Hello,
Do you have to/should you level the bed before every print, or is it sufficient to do so from time to time?
The same question for the Flow Dynamics Calibration.
Are there any rules or guidelines?
Kind regrads
ProApe
No rules, just preferences.
I always level as part of normal maintenance, typically every 3-4 months. I check the level using the X1Plus bed calibration tool for easy, precise, adjustment. X1Plus also records the calibration history for comparisons, and the very tiny changes over time have never moved beyond whatever is considered to be “flat and level”. I have no reason to think a bed properly trammed with standard methods would change any more.
I will then allow an automatic level on the first post-maintenance print before disabling it for future prints, to save time.
I might also allow an auto-level as a precaution before large prints, or medium-large prints with expensive filaments, after preheating the bed as needed. Usually I forget.
Some users level every time the power is turned back on.
Some users level for every print.
Some users level every time the plate is moved.
Some users level every time a different type of plate is installed.
I don’t find it necessary to level that often, and have never had a print failure because of poor levelling. I power cycle, remove plates for print removal, switch between cool, engineering, smooth PEI, and textured PEI, and do not re-level.
The calibration option in the Send print job dialog should be reserved for filaments that have not already been calibrated. Take the time to calibrate your filament once, save the results for future use, and you can uncheck the Flow Dynamics box in the Send print dialog to save several minutes on every subsequent print. Use the per-print automatic calibration for that new, untested filament when you are rushed for time.
In Studio, use the Calibrate tab to test your filament and save the results on the printer.
In OrcaSlicer, use the top-line menu calibrations and save the results in the filament preset. These will override any calibrations on the printer.
Bed leveling can be influenced by temperature, the position of the build plate, and other factors. If you are asking about machine calibration, it is best practice to run it after any firmware update or after performing maintenance. Bed leveling before every print is optional, but it becomes important if you have removed, replaced, or otherwise adjusted the build plate. Personally, I allow the printer to run a quick leveling routine before each job—it usually performs a shorter check if nothing significant has changed.
Regarding Dynamic Flow Calibration, this should normally be done for each color of filament, as flow properties will almost always differ. In some cases, the difference between two colors of the same material can be so large that each requires its own calibration value. Moisture in the filament will also affect both the Flow value and the Pressure Advance (K-value/PA-value), so recalibration may be needed over time.
When working with new filament batches, it is very common that both flow and pressure advance values need to be recalibrated. There is no fixed rule here—the best indication is a visible drop in print quality. I have personally seen batches vary by more than 200% compared to previously well-calibrated spools.
In summary:
- Run a full machine calibration after firmware updates or maintenance.
- Perform bed leveling whenever the build plate has been changed, moved, glued, or used at different temperatures. A bed leveled at 55 °C will not behave the same as a bed fully heat-soaked at 100 °C.
- Carry out filament calibration when you notice reduced print quality, when changing to a new batch, or when switching colors.
By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can ensure consistent print quality and avoid unnecessary issues.
A small clarification: it doesn’t actually override your printer values. If you leave the option for dynamic calibrations enabled in the “send to print” menu, the printer will use the machine-calibrated values (or the defaults) instead of the ones you set manually. Just something important to keep in mind.
How do I save them?
Does this also apply to bed levelling, where the factory settings always apply the next time the machine is switched on?
I have left both options enabled so far, and, as has been mentioned several times, an alternative would be to perform a new levelling each time the plate is reinserted, and since this happens after every print, it would be advisable to leave the option enabled at all times. If you are only printing a small item, the levelling time is significant compared to the actual printing process.
It should perform a short probe, and if all values are within the threshold, it will not run a full bed leveling. However, if the plate is inserted slightly differently or if the plate itself is uneven, a full calibration will be triggered every time the plate is repositioned. Personally, I would rather have a full calibration even for a small print than risk a failed print. Just my two cents on this.