Probee, bCNC, and Auto Level

Not released. Not reviewed.

=Auto Level with bCNC and Probee

These instructions detail the process using bCNC and a non-conductive probe, e.g. Probee, to perform auto leveling.

The steps are numbered to follow the description from the bCNC wiki page, link here. I shamelessly copied the text from the bCNC wiki page into this document added Probee specifics.

1. Be sure the machine has been homed.

1.1 Install the probe, aka Probee, and connect the leads to the controller board.

1.2 Move the Probee lever to the X/Y zero location and set X and Y = 0. Move the lever such that it just touches the materaial. Set Z = 0.

1.3 Raise to Probee up.

2. Enter the values of the working area you wish to probe on the X/Y min and maximum coordinates. Alternatively, you can click on the button BOLDMargins which will get the margins of the loaded g-code file.

3. Set the number of steps in X and Y you wish to scan.

3.1 The flatter the material the fewer steps are required. If the material is highly warped/curved, more steps will be required.

4. Enter the Zmin for probing and Zmax (equivalent to Zsafe) and the desired feed rate for probing. Too high feed rates results in inaccurate probing. Too slow will take quite some time. Height of probe tip must be less that Zmax above the work surface.

4.1 If the probe reaches Zmin, an error is generated.

4.2 Highly curved surface require a much different values for Zmin and Zmax.

5. When everything is read and the probe tool is connected, click on BOLDScan. bCNC will run a probing cycle testing every individual point. Its Z coordinate will be displayed on the canvas.

Where is menu->view->probe selected

5.1. Watch the probing operation to be certain the probee lever does not encounter holes in the material or any hold downs.

5.2 Once the probe cycle is finished remove the Probee.

5.3 Install the router bit if not already in place.

5.4 Move the router bit to the X/Y zero location. Set X and Y to zero. Move the router bit to touch the material. Set Z to zero.

6.

6.1 Click on the BOLDZERO (on the autoLevel screen). This action will make the z-height map relative to this X/Y location.