Scanning Z probe support in RRF 3.5

[dc42]

@lparnell34 currently I use the standard tool changer Z probe microswitch for Z homing because it doesn't have the temperature sensitivity that inductive Z probes have. I have the scanning probe configured as an additional probe for use with G29. Here's an extract from config.g:

; Z probe
M558 K0 P8 C"io3.in" H3 F1000:600 I0 T30000 	; Set Z probe type to switch, the axes for which it is used and the dive height + speeds
G31 P200 X0 Y0 Z0	 					; Set Z probe trigger value, offset and trigger height
;M557 X-140:140 Y-80:80 S40 				; Define mesh grid

; Scanning Z probe
M558 K1 P11 C"24.i2c.ldc1612" F25000 T30000
G31 K1 Z3 Y-17
M557 X-140:140 Y-90:80 S12 			    ; Define mesh grid

I changed my mesh.g file to recognise the K1 parameter (i.e. use the second Z probe) and do the M558.1 calibration at the start to avoid possible temperature sensitivity issues:

T-1
M208 S0 Y100
if exists(param.K) & param.K=1
  G1 X0 Y0 F30000
  M558.1 K1 S2
G29 S0 K{exists(param.K) ? param.K : 0}
G1 X0 Y0 F24000
M208 S0 Y49
G1 Y-150

Then I send G29 K1 to do the scan. The M208 commands are included because on the tool changer, the Y axis limit depends on which tool is selected.

[lparnell34]

@dc42 thanks. I'm using the tool changer too. Do you just have the coil pcb mounted to the bottom of the toolhead cover?

[dc42]

@lparnell34 initially yes, however that gave a large Y offset between the coil and the Z probe switch; so I extended the cover towards the switch.

[dc42]

Here's a blog entry with more details about this scanning probe: https://www.duet3d.com/blog/scanning-z-probe-for-reprapfirmware-and-Duet.

[JoergS5]

This post is deleted!

[samlogan87]

@dc42 do you guys think you will release a new version of the tool board where you put the i2c bus to a plug? Had another look tonight and there is no way I would be able to solder that

[dc42]

@JoergS5 I'm not sure why you deleted your post, however I had the same idea yesterday!

[JoergS5]

@dc42 I deleted it because I doubt whether the BL Touch is necessary in the future *). But to repeat my idea:

is it possible to bore a hole into the middle of the Grove coil and assemble it together with the BL Touch so the pin of the BL Touch goes through the coil hole. Then both have the same XY offset.

*) I thought about using a gauge block at a bed edge as Z0 reference.
Gauge blocks of class 0 have a precision of 0.1 micrometers. This could even be used with the LDC1612 measuring the angle of a rotated bed => 5 axis AC calibration, by measuring multiple points on the gauge block.

The next idea was, if I don't use the BLTouch, I could use the bored coil to assemble it around the nozzle, so it has true X0Y0 position. The PCB needs to have enough distance to the heated nozzle... => the aluminium heatblock will disturb measurement

[dc42]

@JoergS5 my feeling at the moment is that because of the sensitivity of inductive sensors to temperature, and to allow a wider choice of bed surfaces including interchangeable beds, it's better to use a conventional touch probe or nozzle contact probe to establish Z=0 and perhaps to do bed tramming too. Then the scanning probe can be calibrated immediately before scanning, and its temperature sensitivity won't matter.

As you can see from the pictures at https://coolcomponents.co.uk/products/grove-2-channel-inductive-sensor-ldc1612 there is a blank area in the centre of the coil, so drilling a hole there would be possible.

We're designing a solution based on the LDC1612 at present and although we will be using a smaller sense coil than the Grove one, it's likely that we will include a hole in the centre and design a printable adapter to attach it to a BLTouch.

[CNCModeller]

@dc42 said in Scanning Z probe support in RRF 3.5:

We're designing a solution based on the LDC1612 at present and although we will be using a smaller sense coil than the Grove one, it's likely that we will include a hole in the centre and design a printable adapter to attach it to a BLTouch.

@dc42 Wouldn't the inductive probe pick up the metal in the bltouch? I've assumed this was basically a small metal detector hence you'd need to keep any other metal outside of the coils sense area, or is that not the case?

[dc42]

@CNCModeller a small amount of metal in a fixed location relative to the coil shouldn't matter. In any case, the larger metal parts of the BLTouch are at the top so about 26mm away for where the coil would be.

[CNCModeller]

@dc42 is it fair to say that this type of probe wouldn't be much use scanning a flexible magnetic build sheet like this ? Due to the varying magnetic field?

[dc42]

@CNCModeller I am using the probe with a flexible magnetic sheet. I was expecting the magnets underneath it to show up in the height map, but they don't. However, the instructions for the Beacon probe say you need to avoid strong magnets.

[CNCModeller]

@dc42 said in Scanning Z probe support in RRF 3.5:

@CNCModeller I am using the probe with a flexible magnetic sheet. I was expecting the magnets underneath it to show up in the height map, but they don't. However, the instructions for the Beacon probe say you need to avoid strong magnets.

@dc42 In your experience, does the height map reference to the magnetic sheet surface or the underlying metal bed?

[dc42]

@CNCModeller I can's say because I don't use one without the other. However, the fact that the probe doesn't see the magnets suggests to me that it is sensing the sheet.

For reference I am using this bed https://mandalaroseworks.com/products/magbed-for-e3d-toolchanger and this sheet https://whambam3d.com/collections/build-surfaces/products/flexi-plate-with-pre-installed-pex-build-surface?variant=39372386566242.

[CNCModeller]

@dc42 I'm using the type that looks like flexible rubber fridge magnets so we'll see how that compares. The flux is in long lines spaced at about 10mm pitch.

[T3P3Tony]

That mandalaroseworks bed does have pretty darn strong magnets in it!

@dc42 why not do a bed scan without the flex sheet installed just for comparison.

[dc42]

@T3P3Tony OK, here it is.

[T3P3Tony]

@dc42 cool, you can clearly see the magnets!

One other interesting test would be to put a thin shim in the middle under the flexi build plate (say a couple of M4 washers and see how accurately it picks up the deformation of the flex plate.

[dc42]

Here's the scan with the bed plate, for comparison. It looks to me that the magnets are being picked up very slightly.