Shim to level print bed
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Published on January 26, 2012
Description
I saw a video on youtube where a milling machine levelled it's own bed by cutting a tiny layer off the surface and thought this concept may be a good way to level your bed for cold bed printing. It's opposite of the milling concept but it should work.
The idea being that as you print the shim the height differences would be levelled out by the act of the plastic not being squashed down on the low parts. As more layers are printed the process finds the level by gravity for the low areas and compression for the high areas.
I think 3 to 5mm high would be enough to level out the low spots, this is just an idea whilst I rebuild my printer.
A simple structure like the attached stl sized for your bed should not use up much plastic. You may need to run some sandpaper over it to clean up bulge for the high spots.
The idea being that as you print the shim the height differences would be levelled out by the act of the plastic not being squashed down on the low parts. As more layers are printed the process finds the level by gravity for the low areas and compression for the high areas.
I think 3 to 5mm high would be enough to level out the low spots, this is just an idea whilst I rebuild my printer.
A simple structure like the attached stl sized for your bed should not use up much plastic. You may need to run some sandpaper over it to clean up bulge for the high spots.
Instructions
Size for your print bed and print onto your lowest level surface, leave it on the surface and cover with glass or whatever, should leave you with a perfectly levelled bed.
The stl is sized 19cm X 19cm X 3mm, obj model included.
Update, it works well but TBH if you can print this then your bed is kinda level anyway!
The stl is sized 19cm X 19cm X 3mm, obj model included.
Update, it works well but TBH if you can print this then your bed is kinda level anyway!
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Geotek
on
January 27, 2012
said:
Good idea.
Machinist's use a similar technique for setting up Surface Grinders. A surface grinder can produce accuracies to 0.0001"! This is dome by using the grinder to grind it's own work surface (magnetic chuck) any inaccuacies in the machine are cancelled out.
wildseyed
on
January 27, 2012
said:
Why didn't I think of that? My print bed rests on four posts. I could definately apply your approach there. Thanks for the inspiration!
eried
on
January 27, 2012
said:
Using a dial gauge is the best way to get a perfect calibration :) http://www.thingiverse.com/thi...
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More from hexitex
I didn't use this to level my bed, but it did serve as an excellent quick-print indicator of what points were high or low.