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Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)


cecilievf

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Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

Hi everyone!

I have both a Ultimaker Original and a Ultimaker 2 available and I'd like to be able to set the z=0 at any point I want as I'm trying to print on top of an object lying on the printing bed (build plate). I'm pretty sure this can be done by editing the gcode in Cura but I can't seem to make it work.

If anyone has any advice or pointers for me to try I'll be very grateful.

Thank you.

 

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    Quick and dirty: You can press your endstop early, and finetune by turning the Z spindle by hand.

    Slow and semi dirty: edit your Gcode so that every Z value is your desired height higher.

    Perhaps possible and quite ok: pause print at the start, tune Z height and resume print(I believe this requires some different firmware, like the one with the babysteps)

    Just three options that popped into my head

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    Thank you for your response.

    Your first solution: Is that while leveling the build plate? I tried doing that and got it level to where I wanted it but then when I wanted to print it just ignored it and tried to go all the way up to its usual zero. This was on the Ultimaker 2. I haven't tried it yet on the Ultimaker Original.

    How do I avoid my plate slamming into the nozzle when it starts printing?

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    if you know the exact hight of the plate you can write some start code that will firstly move the head down then set that hight as the home position and then everything else will start from there. you can move the z-stage by using G1 Zxx.x and then using G92 Z0.0 to set that as zero.

    please do keep your finger near the off switch. my G-code is a little rusty :p

    you can check here: http://reprap.org/wiki/G-code

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    ;Sliced at: {day} {date} {time}

    ;Basic settings: Layer height: {layer_height} Walls: {wall_thickness} Fill: {fill_density}

    ;Print time: {print_time}

    ;Filament used: {filament_amount}m {filament_weight}g

    ;Filament cost: {filament_cost}

    ;M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own bed temperature line

    ;M109 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line

    G21 ;metric values

    G90 ;absolute positioning

    M82 ;set extruder to absolute mode

    M107 ;start with the fan off

    G28 X0 Y0 ;move X/Y to min endstops

    G28 Z0 ;move Z to min endstops

     

    G1 Z16

    G92 Z0

     

    G1 Z15.0 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform down 15mm

    G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length

    G1 F200 E3 ;extrude 3mm of feed stock

    G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length again

    G1 F{travel_speed}

    M117 Printing... ;Put printing message on LCD screen

     

     

    I had this as my start gcode because I wanted the platform 16 mm lower, but the printer started printing something like 8 cm above the platform.

    Confuses me a lot..

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    so i had a talk with David. it seems that in the Ultimaker 2 there is a bug that overrules G92, he thought he fixed it but that only seemed to be the case in the Ultimaker Original firmware.

    so i'll ask him to fix it in the next firmware release for the UM2

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    So if i try the gcode I sent you on my Ultimaker Original i should be okay?

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    it should be fine. according to david. Give me a heads up if it doesn't work. i'll try to get him to look at it.

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    I've used G92 for many things. Maybe I never did G92 on the UM2, but that's hard to believe. Possible though.

    Anyway Martijn's solution is the better solution. You can play with it using pronterface, or just the Cura pronterface interface and send the commands manually.

    For example:

    G0 Z10

    moves to 10mm off the bed

    G92 Z0

    Tells Marlin that this is the new Z=0

    G0 Z1

    Should go 1mm higher

    G0 Z0

    Should go back to the new z=0 location (10mm up).

    G0 X100 Y100 Z0

    Should go to center of platform at the new z=0 spot.

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    I know for sure I've used G92 E99 to set the extruder to think it is now at 99mm. I know for sure I've done this on the UM2.

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    I can't make it work on the Ultimaker 2 but it works just fine on the Original.

    Thank you guys for all the help!

     

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    Posted · Set z=0 at a different point (printing on top of something else)

    Which version of the UM2 firmware are you using?

     

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