Live-Z Adjustment Is it MORE or LESS Negative
I've heard different things from different people. I just checked the manual - and sadly - it doesn't definitively and clearly explain, what values to use to move the nozzle closer to the build plate. [insert crying emoticon here]
If I want my nozzle CLOSER to the build plate; how to I adjust my live Z? (notice I am asking how to adjust the Z value to move the nozzle closer to the build plate)
EXAMPLE: Let's say right now, or to start with my Z value is -0.2 (negative zero point two); what number would move the nozzle closer to the build plate?
A) Adjust it to say -0.45 (make it a more negative number)
B) Adjust it to say -0.18 (make it a more positive number)
P L E A S E :::: Why is it sooooOOOOOooo hard, and so unclear?
Frustrated in Philly
RE: Live-Z Adjustment Is it MORE or LESS Negative
For the Mk3/Mk3s, more negative LOWERS the nozzle, bringing it closer to the bed. Moving from -0.2 to 0.45 would make the number more negative, effectively subtracting it from the 0 position and bringing the nozzle closer to the bed. Moving from 0.2 to 0.18 would raise it, increasing the distance between nozzle and bed. I usually move in increments of 0.02mm once it gets close.
For the Mk2, I believe it is reversed, which can add to confusion.
RE: Live-Z Adjustment Is it MORE or LESS Negative
Zero Z is not Ground Zero as in the nozzle crashing on the PEI sheet. Zero Z is the value of Z as set after the initial hardware setup per instructions, prior to the first Live Z adjustment, as walked through by the setup assistant. For an i3MK3s you'll want to go negative to go lower with the nozzle. In the metric system a value of -1 is two units lower than 1. A value of -3 is five units lower than 2.
A value of -1 is ten times lower than -.1 and a hundred time lower than -.01
I try to give answers to the best of my ability, but I am not a 3D printing pro by any means, and anything you do you do at your own risk. BTW: I have no food for…
RE: Live-Z Adjustment Is it MORE or LESS Negative
To be specific zero is the point at which the pinda probe detects the metal print bed. As pinda probes vary this distance is usually anywhere up to 2mm above the bed. As your nozzle is lower than the pinda probe what you are doing is lowering the whole extruder until the nozzle is at the perfect height (for that particular sheet/nozzle/filament combination).
So for example say your Pinda detects at 1.500mm above the bed and your nozzle is 0.500mm lower than the Pinda. That would mean that your nozzle was 1.000mm above the bed. If you change your Live Z value to be -0.500 then your nozzle will now be 0.500mm (half of a millimetre) above the bed. If you change your Live Z value to be -1.000 then the nozzle will be touching the bed.
Obviously you don't want that which is why the Live Z value is lowered gradually a bit at a time as it is printing one of the test squares/circles. You lower it a bit at a time until it squishes the plastic being extruded the perfect amount. That combined with a clean bed will get you a perfect first layer that sticks fantastically.
RE: Live-Z Adjustment Is it MORE or LESS Negative
For the Mk3/Mk3s, more negative LOWERS the nozzle, bringing it closer to the bed. Moving from -0.2 to 0.45 would make the number more negative, effectively subtracting it from the 0 position and bringing the nozzle closer to the bed. Moving from 0.2 to 0.18 would raise it, increasing the distance between nozzle and bed. I usually move in increments of 0.02mm once it gets close.
For the Mk2, I believe it is reversed, which can add to confusion.
RE: Live-Z Adjustment Is it MORE or LESS Negative
Moving from the negative number -0.2 to the positive number 0.45 is well......actually moving in a positive direction.
RE: Live-Z Adjustment Is it MORE or LESS Negative
Thanks for the clarification here.......