Need help calibrating XYZ  

Re: Need help calibrating XYZ

Lower the probe.

Initially, make it the same height as the nozzle.

When calibration passes, raise the probe 0.5mm and try calibration again. If that's OK raise the probe another 0.25mm and calibrate yet again. If that's OK, proceed to live Z calibration.

If the calibration does not pass with probe level with the nozzle, there are probably some build errors; that can be addressed later (if it happens).

Peter

Re: Need help calibrating XYZ

You were right I had to lower the P.I.N.D.A by .1mm. Working well now thanks for the reply.

Re: Need help calibrating XYZ

PJR,

Mine still did not pass. Printer was working fine for months until extruder knocked print off of bed. I am checking alignment of bed. Noticed some jitter In y motor as the computer ran through its third iteration of x,y,z calibration. Couldn't find middle points. Search pattern was aft of where circle is on bed. Ideas?

Re: Need help calibrating XYZ

PJR,

Mine still did not pass. Printer was working fine for months until extruder knocked print off of bed. I am checking alignment of bed. Noticed some jitter In y motor as the computer ran through its third iteration of x,y,z calibration. Couldn't find middle points. Search pattern was aft of where circle is on bed. Ideas?

Possible damaged probe cable. You need to test the probe at the point where failure occurs.

Run the calibration, let the probe get to the failure point and turn off the printer (don't worry, you won't damage anything by doing this).

Turn the printer back on and don't touch anything.

Go to the menu option "View end stops" and check the light on top of the probe is on.

Put a metallic object under the probe and ensure the light goes off. At the same time the state of the Z end stop on the screen should change.

Note that this is just a very quick suggestion and there are a few other possible causes, but I would like to ensure the probe is working as it should before going any further.

Peter

Re: Need help calibrating XYZ

On the MK2S kit it's difficult to adjust the probe. Even after having loosen the screws, the probe thread has to much resistance in the extruder hole.

1) Any suggestion about how to fine adjusting the probe without to catch it with the pliers, that could damage the probe?

2) What is the final suggested distance from the probe to the bed?

It's about 0.75 mm?

Much less than the height in the middle of a zip tie, as suggested in the assembly manual chapter 9, step 3.

Re: Need help calibrating XYZ

I use a screw driver in the slot to carefully spread the PINDA holder to do the course adjustment, and then turn the PINDA (the threads on it will screw it up and down for the one adjustment). (MK2S only, MK2 is different).

Anything <1mm is good, 0.75 is a great start as it is high enough not to catch on a little curling of the print, but low enough to trigger the sensor. Once you have XYZ Cal working, you need to set the distance from the PINDA to the end of the nozzle very accurately. See the "Life Adjust Z - may way" thread to save yourself a lot of hassle from the method in the manual.

The method I use is as follows:

1) Get it roughly correct.
a) Set Live adjust Z = 0.00. Make sure PINDA is above nozzle tip by <1mm but above.
b) Do a Calibrate Z. (Head must be clean of drips and lumps).
c) Do a Home. This leaves the head at Z=0.15mm
d) Use Setting -> Move Axis X and Y to get in the approx center of the print space. DONT TOUCH Z.
e) Put a piece of printer paper under the head. Printer paper is approx 0.1mm
f) Wiggle the paper while adjusting "Live Adjust Z" (in settings) until the paper just starts to drag on the paper.
g) Back off a bit (50) on the Live Adjust Z"
2) Get it dialed in real well.
a) Print using "Calibration_surface_PLA_75x75@200um_v4.gcode" found in Jeff's "Life Adjust My Way" Thread
b) Repeat until you have a nice test print - all stuck together and one nice clean sheet.

This takes a little while, but is worth the effort. Once the first layer is good - the rest follows.