XYZprinting Da Vinci 3D Printer - Calibrating the Bed!

Please visit www.DIY3DTech.com for more information on this and many other projects! As in this episode we will be calibrating the Bed XYZprinting Da Vinci 3D Printer and should work for the XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 /1.0a, and XYZprinting Da Vinci 2.0 Duo 3D Printer. Bed calibration is of critical importance for getting you 3D prints to stick to the bed, other you can experience no end of issues. Remember, give yourself at least an hour and take your time think things though and in end it will be worth. This is especially true if the printer is new.
XYZprinting Da Vinci 3D Printer cartridges on Amazon:
amzn.to/1Q6JHOa
XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 3D Printer, Blue:
amzn.to/1Q6JOJp
XYZprinting Da Vinci 2.0 Duo 3D Printer, Blue
amzn.to/1ReyydX

[@letter2steve]

Hi there. I am in the midst of fixing one of these. It was broken and enroute to the landfill. My teacher partner asked if I wanted to fix it for her school. It turned out one of the shaft mounts was pretty busted so I'm trying to fix it enough to print it's own replacement parts. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to play with a 3D printer for free. I'm really glad you made this video because calibration is a pretty tricky process. I'm getting close as I type this. Thanks so much for taking the time to make such a detailed video. 🙂

[@sqidybilly]

tysm, for some reason there are no videos on calibrating 3d printers and this honestly helped me, thank you.

[@TrancyHivePro]

Thank you so much for posting this! I'm new to 3d printer and I just bought a da vinci 1.0 second hand and the calibration was so incredibly off. This video helped me out a lot. Thank you!

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

+TrancyHivePro glad it helped! Also be sure to subscribe as there will be a lot more coming!

[@Retinalism]

This was very helpful, while I didn't calibrate when I first got mine last year (cause the instructions said emphatically not to) my printing results so far seemed acceptable. I was however, from about the second or third print, encountering occasional chipping of the glass printbed when removing items, despite carefully cleaning and applying glue etc. Today I swapped out the badly chipped original bed for a new one I claimed on warranty. After reassembly I thought it wise to "calibrate", and sure enough, I'm well out of the ball park. In fact my last 2 values were "ERR". Suffice to say I'll be busy into the wee small hours tonight straightening this out. First I think i'll give the nozzle a good brush clean as I suspect that MAY be causing the ERR, BUT, here I'd appreciate your response: is it possible the alignment is that that far out it won't travel to contact?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

+Retinalism The chipping beds where common in the earlier models, so you not getting a value for the last two and just ERR? I would say when when you reassembled the bed the Ground straps where not re-connected correctly or there is a break in the wire. I believe that 1&2 share the same ground and 3 is a separate ground (again I believe not 100% sure). Check the instructions for calibration too as this will show each touch point. So if wire brushing doesn't work, check your ground wires and let me know how you make out.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

+Jennifer Silva ah! Ok good to hear it was a simple fix, those are the best!

[@DwarMeji]

Unless the print head scrapes along the glass print bed you should not routinely calibrate. Once you try dozens of times and decide to just leave it as it is, you will see that the prints are just fine anyway. By the way, it might be a good idea to tie and long rubber band to that dangling, plastic-wrap wiring harness(12:30) to keep it away from a blade-like sensor part to keep it from getting caught and possibly having it cut some wires. At least it is a real risk in the All-In-One(AiO) unit.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

In the past I would calibrate every dozen prints or so as the aggressiveness required to remove the ABS print from the bed would alter/deform spring tension in the bed...

[@logangebhardt]

turning knob right is minus left is positive (also check at 8:01 for tuning)

[@Dylan-qk8ss]

Great video, the measurements got me through.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Great to hear! :-)

[@RandomPete]

KEEPING THE LIGHT ON if you go under settings click power saving mode off that will keep the light on all the time.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

+Random Pete yupper many thanks!

[@w0ttheh3ll]

I have been given a Da Vinci Duo with just 40 hours of print time and lots of cartridges. The printer calibration consistently fails with an ERR on touch-off point two because the sense pin misses the metal pad in y-direction (not z!). I suspect that some of the commenters here with ERRs on points two and/or three might have had similar issues. It seems that my printer's x-axis is not parallel to the print bed and is not perpendicular to the y-axis.

[@thelousygitarist6830]

I've got 3 error messages. How did you get it fixed? It looks like the bed is to low in overal, so it does not measure it..

