IR Probe 1.4
Overview
Specifications
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)
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 | |
RAMBO | Yes | Yes | |
RUMBA | Yes | Yes | |
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 |
Smoothieboard | Yes | No | Needs different connector |
Azteeg X5 Mini | Yes | No | Wires must be cut for screw terminals |
MKS Gen / Base Boards | Yes | No | Some boards need different connector |
Configuring Marlin
The pullup for the Z_MIN endstop needs to be enabled. Uncomment the line:
#define ENDSTOPPULLUP_ZMIN
The endstop should be set to non-inverting:
const bool Z_MIN_ENDSTOP_INVERTING = false; // set to true to invert the logic of the endstop.
Enable auto-bed levelling:
#define ENABLE_AUTO_BED_LEVELING // Delete the comment to enable (remove // at the start of the line) #define Z_PROBE_REPEATABILITY_TEST // If not commented out, Z-Probe Repeatability test will be included if Auto Bed Leveling is Enabled.
Recommended bed levelling mode is grid:
#define AUTO_BED_LEVELING_GRID
Adjust the coordinates that define the corners of the probed grid:
#define LEFT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 50 #define RIGHT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 150 #define FRONT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 20 #define BACK_PROBE_BED_POSITION 180
Set the grid size:
#define AUTO_BED_LEVELING_GRID_POINTS 2
Configure the probe offset from the nozzle:
#define X_PROBE_OFFSET_FROM_EXTRUDER 30 // Probe on: -left +right #define Y_PROBE_OFFSET_FROM_EXTRUDER 0 // Probe on: -front +behind #define Z_PROBE_OFFSET_FROM_EXTRUDER -1.95 // -below (always!)
Configure homing / probing settings:
#define Z_RAISE_BEFORE_HOMING 4 // (in mm) Raise Z before homing (G28) for Probe Clearance. // Be sure you have this distance over your Z_MAX_POS in case
#define XY_TRAVEL_SPEED 8000 // X and Y axis travel speed between probes, in mm/min
#define Z_RAISE_BEFORE_PROBING 5 //How much the extruder will be raised before traveling to the first probing point. #define Z_RAISE_BETWEEN_PROBINGS 2 //How much the extruder will be raised when traveling from between next probing points #define Z_RAISE_AFTER_PROBING 5 //How much the extruder will be raised after the last probing point.
When using a probe instead of an endstop, it's a good idea to enable Z_SAFE_HOMING. This moves the probe to the center of the bed before homing:
#define Z_SAFE_HOMING // This feature is meant to avoid Z homing with probe outside the bed area.
By default the point that the probe homes at should be the center of the bed - however some versions of Marlin contain a bug where the probe point is miscalculated. To be safe, you can manually define the probe point:
#define Z_SAFE_HOMING_X_POINT (100) // X point for Z homing when homing all axis (G28) #define Z_SAFE_HOMING_Y_POINT (100) // Y point for Z homing when homing all axis (G28)
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.