How to use this calculator
A precisely set up 3D printer is essential if you want good output.
It all starts with actually making sure all bolts are tightened, belts at right tightness and everything is squared of and precise.
The next step is the motors. They need to move exactly as much as you ask them to. If you tell them 100 mm, they should move 100mm, not 98 or 104.
The calculators on this page help you with this.
Movement steppers
1. Hook your 3D printer to Octoprint, S3D, PonterFace or other software you can send Gcode commands from.
2. Place a ruler (mm, preferably) on your build plate. Tape it down so it can’t move. Or, if you have a magnetic build plate, use a metal ruler.
3. To calibrate the X-axis, place the ruler along the X-axis. For the Y-axis, place along the Y-axis. For the Z-axis, along the Z-axis (vertical axis).
4. Place a needle or something pointy and thin enough to serve as a needle. Tape it to the hot end carriage with enough sticking out to work as a needle over the ruler.
5. Send the printer to 0 on the axis you want to calibrate.
6. Zero your ruler (either to 0 or to another number, if it is more convenient).
7. Either via Gcode or on the display, send the printer 100 mm on the axis you want to calibrate. Gcode: G1 X100 or Y100 or X100. On the display, press 10cm or 100mm to X, Y, and Z.
Make a note of where the needle ends up on the ruler. If it is 10cm (100mm) you are good. If something else, you need to do some calculations.
4. Send the following commands to your printer:
M83 (Tells the printer to use relative mode)
M503 (This sends you the printer settings. Find the field named Steps per unit: Here you can find your steps for X, Y, Z .)
Put this into the field marked Steps X (steps/mm), Steps Y (steps/mm), Steps Z (steps/mm)
M92 Xxxx.xx/M92 Yxxx.xx/M92 Zxxx.xx (or if you already have filled in the fields: M92 X/M92 Y/M92 Z )
M500 (To save the change. Restart the printer to make sure it is saved.)
Repeat a couple of times to make sure it is correct.
Extruder steppers
- Hook your 3D printer to Octoprint, S3D, PonterFace or other software you can send Gcode commands from.
- Heat up your hot end
- Mark 120 mm on your filament with a marker you can see. I use from the extruder.
Send the following commands to your printer:
M83 (Tells the printer to use relative mode)
G1 E100 F100 (Tells the printer to extrude 100 mm of filament with a speed of 100mm/min)
Wait for the printer to extrude the filament. Lift the hot end up enough to give space for the hot filament from the nozzle
Measure the amount of filament left. If your printer is correctly set up, it should be 20 mm. If not, add this number to the last field in the Extruder box.
M503 (This sends you the printer settings. Find the field named Steps per unit: Here you can find your steps for X, Y, Z and E (extruder).)
Put this into the field marked Steps E (steps/mm)
M92 Exxx.xx (or if you already have filled in the fields: M92 E)
M500 (To save the change. Restart the printer to make sure it is saved.)
Repeat a couple of times to make sure it is correct.
Stepper motor calibration
X-axis
The distance you want your printer to check across
This field is requiredHow many steps/mm for x-motor
This field is requiredY-axis
The distance you want your printer to check across
This field is requiredHow many steps/mm for y-motor
This field is requiredZ-axis
The distance you want your printer to check across
This field is requiredHow many steps/mm for z-motor
This field is requiredExtruder
Length of filament to measure
This field is requiredHow many steps/mm for extruder-motor
This field is requiredHow much filament is left
This field is requiredCalculated steps/mm
X: steps/mm
Y: steps/mm
Z: steps/mm
Extruder: steps/mm
Gcode to set new steps/mm
Gcode for X: M92 X
Gcode for Y: M92 Y
Gcode for Z: M92 Z
Gcode for Extruder: M92 E