Answered *READ ME* My ROBO doesn't auto level correctly!? FAQ

There are a few questions asked every day by various people. Most questions have been answered, look around... hopefully you find this for everyone's first question.

"Auto level isn't working!"
If you're using matter control, you probably saw that fancy "auto level" button and clicked it. Don't do that. If you clicked it, unclick the auto level in matter control. DISABLE AUTO PRINT LEVELING IN MATTER CONTROL!!!
Auto-level is built in to the ROBO3D firmware and is executed by the command G29. You will see this in the starting G-code. You can just cut and paste the below if you're not using the "OEM" matter control. Photos of Z offset settings for matter control and repetier below.

G1 Z5 F5000 ; lift Z by 5mm
G28 ; home all axes
M565 Z-1.1; set the offset for auto-leveling mechanism
G29 ; run auto-level
M300 S440 P200 ;A4: 440
G0 Z5

"Ok, Its running the 9 point autolevel, but its trying to print right on the glass or above the glass"

at least a couple issues can cause this.
First.
You need to have a Z offset setup. Most programs have this available as a setting in their slice settings.
You can also add it as part of your starting G-code.
M565 Z-1.1; set the offset for auto-leveling mechanism (where -1.1 is the Z offset).
To find the Z offset. Home the head, then raise it 1.5-2mm. then lower it in small increments till it contacts a plain piece of xerox paper you place under the head. So you can still drag it under the head with no problem, but its touching.
The Z offset is accounting for the switch throw in the microswitches on the carriage moving between the head contacting the bed and the switches clicking closed.
Second
Your X axis (the carriage that the print head is mounted on) can be off kilter.
Your X axis needs to be level in the Z plane to be able to open and close the micro switches appropriately and produce a decent level overall.
To adjust the X axis,
Home the print head to the center.
Hold one of the threaded Z axis rods and turn the other one till the switch clicks. Repeat for the other side. Working back and forth, you can home in on the click. Or you can just use calipers.


Be aware. your ROBO sets the machine to ZERO when you hit the home button or when it homes through G29. If you turn it on with the head already resting on the glass, it calls that zero, when in actuality it's likely -1mm. Attempting to use software to measure your Z offset without homing the axis first will produce wonky results.... your Z will be far too low.

Next, you'll want to calibrate Extrusion steps (E-steps)

 

How do you home the head, do you use G28, that should put the head in the forward left corner, correct
What comand do you use to lower the head by small increments.
What command homes the print head to the center

 

are you running one of the front ends or just going straight from a terminal of some sort. I'm not the G guru.

Use repetier and use the jog controls, manual controls, whatever its called.

I set my home to center in the software, but pushing it to centerish by hand works too.

 

From a terminal using cura

 

no idea. Don't use it. Repetier/ S3d/ Matter control makes it easy. Where is this cura coming from all of a sudden

 

hey. i've totally put my printer out of wack. i tried the 3 point automatic print leveling with a piece of paper and that just made it worse. now it prints farther above the bed. i also rotated the x axis rods and now i think i've f'd that up also - because when i tried to run the automatic print leveling it gave me a warning that the head couldn't go any lower. is there any way to reset everything - including the hardware?

 

Youre missing the very first problem listed.

Or are u actually mocking me?

 

i usually work backwards... joking. i swapped out the G-code with what you have listed above. i homed it to the far left and front and did the paper trick. then i centred it manually and twisted the rods until i heard the click (had to turn off the machine because the thing is so loud and the click is very subtle). its printing closer now, but its not sticking to the surface and seems off at the front centre.

 

Can we sticky this one?

 

what do you mean it seems off... and are you using an adhesive additive to your platform?

 

You should change the title or at least add "Read Here" or something along those lines.

 

if it gets too long, no one will read it. I need to add boobs or something.

 

ok so z-offset should be a negative number?? or is that a dash

 

both? yea.. is negative.. denoted with a hyphen if you were inverted.. just delete the dash

 

I wish you guys did skype lol I feel like this would go much quicker haha

 

oh man, I've been doing the positive

 

shoutbox... private convo..

 

so where it says z offset in mattercontrol I should be typing -1.1?

 

no
just 1.1 unless its in G code
pretty sure g code makes it minus... hmm