1

Topic: auto-bed level

Does anyone just skip this all together? Seemed to work really well at first for our Workbench, but not so much now.

FuseBox 1.5 CoreXY - e3dv6 - Graphic Smart Display
Solidoodle 2 - e3dv6 - Hobb Goblin - e3d Titan - lawsy carriages - Direct Drive Y Axis - T8 Z axis - OctoPi

2

Re: auto-bed level

When it comes to Auto-level, take a page from the Davinci users and stop using it.  Manual leveling is simple and removes a bunch of unnecessary variables.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

3

Re: auto-bed level

+1 auto leveling is a huge pain. When is the last time I leveled my bed? I think it was a few months ago, if not longer.

4

Re: auto-bed level

Yea, I played with an auto level mod for my SD2 (which I got to work once :-), but I found that if I do a really good job of manually leveling, it stays that way for a long time.

5

Re: auto-bed level

You made one of the dial indicator mounts I used the last time I leveled my bed I think... Thanks! Super easy way to do it.

6

Re: auto-bed level

Agreed.  You know what is harder than properly leveling your bed?  Properly configuring an auto level probe, of any type.  The solidoodle has a very rigid Z axis, so once you get it right it tends to stay that way.

The only way I could see myself using an auto level system is if someone finds a way to put it in the hot end mount, similar to the various kossel FSR mods, so that the nozzle is the bed probe.  I tried for weeks to get the FSRs to work in my kossel before finally realizing that the tolerances and sensitivities are really not at the hobbyist level at this point.  IMO, any system that uses a bed probe adds unnecessary complexity and is harder than manually leveling the bed.  FSRs are not reliable/ repeatable enough.  I'll revisit this in a couple years and see if something better has come along.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

7

Re: auto-bed level

So in RH how do I set a home position for z without having to do it every time I quit outta RH and restart? I got rid of the auto level g-code but the home all axis' command is going to home the z and wait for a endstop right?

FuseBox 1.5 CoreXY - e3dv6 - Graphic Smart Display
Solidoodle 2 - e3dv6 - Hobb Goblin - e3d Titan - lawsy carriages - Direct Drive Y Axis - T8 Z axis - OctoPi

8

Re: auto-bed level

If you are referring to the Z offset function in slic3r, I don't use it.  Just manually calibrate the nozzle distance from the bed and set it to 0.  It annoys me when people post their Z offset number as if it is somehow relevant to others.  When you are talking about fractions of a mm, it can vary for each machine.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

9

Re: auto-bed level

mdrVB6 wrote:

If you are referring to the Z offset function in slic3r, I don't use it.  Just manually calibrate the nozzle distance from the bed and set it to 0.  It annoys me when people post their Z offset number as if it is somehow relevant to others.  When you are talking about fractions of a mm, it can vary for each machine.


+1

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

10 (edited by widespreaddeadhead 2015-05-29 16:08:03)

Re: auto-bed level

No, I meant our start g-code homes the z axis, and won't stop until it hits an endstop, so if I have our Workbench probe up, then it'll just run into the carriage and lift it.

FuseBox 1.5 CoreXY - e3dv6 - Graphic Smart Display
Solidoodle 2 - e3dv6 - Hobb Goblin - e3d Titan - lawsy carriages - Direct Drive Y Axis - T8 Z axis - OctoPi

11

Re: auto-bed level

That probe is also the endstop.  You need to relocate it with some way to adjust what hits the switch.
http://i.imgur.com/pLBYPop.jpg

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

12 (edited by widespreaddeadhead 2015-05-29 16:17:09)

Re: auto-bed level

wardjr wrote:

That probe is also the endstop.  You need to relocate it with some way to adjust what hits the switch.
http://i.imgur.com/pLBYPop.jpg

Ok, sorry, that is basically what I meant to ask. I think I'll be able mount it on the smooth rods along the z axis so that the top of the aluminum will hit it, and it'll be out of the way of the carriage.

Not as easy as I thought, after looking at it, all the wires are already routed with the extruders. Not an impossible task, but I'm not trying to have to undo then reorganize all the wiring to the carriage.

FuseBox 1.5 CoreXY - e3dv6 - Graphic Smart Display
Solidoodle 2 - e3dv6 - Hobb Goblin - e3d Titan - lawsy carriages - Direct Drive Y Axis - T8 Z axis - OctoPi

13

Re: auto-bed level

This is slightly off-topic, but related to bed-levelling. To properly level my bed, I have to loosen the screws such that there is almost no tension on the springs. What is the best way to set z0 to higher position?

Solidoodle 4-Mostly stock running off headless Raspberry Pi with Octoprint

14

Re: auto-bed level

I'm sorry, what printer do you have?

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

15

Re: auto-bed level

Sorry, it is a Solidoodle 4. Guess I need to edit my signature. Everything stock, took the kapton off.

Solidoodle 4-Mostly stock running off headless Raspberry Pi with Octoprint

16

Re: auto-bed level

So the three screws under the bed are used to level in relation to the nozzle.  The springs should be as compressed as possible without the plate touching the frame.  Then to set the Z height you use the knob on the back of the printer to raise or lower the screw that touches the Z- endstop switch.  This is how you adjust the height of the bed at the Z- home position.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

17

Re: auto-bed level

With everything I've been hearing, I wonder if it's even worth trying to figure out how to set up bed levelling on my kossel kit or if I should just forgo it altogether and just take the servo as a bonus.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

18

Re: auto-bed level

TheBaron wrote:

With everything I've been hearing, I wonder if it's even worth trying to figure out how to set up bed levelling on my kossel kit or if I should just forgo it altogether and just take the servo as a bonus.

I tried to set mine up but ended up giving up. There was no information on how to get the firmware to remember and then adjust for the points probed and I could not find anything on the web as it is still an experimental option on Repetier firmware.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.