Fascinated about utilizing MatterControl’s 7 and 13 level print leveling? Though, this method is straightforward to make use of, there could be some {hardware} or firmware settings you may want to repair first. Here is how!
Posted on December 18, 2015
by
Taylor Landry
MatterControl just lately launched 7 and 13 level software program print leveling. These are nice choices for delta 3D printers, in addition to Cartesian printers with giant print beds.
Although very simple to configure and use, there are some {hardware} and/or firmware settings wanted to ensure that MatterControl’s software program leveling to operate correctly.
There are two primary configurations for 3D printers because it pertains to endstops and leveling – Z Minimal and Z Most. If in case you have not been capable of obtain correct leveling with MatterControl, we’ll cowl the options for each varieties.
As a way to get good leveling outcomes – no matter what sort of printer you’ve got – the nozzle of your scorching finish should be capable to pinch a chunk of paper (or feeler gauge) in opposition to the mattress. If in case you have a machine with a Z Minimal endstop setup – the place the Z endstop triggers on the mattress, Z=0 – it’s doable that one space of the mattress could also be beneath Z=0. Since most Z-Min setups don’t bodily enable motion previous Z=0, this won’t help you get good software program leveling outcomes with out some changes. If in case you have a Z-Max setup, you doubtless have firmware endstops enabled that additionally forestall you from contacting the mattress. Luckily, each of those points are simply resolvable.
Most Delta printers use a Z Most endstop configuration. This implies the Z axis houses to the highest of the construct envelope, to not the mattress. To forestall harm to the print mattress, there are sometimes software program endstops enabled within the firmware. These most frequently are set to not enable the machine to maneuver beneath Z=0, but it surely’s additionally widespread for them to be set to a really small destructive Z worth.
MatterControl, by default, doesn’t help you go beneath Z=0, however you’ll be able to change this setting.
After getting allowed Z to be destructive, configure the auto leveling by means of MatterControl. Upon completion, click on the pencil icon subsequent to the Computerized Print Leveling.
This may open a window displaying the entire sampled positions.
What we’re on the lookout for are any destructive Z values. If any of the positions have a destructive Z worth, it’s doubtless the firmware will forestall correct print leveling.
In case you do have some destructive Z values, it’s simple to resolve. First, discover the bottom destructive Z worth. Let’s suppose the bottom worth you’ve got is -1.46. We might then want to extend all of the Z values no less than 1.46mm with a view to get them out of destructive vary. So long as we shift all of the Z values the identical quantity, our software program leveling will nonetheless work correctly.
On this case, including 2mm to all Z values will get the whole lot into the constructive vary, and will probably be a lot faster than including 1.46mm to every worth. You should utilize the Up/Down arrows in your keyboard to shortly add/subtract 1mm. So, we might click on on each Z worth – not simply the destructive values – and enhance it by 2 mm.
As soon as that is achieved, click on Save within the backside left nook of the window.
We’re not fairly achieved but. The very last thing we have to do is regulate our Z peak to account for the 2mm we simply added.
Most firmware on Deltas have the Z peak within the EEPROM.
You may entry EEPROM beneath the Choices tab. Find the Z peak area. On this machine, it’s known as Z Max Size.
Improve this worth the identical quantity you elevated the Auto Leveling numbers. Click on Save to EEPROM within the backside left nook. And we’re able to print!
This could resolve any points you’re having with a Z-Max type machine and MatterControl Computerized Print Leveling.
Received a Z-Min setup?
It’s not widespread for Z-Min type machines to have points with the auto leveling, however there are 2 choices to resolve this situation.
1) Run Software program Print Leveling. In case you attain an space on the mattress that you’re unable to maneuver Z decrease to appropriately pinch a chunk of paper in opposition to the mattress, regulate the peak of your mattress till it reaches the nozzle. If that you must transfer the mattress in the course of the configuration course of, you’ll need to run it once more as soon as accomplished as different sampled positions could have been affected by the mattress motion.
2) Modify your Z endstop to permit the nozzle to maneuver decrease. Warning: That is solely advisable on machines that residence the Z axis with the nozzle positioned off to the facet of the mattress. Doing this might enable your nozzle to smash into the glass when the machine houses at the beginning of the configuration course of.
If you’ll be able to correctly transfer the Z axis to pinch a chunk of paper in opposition to the mattress at all the factors within the leveling course of, the software program print leveling gives you a wonderfully stage print, whatever the bodily flatness of your print floor.
