Difficulty adjusting pinda probe - Z offset less than -1.1mm
Hi all,
This is my first post after receiving my new printer. After assembling the printer, it took me three attempts to calibrate my first layer Z height. The problem is that the holder for the pinda probe is a bit tight. You know how it has a set of groooves/threads around the outside? Well I end up needing to grab that with some pliers in order to make it move. That’s with the hex bolt completely loose. The result is that my up/down granularity for adjustment is 1.5-2mm since that is the spacing between threads on the pinda. My calibrated Z offset was just under -1.1mm once I got good first layer height. Is there any reason that value should be a problem? I thought I had read that the value should be much smaller. My first prints looked very good. As for adjusting the pinda, I was wondering if it would be ok to use a round file to slightly widen the hole. That would allow me to move it by a smaller amount and have a smaller offset.
Any thoughts? So far, I’ve had four good prints and one failure. The first layers are looking good to my eye .
Thanks,
Steve
Re: Difficulty adjusting pinda probe - Z offset less than -1.1mm
Did you follow the steps in the manual? You shouldn't need to worry much about small movements of the PINDA, since during the process of initial setup you will have the nozzle resting on the bed and a zip tie under the PINDA. I just pushed my down hard enough to move it until the PINDA was on top of the zip tie. My Live Z is -0.875.
Re: Difficulty adjusting pinda probe - Z offset less than -1.1mm
Yes, I followed the instructions in the pre-flight. The problem isn't small movements of the panda, it's that I can only move it in large (~2mm) chunks. Anyway, unless there is something wrong with a Z adjustment that is less than -1mm, I'll leave it as-is. I'm getting good prints, so really there's nothing to complain about. (I have had two failures with resulting filament turd, but other than that it's been working well)
Re: Difficulty adjusting pinda probe - Z offset less than -1.1mm
Loosen the Pinda retaining screw right off. Insert the blade of a small flat screwdriver into the slit in the mounting and prise it open slightly. The Pinda will now move up and down freely to whatever position you wish.
Re: Difficulty adjusting pinda probe - Z offset less than -1.1mm
Been there. One of the problems with screwing the PINDA in, aside from the tedious difficulty of it, is that the cable gets all twisted.
SOLUTION: I reamed out my PINDA holder with a 5/16" drill bit, and now the PINDA slides up and down with the bolt loosened, but I can still lock it in position using the holding bolt.
Re: Difficulty adjusting pinda probe - Z offset less than -1.1mm
Thanks for the responses. I had considered trying something like that, but didn’t want to be too hasty and regret it.