Luke Vuksta

3D Printer Toolhead Alignment Simulations

ToolheadAlignment is a proof of concept simulation for a technique to align a 3D printer or other machine with two or more toolheads using measurements of the bed. This assumes both toolheads have a probe, and that the bed mesh can be broadly approximated by a quadratic surface. These assumptions may fail, rendering this technique useless. For instance, this method would not work if the bed and gantry produce a perfectly flat bed mesh, as the algorithm would have nothing to align. Fortunately, many hobby 3D printers seem to have a bed mesh that is a bit saddle shaped. The results of a Monte Carlo simulation of this technique are as follows:

A bivariate distribution showing a standard deviation of 0.090mm on the minor axis and 0.115mm on the major axis.