Calibrating your printer using FlashPrint 5

Note – this thread is much easier to follow if you go to Thread Tools and select Show Printable Version.

How to get started calibrating your printer using FlashPrint 5:

This Three Step Calibration Procedure is adopted for FlashPrint from Teaching Tech 3D Printer Calibration (https://teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html), Part Fitting Calibration by MEH4d May 25, 2014 and XYZ 20mm Calibration Cube by iDig3Dprinting January 19, 2016.

You can read the information in the link above to get familiar with calibrating a 3D printer, but don't be alarmed, using FlashPrint 5, you won't have to "remove the hotend from the extruder" or adjust ESteps/mm to accomplish calibration.

This procedure was tested on a FlashForge Dreamer and Creator Pro equipped with the stock 0.4mm nozzles, but should also work for any printer using a 0.4mm nozzle to print using FlashPrint 5.

You will need digital calipers able to measure to the 00.00mm resolution accurately during these tests for best results.


To get started, first go to Thingverse and download the following three .stl files:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1278865

Download the xyzCalibration_cube.stl


https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:342198


You need to get both of these .stl files:


0.4mm_Thin__Wall_calibration.stl

S-Plugs.stl


Step 1 - we're going to calibrate the Extrusion Width before adjusting anything else.

Note: In this test, since we are using a 0.4mm nozzle, we are going to ask the printer to extrude a 0.40mm thick wall to verify the extrusion width.

Level your printer bed and load up the 0.4mm_Thin__Wall_calibration.stl file into FlashPrint.

Note: You may have to rotate the model so that it sits on the bed like a square wall and not on one of the wall sides.

Print a copy, when the print you just made cools off, measure the wall thickness and make note of it.

To make adjustments to the extrusion width, open up the slicer in FlashPrint and go to the Advanced tab.

We are going to adjust the Extrusion Ratio and First Layer Extrusion Ratio:

Make note of the current Extrusion Ratio and First Layer Extrusion Ratio before making any changes.

If the wall measured more than 0.40mm, then decrease the Extrusion Ratio and First Layer Extrusion Ratio by equal amounts.

If the wall measured less than 0.40mm, then increase the Extrusion Ratio and First Layer Extrusion Ratio by equal amounts.

Make no more than a 5% change in the values at one time.

In the FlashPrint slicer, select the "Save Configuration" button to save the new Extrusion Ratio values.

Now print the 0.4mm_Thin__Wall_calibration.stl file again.

Note that when the extrusion ratio is lowered, the first print layers might become increasingly difficult to adhere to the heatbed. If that happens, then try turning on the heatbed, or upping the heatbed temperature.

If that doesn't help, then try re-adjusting the gap between the nozzle and the heatbed. You can also try applying some glue stick if the gap adjustment doesn't work.

If it just won't stick, then set the First Layer Extrusion Ratio back to it's original value and select the "Save Configuration" button to save the change and try printing again.

After making any changes, while the wall prints, look closely at the first layers. The first layer should print fairly well. Make sure it is not being squished by the nozzle. Make sure the extrusion is consistent. If the walls are sagging between the corners, or the printout is weak or holed, or layers degrade to the point the extrusion doesn't even stick to the previous layer, that means the extrusion ratio is too low.

When the print you just made cools off, measure the wall thickness and make note of it. Compare the new wall thickness measurement to the original, and make any adjustments required until you get a print with the wall thickness as close to 0.40mm as possible. The closer you get, the smaller the changes to the Extrusion Ratio values will have to be.

After you get the Extrusion Ratio adjusted as close to 0.40mm as possible, don't forget to select the "Save Configuration" button to save the changes. Write the new Extrusion Ratio and First Layer Extrusion Ratio down in case they need to be restored in the future.

In FlashPrint under "File" select "New Project". If FlashPrint ask if you want to save the current file, go ahead and save it as "0.4mm_calibration" for future reference.

My Dreamer came set at 109%, I had to change it to 97% to get 0.40 walls.


Step 2 - Calibrating the X,Y and Z axis

Note: In this test, we are asking the printer to print a cube exactly 20.00mm square on all sides.

Level your printer bed and load up the xyzCalibration_cube.stl file into FlashPrint.

Note: You may have to rotate the model so that the X,Y and Z on the cube align with your printer's axis. For the FlashForge Dreamer and Creator, Y faces forward, the X is on the cube left side, and the Z on the cube top when viewed in FlashPrint Home View.

Print a copy, and when the print cools off, measure each of the axis as marked on the cube and write down the values measured for X,Y and Z.

To make adjustments to the axis, open up the slicer in FlashPrint and go to the Others tab.

We are going to adjust the Material Shrinkage Compensation values for the X,Y and Z axis.

If the measured value for an axis is greater than 20.00mm, then change the Compensation value to a negative number. If the measured value for an axis is less than 20.00mm, then change the Compensation value to a positive number.

Do not make changes of more than +-0.5% at any one time.

To avoid confusion, it is best to make adjustments to one axis at a time. But if you're feeling adventurous, go ahead and change all three Compensation values at once, but this can make it harder to zero in on the desired 20.00mm while keeping track of three axis at once.

In the FlashPrint slicer, select the "Save Configuration" button to save the new Material Shrinkage Compensation values.

Print another copy of the cube.

When the print you just made cools off, measure each of the axis as marked on the cube and if the measured value for an axis is less than 20.00mm, then increase the Compensation value some more. If the measured value for an axis is more than 20.00mm, then reduce the Compensation some more.

In the FlashPrint slicer, select the "Save Configuration" button to save the new Material Shrinkage Compensation values.

Repeat the print, measure, and making adjustments to the Material Shrinkage Compensation values for X,Y and Z axis until your printout measures as close to 20.00mm on each axis as possible.

Don't forget in the FlashPrint slicer to select the "Save Configuration" button to save the new Material Shrinkage Compensation values each time you make changes.

Once you have the cube as close to 20.00mm on all sides, write down the Material Shrinkage Compensation values for X,Y and Z axis in case they need to be restored in the future.

In FlashPrint under "File" select "New Project". If FlashPrint ask if you want to save the current file, go ahead and save it as "xyzCalibration" for future reference.


Step 3 - Parts Fitting

This test will ensure parts, including nuts, bolts, screw threads, pegs, holes, gears, print in place hinges, etc. fit together properly.

Level your printer bed and load up the S-Plugs.stl file into FlashPrint.

Print a copy, wait for it to cool off, and try fitting the two pieces together together.

If the parts won't fit together, or fit loosely together, go to the Others tab in the FlashPrint slicer.

We are going to make changes to the Dimensional Adjustments.

Under Dimensional Adjustments, change the Enable Adjustments to Yes.

The two adjustments we are going to make here are for Internal and External Compensation.

If the parts won't fit together, set the Internal Compensation to 0.35mm, click on the "Save Configuration" button to save the new Internal Compensation value.

If the parts fit loosely together, set the External Compensation to -0.35mm, click on the "Save Configuration" button to save the new External Compensation value.

Print another copy, wait for it to cool off, and try fitting the two pieces together.

If the parts won't fit together, increase the Internal Compensation a little bit more, click on the "Save Configuration" button to save the new Internal Compensation value.

If the parts fit loosely together, increase the External Compensation negatively a little more, click on the "Save Configuration" button to save the new External Compensation value.

Continue to make changes to the Internal or External Compensation values until you achieve a perfect fit.

Initial Calibration Complete - Your 3D prints should now be dimensional accurate and parts will fit together nicely.