G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
So I'm the proud new owner of a Powder Coat build sheet (0.64 mm thickness), and have an original PEI one too (1.17 mm thickness). I run the PEI with a Z Axis cal of -1.0 on my machine, and the Powder Coat works best at -1.4. So each time I switch sheets, I have to manually switch the Z axis calibration to known good values. Is there any way to automate this using start-up g-code? If there is, then I could have a printer profile for each sheet, and just call up the correct one before slicing. I know what the right answers are, but the only way I know to change them is to run the full Z axis cal procedure. Any way to do that more efficiently?
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RE: G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
the next version of the firmware will have multiple sheet support - coming soon
RE: G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
the next version of the firmware will have multiple sheet support - coming soon
Great feature! Although I swap nozzles enough I have to re-do my settings frequently anyhow.
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RE: G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
the next version of the firmware will have multiple sheet support - coming soon
Fantastic! I'll be looking for it...
I swap nozzles enough I have to re-do my settings frequently anyhow.
bob... Is that just a maintenance thing, or do you have other reasons to swap nozzles. I'm new at 3d printing and I have never swapped nozzles...
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RE: G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
In the mean time, is this something that the "Z offset" in the printer settings could be used for?
I.E. Calibrate the Live-Z for one "master" surface. And then have a printer profile for each of one's other bed surfaces where the "Z offset" is how much the Live-Z would need to change between the master surface and the intended print surface.
Or is it just better to have a table of Live-Z values next to the printer for the user to adjust the Live-Z setting when changing build surfaces? (@jack you can change the live-z value between prints. I forget off the top of my head where in the printer's menu the setting resides.)
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RE: G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
Just me playing around. I've experimented with everything from 0.15 to 1.50mm nozzles, and will swap between coated nozzles for sticky filament and hardened nozzles for abrasives. I definitely recommend trying new nozzle sizes out. It really changes the printing experience. You can read my rambling notes on nozzles for some ideas.
Read up on the swap procedure. It sounds intimidating on the 1st go, but once you get used to it, a swap takes a few minutes. I routinely swap 2-3 times a day when I get busy. There can be significant differences in nozzle height, whether from differences in the nozzles themselves or simple variations in the installation. I make a point of doing a Live-Z recalibration on each swap.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
In the mean time, is this something that the "Z offset" in the printer settings could be used for? [...] Or is it just better to have a table of Live-Z values next to the printer for the user to adjust the Live-Z setting when changing build surfaces? (@jack you can change the live-z value between prints. I forget off the top of my head where in the printer's menu the setting resides.)
I find that Live-Z varies enough between nozzle installations that I want to do a Live-Z recalibration for each sheet whenever I change nozzles. There is a bit of inconsistency between manufacturers and even types that no one height works for every nozzle and sheet combo. Add in filament variations, and it gets even more complex.
@jbinfl had a great suggestion to apply a strip of blue painter's tape to each sheet and mark the offset with a Sharpie. I mark each sheet whenever I recalibrate and that gives me a starting range for next time. I usually subtract (raise) 0.6mm when recalibrating Live-Z and move down quickly. The Sharpie markings are easy to wipe off with isopropyl alcohol, so I've found this to be a real time saver.
The unfortunate consequence of all this is that trying to automate the offsets with profile settings is not practical, at least in my experience.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
I find that Live-Z varies enough between nozzle installations that I want to do a Live-Z recalibration for each sheet whenever I change nozzles.
So until now, I've had the luxury of using just a PEI sheet with no nozzle changes. I successfully went through the Calibration Wizard for my new kit, and I had a good, stable X, Y and, in particular, Z Axis calibration. It was like being at...
DEFCON Level 5: the auto bed leveling kept me honest, and I had excellent adhesion for all my prints. But when I first used the powder coated sheet, I knew I had to go to...
DEFCON Level 3: I ran the Z Azis calibration to get to the needed, but unknown, Z Axis offset (-1.4 worked well). And now when I change sheets, I go to...
DEFCON Level 4: I adjust to the known Z Axis offset I need for the particular sheet I'm using. (Yep, I put a bright red label on both sides of each sheet to remind me of the value to set for the offset.) But if I ever get to the point of changing out a nozzle, I would go to...
DEFCON Level 2: Might be overkill, but I would run through the Calibration Wizard again, just to be sure of things. Perhaps I would only go to DEFCON 3. At least it's better than when I just finished assembling the kit, and turned it on for the first time, where I was at...
DEFCON Level 1: Basically DEFCON 4, coupled by my near-perfect ignorance of what the heck I was doing.
So bobstro, your point is well taken: Actions that need to be done depend on what changes you have made. I'm still looking for the Z Axis live menu item too, just to more easily flip over to a new, known calibration setting for the sheet I'm using. Anything beyond that will be a DEFCON 2 or 3. ...
...there are only 10 kinds of people in this world--those who know binary and those who don't...
RE: G-Code to automate PEI/Powder-Coated Sheet Switching?
Keep in mind, you eventually will get to that point. Nozzles and the PEI print surfaces are consumables. Best to practice the drill before it becomes urgent.
Personally, I just stay at this level. Swap a nozzle or swap a bed and I do the "Life Adjust" Live-Z recalibration, simply raising the Live-Z by ~0.6mm from whatever the last setting was that I have written on the sheet. The entire thing takes a few minutes. The slowest part of my nozzle swapping routine is heating up to 265C to feed cleaning filament, then letting it cool down before doing a cold pull. If I deferred on that, nozzle swaps would only take a few minutes.
So bobstro, your point is well taken: Actions that need to be done depend on what changes you have made. I'm still looking for the Z Axis live menu item too, just to more easily flip over to a new, known calibration setting for the sheet I'm using. Anything beyond that will be a DEFCON 2 or 3. ...
I stay in the mode that "something has changed" regardless. I've had Live-Z go bonkers after a firmware update for example. Any hardware (nozzle or sheet) change and I do the drill.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan