3D Printer Calibration

Calibration Overview

3D Printer calibration is critical to 3D printing accuracy. These calculators and resources will allow you to calibrate your printer for optimal results.

Steps per milimeter

The steps per millimeter (steps/mm) calculation is used to calibrate the X, Y, Z and E axis of your 3D printer. This same calculation is used regardless of the axis. The process is to have a known target you are trying to reach and then measure the actual value. The calculator will then adjust your steps/mm based on the measured value to provide a new value which will match the target value.

M503 G-Code will reveal the M92 values. Use your existing X/Y/Z/E value for this field.
The expected amount of axis movement. For example, enter 100 if you move the axis 100mm.
The actual amount of axis movement. Use of calipers is recommended, but a metric ruler can be used.
Enter this value, up to 2 decimal places, into Marlin for the axis you are calibrating. For example M92 X80.40 for the X axis. Be sure to then save your configuration in Marlin with M500.

Flow Compensation

Flow compensation is used to compensate for the expansion of the filament being pressed against the layer underneath. Use this calculator correct for the expansion of the filament by adjusting the flow rate. To use this calculator print a 20mm x 20mm x 20mm cube in vase mode and then measure the top 5 layers with your caliper. Measure near the center of the cube not near the edges. Enter the values below to see how you can adjust your flow compensation to produce the properly sized line width of extruded material.
Note that flow compensation can differ based on material.

Most slicers have flow compensation set to 100% by default.
Enter the diameter of your nozzle.
Measured Values
Measure the thickness of each side of the cube wall using the top 5 layers near the center of the wall.
Enter this value into one or more fields of Cura's flow compensation fields. Shell/Skin values are most important to modify for accurate parts.

Startup GCode Generator

The startup code generator creates startup GCode for your 3D Printer. Simply copy and paste the output into your slicers startup gcode settings and you're done.
You can enable a number of features including Bed Leveling, Nozzle Purge and Wipe, Sound Alerts and more.

Printer
The X size of your 3D Printer Bed in mm
The Y size of your 3D Printer Bed in mm

Options
Execute a G34 and align the Z axis before homing the printer.
Execute a G28 and home the printer before printing. (required for most printers)
G29 - Adds bed levling, Loads from Mesh 0, Performs mesh tilt before printing to level plane.
Uses landing strip on your print bed to purge and prime nozzle, wipe tip right before printing. This feature requires a small space on your print bed to have a piece of painters tape on the front of your bed, called a landing strip, for the purge and wipe.
This feature allows you to turn off things like a "Skirt" or purge line that takes up more space on your bed.

Landing Strip Size 15mm X 40mm.
This feature only works on a rectangular print bed.
[See this in action]
Adds M300 Audio feedback and a CHARGE! Fanfare when printing begins.

Output