Building a 3D printer is easy. Getting the details right to build a great 3D printer is hard, as this is where most companies fail. Why?

For example, on this printer, the bed is a three-point mount (two wheels for adjustment at the front of the printbed) and the printer’s bed levelling dialogue doesn’t show the height difference that needs to be adjusted (which most 3D printers do). It does show how much it needs to be turned, and the bed levelling wheels have 1/8th turn indicators, making it easy to get it perfect.

In short, instead of an arbitrary number like 0.3mm that has no meaning to the user, they tell the user to turn this knob 1/4 of a turn. An instruction the user can follow.

** Why is this so outstanding? It doesn’t cost much, but it improves the user experience. Are companies blind to these improvements because the engineers are experienced, or is there a lack of testing during development?**

By the way, years ago I did such a fix/modification myself on a Tronxy XY2 pro by adding indicators on the wheel for 0.2mm height difference so I could convert the number to rotation: https://www.printables.com/model/301670-replacement-bed-leveling-wheel

  • lightnsfw@reddthat.comEnglish
    11·
    9 months ago

    My printer doesn’t tell me shit about how much it needs to be adjusted. The level routine is to move the head the 3 corners put a piece of paper under the nozzle and loosen the leveling screw until it is lightly touching. I made a mount to use a dial indicator but it really just made the process take longer.

    • Dukeofdummies@kbin.social
      3·
      9 months ago

      I always had terrible luck with that. I’ve just resorted to printing large squares and adjusting until the square sticks the way I want.

      • DamageEnglish
        3·
        9 months ago

        I use a 10-year old e3d sticker, I set the nozzle so that the sticker’s back can easily slide underneath, but when it reaches the actual sticker it doesn’t fit. Works great.

      • AlsaValderaan@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        2·
        9 months ago

        I’ve made myself a gcode file that is just several tracks of skirt going around the bed several times. Works like a charm for leveling for me, and it’s fun to peel off after the nozzle.

    • EvolvedTurtle@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      9 months ago

      I gave up and bought auto leveling I’d spend so much time leveling that I’d just give up and not print anything