Mastering Bed Levelling for 3D Printing Success with Simplify3D

Achieving a perfectly level print bed is a crucial step in ensuring successful 3D printing with consistent, high-quality results. Whether you're a seasoned 3D printing enthusiast or just starting out, understanding the importance of bed levelling and mastering the techniques can make a significant difference in the quality of your printed objects. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of bed levelling, exploring the manual and automatic methods available in the Simplify3D slicer software. By the end of this article, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to tackle this essential aspect of 3D printing and take your creations to new heights.

A properly levelled print bed is the foundation for successful 3D printing. When the bed is not level, the distance between the extruder nozzle and the print surface can vary, leading to a range of issues, such as:

• Uneven layer deposition: If the nozzle is too close to the bed in some areas, the layers may be squished, resulting in poor adhesion and potential warping. Conversely, if the nozzle is too far from the bed in other areas, the layers may not adhere properly, leading to gaps or poor layer bonding.
• Inconsistent first layer: The first layer is crucial for the overall success of a print. An uneven bed can cause the first layer to be inconsistent, leading to poor adhesion, gaps, or even complete print failure.
• Warping and deformation: Uneven heat distribution across the print surface can cause the edges of the print to warp or deform, ruining the final result.

By ensuring a perfectly level print bed, you can eliminate these problems and enjoy a smooth, reliable 3D printing experience.

The traditional method of bed levelling involves manually adjusting the height of the print bed using the adjustment screws or knobs on your 3D printer. This process typically involves the following steps:

1. Prepare the Print Bed : Clean the print surface thoroughly to remove any debris or residue that could affect the levelling process.
2. Print a Levelling Pattern : Many 3D printers come with built-in levelling patterns or you can find them online. These patterns usually consist of a series of test prints that help you identify areas of the bed that need adjustment.
3. Adjust the Bed Height : Carefully observe the test prints and use the adjustment screws or knobs to raise or lower the bed until the lines or patterns are evenly distributed across the entire surface.
4. Repeat the Process : Repeat the test print and adjustment steps until you achieve a perfectly level bed.

While manual bed levelling can be time-consuming, it's a valuable skill to master, as it allows you to fine-tune the bed to your specific printer and filament requirements.

For a more streamlined bed levelling experience, Simplify3D offers an automatic bed levelling feature. This advanced functionality takes the guesswork out of the process and can save you a significant amount of time and effort.

Here's how to use the automatic bed levelling feature in Simplify3D:

1. Enable Automatic Bed Levelling : In the Simplify3D software, navigate to the "Process Settings" tab and locate the "Bed Leveling" section. Enable the "Automatic Bed Leveling" option.
2. Configure the Levelling Settings : Simplify3D provides several customizable settings for the automatic bed levelling process, including the number of probe points, the probe speed, and the probe height. Adjust these settings based on your printer's specifications and the complexity of your print.
3. Generate the G-Code : When you're ready to print, Simplify3D will automatically generate the G-code that includes the necessary bed levelling commands. This G-code will instruct your printer to probe the bed at the specified points and adjust the print head accordingly.
4. Monitor the Levelling Process : During the printing process, you can observe the bed levelling process in action. Simplify3D will display the measured heights at each probe point, allowing you to identify any problem areas.

The automatic bed levelling feature in Simplify3D takes the guesswork out of the process and ensures a consistently level print bed, even if your printer's bed is not perfectly flat. This can save you a significant amount of time and effort, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your 3D printing projects.

There are a few different types of bed sensors; these are.

•  Probe sensors  are sensors that can pick up any surfaces like metal, wood, plastic there are many other different types of material. The auto bed sensor we have found suitable as a probe sensor is the BLTouch. Probe sensors are very accurate and would be the number one sensor for your 3D printer in our eyes.
•  Inductive sensors  can only pick up metal surfaces. If choosing this sensor, please make sure your print surface is metal. There is a way around this, by placing down a thin metal sheet on your 3D printer bed, you will need to take into account the thickness of this sheet and compensate it in your z offset.
•  Proximity sensors  in our eyes would be a better candidate than the inductive sensor. This sensor picks up the distance between the sensor and your print surface.

If you are using the 3D printer for the 1st time then it is an only process in Simplify3D to get your profile imported, you can find them on the internet or by going to Help > Configuration Assistant within the software. Not all 3D printer profiles are loaded into Simplify3D. This you can correct by downloading them or making a fresh one.

Once the profile is loaded click on “ Edit Process Settings “, go to the scripts tab, select the starting script. This script lets you control what happens at the start of each print. The “G29” command tells the printer to perform the auto levelling process. The printer will conduct its regular homing operation first before it begins, the auto levelling process. It is crucial to make sure the  G29 command is after the G28 (homing command) in the starting script.

Despite your best efforts, you may still encounter issues with bed levelling. Here are some common problems and solutions to help you troubleshoot:

1. Uneven Bed Surface : If your print bed is not perfectly flat, you may need to consider using a bed levelling sensor or a glass or metal print surface to achieve a more consistent surface.
2. Inconsistent Probe Readings : If the automatic bed levelling process is not providing consistent results, check for any obstructions or debris on the bed surface, and ensure that your printer's mechanics are in good working order.
3. Adhesion Issues : If your prints are not sticking to the bed, even with a level surface, try adjusting the first layer height or using a bed adhesion solution, such as a glue stick or hairspray.
4. Warping or Deformation : If you're experiencing warping or deformation, ensure that the bed temperature is appropriate for the filament you're using and consider using a heated bed or a print enclosure to maintain a consistent temperature.

By addressing these common issues and continuously refining your bed levelling process, you'll be well on your way to achieving consistently high-quality 3D prints.

Please make sure you save the new profile settings and make sure you have backups to test if the settings you have added works.

When you start a new test print watch over this to make sure the automatic bed sensor starts probing at the start of each print. Please keep in mind that your firmware controls the auto bed levelling process, the exact locations the probe moves will indicate the levelling you want it to do.

If you’ve gotten this far WELL DONE . So now I’m guessing the auto bed levelling has worked and that your 3D printer moves on a level plane. But keep in mind that you may still need to make adjustments to your first layer settings for optimal adhesion. You can do this by using the command “M851 Z-1.2” of course the -1.2 won’t be what you need you but remember you can adjust these settings (– moves closer to the bed + moves further away)