[@w0ttheh3ll]

@@thelousygitarist6830 yeah, I manually moved/aligned the little wheels in the drive belts until the axes were as close to perpendicular as I could get them

[@thelousygitarist6830]

@@w0ttheh3ll I'm doong it right now, it worked indeed. I used a thicker piece of paper, and just used to jog mode to go everywhere and screw it up or down with the screws beneath the bed. It worked as I that it now shows numbers instead of errors haha

[@w0ttheh3ll]

@@thelousygitarist6830 nice

[@The53535353535353535]

I just calibrated mine to 225 and now the extruder is running into the build plate and isn't extruding properly. Should I re-calibrate it to a lower number or what?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

+Daniel Young if it does not successfully then you have issue as the number simply tells you how far it is out. So all three could read 225 and you read successful, however that still is a long way out as I like to be under 100 on all three. Also make sure the nozzle. Touch off point is clean as well the beds touch points too...

[@hab714ify]

My manual says to keep the numbers in the 230-260 range. From your experience, is an under 100 calibration better than that range?

[@jkcazy1692]

The calibrate never stays the same. Every time i measure it it changes even if I don't turn any knobs. I'll have a perfect level, then measure again and it all be off by quite a bit! Home do I set the z home height to make sure the first layer is printed at the right height

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Hmm, is everything tight as I have two of these and in neither have I seen this type of issue...

[@kasperholen8060]

I also have that issue and everything is as tight as it can go...

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Do you maybe have a broken mount? I know in some of the older modes this was a problem as Chuck Helbuck (CHEP) did a video on this about 2 years back...

[@kasperholen8060]

I can't see anything thats wrong atleast so im not sure

[@franzn.9620]

Hello, great video! I have a problem and I think you can only help me A few years ago I bought a Da Vinci 1.0. Because I print many constructive parts. The results are simply not dimensionally accurate. I have already changed the drawing accordingly, but I'm still not satisfied. Ask: Is it possible to calibrate the extruder? Is it possible to change the size of the component X / Y? I know other printers do that, but I can not handle the Da Vinci. Thank you for your help. Keep it up! Franz

[@franzn.9620]

I would like to let out 100 mm of filament from the extruder to check if that is 100 mm. Then I want to print a cube, 30x30x10 and then specify the dimensions in the G-code. Is that possible? Greetings Franz

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

First the Da Vinci are crap for serious dimensional work, second if your trying to get ABS dimensionally accurate it is possible but VERY hard! As yes you can and need to calibrate the extruder as well as the whole machine. The way I do it is design my part to actual size, print test cubes on the target Pinter and material and take the ratio and adjust my STL in the slicer for the errors. Again this also assumes I am starting off with a well calibrated printer

[@franzn.9620]

@@DIY3DTECHcom Thank You

[@adrianbeer223]

I have watched pretty much all your 3d printing videos. I am an xyz printer user. I have now got 3 (1.0 aio and Nobel 1.0) with a recent addition of the Pro 1.0 aio. Until now, i did not realise that while both da vincis can connect to a pc, the xyzware can only be used for one printer at a time when printing. Do you know of a work around? I recall you have/had many more than one running, did you connect them to different p c's?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

First thanks for watching! Second, you are correct as the XYZ ware send gcode to the printer and sorry to say there is not easy way other than connecting them different PC's as if your real computer savvy and if have a big enough computer you could set up Virtual Box and run multiple OS's and XYZ Ware. Oh how did do it? I re-flashed all of mine to release them from their XYZ Overlords and just upload to the memory card. Now you use to be able to be able side load a standard printer but believe a firmware update did away with this (I did a video on this many moons ago)...

[@Bram4Real]

Hello, When I tried to calibrate my bed for the first time, the third number was always +ERR+. I looked on the XYZPrinting website and found nothing about fixing the Y-axis. It seems like the Y and X axes do not extend as far as they should. Do you have any suggestions?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Yes, paper level the bed first the reason for the error is that point is to far out for auto-bed leveling to adjust for.

[@MrSircking]

hi great video can you direct me to a link, I bought my printer second hand and didn't get the information you showed in the video

[@svetlanaw6690]

Thank you for explaining so well!! Helped a lot

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Your welcome...

[@svetlanaw6690]

I have 2 questions, 1. seems like after every print the printer is off calibration. 2. What is the number range? Because the paper says 230-260 but I noticed you did about 200?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Sorry not sure I understand the question?

[@stacymoore9122]

The paper says to calibrate between those points for the best layer print out. That being said I try to hit about 210 for the lowest reading and I try to get within 10 point of each number

[@svetlanaw6690]

I do have a question The back left one which way do I turn it to make number go down? To the back of machine or to front of machine?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Lefty Loose (up), Rightie Tightie (down) as you face it...

