need to tighten that up after this print.  
> **username_0**: Also, your answer will most likely solve lots of my problems and has answered my main question. Thank you :)  
> **username_1**: Glad to be helpful.  Good luck!  :-)  

---

