Slic3r Manual – Calibration

Before even attempting the first print it is vital that the printer is correctly calibrated. Skipping or rushing this step will result in frustration and failed prints later, so it is important to take the time to make sure the machine is correctly set up.

Each machine may have it’s own calibration procedure and this manual will not attempt to cover all the variations. Instead here is a list of key points that should be addressed.

Frame is stable and correctly aligned.
Belts are taut.
Bed is level in relation to the path of the extruder.
Filament rolls freely from the spool, without causing too much tension on the extruder.
Current for stepper motors is set to the correct level.
Firmware settings are correct including: axis movement speeds and acceleration; temperature control; end-stops; motor directions.
Extruder is calibrated in the firmware with the correct steps per mm of filament.

The point regarding the extruder step rate is vital. Slic3r expects that the machine will accurately produce a set amount of filament when told to do so. Too much will result in blobs and other imperfections in the print. Too little will result in gaps and poor inter-layer adhesion.

Please refer to the printer documentation and/or resources in the 3D printing community for details on how best to calibrate a particular machine.