Auto Calibration

This guide covers the auto-calibration procedure for the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 printer. Auto-calibration establishes precise nozzle heights, Z-offset, bed mesh compensation, and XY alignment — all in one automated sequence. Run this procedure after nozzle changes, significant maintenance, or if you suspect alignment issues.

The printer heats both nozzles and probes them against the bare aluminum bed to measure their relative positions. The full calibration sequence includes:

1. Tool Height Calibration — measures the height difference between Tool 0 (left) and Tool 1 (right). This offset is critical for Mirror Mode and Duplicate Mode printing. Optional — can be skipped.
2. Z-Offset Calibration — sets the precise first-layer height for proper bed adhesion.
3. Mesh Bed Calibration — probes the bed surface to create a compensation map for surface variations. Provides additional first-layer accuracy when enabled in printer settings (if enabled).
4. XY Auto Squaring — corrects axis perpendicularity in the XY plane (if enabled).
5. Steps per mm Calibration — calibrates motor steps per millimeter for dimensional accuracy (if enabled).
6. XYZ Offset Calibration — measures the offset between nozzles using the square cutout in the build plate. Essential for multi-color and multi-material printing.

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Tools and Materials

• 2mm HEX - Wera Screw Driver (hex wrench) — heat break set screw
• 2.5mm HEX - Wera Screw Driver (hex wrench, optional) — leveling the heater block during adjustment
• Hand Nozzle Brush 3-Pack (brass brush preferred) — nozzle cleaning
• High Temp Gloves (optional) — hot hardware

1. Starting the Calibration

1. Open the Dashboard in the Web Interface.

2. Open the Macros panel and select Auto Calibration.

3. Enter the target temperature for the left tool (Tool 0) when prompted. Use the temperature matching the filament last loaded in that hotend. For a new machine or clean nozzles, use 250 °C.

4. Enter the target temperature for the right tool (Tool 1). Same rule — match the loaded filament, or use 250 °C if clean.

5. Confirm that the build plate has been removed when prompted. Click OK.

6. The printer will automatically heat both nozzles, home all axes, and prepare for calibration.

2. Nozzle Cleaning

7. The printer runs an automated nozzle wipe using the built-in cleaning brushes. Wait for it to complete.

8. When prompted, manually clean both nozzle tips with a wire brush (brass preferred). Remove all plastic residue — even small traces affect probe accuracy.

Heat Break Check

While the nozzles are accessible for cleaning, verify the position of the heat breaks on both tool heads:

a. Check that neither heat break protrudes from the heat sink by more than 1 mm (≈ 1/32 in.).

b. If a heat break protrudes too far, locate the set screw on the side of the heat sink for that tool head.

c. Use the two-screwdriver method: with a 2 mm hex screwdriver, loosen the set screw. Then use a second tool (e.g., the 2.5 mm hex wrench from the kit) to gently level the heater block and push the heat break upward until it protrudes no more than 1 mm. Retighten the set screw.

d. Complete this for both tool heads before proceeding.

9. Click OK in the Web Interface prompt once both nozzles are clean and heat breaks are verified.

10. The printer homes all axes again and begins probing.

3. Tool Height Calibration

11. The machine probes both nozzles against the bed to measure their height difference. The target is a deviation under 50 microns (0.05 mm).
12. If the deviation is within tolerance, the printer proceeds automatically to Z-Offset Calibration. Skip to Remaining Calibration Steps.
13. If the deviation exceeds 50 microns, a prompt appears with three options: Calibrate, Skip Calibration, or Cancel Calibration. Select Calibrate to adjust the heat break.

4. Adjusting the Heat Break (If Required)

14. The Web Interface prompt will indicate which tool (left or right) needs adjustment. Identify the corresponding nozzle.
15. Locate the set screw on the side of the heat sink that secures the heat break for the indicated tool.

16. Loosen the set screw approximately one full turn with a 2 mm hex screwdriver. Do not fully remove it — just enough so the heater block can slide up and down.
17. Use the two-screwdriver method: hold a second tool (e.g., the 2.5 mm hex wrench) against the heater block to level it and push it down approximately 2–5 mm (≈ 3/16 in.).

18. Slightly re-tighten the set screw — just enough to prevent the hotend from wobbling, but loose enough that the bed can still push it upward during the next probing sequence. Too tight = bed can't adjust; too loose = inaccurate result.
19. Click OK in the Web Interface prompt. The printer probes the nozzle against the bed, pushing the loosened hotend upward until it matches the height of the other nozzle.

Tighten the Heat Break

20. Once the printer finds the correct height, it positions the nozzle for access. Before tightening, check the hotend orientation:

21. Use the two-screwdriver method to tighten: hold one 2.5 mm hex screwdriver against the heater block to keep it facing straight forward, and simultaneously tighten the heat break set screw with the 2 mm hex screwdriver. This prevents the heater block from rotating while you lock it in place.

22. Click OK to confirm. The machine re-runs the tool height check. If within tolerance, it proceeds automatically. If still out of tolerance, repeat steps 14–22.

5. Remaining Calibration Steps

23. After tool height calibration passes, the following steps run automatically without user interaction:
    • Z-Offset Calibration — sets the first-layer height
    • Mesh Bed Calibration — creates a bed compensation map (runs if enabled in printer settings)
    • XY Auto Squaring — corrects axis perpendicularity (runs if enabled in printer settings)
    • Steps per mm Calibration — calibrates motor steps per millimeter (runs if enabled in printer settings)
    • XYZ Offset Calibration — measures nozzle offset using the square cutout in the build plate
24. When all steps complete, the printer displays a summary with calibration results:
    • Tool 1 Z Offset — the height difference between Tool 0 and Tool 1. The two nozzles can never be perfectly level mechanically, but the printer compensates for this offset automatically. This is critical for dual-head printing (Multi color/Dual Material Printing) — it ensures consistent layer height and maximum bonding strength between two materials.
    • Z-Offset — the distance between the nozzle tip and the bed surface. Determines how well the first layer adheres to the build plate.
    • Tool 1 Y-Offset — the Y-axis positional offset between the two nozzles. Used to align toolheads in the XY plane so that multi-color and multi-material prints line up correctly.
    • Tool 1 U-Offset — the U-axis (secondary X) positional offset between the two nozzles. Same purpose as Y-Offset but in the X direction.
    • XY Skew — the perpendicularity correction between X and Y axes. Compensates for any mechanical skew in the crossbar (if enabled).
    • Steps per mm — motor step calibration values for dimensional accuracy. Corrects any deviation in actual travel distance vs expected distance (if enabled).

25. Click OK to dismiss the results. Reinstall the build plate — the printer is ready for use.

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