[@MrSircking]

sorry the booklet you showed, or is it available at their site??

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

+Peter Noyce If you go to my website www.DIY3DTech.com and look on the menu bar you will see Manuals and have both the 1.0 & 2.0 posted there. Hope this helps!

[@MrSircking]

Brilliant thanks very much, did the calibration took me about an hour to get it right

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Yupper for the first time or two an hour is about right! Enjoy!

[@kiernanbabcock3365]

Any idea what to do when you get +ERR as one of the values

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Are you speaking of bed leveling? If yes this means you are to far out of alignment. Suggest doing a "paper" set up and get it really close and than do the auto level...

[@rosebarrette6292]

My printer does not give me these measurements, how do I get them to show on my printer?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Sorry as I don't have information of your particular case and more then likely its your version of firmware has locked them out...

[@balancenoptions1322]

How do I adjust the z offset on da vinci 1.0a I just put in a buildtak and need to raise it a little

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Sorry if it is stock there is no way I know of as that is one of the down falls of the DaVinis as they are a closed eco-system

[@balancenoptions1322]

DIY3DTECH.com have you ever tried the paper calibration ? If so how did it work out for you

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

With the stock version there is no real reason to do paper as it has the auto-calibrate and if you look in the playlists I did a video on this a little over a year ago. Today both of mine are re-flashed and and even with the auto-cal I do paper instead (its faster and almost as good)...

[@balancenoptions1322]

DIY3DTECH.com thank you

[@cindeequyenbui6547]

leveling the bed is easy i did it manual. but how do you calibrate the virtual bed on repetier and the physical bed on the printer to match? because when i print i notice the model is not in the center. one time i add a second 3d model. on repetier it appear on the bed but on the printer it was off the edge.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

First make sure you have your bed dimensions properly entered into Repetier and second, When you load an object, just click the center tool. Again from the way it sound the parameters are not set correctly in Repetier host...

[@ARCTICRIZZLER1000]

im getting error on 3rd plate i dont know why

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

this likely means its to far out to read. Would suggest to doing a really, really good paper align than try again...

[@ARCTICRIZZLER1000]

DIY3DTECH.com I got it now I printed a part and then started to make a coaster about 25% in it stopped laying the plastic down , tried to take it out nothing will budge and I cleaned the nozzle many times

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

So you get it working?

[@ARCTICRIZZLER1000]

DIY3DTECH.com yes after I printed one object

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Cool! :-)

[@nicktelfer7553]

how do you like the 1.0?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Since I reflashed it, YES!

[@nicktelfer7553]

+DIY3DTECH.com what is the best way to clean the nozzle?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Get some of these amzn.to/2ax8ZI8 and check my video list as show them on fab/mini. It would be the same for the Da Vinci

[@xxlmediapromotions9215]

26 mins for a 5 min task /yawn

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Figured you might of needed some beauty sleep :-)

[@rjamesy]

Seriously I am dizzy... 'I am going to adjust 2 and 3, which is back to the left and rear right... ummm hang on.. no now I will adjust it sideways 50 turns to the left of the front to the rear and then... no hang on, I am wrong. The front can be adjusted by unscrewing the rear to the right, but if you look to the left you can see the right rear also can do the same as the front which is next to the rear left on the side'.... WTF, I need a drink... FFS. Glad you don't have the nuclear passwords.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

LOL! That is the way I first felt too! Is this your first printer?

[@rjamesy]

Yes it is... sorry I was a bit cranky with my comment yesterday... I was pi$$ed off trying to level the bed. Anyway all done now.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Oh if your using the "stock" firmware I am with you brother as I invented new swear words! However the reason I ask is do you know how to do a "paper" level"? As I would suggest doing a VERY good paper level and than do the auto level

[@cosmblus]

DIY3DTECH.com how do you do a paper level. My numbers: +ERR, +394, +ERR. I know almost nothing about this machine and I’ve had it laying around for awhile. Any help is appreciated. Edit: also my 2nd number seems to change every time

[@Mickice]

Looks like hell.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

+Mickice Many thanks :-)

[@Mickice]

I fully agree with what you said about 3 axis bed levelling Vs 4 tho. My FlashForge Finder has 3 axis, I just do a boundary box print 0.1mm and level that first line of plastic around the bed till it is just right while it is running.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Do like wise on my Wanhao, however the Da Vinci's have auto-level so it adjusts the g-code on the fly based upon its calibration settings so a little different....