IR Probe 1.4

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Revision as of 03:47, 27 January 2017 by Chris (talk | contribs) (Move firmware setup to separate pages)
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IR Probe


Ir-probe-14-1-2.jpg

Overview

These 3D Printer Z-Probes use modulated infra-red LEDs to accurately detect proximity to the print surface, allowing for automatic bed-levelling while printing.

Compared to mechanical probe solutions - such as a servo and microswitch - these boards have the advantage of requiring no moving components, weighing less, and having a higher degree of repeatability and reliability. Compared to inductive or capacitive probes, these boards are less dependent on the material of the print surface, and will even work on glass. Combined with a high degree of immunity from background IR sources, these boards are ideal for nearly any printer build.

We've designed these boards to couple to a standard 30mm fan - this means they're immediately compatible with all E3D-V6 and Lite6 HotEnds, mounting directly to the fan with no modification or adaptor necessary. Additionally, these boards use a lightweight cable with a compact connector, in order to make wiring as easy as possible.

To mount to a printer without a suitable 30mm fan, all that is required are two screw holes. These should be spaced 24mm apart horizontally, and at a distance of 22mm above the tip of the nozzle. See the attached mechanical drawings for further information.

These probes will trigger at a distance of 3mm from the print surface. Recommended mounting height is that the bottom edge of the PCB be 1-2mm above the tip of the nozzle, and the probe's Z-offset can be tweaked in firmware to achieve the desired bed-levelling results.

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 30.00x23.75mm
  • Weight: 2.5g (excluding cable)
  • Trigger distance: 3mm from edge of PCB
  • Trigger Repeatability: 0.005mm (5µm) Standard Deviation
  • Included Cable Length: 100cm

Improvements from 1.3

Compact Form Factor

  • capacitor C1 decreased in height to reduce profile of board, easier to fit probe in tight spaces
  • smaller JST-SH connector used, connector no longer protrudes from body of probe

Selectable Digital or Analog Output

  • separate output pins for both modes
  • mode no longer dependent on automatic detection of control board

Improved Control Board Compatibility

  • strong pull-ups on certain control boards no longer prevent probe from working

General Improvements

  • faster boot time (<1s instead of 6s)

Backwards Compatibility

V1.4 is largely backwards compatible with V1.3. The mechanical mounting holes and dimensions are identical, and all mounting arrangements for V1.3 should work fine with V1.4.

Notably, the provided cable is different, so a re-wire may be necessary to swap to V1.4.

HotEnd Compatibility

These are the HotEnds we've tested with or had reports of success with. If you're interested in trying something different, or if you've tried a different HotEnd with our probe, let us know how it went!

HotEnd Compatible Adaptor Required Notes
E3D-V6 Yes No Mounts to fan duct with existing screws
E3D-Lite6 Yes No Mounts to fan duct with existing screws
E3D Chimera Yes No Mounts to fan duct with existing screws
E3D Cyclops Yes No Mounts to fan duct with existing screws
E3D-V6 or Lite6 with Volcano Yes Yes Printable adaptor available here.
Mark8 Extruder + Hotend Combination Yes Yes Printable adaptor available here.

Electronics Compatibility

These are the boards we have tested the probe with. It is likely the probe is compatible with other boards as well - if you try a different control board and it works, let us know so we can add it to the list.

Motherboard Electronics Compatible Connector Compatible Notes
RAMPS Yes Yes Connect to Z-min endstop, leave 4th pin (yellow) disconnected
RAMBO Yes Yes Connect to Z-min endstop, leave 4th pin (yellow) disconnected
RUMBA Yes Yes Connect to Z-min endstop, leave 4th pin (yellow) disconnected
Smoothieboard Yes Yes Connect to Z-min endstop, leave 4th pin (yellow) disconnected
Melzi Yes No Wires must be cut for screw terminals, and 5V wired to separate pin. Wiring sketch included below
Duet Yes No Need to change order of pins in connector to suit, simple to do though
Azteeg X5 Mini Yes No Wires must be cut for screw terminals
MKS Gen / Base Boards Yes No Some boards need different connector

Configuring Firmware

IR Probe Firmware Setup (Marlin 1.1.0-RC1+)

IR Probe Firmware Setup (Marlin 1.1.0-RC4+)

IR Probe Firmware Setup (Smoothieware)

Connecting

RAMPS, RAMBO, RUMBA

Each IR Z Probe comes with a cable that will connect directly to the endstop pins on these control boards. No modification should be required. Make sure to align and orient the connector correctly - the red wire should match the '+' indicator on the board.

Azteeg X5 Mini

Screw terminals are used to connect bare wires to the X5 for all endstops. The included cable will need the connector removed / cut off, and each wire stripped back to allow connection.

Notes

After receiving power the on-board LED will flash twice, indicating the board is ready for use.

Buy It

Store Page

Resources

Mounting Drawing E3D Mounting / Spacing Drawing Wiring Melzi

Links

STL Placeholder / Model of IR Probe V1.4 (Thingiverse)

Printable mount for MaxMicron printers (Thingiverse)

Printable mount for MK8 Extruder + Hotend combo (Thingiverse)

Printable mount for MK8 Extruder + Hotend combo (Thingiverse)

Printable mount for NEMA-17 motors (Thingiverse)

Printable mount for E3D Volcano (GitHub)