Hey! This thing is still a Work in Progress.
Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!
Auto Leveling Platform
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Published on March 2, 2012
Description
Ok so updates, first i have first pcb tests working ! using this method.
i opened a github project for this here github.com/Atntias/probz/commits/master
i wrote the code as a part of printrun. the code is very messy but its starting to work :).
im using a dilling head based on the mantis i designed to fit the prusa X carrige, wich i will shortly upload to a thing too.
This is based on few ideas i saw online to use and automated process in order to measure distances from head to bed on all the working area.
then you can take that data and use it to offset gcode accordingly.
this is critical for pcb milling, and nice to have in 3D printing, as the whole leveling process becomes not critical as it is.
gcode offset calculation differs from CMC milling to 3D printing, but im planing on developing both.
i can probe the surface by replacing the z end stop with 2 wires 1 goes to the aluminum bed and the other to the extruder nozzle/drilling head.
video of the probing in action youtu.be/tKFhiu2a64I
the pcb holder you see in the video is another thing il make soon.
i opened a github project for this here github.com/Atntias/probz/commits/master
i wrote the code as a part of printrun. the code is very messy but its starting to work :).
im using a dilling head based on the mantis i designed to fit the prusa X carrige, wich i will shortly upload to a thing too.
This is based on few ideas i saw online to use and automated process in order to measure distances from head to bed on all the working area.
then you can take that data and use it to offset gcode accordingly.
this is critical for pcb milling, and nice to have in 3D printing, as the whole leveling process becomes not critical as it is.
gcode offset calculation differs from CMC milling to 3D printing, but im planing on developing both.
i can probe the surface by replacing the z end stop with 2 wires 1 goes to the aluminum bed and the other to the extruder nozzle/drilling head.
video of the probing in action youtu.be/tKFhiu2a64I
the pcb holder you see in the video is another thing il make soon.
Instructions
yet to come...
note: you need to use marlin firmwre as it return endstop hits locations.
make sure in setting #USE_ENDSTOP_ONLY_FOR_HOMEING isnt selected.
right now when printing/milling i just disconnect the endstop, but il add a M code to turn the above #USE_ENDSTOP function on and off.
you might have to invert your z endstop nc/no in the firmware.
im using mayavi view to show the data, and numpy to do some calculation, so best way to get all that is get pythonxy instead of python 2.7.2 and make sure to select ETS on the packge list on installtion.
note: you need to use marlin firmwre as it return endstop hits locations.
make sure in setting #USE_ENDSTOP_ONLY_FOR_HOMEING isnt selected.
right now when printing/milling i just disconnect the endstop, but il add a M code to turn the above #USE_ENDSTOP function on and off.
you might have to invert your z endstop nc/no in the firmware.
im using mayavi view to show the data, and numpy to do some calculation, so best way to get all that is get pythonxy instead of python 2.7.2 and make sure to select ETS on the packge list on installtion.
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Makezilla
on
March 4, 2012
said:
I like it a lot! It looks like you can manipulate the scale of more easily see the shape of the table. Using that tool you can improve the mechanical set-up to eliminate some of the major planar error.
It would seem to me the condition of the work piece is also an issue, especially with PCB material. Work holding techniques play a roll as well. Is that not the case?
QuantumConcepts
on
March 3, 2012
said:
Sounds interesting. Unrelated question: how'd you get Print Run to look nice?
UechiMike
on
March 3, 2012
said:
Very cool - check out the pcbgcode forum and forums.zentoolworks.com - Someone has a working EMC script to do this already - it would be very cool to be able to do this on any 3D printer.
More from atntias
I am having a problem. I have attempted to use a roller switch in place of a physical probe. I have commented out the #define USE_ENDSTOP_ONLY_FOR_HOMING. The machine moves to what looks like 30, 30, touches, and stops. Is there any more information I need to share? The switch is connected between sense and ground. It is connected to the NC side of the switch.
It would seem I was premature. I managed to get it to work once. I don't know what I am missing.