Calibration
Is this part of commissioning? Is this part of Builders/Config/Config Axes?
To calibrate, you will need the following: a Rep(st)rap, a slide caliper, and printing material (ABS, PLA, HDPE, etc).
You will also need this object file to print out.
- Setup and load your printing material.
- Print the calibration object.
- Allow the object to cool.
- Use the slide caliper to measure each edge and the diagonals.
- Make a note of each measurement and this will allow you to determine where a problem is IF there is a problem.
With the above measurements, you should be able to determine any alignment issues. The sides should measure withing .5mm of 40mm.
if it is off consistently, then it is probably a firmware issue.
Most inconsistent discrepancies are a sign of backlash (i.e. slop or play in your mechanical system). Make sure the grub screws on the pulleys are tight; make sure the belts are tensioned so that when you turn the stepper by hand, it immediately produces a movement in the axis; make sure all the bearings turn smoothly, and that the carriages only move along their intended axis. with all of that double checked, try printing your test piece again, and pay very close attention while it is printing. If your stepper motors make strange noises occasionally, it might be that they are skipping steps because they don't have enough torque. Try turning up the trim pot for that axis.
If all this fails, the best place to go to figure out how to fix your issue, once you've identified it, is either to ask someone in the forums, or on IRC, if you prefer. Then come back here and make this page better, or complain to the forum users.
Once you get a simple cube printed adequately, you might consider trying a more difficult object such as the bearing clip 01 for more fine-tuning.
