Dimensional accuracy calibration

LARGE VOLUME / PRO / DESK series

When printing objects that really needs a high accuracy on the dimensions you can compensate it by adding a line in the start G-Code of your slicing software. By default, there is a compensation done with PLA in the factory. This setting can be found in the configuration file of the 3D printer. Every material will need its calibration if you really want to have super high accuracy in your printed dimensions. Some materials will contract more than others. In the folder Tractus3D on the machine (if not deleted) you will find a file called: DimensionCalibration.gcode

Use this file only for PLA on the machine, in combination with a 0.4 nozzle. If you want to calibrate for other materials use the STL file and slice the file to generate a g-code (don’t rotate the file on the bed in your slicing software).

If you deleted the folder or need the STL file, please download these from our website or ask our support desk to send you this file. Print this file with your selected material. Take a calliper and measure the length of the X and Y part and thickness (Z) of the print and write down the numbers which in this example we call them PrintX, PrintY and PrintZ

The next steps can be a bit theoretical but when you take the time to master this you can hit a high accuracy.

In the console of your machine (LCD or web interface) type the following command:

M579 (press enter or click send)

You’ll get the result like this: Axis scale factors: X: 0.997, Y: 1.009, Z: 1.000

Rename this MachineX, MachineY and MachineZ to make the calculation.

If the dimensions are right the PrintX and PrintY side of the print would be 100mm and the PrintZ height would

be 10mm. In this example your print as PrintX=99.82mm and PrintY=100.33mm and PrintZ is correct.

Formula for dimension calibration

To calculate the scaling factor, we need to do the following steps:

• PrintX / MachineX = RealX (99.82 / 0.997 = 100.12mm)
• PrintY / MachineY = RealY (100.33/1.009 = 99.435mm)

Now we know the real machine values we can calculate the new dimensions:

• 100 / RealX ( = 0.9988)
• 100 / RealY ( = 1.0057)

This number is our new scale factor, in your slicer would be Scale X to 99.88% and Scale Y to 100.57%

Or find and change this line in your config.g file which you can access through the Web interface > Settings > System Editor

Change the M579 X0.997 Y1.009 line to M579 X0.9988 Y1.0057