<p>Well I got a perfect print as follows:</p>
<ol>
<li>Loaded the .stl file.</li>
<li>Set Cura to use the 'Good' profile downloaded from CHEPCLUB
(recommended by a friend).</li>
<li>Used <strike>Pritt-stick</strike> Scotch (glue stick) on the bed.</li>
</ol>
<p>I was quite loath to use glue stick, as I thought heated beds etc didn't need it, but if that's what it takes then...</p>
<p>I even bought an enclosure a few days ago as the room the printer was in if fairly cool.</p>
<p>I'll try the exact same print without the glue and see if that works but at least I know know that I can get a perfect print and that a good calibration print isn't the be-all and end-all.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-20T16:21:10.987Z
Pritt (Henkel) sticks are not made (since 2000) of the ingredients (PVP) that are known to help in adhesion: "Known materials to be used for glue sticks are PVA or PVP. However, the Henkel company is as of 2000 not using PVP in Pritt anymore but makes use of natural starch."
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-20T19:37:08.193Z
@0scar Turns out I’m actually using a Scotch glue stick
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-21T13:12:39.417Z
If I absolutely need adhesion... I use Ponal Express, which is a white wood glue containing PVA.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-22T15:20:30.707Z
So is the 'glue not needed with a heated bed' thing a myth, or is it down to luck/filament/bed/phase of the Moon etc?
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T23:02:22.537Z
2021-10-20T22:01:44.237Z
2021-10-20T22:01:44.237Z
Steve Ives
<p>First, heat the bed to printing temperature, let it &quot;soak&quot; for a few minutes, and then re-do your bed levelling.</p>
<p>Thermal expansion can mess with the level.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T18:33:51.057Z
I'm pretty sure the bed was hot as a perfect calibration print was obtained after several attempts, so the heating had been on for 15-20 minutes. The one in the photo was one from 'cold' i.e. switch the printer on and immediately do the print, so I don't think that's an issue in this case.
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-23T10:16:14.677Z
Upvoted for the suggestion although it wasn't the cause in this case.
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T18:27:00.127Z
2021-10-19T18:27:00.127Z
Criggie
<p>For a good adhesion the print bed should be free of any oil or fat. Wipe the print bed with pure alcohol just befor the start of printing.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-30T12:27:48.340Z
And what about dust?
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-05T09:48:05.547Z
Thanks Uwe - I'm getting reliable adhesion at the moment with a layer of glue on the bed but part of me thinks this shouldn't be necessary. I'm wary of changing what works, but I can always re-apply glue, so this weekend I'll thoroughly clean and degrease the glass bed and see how that goes.
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-30T11:45:24.420Z
2021-10-30T11:45:24.420Z
Uwe
<p>I am new to 3D printing and have an Ender 5 Pro.</p>
<p>I have manually leveled the bed by setting the nozzle gap to 0.1 mm (via feeler gauges) and then printing a calibration print and manually adjusting the bed height as it prints. I can get perfect calibration prints using both a glass bed and a PEI bed, printing with a bed temp of 75 °C and a nozzle temp of 210 °C:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/rPi1S.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/rPi1S.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>I’m now trying various other prints without success, as the print doesn’t adhere. See this example of a 1 mm thick bookmark, which I am printing with a brim to try and help :</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/G4sDz.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/G4sDz.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>I’m not sure what the experts here can ascertain from this failed print without all the slicing parameters. I’m a bit suspicious that the print appears to clump and I’m wondering if the soft extruded material is sticking to the PLA already laid down and if so, if I can address that?</p>
<p>I actually seemed to have more success with the original flexible bed with several successful prints.</p>
<p>The G-code for the calibration target: <a href="https://pastebin.com/Brc8R8Cs" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://pastebin.com/Brc8R8Cs</a></p>
<p>and for the bookmark: <a href="https://pastebin.com/9AXaqiMw" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://pastebin.com/9AXaqiMw</a></p>
<p>I had to remove a lot of the G-code for the bookmark due to its size, so hopefully I've left the important stuff in.</p>
<p>I started printing by loading the models in CURA, slicing and exporting to an SD card. I didn't;t create a new project for each print and it took me a while to realise I was losing the slicing parameters I'd used each time, making it difficult or impossible to go back and just change one set of parms. I'm now creating a separate project, so hopefully from now on I can just tweak one or 2 parms.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T11:26:38.297Z
Share links in comment to both the G-codes to see if we can see something interesting, if so, we'll paste it in the question, else we mention that there is nothing to see and delete the comments. You could use e.g. PasteBin website.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T11:39:20.637Z
Are you slicing with the exact same parameters?
user-596a6526
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T16:15:22.840Z
@0scar - Links to GCODE added
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T16:16:58.873Z
@user-596a6526 - I don't know - to start with I was just dropping STL files into CURA projects but not saving the project, so when I had a successful print I couldn't be sure what parms I used. Will try to avoid that in future.
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T16:19:04.510Z
@SteveIves As far as I know, Cura keeps the settings from the last slice, so it should be doing the same thing for your calibration as your other part.  I thought it was worth checking!
user-596a6526
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T16:31:56.577Z
Are you using any adhesives, i.e. glue stick, blue tape, hair spray? I personally have found my calibration prints to stick without problem but actual model prints will necessitate using an adhesive.
agarza
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T17:42:20.363Z
In the images the initial z-height looks to high.  The extrusions don't look pressed down and aren't sticking together.
Perry Webb
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T18:35:48.653Z
@agarza No - I was hoping that wasn't necessary coming from an unheated XYZ printer will almost 0 success. I did switch the PEI bed for a glass one last night (nd re-levelled) with the intention to try glue stick if I got desperate, as I thought glue sticks and PEI wasn't a good combination.
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T19:36:03.927Z
@PerryWebb Is that a slicer parameter or a setting the printer? I can't seem to find it in CURA and I don't change anything from the calibration print to the bookmark.
Steve Ives
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-19T20:40:32.153Z
It's a manual process as part of the leveling on my printer..  You might be able to do it with software on your printer.  That doesn't work on mine.
Perry Webb
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-20T16:16:26.920Z
I've looked into the files to conclude both print at the same heights. What I cannot see is the print speed of your product (that part is cut out), it might be too high for the filament to adhere properly. Thanks for sharing the codes!
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-20T16:40:09.667Z
@0scar I’m pretty sure I was printing at 40 or 50 as a friend thought the print speed may be too high and that it was ‘dragging ‘ the print off the bed.
Steve Ives
<adhesion><creality-ender-5>
Why won’t this print adhere after a perfect calibration print?
Steve Ives
# Why won’t this print adhere after a perfect calibration print?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-10-19)

