First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?
 
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First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?  

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kirby
(@kirby)
Trusted Member
First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?

I've had a MK3 (upgraded to MK3S) for about 2-1/2 years. Recently, I have a couple of parts that I believe will work better with a thinner extrusion width and lower layer heigh, so I bought the E3D nozzle fun pack and thought I would try a smaller nozzle.

I've seen various instructions for doing this, but what I'm not sure about is whether I should expect to have to dial in Live-Z after changing nozzles. If I do, that makes swapping them a longer process as I already have saved profiles for each of my build sheets with the stock 0.4mm nozzle.

 

Best Answer by --:

The MAIN and MOST IMPORTANT thing when changing nozzles is to follow the E3d-V6 nozzle change and assembly guides -- to the letter. There are no shortcuts.

And - when you change a nozzle, you MUST adjust the Live-Z.  It is not humanly possible to get everything back together within 10 microns. 

You might get lucky and get it back together within 200 microns, but you risk scratching the print sheet if you are off. So start with Live-Z set to 0 to be safe.

Posted : 30/10/2020 7:39 pm
JustMe3D
(@justme3d)
Honorable Member
RE: First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?

I would not want to give you a warranty that you don´t have to adapt Z when changing nozzles. Whilst the nozzles should be identical in overall length there may be variations, as well as variations in the force you will screw in the new nozzle and the re-tightening of the heater block. However, the change will not be that fundamental that you shouldn´t be able to perfect Z adjustment "on the fly" when printing either a quick test square or the first layer of a print.

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…

Posted : 30/10/2020 8:28 pm
kirby
(@kirby)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?

Thanks for the reply. So it sounds like I could change the nozzle, back off z maybe 1-2mm just to avoid scratching a sheet then do a quick live Z calibration dialing it back down near where I had it while watching the results during the calibration print. I use the square from the "life z adjust my way" thread, not the built in calibration. 

 

Overall I should be close but don't assume. 

Posted : 30/10/2020 9:01 pm
JustMe3D
(@justme3d)
Honorable Member
RE: First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?

Yes, sounds like a plan. I admit I have not bothered to back off Z and have so far risked the new nozzle hitting the printbed (which never happened so far, using different diameter E3D brass nozzles) but it´s certainly way more sensible and safe to do it like you describe. I use a standard 70x70x0.2mm square which I have sliced for a number of my favourite materials and I am usually done with recalibration having printed about a third of the square.

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…

Posted : 30/10/2020 9:14 pm
--
 --
(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?

The MAIN and MOST IMPORTANT thing when changing nozzles is to follow the E3d-V6 nozzle change and assembly guides -- to the letter. There are no shortcuts.

And - when you change a nozzle, you MUST adjust the Live-Z.  It is not humanly possible to get everything back together within 10 microns. 

You might get lucky and get it back together within 200 microns, but you risk scratching the print sheet if you are off. So start with Live-Z set to 0 to be safe.

This post was modified 3 years ago 2 times by --
Posted : 30/10/2020 10:00 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
RE: First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?

I recommend doing a quick Live-Z recalibration any time you make a hardware change that could impact leveling. Jeff Jordan's "Life Adjust" procedure makes it simple. 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 30/10/2020 11:58 pm
kirby
(@kirby)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?
Posted by: @bobstro

I recommend doing a quick Live-Z recalibration any time you make a hardware change that could impact leveling. Jeff Jordan's "Life Adjust" procedure makes it simple. 

Yup, I use that procedure. The "problem" (really just annoyance) is that if I want to go back and forth between nozzles easily, is this makes the stored per-sheet live-Z profiles in the printer much less useful. I guess I'll ignore that feature and go back to relying on a paper notes.

 

Posted : 31/10/2020 2:21 am
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
RE: First time changing a nozzle, will I need to change live z adjustment?
Posted by: @krb
[...] The "problem" (really just annoyance) is that if I want to go back and forth between nozzles easily, is this makes the stored per-sheet live-Z profiles in the printer much less useful. I guess I'll ignore that feature and go back to relying on a paper notes.
I apply a strip of blue painter's tape to the sheet and write the latest Live-Z value on it with a Sharpie. When it changes, a bit of alcohol cleans the writing off and I just update it in place. Usually the values will be close enough that I can guesstimate when watching the 1st layer go down.

 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 31/10/2020 5:39 am
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