Learn to use MatterControl’s Child Stepping function and achieve the power to actively alter your first-layer-height.
Up to date on October 17, 2022
by
Taylor Landry
When you began a print and your first layer was just a little too excessive or just a little too low there have been two choices: hope for the perfect, or cease the print, re-level the mattress, and begin over. Now there may be an alternative choice. You possibly can actively management the primary layer top through the use of Child Stepping in MatterControl.
What’s Child Stepping?
“Child stepping” stepping is just a little recognized function that has been in Marlin and Repetier firmware for fairly a while, however it’s typically not enabled, and it requires an LCD display with a click-wheel to perform. It permits the consumer to maneuver the Z axis up/down in small quantities throughout a print with a view to finely tune the primary layer top.
MatterControl now permits child stepping with none firmware modifications. You possibly can transfer the X and Y axes along with the Z axis.
How one can use Child Stepping
You possibly can entry child stepping within the ‘Motion Controls’ – beneath the Controls Tab.
As soon as the print has began, merely click on Z+ to maneuver the nozzle larger up and doing, or Z- to maneuver it nearer to the mattress.
Discover the “Offset” subsequent to the House buttons. This means how a lot you’ve moved every axis because the print began (X, Y, Z). So, within the print proven, the nozzle was moved down 1mm nearer to the mattress.
So why would it’s essential use child stepping? There are a few helpful makes use of for it.
Offset Quantity
Completely different supplies keep on with totally different mattress supplies otherwise. For instance, in case you are utilizing BuildTak and printing with Ninjaflex, you should be very cautious to not smash your first layer down an excessive amount of. When you do, you’ll seemingly by no means have the ability to take away the half otherwise you’ll injury the BuildTak. You would alter your Z offset and/or your Z top earlier than you begin printing, or you can merely use child stepping to regulate it on the fly.
When you use totally different construct plates and surfaces for various supplies, you seemingly want to regulate your Z top any time you turn construct plates. Child stepping permits you to alter as you begin printing moderately than recalibrating and adjusting your {hardware} and software program settings.
The most effective purpose, at the least in our expertise, is that it may be tough to regulate your Z top completely . Some machines have 4 level mattress changes, some have 3, and a few have none. Some use inductive probes, some use mechanical endstops, and a few use conductive probes. They will all have totally different points that result in improper first layer heights, and the primary layer is by far an important layer of your print. And whereas an excellent first layer isn’t a assure of a profitable print, a foul first layer is nearly sure to damage your print.
Child stepping permits you to completely alter your first layer top to make sure the very best likelihood for a profitable print.
What does good first layer seem like?
1) It is a illustration of a foul first layer. The filament is simply laying on prime of the mattress – with no actual compression. This leaves a really small contact level with the mattress and can seemingly consequence within the half not sticking to the mattress.
Too Excessive
2) Best first layer for many supplies
Good
3) Manner too shut. You’ll seemingly have extrusion points as a result of there’s nowhere in your filament to go. Strain will construct up within the nozzle and will trigger filament grinding, warmth creep, or different extrusion associated points.
Too Low
Child stepping suggestions and tips:
– A skirt of 4-5 loops is an effective way to regulate the primary layer top earlier than it begins printing your half.
– When you change beds or surfaces often, it’s in all probability a good suggestion to place a Z Offset that might forestall the nozzle from ramming into the glass initially of prints. You possibly can then use child stepping to maneuver the nozzle to the suitable top originally of the print.
– When you discover that you simply at all times want the identical quantity of child stepping to attain an excellent first layer, notice the quantity within the offset and enter that into your Z Offset setting beneath Printer > Print Space > Z Offset.
