NWA3D A31 User Manual
4.
Leveling the Build Plate
Video Tutorial:
How to level the build plate
To 3D print good parts, the build plate needs to be level and at the correct
distance from the nozzle. If it’s too close to the nozzle, the nozzle will dig into the
build surface, or the melted plastic will not be able to come out of the nozzle. If
it’s too far from the nozzle, the part will not stick to the build surface or will
warp.
If you use blue painter’s tape as your print surface, the nozzle needs to be about
0.10mm from the build plate in all locations. This is about the thickness of a
single sheet of copier paper. If you use a LokBuild print surface, the nozzle needs
to be about 0.20–0.25mm from the build plate in all locations. This is about the
thickness of two sheets of copier paper (or one sheet folded in half to double its
thickness).
You want to adjust the height of the build plate so that you can slide the paper
between the nozzle and the build plate with some resistance. You should feel the
paper vibrating and dragging when you move it between the nozzle, but not so
close that the copier paper buckles.
1. Select Setup > Auto home. This will move the nozzle to the home position at
the front left corner of the build plate, where the X, Y, and Z axis are set to
0,0,0.
2. When the motors stop, select Setup > Disable motors. This will allow you to
move the hot end of the extruder assembly (X axis) and build plate (Y axis)
by hand.
Pro Tip
:
The Z axis motor is also disabled, and you don’t want it
to move at all. So you should handle the printer gently during the
leveling process. Keep it on a flat surface and move the nozzle
assembly carefully.
3. For painter’s tape print surfaces, slide a piece of copier paper between the
nozzle and the build plate. For LokBuild print surfaces, first fold the paper in
half to double its thickness, then slide it between the nozzle and build plate.
4. Move the hot end (X axis) and build plate (Y axis) so that the nozzle is
directly above one of the four adjustment nuts under the bed. Adjust the nut
until the paper slides with just a tiny bit of drag, then move the nozzle and
repeat the process at the other three nut locations.
5. Repeat Steps 1–4 until the amount of tension on the paper is consistent at all
locations, including the center of the build plate.
6. The first layer of the print will show whether the distance between the
nozzle and build plate is correct. Refer to the following graphic for clarity.
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