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Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod  

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Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

Introducing the world's most level Prusa Mini bed.
(idea from Paul_GD, prusa3d Discord)

 

 

(Click to enlarge)

 

What you need:

  • Length of 3mm ID 7-8mm OD high-temperature silicone tubing (can be found in car parts shops)
  • 8 M3 low-profile nylon locknuts
  • 8 M3x16 flat head countersunk Torx screws (hex will not work)
  • 3mm combination wrench
  • Computer with Pronterface or OctoPrint
  • Micro USB cable
  • Torx wrench or driver (recommend key for precision in later steps)
  • Tube cutting jig ( https://github.com/PaulGameDev/PrusaMK3_Silicone_Leveling )
  • Razorblade or sharp knife

 

Directions:

  1. Make sure your X-Z assembly is square with the Y assembly. If you can't get it right, try shimming.
  2. Power off the printer.
  3. Cut 8 pieces of silicone tubing using the jig linked above. Or if you have a steady hand, cut 8 x 10mm pieces without the jig.
  4. Remove printbed
  5. Remove heatbed (Follow the reverse order as stated here: https://manual.prusa3d.com/Guide/7.+Heatbed++&+PSU+assembly+(textile+sleeve)/589#s9738 )
  6. Remove the 8 3mm screws and spacers along the outside of the Y carriage (leave the center screw & spacer)
  7. Replace the heatbed while placing the cut silicone tubing between the carriage and the bed. Place the 8 Torx screws through the heatbed, silicone tube and carriage to hold it all together.
  8. Carefully apply pressure to a corner Torx screw to compress the silicone tube and loosely attach a low-profile 3mm nut.
  9. Go to the opposite corner and do the same. Now the other two corners and then the remaining screws. Be very careful here, you can break the heatbed if it bends too much.
  10. Start tightening the screws back into place until approximately 6mm between the Y carriage and the heatbed. ONE TURN EACH! This takes a while but ensures you get it back on level and without unnecessarily stressing the bed. (Follow the order as stated here: https://manual.prusa3d.com/Guide/7.+Heatbed++&+PSU+assembly+(textile+sleeve)/589#s9738 )
  11. Now screw in the center screw until tight.
  12. Power on the printer
  13. Plug in USB-B from computer to the printer
  14. Fire up Pronterface or OctoPrint and hit the connect to printer button
  15. In the bottom right text box, enter the following GCode followed by the enter key. `M104 S170` set extruder temp for bed leveling
    M140 S60 ; set bed temp

    M109 R170 ; wait for bed leveling temp

    M190 S60 ; wait for bed temp
  16. Once the temperature has reached the target, input the following GCode
    G28 ; home all without mesh bed level

    G29 ; mesh bed leveling
  17. Now, wait for the mesh leveling to complete.
  18. Copy results and paste them into the spreadsheet (B3:E6) here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iDbB3aLflnnJze0St2_mDPMZZynlTgUOanb5mXP_Qng/edit?usp=sharing (make a copy first)
    You might need to remove any `+` signs
  19. Copy results (A12:H18) and paste them into the website here: https://pcboy.github.io/g81_relative/
  20. Follow the instructions for which screws to turn and how far
  21. Repeat steps 18-21 until the numbers from the results section on the website are no more than .02 difference between your biggest and smallest numbers.
  22. Run Z calibration again resetting the current value. You've just changed the height of your print surface and you don't want to crash the nozzle into it.
  23. Spend loads of quality time printing the bottom 2mm of Benchy and getting that live-z value perfect.

 

Notes:

  • Why not the Nylock Mod? It's not that simple on the Mini. The Silicone Mod is superior in my opinion anyway.
  • Why Torx screws? Because the Mini's heatbed screw holes are not as deep as the Mk3's. Hex screws will sit proud of the bed.
  • Why low-profile locknuts? Actually the only area the low-profile locknut is required on is the top center mount point. This allows clearing the Y-axis motor mount.
  • If you cannot find low-profile locknuts, you can use regular ones, but you will need 18mm 3m Torx screws. However, the top center point REQUIRES a 16mm Torx screw and low-profile locknut. If you cannot find a single low-profile locknut, you can sand one down to at least 3mm height.

 

I take no responsibility or liability, for any damages including, but not limited to indirect or consequential and/or loss of life.

 

More pictures coming soon.

Best Answer by Benji:

Please read the up-to-date guide here: https://github.com/bbbenji/PMSBLM
and use the PMSBLM specific converter and plotter here: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Issues and bugs with the convert can be posted here: https://github.com/bbbenji/PMSBLM/issues

The original instructions are outdated and the Google Sheets converter depreciated. This is a friendly reminder as I am still regularly getting requests from people to edit the spreadsheet and am unabled to edit the original post.