I am new to 3D printing and have an Ender 5 Pro.

I have manually leveled the bed by setting the nozzle gap to 0.1 mm (via feeler gauges) and then printing a calibration print and manually adjusting the bed height as it prints. I can get perfect calibration prints using both a glass bed and a PEI bed, printing with a bed temp of 75 °C and a nozzle temp of 210 °C:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/rPi1S.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/rPi1S.jpg)

I’m now trying various other prints without success, as the print doesn’t adhere. See this example of a 1 mm thick bookmark, which I am printing with a brim to try and help :

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/G4sDz.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/G4sDz.jpg)

I’m not sure what the experts here can ascertain from this failed print without all the slicing parameters. I’m a bit suspicious that the print appears to clump and I’m wondering if the soft extruded material is sticking to the PLA already laid down and if so, if I can address that?

I actually seemed to have more success with the original flexible bed with several successful prints.

The G-code for the calibration target: <https://pastebin.com/Brc8R8Cs>

and for the bookmark: <https://pastebin.com/9AXaqiMw>

I had to remove a lot of the G-code for the bookmark due to its size, so hopefully I've left the important stuff in.

I started printing by loading the models in CURA, slicing and exporting to an SD card. I didn't;t create a new project for each print and it took me a while to realise I was losing the slicing parameters I'd used each time, making it difficult or impossible to go back and just change one set of parms. I'm now creating a separate project, so hopefully from now on I can just tweak one or 2 parms.

