Getting your 3D printer’s bed perfectly level is essential for producing high-quality prints. Today, we’ll walk you through the process and share some expert tips to ensure your manual leveling is spot on. We’re working with the FunMat HT Enhanced, but these tips apply to various 3D printers. Here’s what you need to know:
Step 1: Preheat Your Printer
Before diving into leveling, ensure your printer is preheated to the temperatures you’ll be using for your material. This typically involves heating the bed and nozzle to the desired settings. For example, if you’re printing with PLA, a bed temperature of 60°C and a nozzle temperature of 210°C is common.
Step 2: Access Manual Leveling
On the default screen of your 3D printer, locate and select “Build Plate Leveling.” This is where the magic happens.
Step 3: Initial Adjustments
The first instruction often suggests tightening the three screws under the build plate. This is a safety precaution to ensure the build plate is as low as possible, preventing any potential collisions with the nozzle. However, if your printer, like the FunMat HT Enhanced, has a sensor switch, this step isn’t as critical, but it’s good to follow as a safety measure.
Step 4: Using the Leveling Card
Now comes the pivotal part: using the leveling card. Your 3D printer should come with a silver leveling card, typically 0.2mm in thickness. This card serves as the reference for the ideal distance between the nozzle and the build plate, ensuring the first layer adheres correctly.
Hold the leveling card and follow the instructions to turn the screws under the build plate. This adjusts the gap between the nozzle and the plate. You’re aiming for a precise 0.2mm gap for optimal 3D printing results.
Step 5: The Key to Success
Here’s the crux of the process and where our expert tips come into play. When turning the screws to close the gap, it’s crucial to apply minimal resistance. Why? Because the hot end is spring-loaded, and excessive pressure can affect your results.
The goal is to achieve the right gap without any light passing through. Be gentle and ensure there’s no visible gap. The nozzle should lightly touch the leveling card without pushing it. Remember that the nozzle is made of metal and may slightly deform when deflecting, so your aim is to have a gentle, light contact.
Repeatability is key. Ensure that you can consistently achieve the desired 0.2mm gap without excessive force. This ensures that every time you level the bed, you get the same, reliable results.
Step 6: Addressing Warping
If you’re working with materials like PEEK or other high-temperature filaments, it’s important to note that the difference in thermal expansion between the build plate and the nozzle can lead to warping. To counteract this, make sure the area you’re holding (like the leveling card) remains cool. Warping occurs less when there’s less thermal differential. Using automotive feeler gauges designed to withstand heat can be an excellent choice.
Step 7: Recheck and Calibrate
Your 3D printer may go through multiple leveling iterations for each of the three points on the build plate. This is because adjusting one point can affect the others. The double pass is all about achieving an even and level surface. Even if your 3D printer has auto-leveling capabilities, these manual steps ensure perfection, which is especially critical when working with high-cost materials like PEEK.
Following these tips will help you get precise manual leveling every time. Your 3D printer will be ready to produce impeccable prints. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. Happy printing!