M2 Auto-Leveling
M2 Auto-Leveling
We are working on an M2 auto-leveling (aka z-compensation) retro-fit/upgrade. Josh will post here what we are working on and we invite you to participate in the development. Work on it with us or just go in any direction that you see as relevant and post your progress here...
Thanks,
Rick
Thanks,
Rick
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
And to think... someone said you were getting complacent. Interesting though, can't wait to see the new upgrade and how it works.
-Steve
-Steve
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See my projects at https://www.theneverendingprojectslist.com
See my projects at https://www.theneverendingprojectslist.com
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
Color me interested...rpollack wrote:participate in the development
Gotcha 1: mechanical backlash
The Z axis microstep is 1/400 mm = 0.0025 mm, but the backlash on my M2 runs around 0.01 mm. I'm certain that will vary with the machine's age, due to wear from the load on one side of the threads in the brass leadscrew nut.
Gotcha 2: Marlin numeric resolution
As nearly as I can tell, the Marlin G-Code resolution extends to 0.001 mm, so you can't command steps with finer resolution.
Of the two, I think backlash poses the larger problem. Right now, the platform on my M2 remains level within ±0.1 mm from side to side without much attention, so the corrections on any single command will be very close to the backlash limits. As a result, the position error will be as large as the correction and you won't see any actual improvement in the results.
I think much of the motivation for auto-alignment comes from the desire to get M2 quality from unstable hardware, but ... that's why I have an M2. [grin]
Some measurements I made a while ago may be useful:
http://softsolder.com/2014/03/06/makerg ... h-numbers/
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
Quick get hold of that guy and make him demand the updragde for freesthone wrote:And to think... someone said you were getting complacent. Interesting though, can't wait to see the new upgrade and how it works.
-Steve
In all seriousness this is great news. I personally dont find levelling the bed etc a big task and it tends to stay level through a lot of prints, but in order for 3d printing to become truly consumer grade this is the kind of thing we need. People want point and click ease.
I will be keeping an eye on the development of the system.
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
If it can do auto-z-height for me, I'm super excited.
Bed leveling I find pretty easy, and kinda fun TBH. Adjusting a few screws once a month or so, and its easy to tell if its right or wrong as you do it, just by looking at it. I like the satisfaction of knowing I have razor accurate bed flatness. Z-height however, I find myself adjusting more often (every time I flip the glass), and required starting a new print to tell if it is right or wrong and is way more time consuming. In theory using the same feeler gauge it should come up correct every time I fiddle with it, but never does. Or you get close enough, but it requires tweaking some extrusion settings to get it just right, and now it requires changing those settings in every profile.
I've never felt right about auto leveling - it feels like a substandard solution to the real problem of equipment accuracy. Its like not fixing potholes in a freeway telling people to lower their tire pressures and buy softer suspension instead. Sure, it works, but we should probably fill in the potholes. But I understand it is a useful feature for people who don't like fiddling.
I would be keen to have the equipment on my M2 anyways, just as a flatness-measurement tool, for helping with manual leveling.
Bed leveling I find pretty easy, and kinda fun TBH. Adjusting a few screws once a month or so, and its easy to tell if its right or wrong as you do it, just by looking at it. I like the satisfaction of knowing I have razor accurate bed flatness. Z-height however, I find myself adjusting more often (every time I flip the glass), and required starting a new print to tell if it is right or wrong and is way more time consuming. In theory using the same feeler gauge it should come up correct every time I fiddle with it, but never does. Or you get close enough, but it requires tweaking some extrusion settings to get it just right, and now it requires changing those settings in every profile.
I've never felt right about auto leveling - it feels like a substandard solution to the real problem of equipment accuracy. Its like not fixing potholes in a freeway telling people to lower their tire pressures and buy softer suspension instead. Sure, it works, but we should probably fill in the potholes. But I understand it is a useful feature for people who don't like fiddling.
I would be keen to have the equipment on my M2 anyways, just as a flatness-measurement tool, for helping with manual leveling.
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
Well, it's a marketing issue as well. Since many machines claim to have it, it becomes a feature that can eliminate the machine that doesn't have it, regardless of the value of the feature.
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
Absolutely! If Its really needed or not, people love features. They dont even have to know what it is or does but if printer a has it and b doesnt then a is better. All matketing. With that said though i think this is great especially since the glass isnt usually perfectly flat so this usually makes up for that.
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
I'm very interested, in fact I haven't used my machine for a couple of weeks because I noticed it needs leveling (was having bed adhesion problems in one corner) and I've been stalling doing it.
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
Yes, if it's going to work that way. I have, let's say "another brand printer", that uses software leveling. It's really nice. Downside to that printer is that you always print with a raft as that is where they make up the flat surface to print on. All proprietary and not many choices for the way a print is done.With that said though i think this is great especially since the glass isnt usually perfectly flat so this usually makes up for that.
Re: M2 Auto-Leveling
I'm in, Rick. You guys know well enough that I will find creative ways to tease out requisite idiot proofing in the upgrade
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