**Tags:** adhesion, creality-ender-5

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Share links in comment to both the G-codes to see if we can see something interesting, if so, we'll paste it in the question, else we mention that there is nothing to see and delete the comments. You could use e.g. PasteBin website.  
> **username_2**: Are you slicing with the exact same parameters?  
> **username_0**: @username_1 - Links to GCODE added  
> **username_0**: @username_2 - I don't know - to start with I was just dropping STL files into CURA projects but not saving the project, so when I had a successful print I couldn't be sure what parms I used. Will try to avoid that in future.  
> **username_2**: @username_0 As far as I know, Cura keeps the settings from the last slice, so it should be doing the same thing for your calibration as your other part.  I thought it was worth checking!  
> **username_3**: Are you using any adhesives, i.e. glue stick, blue tape, hair spray? I personally have found my calibration prints to stick without problem but actual model prints will necessitate using an adhesive.  
> **username_4**: In the images the initial z-height looks to high.  The extrusions don't look pressed down and aren't sticking together.  
> **username_0**: @username_3 No - I was hoping that wasn't necessary coming from an unheated XYZ printer will almost 0 success. I did switch the PEI bed for a glass one last night (nd re-levelled) with the intention to try glue stick if I got desperate, as I thought glue sticks and PEI wasn't a good combination.  
> **username_0**: @username_4 Is that a slicer parameter or a setting the printer? I can't seem to find it in CURA and I don't change anything from the calibration print to the bookmark.  
> **username_4**: It's a manual process as part of the leveling on my printer..  You might be able to do it with software on your printer.  That doesn't work on mine.  
> **username_1**: I've looked into the files to conclude both print at the same heights. What I cannot see is the print speed of your product (that part is cut out), it might be too high for the filament to adhere properly. Thanks for sharing the codes!  
> **username_0**: @username_1 I’m pretty sure I was printing at 40 or 50 as a friend thought the print speed may be too high and that it was ‘dragging ‘ the print off the bed.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2021-10-19. Score: 4

Well I got a perfect print as follows:

1. Loaded the .stl file.
2. Set Cura to use the 'Good' profile downloaded from CHEPCLUB
   (recommended by a friend).
3. Used Pritt-stick Scotch (glue stick) on the bed.

I was quite loath to use glue stick, as I thought heated beds etc didn't need it, but if that's what it takes then...

I even bought an enclosure a few days ago as the room the printer was in if fairly cool.

I'll try the exact same print without the glue and see if that works but at least I know know that I can get a perfect print and that a good calibration print isn't the be-all and end-all.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Pritt (Henkel) sticks are not made (since 2000) of the ingredients (PVP) that are known to help in adhesion: "Known materials to be used for glue sticks are PVA or PVP. However, the Henkel company is as of 2000 not using PVP in Pritt anymore but makes use of natural starch."  
> **username_0**: @username_1 Turns out I’m actually using a Scotch glue stick  
> **username_5**: If I absolutely need adhesion... I use Ponal Express, which is a white wood glue containing PVA.  
> **username_0**: So is the 'glue not needed with a heated bed' thing a myth, or is it down to luck/filament/bed/phase of the Moon etc?  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2021-10-19. Score: 1

First, heat the bed to printing temperature, let it "soak" for a few minutes, and then re-do your bed levelling.

Thermal expansion can mess with the level.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I'm pretty sure the bed was hot as a perfect calibration print was obtained after several attempts, so the heating had been on for 15-20 minutes. The one in the photo was one from 'cold' i.e. switch the printer on and immediately do the print, so I don't think that's an issue in this case.  
> **username_0**: Upvoted for the suggestion although it wasn't the cause in this case.  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2021-10-30. Score: 0

For a good adhesion the print bed should be free of any oil or fat. Wipe the print bed with pure alcohol just befor the start of printing.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: And what about dust?  
> **username_0**: Thanks Uwe - I'm getting reliable adhesion at the moment with a layer of glue on the bed but part of me thinks this shouldn't be necessary. I'm wary of changing what works, but I can always re-apply glue, so this weekend I'll thoroughly clean and degrease the glass bed and see how that goes.  

---

