Prusa i3 Style Printer Z-Axis Leveling and Squaring Tool

thingiverse

This is a set of leveling assist shims I designed for my HICTOP Prusa i3 style printer. I found that it was difficult to ensure that the X-Axis was square to the build plate because it was difficult to ensure that the two lead screw bearings were equidistant from the motors. These shims are designed to fit on the 8mm smooth rod and between the screws holding the z-axis motors to the frame. Here's the procedure I use to level my i3 with these shims. 1) Lower build plate as far as possible at all four screws. 2) Raise Z-axis enough to fit shims under the smooth rod. 3) Place a shim under each rod side as shown in the pictures. 4) Move X-axis assembly on z-axis as low as possible so that there is no gap between the rods and shims and the shims and frame. 5) Move Z-axis limit switch up so that it is in contact with the X-axis assembly. 6) Level build plate using standard note card method. 7) Use firmware to move Z-axis up 10mm 8) Remove Shims 9) Auto Home By doing this it will ensure that your X-axis is perfectly square to the build plate and that the z-axis lead screw bearings are exactly equidistant to the motor frames. By using this method I've gotten very good adhesion and excellent first layer quality. Print Settings Printer: Tygrin Engineering DeltaBot Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: .1mm Infill: 100% Notes: Printed with Hatchbox PLA on a custom Kossel Mini at 190C on 60C build plate covered in BuildTak.