I have owned a delta style 3D printer for a few years now. In the beginning, I spent a lot of time reading, changing settings, and printing various test models. This was a lot of work and fun building up a knowledge base. Lately, I have started creating my own models that fit together such as a box with a lid. This has led me to want prints that are more dimensionally accurate.
There are a number of challenges to getting dimensionally accurate prints. Starting with the space around the printer. Air Temperature, air movement, humidity have an impact how fast the freshly extruded material cools. The printer is next. The quality of motors, quality of the sensors, quality of the parts, and physical connections have an impact on how the print head moves. Then there is the filament. The type of filament dictates how much shrinkage occurs while the print cools and quality of filament have an impact on how smoothly the filament extrudes.
I performed a number steps to calibrate the printer.
- Checked all the physical connections to make sure they are firmly in place. Mostly this was tightening screws and nuts.
- Checked the drive belts.
- No broken teeth
- Each belt should have the same tension.
- Calibration Check and Adjustment
- Bed Level Check and Adjust
Resources
Dimensional accuracy of 3D printed parts from
3D Hubs
A Guide to Understanding the Tolerances of Your 3D Printer from
MatterHackers
Advanced Delta Printer CalibrationDelta dimensional calibration tool
