1 Topic by Jason

  • Jason
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  • From: Nashville, TN
  • Registered: 2012-08-08
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Topic: extruder calibration question

After reading through Ian's Blog http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com I see two blog posts (back to back) that kind of contradict each other.  I should note that I have the boot loader issue and cannot update my firmware at this time.

I first read and completed the "Extruder Calibration" post http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com/201 … libration/ and it says you can use your Extrusion Multiplier for the offset if you can't update your firmware.  So i did...  Then I moved to the next post "Setting the flow rate" http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com/201 … flow-rate/ which says to set your extrusion multiplier to 1 for initial testing.


When I combine both offsets I get a extrusion multiplier of .61 which to me (extreme novice) doesn't seem like enough plastic extruding and it even seems like the extruder struggles to push out plastic at the start, sometimes taking 30 mm before plastic starts extruding which wasn't an issue at all when the extrusion multiplier is set to 1.

Should i only use 1 of these calibration techniques until I can replace the ATMega chip? if so which one is more important?


Thanks for the help!

2 Reply by IanJohnson

  • IanJohnson
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Re: extruder calibration question

You don't actually have to update the firmware.  You can set the axis steps/mm with a gcode command, M92.  You would enter M92 E(your new steps).  This makes it easy to dial in the right number fairly quickly.  If you can't get your firmware to update, you can simply add that at the beginning of your start gcode. 

I've been thinking that I should do an update to that post pointing out the command, because it makes it easier to figure out the right # of steps before you go to the trouble of putting it into the firmware.  This is especially handy if you are using a dial gauge to work out steps/mm for X and Y.

Starting Extrusion Multiplier at 1 assumes the extruder has been calibrated.  If you can't calibrate the extruder, you would go straight to the method in the next blog post.

3 Reply by Jason

  • Jason
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  • From: Nashville, TN
  • Registered: 2012-08-08
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Re: extruder calibration question

Wow, perfect thank you!

4 Reply by solijohn

  • solijohn
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Re: extruder calibration question

Jason wrote:

Wow, perfect thank you!

I should say that most of the firmware updates at this juncture are more in the bonus feature category. The factory firmware works quite well for most. Of course we love the modding company.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.