Extruder Calibration Test Strip

thingiverse

First layer errors can ripple into the rest of the print. https://bluepapertech.com/3d-printing/extruder-gear-tension-the-overlooked-adjustment/ wrote an article about getting the Extruder Gear Tension adjustment right. To that end, I created this simple 1 layer high test strip, and printed it slowly, while adjusting the extruder tension knob to find the smoothest result. Mine turned out best around 90% of full tension. YMMV. Default Generic PLA Draft (0.2mm) profile in Cura 4.4.1, with Print Speed lowered to 20mm/s. **Note:** There is an order to these things. First, you want to: - level the bed with - the correct Z offset, - measure and set the filament diameter in your slicer, and - finish calibrating the extruder steps per mm, before adjusting the extruder gear tension.