Working with Beacon Models¶
1. When to Use Multiple Models¶
Variations in surface plate material result in slight differences in the beacon model shape. When working with multiple surface plates, especially of different design or from different manufacturers, working with multiple models is recommended.
Each model keeps its own z_offset, which can be easily applied with the Z_OFFSET_APPLY_PROBE command after babystepping a print's first layer. This makes it very convenient for managing plate specific offsets, which is necessary when working with dissimilar surface stackups such as bare steel vs pei laminated.
High Temp Performance
If your chamber regularly hits 65C+ during operation or probing, it is recommended to calibrate your Beacon hot. Get it up to temperature by soaking it at the homing distance with your bed hot and run through BEACON_CALIBRATE after it has stabilized. The temperature compensation is applied relative to the model temperature, so this will reduce the applied compensation and minimize residual thermal errors.
2. The default Model¶
When performing a new model calibration with BEACON_CALIBRATE, a model named default is created. The default model will be saved to the config after executing SAVE_CONFIG, and the default model will be loaded automatically on machine start.
The model loaded on start can be changed using the default_model_name: <modelname> option in the [beacon] configuration section.
3. Viewing Available Models¶
The BEACON_MODEL_LIST command will list the presently available models and indicate which is active:
4. Changing Active Model¶
The BEACON_MODEL_SELECT NAME=modelname command will activate the model with given name:
5. Saving New Models¶
The BEACON_MODEL_SAVE NAME=modelname command will save the active model as a new model or overwrite an existing model with the given modelname. A SAVE_CONFIG is required to commit the changes to the config file.
$ BEACON_MODEL_SAVE NAME=steel_cold
// Beacon calibration for model 'steel_cold' has been updated
// for the current session. The SAVE_CONFIG command will
// update the printer config file and restart the printer.
The active model can be loaded using BEACON_MODEL_SELECT or by calibrating with BEACON_CALIBRATE prior to saving with a new name.
6. Removing Models¶
The BEACON_MODEL_REMOVE NAME=modelname command will remove the beacon model with modelname from the config file. This requires a SAVE_CONFIG to apply the change to the config file.
$ BEACON_MODEL_REMOVE NAME=steel_cold
// Model 'steel_cold' was removed for the current session.
// Run SAVE_CONFIG to update the printer configurationand restart firmware.
7. Fine Tuning First Layer Offsets¶
Each model has a built in z_offset. This makes it easy to tune and store fine adjustments for a surface regardless of its material or stackup.
Adjust your first layer as you normally would, using the GUI or commands to dial it in live during a print.
Afterwards, you can apply it to the active model with the Z_OFFSET_APPLY_PROBE command. This will require a SAVE_CONFIG.
Z_OFFSET_APPLY_PROBE
// Beacon model offset has been updated
// You must run the SAVE_CONFIG command now to update the
// printer config file and restart the printer.
8. Managing Models and the Default¶
When creating new models, it is recommended to give them a memorable name, such as the manufacturer or type of plate and anything special about the calibration such as temperature. You might have plates such as steel_hot, pei_cold or prusa_hot.
If all of the models are stored with a name, it is easy to switch the default by using a BEACON_MODEL_SELECT NAME=model followed by a BEACON_MODEL_SAVE NAME=default and a SAVE_CONFIG. Each model will have a backup with descriptive name, and the default can be switched without editing the config file manually.
$ BEACON_MODEL_SELECT NAME=steel_hot
// Selected Beacon model 'steel_hot'
$ BEACON_MODEL_SAVE NAME=default
// Beacon calibration for model 'default' has been updated
// for the current session. The SAVE_CONFIG command will
// update the printer config file and restart the printer.
9. Advanced Management Ideas¶
To make it convenient for operating your printer with multiple bed plates, you might consider making a macro to select a model for each plate -- this will expose a button in most UIs to easily switch while setting up a print.
Alternatively, you may set the default used for 90% of your prints, and select a specific model for a surface used for specific print materials using your slicer and the print start GCODE.