Correctly calibrated nozzles on a 3D printer are essential for a quality printed result. Raise3D breaks down the steps to calibrate the nozzles for our Pro2 and Pro2 Plus 3D printers here using Model 1 and Model 2 as a tester. There are six total sections: preparation, print calibration using model 1, measuring the offset, adjusting the offset, print calibration using model 2, and compare model 1 and model 2 printing results.
Required Tools:
-USB Drive
Preparation:
1. Ensure Nozzle heights are calibrated properly before calibrating offsets.
2. Open ideaMaker. Click “File” on the top right corner and select “Examples” from the drop-down menu. Then select “Calibration-Extruder-Offset.idea”.
Print Calibration Using Model 1
1. Locate the USB storage drive that was included within the accessory box of your Pro2 Series packaging. Connect this drive to an available USB port on the right side of the touchscreen.
2. Ensure PLA is loaded into both extruders.
3. From the ‘Print’ tab, locate the pre-sliced files included in the Pro 2 Series flash drive. Select “Dual Head Calibration 1. Gcode” model, and press ‘Print’.
4. If you do not have your flash drive with this file, or would like to use a filament other than PLA, you can find the model in ideaMaker under File>Examples>Calibration-Extruder-Offset.idea.
Raise3D recommends printing with a wipe wall or wipe tower for the best results.
5. View the printed model from the top surface and align this to the visual graphic seen on screen. The direction can be identified with the large notch along the Y-direction, and the small notch in the X-direction.
Measuring the Offset
If the original offset setting is correctly aligned, the model will be ladder-shaped and evenly spaced in all four directions.
This position is X Offset = 0, Y Offset = 0.
If the original offset requires adjustment, check each layer and identify two aligned layers for each direction.
Record the upper value depicted in the model.
In this example, the values are: X Offset = + 0.2mm, Y Offset = -0.3mm.
Calculate the offset using the formula on the next page.
- l Right Extruder Offset X = 25mm + (+0.2mm) = 25.2mm
- l Right Extruder Offset Y = 0mm + (-0.3mm) = -0.3mm.
Adjusting the Offset
1. Using the touchscreen on the printer, adjust the extruder offsets by navigating to the extruder settings. This can be found under Setting > Machine > More Settings > Hardware > Extruders.
2. Check the X and Y offsets and add your recorded values to what is shown on the screen. If X was set to 25 mm and Y was set to 0 we would end with the values shown above based on the example from step 3.
Print Calibration Using Model 2
1. Ensure PLA is loaded into both sides.
2. Use the same USB drive as depicted in step 1. Open the ‘Print’ menu and select the “Dual Head Calibration 2.Gcode”. Press ‘Print’.
3. The model should resemble the model below.
If you do not have the flash drive with the file or would like to use a filament other than PLA this model can also be found under File>Examples>Dual-Color-Cube.idea.
Compare Model 1 and Model 2 Printing Results
1. Check for obvious gaps between the colored blocks (refer to the diagram below)
- If there are noticeable imperfections, repeat the calibration steps from Step 1.
- If there are no obvious gaps present in the model then the printer is now properly adjusted for dual extrusion printing.
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