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VII. PREPARING FOR USE
1. Bed Leveling
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The first and most important step to ensure the success of
3D printing is to ensure that the build plate is parallel to the
plane in which the nozzle of the extruder travels keeping
the distance to the Build plate constant. This is also called
"leveling" in 3D printing. There are four levelling points,
one near each corner of the bed, Each uses a screw and
a levelling knob to compress a spring supporting the build
plate. Turning the knob on the screw compresses or
decompresses the spring which supports the build plate.
The directions are marked on the knobs with up and down
arrows.
To level your build plate for the first time, please follow the instructions below:
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First remove the glass from the bed of the printer, prise the 2 securing clips away from the edge of the bed and remove the glass plate.
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Peel the protective film off the glass plate, make sure it is clean on both sides and that the surface of the aluminium bed is also clean.
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Tighten the levelling knobs (anti-clockwise) to compress the springs and lower the build plate, if the knob is too slack the screw
may just turn in place rather than compressing the spring. If so hold the screw thread in place while tightening the knob until it
stays in place by itself. Lower it evenly as far as it will go but be careful that the bottom of the build plate stays clear of the ends
of the Y axis drive belt which stick up underneath it.
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Refit the glass plate, it has a smooth side and a textured side, lay it smooth side down on top of the aluminium bed, make sure it
is square and attach it using the clips, one in the front centre and one in the back centre.
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Turn on the printer and from the menus go to the Prepare menu, highlight Auto Home and Tap to select. The printer will now go
through a homing sequence which moves the nozzle to the front left corner in it’s lowest position.