MatterControl Characteristic Highlight: Child Stepping

In the event you began a print and your first layer was somewhat too excessive or somewhat too low there have been two choices: hope for one of the best, or cease the print, re-level the mattress, and begin over. Now there may be another choice. You’ll be able to actively management the primary layer top by utilizing Child Stepping in MatterControl. 

What’s Child Stepping? 

“Child stepping” stepping is somewhat recognized function that has been in Marlin and Repetier firmware for fairly a while, however it’s usually not enabled, and it requires an LCD display screen with a click-wheel to operate. It permits the person to maneuver the Z axis up/down in small quantities throughout a print so as to finely tune the primary layer top.

MatterControl now permits child stepping with none firmware modifications. You’ll be able to transfer the X and Y axes along with the Z axis.

Methods to use Child Stepping

You’ll be able to entry child stepping within the ‘Motion Controls’ – below the Controls Tab.

As soon as the print has began, merely click on Z+ to maneuver the nozzle greater up and doing, or Z- to maneuver it nearer to the mattress.

Discover the “Offset” subsequent to the Dwelling buttons. This means how a lot you’ve moved every axis for the reason that print began (X, Y, Z). So, within the print proven, the nozzle was moved down 1mm nearer to the mattress.

So why would you’ll want to use child stepping? There are a few helpful makes use of for it.

Offset Quantity

Totally different supplies follow completely different mattress supplies in a different way. For instance, if you’re utilizing BuildTak and printing with Ninjaflex, you should be very cautious to not smash your first layer down an excessive amount of. In the event you do, you’ll possible by no means be capable to take away the half otherwise you’ll harm the BuildTak. You might alter your Z offset and/or your Z top earlier than you begin printing, or you might merely use child stepping to regulate it on the fly.

In the event you use completely different construct plates and surfaces for various supplies, you possible want to regulate your Z top any time you turn construct plates. Child stepping lets you alter as you begin printing fairly than recalibrating and adjusting your {hardware} and software program settings.

The most effective cause, at the very least in our expertise, is that it may be troublesome to regulate your Z top completely . Some machines have 4 level mattress changes, some have 3, and a few have none. Some use inductive probes, some use mechanical endstops, and a few use conductive probes. They’ll all have completely different points that result in improper first layer heights, and the primary layer is by far crucial layer of your print. And whereas first layer isn’t a assure of a profitable print, a foul first layer is just about sure to damage your print.

Child stepping lets you completely alter your first layer top to make sure the absolute best probability for a profitable print.

What does good first layer appear to be?

1) It is a illustration of a foul first layer. The filament is simply laying on high of the mattress – with no actual compression. This leaves a really small contact level with the mattress and can possible outcome within the half not sticking to the mattress.

Too Excessive

2) Splendid first layer for many supplies

Good

3) Means too shut. You’ll possible have extrusion points as a result of there’s nowhere on your filament to go. Strain will construct up within the nozzle and will trigger filament grinding, warmth creep, or different extrusion associated points.

Too Low

Child stepping suggestions and tips:

– A skirt of 4-5 loops is an effective way to regulate the primary layer top earlier than it begins printing your half.

– In the event you change beds or surfaces continuously, it’s most likely a good suggestion to place a Z Offset that may forestall the nozzle from ramming into the glass in the beginning of prints. You’ll be able to then use child stepping to maneuver the nozzle to the suitable top initially of the print.

– In the event you discover that you just at all times want the identical quantity of child stepping to realize first layer, word the quantity within the offset and enter that into your Z Offset setting below Printer > Print Space > Z Offset.