Elephant Foot and First Layer

Elephant foot = first layer expansion beyond nominal size:

🔍 Causes: • Nozzle too close to bed • Bed temperature too high • First layer too slow • Filament not cooled when upper layers are laid

✅ Solutions in slicer: • Elephant Foot Compensation: 0.1–0.2 mm (Cura, PrusaSlicer) • Lower bed temperature by 5 °C • Slightly raise Z-offset • Increase first layer speed

📐 Tolerances: • Acceptable deviation: ±0.1 mm • For precise parts: set compensation precisely

💡 Alternative: • Chamfer bottom edge 0.2–0.5 mm in CAD • In PrusaSlicer: First Layer Expansion • Chamfered edges in model prevent visible expansion