This topic was modified 4 years ago 5 times by Benji

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 03/03/2020 1:18 pm
siraf72, Tuna209, Simon and 6 people liked
Oliver Thomsen
(@oliver-thomsen)
Eminent Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

I think I can top that 😉 

But I have to admit it took me almost 4 hours to get it like that 😅

Posted : 21/03/2020 3:04 pm
Slamer liked
Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@oliver

We got a new record holder here! 🙂 Did you also do the silicone or nylock mod?

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 21/03/2020 3:59 pm
Oliver Thomsen
(@oliver-thomsen)
Eminent Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@benji

Thanks 😊... the silicone mod 👍🏻

Posted : 21/03/2020 4:01 pm
3Dprintedgr
(@3dprintedgr)
Estimable Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

Looks really interesting and simple material wise. I still dont have my Mini so can I ask what material do they have under the heatbed in the original design? Just metal spacers or springs? 

One more question that comes to mind is since this mod can straighten the heatbed cant it be performed with the original design? 

Again I must say that I dont have my Mini yet so I cannot see the hardware myself at the moment.

Original Prusa Mini + Smooth PEI
Prusa Slicer 2.6.0

Posted : 27/03/2020 5:06 am
Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@geoper2

The original design uses 6mm metal spacers. It doesn't allow for adjustment.

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 27/03/2020 12:18 pm
SMMottershead
(@smmottershead)
Eminent Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

Hello, Nice idea. I'm just getting the parts together but cant find the low profile nylon nuts? Could you share a link please ?

Posted : 30/03/2020 8:22 pm
Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@theste1234

If you cannot find a single low-profile locknut, you can sand a regular one down to <= 3mm height.

If anyone finds them available at a reasonable price, let me know. 

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 30/03/2020 8:52 pm
NarlyB
(@narlyb)
Active Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

Do you know of a source for the screw you used?

Posted : 31/03/2020 2:43 am
Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@bryan-b7

I ordered them here: https://inoxprostal.pl/din-965-tx-a2-wkrety-metryczne-nierdzewne-plasko-stozkowe-na-torx/3312-din-965-tx-a2-m3x16-mm-wkret-metr-plasko-stozkowy-torx.html

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 31/03/2020 7:57 pm
WouterV
(@wouterv)
Eminent Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

Amazing mod! However it took me way too long to understand the instructions, some images would be helpful. What's the advantage of silicone over steel springs?

Posted : 04/04/2020 5:16 pm
Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@wouterv

If I ever take apart my bed again I will take pictures and rewrite this guide. I have noticed some small mistakes already, however, I am unable to edit this post anymore.

Metal springs expand & contract, shift and distort. The high temp silicone which is under constant pressure in this mod should mitigate these problems.

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 04/04/2020 5:41 pm
SMMottershead
(@smmottershead)
Eminent Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

Well I'm just got all the parts together (in the post) and I will try and take some photo and videos when doing the mod. 

The nyloc nuts are called AXA1052 and they are about 3mm and less

 

 

Posted : 04/04/2020 8:14 pm
Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@theste1234

That would be great! Thanks. Looking forward to your results. 

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 04/04/2020 8:38 pm
Brian Cotton
(@brian-cotton)
Active Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

Just wanted to thank you for the tutorial. I have just finished performing this mod and went from a 0.95mm shift to a 0.08mm shift in bed.

Prusa Mini with Bondtech heat-break

Posted : 02/05/2020 11:13 am
Oliver Thomsen
(@oliver-thomsen)
Eminent Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

Well said, 👍🏻 from me too

Posted : 02/05/2020 11:39 am
Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

So glad I could help:) However, the real MVP here is Paul_GD from prusa3d Discord.

I have found this mod as well as the Bondtech heatbreak both essential to my Prusa Mini.

Also, I'd love to see more pictures, if anyone has taken any worth sharing, so others can get a better idea of how this mod works.

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 02/05/2020 12:04 pm
Brian Cotton
(@brian-cotton)
Active Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@benji

I too have the Bondtech heat break. I have some interesting shapes on my silicone tube, your ones seem to all deflect the same way 🙂

Also, the blue pad underneath my printer - I have "borrowed" a tile from a kids foam "hopscotch" game and it has almost eliminated the vibration heard around the house.

I did not have a 3mm wrench so I had to improvise and drilled a hole (4mm) into some plastic then heated a sacrificial M3 nut with a blow torch and pressed into the plastic. worked well enough to do the job.

Prusa Mini with Bondtech heat-break

Posted : 02/05/2020 5:36 pm
Benji
(@benji)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

@briancotton4

That definitely is some interesting shape to those spacers 😀 What is the inner and outer diameter on those?
As for the DIY wrench, great idea 😀 I myself just used needle nose pliers to hold the lock nuts in place. We should probably just print a wrench 🙂
Thanks for sharing!

Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/

Posted : 02/05/2020 8:55 pm
Oliver Thomsen
(@oliver-thomsen)
Eminent Member
RE: Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod

We have a 3D printer, right? That's what I've used M3 Wrench 😜

Posted : 02/05/2020 10:43 pm
Razor and 3Dprintedgr liked
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