How to know if a 3D printer is well calibrated

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Surely you know how important it is to have a well-calibrated 3D printer to obtain quality results in your projects.

Proper calibration ensures that all of the printer's moving parts work in harmony, resulting in accurate, detailed prints.

To find out if a 3D printer is properly calibrated, you must print some calibration tests and analyze the results. It is best to start with a leveling test to verify that the printer bed is level.

In this article, I'm going to show you how to tell if your 3D printer is properly calibrated and what tests you can do to make sure it's in top condition.

Why is calibration crucial for a 3D printer?

An out-of-calibration 3D printer can result in faulty prints, which consume time and material without achieving the expected results. In addition, incorrect calibration can lead to mechanical problems with the printer in the long term, which can result in costly repairs or even the need to replace components.

When a 3D printer is properly calibrated, all axes (X, Y, Z) and the print bed move accurately and at the exact distances required.

This prevents common issues like misaligned layers, over- or under-extrusion, and ensures that your printed models conform to the desired dimensions and shapes.

How to know if your 3D printer is properly calibrated?

To find out if your 3D printer is properly calibrated, you should print some quick tests so you can analyze the results and reach a conclusion.

Although there are some tests that you can print, such as the 3DBenchy, I I would recommend you start with a placement test, to see if the printer bed is level.

These printing tests will let you know if your 3D printer is correctly calibrated:

1. Leveling test:

A level print bed is essential for achieving consistent prints across the entire surface.

How to know if a 3D printer is well calibrated - Bed level test — Bed-level test on Thingiverse

You can perform a leveling test by manually adjusting the nozzle height at different points on the bed and printing a test layer.

If the distance between the nozzle and the bed is uniform at all points, the bed will be well leveled.

2. Dimensional test:

Another super fast test is to print a 20mm XYZ Cube.

How to know if a 3D printer is properly calibrated - Cube XYZ — Test XYZ Cube on Thingiverse

To check the dimensional accuracy of your 3D printer, Print a 20x20x20mm cube and then measure the printed dimensions with a precision caliper.

If the measurements are not equal to those specified, it may be necessary to calibrate the axis motor steps.

3. Wire Test:

Perform a test print and verify that there are no threads of filament between the movements of the nozzle.

How to know if a 3D printer is well calibrated - Stringing test — Smaller Base Stringing Test on Thingiverse

Retractions are a crucial aspect to avoid problems such as stringing (threads of material between parts of the model).

Importante: Recuerda que el filamento tiene que ser nuevo o estar libre de «humedad».

If all went well, you should not see any threads between one tower and the other.

4. Fitting test:

By printing a part that needs to fit precisely into another part, you can identify if your 3D printer is properly calibrated.

When the fit test fails it may be necessary to make an adjustment to the extrusion flow or even calibrate the extruder steps.

How to know if a 3D printer is properly calibrated - Fitting test — Fit test from Thingiverse

Normally these types of problems are due to over extrusion or high flow in the print settings.

5. Temperature Tower:

Make sure your printer is extruding the material at the correct temperature, this is essential to avoid adhesion and print quality issues.

Run a test print varying temperatures and see how it affects layer quality and material adhesion.

Incorrect temperatures can cause threading or stringing issues on your models, along with other problems that can affect the visual quality of your prints.

6. Print a 3DBenchy:

How to know if a 3D printer is properly calibrated - 3DBenchy — 3DBenchy Test on Thingiverse

One of the most common ways to check the calibration of your 3D printer is to print the 3DBenchy model.

This model is a miniature ship specially designed to test different aspects of the printer, such as dimensional accuracy, retractions and surface quality.

For example, here you can see some walls that have not been glued together.

By printing the 3DBenchy and evaluating its appearance, you will be able to identify potential calibration issues.

7. Print an all-in-one test

Another option to 3DBenchy is to print a test all in one

En este test vas a poder analizar los voladizos (osea, hasta que grado de curva puedes imprimir sin usar soportes), El Bridging o «puentes» entre dos puntos, Soportes, y pruebas dimensionales entre otros.

Conclusions:

Proper calibration of a 3D printer is essential to achieve accurate, high-quality results from your prints.

Performing tests such as 3DBenchy, leveling test, retraction test, dimensional test, a Bridging test, wire test and temperature test will allow you to identify possible calibration problems and make necessary adjustments to improve the performance of your printer.

Please remember that calibration is an ongoing process, and it is normal to make periodic adjustments to maintain the accuracy and quality of your prints over time.

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these settings on your printer and test it regularly to ensure it is operating in optimal condition.

Frequent questions

1. Why is it important to calibrate my 3D printer regularly?

Regular calibration of your 3D printer is crucial to ensure the accuracy and quality of your prints. A well-calibrated printer will prevent issues such as misaligned layers, stringing, over-extrusion or under-extrusion, resulting in more accurate and detailed printed models.

2. How can I adjust the steps of the axis motors on my 3D printer?

To adjust the motor steps of the axes, you must access the firmware of your 3D printer. You can see a step by step guide on how to do it in this post: How to calibrate the steps of the extruder.

3. How often should I perform calibration tests on my 3D printer?

The frequency of calibration tests will depend on the use and brand of your 3D printer. As a general rule, it is recommended to perform calibration tests every time you make major changes to your printer settings or every certain number of prints to maintain the quality and accuracy of your models.

4. Are there other test models besides 3DBenchy?

Yes, there are a variety of test templates available online that will help you evaluate different aspects of your 3D printer. In addition to the 3DBenchy, you can find test templates for retractions, bridges, and snaps, such as those posted above.

These models are useful for identifying specific problems and improving the overall performance of your printer.

5. What should I do if my 3D printer still has printing issues after calibration?

If you're still having printing issues after calibrating your 3D printer, there may be other factors at play.

Check if the nozzle and print bed temperature are suitable for the material you are using.

Also, make sure the material is of good quality and stored properly.

With these tips and calibration tests, you'll be on the right track to high-quality, accurate 3D prints.

Remember that calibration is an ongoing process, and the time you spend keeping your printer in top condition will be worth it in terms of successful results for your printing projects.

How to tell if a 3D printer is well calibrated:

Why is calibration crucial for a 3D printer?