1st Layer Optomisation (g-code generator)

thingiverse

This Excel workbook creates G-code to quickly find optimal settings for 1st layer printing. I put it together after I got sick of wondering if my 1st layer setting were actually the best, and frustrated when I changed filament and couldn't get anything to stick to my glass bed. Within the script it will increase and decrease layer height, print width, extrusion multiplier, extruder temperature, and other variables as you desire **within the same print**, allowing you to quickly test a wide range of potential settings to find the best for you. A major flaw with the script is that it reads various values directly out of the spreadsheet, so inserting rows will muck it up... But you can edit the values as you feel fit. To use the script you need to enable scripts/macros and enter the Visual Basic Editor (Alt-F11) The script DOES NOT write anything to your system . However if you feel nervous, you may to prefer to open the .bas file with a text editor and review, create your own spreadsheet, or even rewrite it for some other language (python, C, or whatever other flavour takes your fancy). I know VBA is the one of the lowest forms of programming life, but I started with a spreadsheet so stuck with it... To be honest I'm not sure why nobody seems to have done it already, as it's really not complex, and this script is really just scratching the surface of whats possible... After running the script it will store the g-code in the spreadsheet and you will have to paste it into your printer host software (I use Repetier and pasting g-code is even easier than saving to a file and loading in). Then review the print preview in the host to check it's going to do what you expect. [NB much as I like Cura I'm not sure how/if you can see or edit G-code directly, so I think you might need to install another host temporarily] I'd probably suggest replacing my default start and end g-code with your own - this is in columns K and S from rows 61 onwards. The code stops pasting when it finds a cell containing only the text "CODEEND", so put this below your code It might also be a good idea to remove any code which turns off the heated bed if you want to test the patches at printing temperature... The script also lists all the settings it uses for each patch at the end of the g-code, so you can check after you've printed... I tend to print the patches then push on the edge of them with something hard to see if they dislodge then turn off the heated bed and repeat as the temperature drops to find the settings with the best grip... PS If you want good prints I'd suggest setting up auto-bed levelling, and would also strongly recommend buying a feeler gauge to measure nozzle height rather than using a sheet of paper (eg https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=feeler+gauge) If you use "G1 Z0.2" or manual jog to lift the nozzle to 0.2mm above the bed when the system is at print-ready temperature you can then step it up or down to find exact the height the 0.2mm gauge just slides in and out (this means you won't need to bother with any of the other gauges). Sliding this in and out repeatedly (and wiping any cooled plastic off) will then allow you to establish the height difference between the nozzle tip and the z-probe tip (which you can then permanently set in the firmware. Don't bother with a "paper gauge". Remember your printer nozzle should just be touching the bed when z-height is 0. Visually checking when plastic is oozing or guesstimating the thickness of paper makes setting this accurately almost impossible!!! PPS Ignore the SCAD file, it was necessary to be able to publish this on thingiverse, but it seemed more relevant here than elsewhere, so I cheated...