Gauge block holder

thingiverse

This is a straightforward squareness reference achieved using a 4-inch gauge block. If you have a gauge block set, you know the squareness of a block is not guaranteed. However, for squaring up the axis of a 3D printer, my blocks are far better than what's required. The holder simply secures the 4-inch gauge block to the linear guide rail bearing block. You then run a dial gauge up and down the 4-inch face by using the printer's Z-axis. Adjusting the axis tilt until the reading is constant. Next, rotate the dial indicator 90 degrees and repeat. Ultimately, you want a Z-axis that's 90 degrees to the print bed. Typical measurement indicators can be found at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3603753. Tramming, which involves adjusting the three motion axes to be right angles to each other on any machine, takes longer than expected and most printers are not designed for tramming. You'll likely need to improvise. Typically, tramming is done in software, but that causes distortions in prints that I want to avoid. -Peter