Triple Z Bed Leveling
The CoreXY motion system is a good solution if you’re looking to print faster. The 3d printer kinematics has become more popular in the last couple of years as users and DIY builders agree on an increase in print quality. The motion system is more lightweight compared to other 3d printer kinematics such as cartesian 3d printer kinematics. A light-weight gantry is needed to increase print speed without affecting print quality. This is all important when attempting to get high quality 3d printed parts.
A 3d printer’s Z-axis is a crucial component for successful printing. The Z-axis moves the print head up and down, which determines how high your prints will be on the build plate Z-height. The SolidCore printer‘s z-axis setup uses a 3-point bed leveling system. The z-axis design utilizes three independent stepper motors driven by a belt to lead screw mechanism for precise movement.
The 3-point bed leveling is a z-axis design that uses three independent stepper motors driven by belt to lead screw mechanism. The belt and pulley ratio gives the steppers more torque, which increases resolution and also minimizes vibrations transmitted from the motors to build plate affecting print quality. This z-axis setup is precise during auto level and calibration when compared with other setups.
What is the Z-Axis and how does it work?
The z-axis and vertical motion is a critical component in bed leveling. The z-axis typically works by using lead screws and linear rails to constrain movement. I’ll walk you through what a z-axis is, why it’s important in 3D printing, and how to design one. The z-axis on a printer or any other machine, is the axis that moves up and down. It’s what controls the vertical motion of your printed object. The z-axis typically works by using lead screw or ball screw to transfer motion and constrain movement.
Cantilever Bed vs 3-point Bed Leveling
While many of the original corexy printers used cantilever beds, carriage wheels or smooth rod the newer and better corexy published designs are now using linear rails and have adopted more functional mechanisms such as belted z-axis, toolchangers and non-planar 3d printing concepts such as 3-point bed leveling or triple z with kinematic coupling bed mounts for tilting print beds for perfect bed leveling. Although the simplicity of older corexy reprap printers were less technical and easier for new users, the increasing number of options and features can easily be adopted from corexy design platform to another, which has exponentially inspired contributors as they work to identify or fix potential issues or increase overall print volume. 3D printer designs such as the HyperCube use a cantilevered bed lifting mechanism which is fine for what is now considered a smaller print bed size. For example, most earlier designs have
Dual Z vs Triple Z
While earlier corexy 3d printers used the more common cantilever bed lifting mechanism which utilized a single stepper motor 3d printer with a dual Z axis lead screw setup mechanical layout which also worked well. However, there are plenty of mods available that implement dual-Z or linear rails or other components that increase accuracy and repeatability.
Belted Z-Axis Drive
Z-axis belt drive can eliminate z-wobble and increase print resolution. The belt driven z-axis can deliver great results, but can become more complex as depending on the design approach as more parts are used. The belt drive system needs to have enough torque and some way of limiting it when needed. You’ll also need the bed to not drop when the motors are disabled.
Kinematic Bed Mounting
SolidCore CoreXY Z-Axis Bed Leveling
We recently started working on the SolidCore 3d printer‘s bed leveling and mounting system. The z-axis uses a 3-point kinematic bed mounting with magnetic pivot spheres on each mount This properly constrains the bed at 3 points of contact. The pivot balls that attach the Z-axis bed mounts can be held into position by the weight of the bed or magnetic force. The pivot balls seat into the dowel pins to eliminate lateral play within the bed system.
3-Point Bed Leveling
Three point bed leveling uses three independently driven lead screws to automatically level the bed and compensate for a bent or uneven plate. The Z-axis lead screws are used as the 3 points that make up a triangle, defining one plane. The advantage of a kinematic bed mount is that the defined plane of the bed, a kinematic mount, is that the aluminum plate can properly expand without bending the plate.
Bed Flatness
Heating the build plate causes the aluminum build plate to expand unevenly. Cast Aluminum tool plate is a good solution because it has good thermal conductivity and heats up evenly without warp or twist. The bed needs to be flat and remain level In three point bed leveling, the three z-axis lead screws are used as the three points that make up a triangle and define a plane.
Kinematic Components
The kinematic mounting system will use three kinematic mounts for the 3-point bed leveling setup.
Each Kinematic Mount Contains:
1 x Kinematic Base
1 x Neodymium Ring Magnet
2 x Dowel Pins
Magnets
Kinematic Bed Mounting
SolidCore CoreXY Z-Axis Bed Leveling
We recently started working on the SolidCore 3d printer‘s bed leveling and mounting system. The z-axis uses a 3-point kinematic bed mounting with magnetic pivot spheres on each mount This properly constrains the bed at 3 points of contact. The pivot balls that attach the Z-axis bed mounts can be held into position by the weight of the bed or magnetic force. The dowel pins ensure that there is zero lateral play on the bed. You can only move it by lifting it.
3-Point Bed Leveling
Three point bed leveling uses three independently driven lead screws to automatically level the bed and compensate for a bent or uneven plate. The Z-axis lead screws are used as the 3 points that make up a triangle, defining one plane. The advantage of a kinematic bed mount is that the defined plane of the bed, a kinematic mount, is that the aluminum plate can properly expand without bending the plate.
Bed Flatness
In a standard aluminum stock, as heat warps or cools down your aluminum build plate, it expands unevenly; this causes problems with the much needed flatness of the print bed as it will eventually bend under pressure. The bed can raise or lower without binding or twisting, keeping the bed flat.
Cast Aluminum Tool Plate
Cast Aluminum tool plate is a good solution because it has good thermal conductivity and heats up evenly without warp or twist. The bed needs to be flat and remain level In three point bed leveling, the three z-axis lead screws are used as the three points that make up a triangle and define a plane.
Three Points Define A Plane
Since 3 points define a plain, 3 screws, evenly placed in a triangle will raise and lower that plain without imparting any twisting forces so the bed will stay flat.
Advantages of The Kinematic Mount
A mechanical bind can cause the bed to tilt over time. The advantage of a kinematic bed mount is the aluminum plate to expand and to be set in tram with the XY plane of the printer without causing anything to bend or flex.