How can I calibrate my 3D printer?

How can I calibrate my 3D printer?

What settings do I need to adjust to calibrate my 3D printer?

First layer settings

• How can I level my 3D print bed?
  You can easily level the print bed by adjusting the large wheels under the print bed. These are found on each corner. There are also 3D printers that use automatic bed levelling functions. See our article ‘3D printer levelling’ for more information.
   
• How can I adjust the Z offset of my 3D printer?
  You can easily optimise the Z offset settings in your slicer software. The offset value tells the printer what distance the nozzle should keep from the print bed. If the distance is too large, your print will not adhere properly to the print bed and you must decrease your Z offset by entering a positive value. Can you see that the nozzle is pressed into the print? This means that you need to increase your Z offset so that the distance to the print bed increases. You do this by entering a negative value.
  
  Your print bed and Z offset settings are perfectly adjusted when there is only one paper layer distance between the nozzle and the print bed. Check this on at least 5 points: the four corners and in the middle. Read more here on adjusting your Z offset.

The e-steps of your extruder

• How do I calculate the e-steps?
  Calculate the e-steps by marking the filament at two points: at 100mm and at 120mm. Check the current settings of the e-steps (steps/mm) in your 3D software by typing 'M501' or 'M503' in the 'communication' field and look for the value indicated as follows: EXXX .XX. Then set the speed and length at which you want to extrude (in the slicer software). Press the extruder button and measure the actual filament throughput by measuring the distance to the first mark.
  
  Fill in all variables with the following formula:
   
  ‘Steps/mm’ x ‘length’ = ‘X’
  ‘X’ / actual length of the fed filament = new steps/mm
  
  Does the result deviate from the current steps/mm? Adjust your settings to the new value so that the filament is fed correctly..

The filament settings

• How do I determine the diameter of the filament?
  Although suppliers indicate the thickness of the filament on the packaging, there can still be small deviations in the diameter with each new spool. Therefore, check the thickness of the filament at about ten points with a manual caliper or a digital caliper. Take the average of these results and enter it into your slicer software.
  
  Be careful not to crush the filament with the vernier caliper and avoid incorrect measurements.
   
• How do I determine the correct print temperature?
  Although every supplier indicates the printing temperature of the filament, you can find the ideal printing temperature yourself by printing a temp tower. This is a tower, divided into different blocks, each of which is printed at a different temperature. In this way, you can determine afterwards at which temperature the 3D print is qualitatively best.

How can I test if my printer is properly calibrated?

Why do I need to calibrate my 3D printer?

Do you have another question?