Alignment and Calibration "Cube"

Used to align the axes and calibrate the steps/mm for X, Y, and Z axes of a 3D printer. Use with spreadsheet to calculate error and required corrections.

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Description

update 04/05/16 : I relabeled some of the spreadsheet cells to be less confusing- the cells on the first sheet now match the diagram on the second.

If your axes are misaligned, you will not be able to print gears that mesh, tight fitting lids, etc.  This cube will help you align your printer's axes by checking the angles between them.

Calibrate your extruder, then print this cube (try 250 um for all layers, 20% infill, 2 perimeters).  Measure diagonals and sides of each plane and enter values into spreadsheet to calculate error and required correction in printer axis alignment.

If diagonals are equal measure, then the axes are accurately set to a 90 degree angle.  You must check XY, XZ, and YZ planes to verify orthogonality of axes.

This cube can also be used to calibrate steps/mm for all three axes.  I recommend you perform extruder and steps/mm calibration as described here: http://reprap.org/wiki/Triffid_Hunter%27s_Calibration_Guide

Note:  calibrate the extruder at the thinnest layer setting you ever intend to use.

Materials and methods

a little ABS or PLA

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Comments

014405d848b260dce96e7fa9d95ac8ec?default=blank&size=40geekdidoo added this to the Calibration collection ago
15ade654c9c59eb7e2b5bf9e8f6fcb16?default=blank&size=40RonMcKay added this to the Calibration collection ago
3f501bc24a5b93118af5e28b5f3c757a?default=blank&size=40Stefan E. Christiansen added this to the 3d printer collection ago
C861ea684d0309d6ce71c35b401f1379?default=blank&size=40Fulg added this to the Calibration collection ago
8d067cda5f37882ecc53eb7aa10ef740?default=blank&size=40Miguel A. Hijar added this to the Filament collection ago
7d64716be65796c96cba2f339e07d9d8?default=blank&size=40Jawehrung added this to the Prusa collection ago
B5f36e2790d551ba3137efbde48978ec?default=blank&size=40Leo Greyz added this to the Calibration collection ago
Mini lisca mangaLisca added this to the Calibration collection ago
Dd89dc24749db7d3f59c03be7318f6fa?default=blank&size=40Dani Epstein added this to the printers collection ago
E142de5f2400f389f96b800f3e613fda?default=blank&size=40MichaelBrock added this to the Printer Parts collection ago
C04d790d01353ce3ff68ef48d5c6028b?default=blank&size=40Mirek Landsman added this to the tests collection ago
Mini gold hands croppedMark Rehorst published this design ago