Prusa i3 bed probe - mechanical switch parts

thingiverse

After conducting some experiments, I've concluded that this approach isn't only ineffective but actually causes more problems than before. It's still available so you can learn from my missteps. A bed probe enables your printer to compensate for uneven beds, making it slightly easier to print without intervention. In theory, this method turns your printer into a more "fire-and-forget" device. The probe switch connects a limit switch to a servo arm. The probe mount secures the servo under the extruder and organizes cables. Take a look at the images for further clarification. This approach is useless because the servo doesn't consistently bring the arm down to the same angle each time. Measurements are wildly different, and the software believes the bed is at an impossible angle. As a result, you'll end up crashing into the bed, damaging the nozzle, or printing in mid-air – basically everything that could go wrong does. Next, I'm going to try using an induction probe. For more information about the projects I work on, check out http://marginallyclever.com. Instructions Physical assembly I used a 9g servo and a limit switch with a roller for this project. The roller component isn't necessary. The 35mm M3 screws that secure the hot end into the extruder also hold the probe mount in place. A recess on one side keeps the wires for the hot end and the servo safely out of harm's way. The servo arm is glued into the probe arm, while the switch is secured with a zip tie. There's a hole in the arm to keep the wires away from the nozzle. Code Configuring your firmware is the more challenging part. Since I haven't yet published this tutorial and linked it here, I encourage you to reach out to me if you need help. Write something uplifting!