The Easy Way to Level the Cube 3 Print table

Leveling the Cube 3 print table is much easier than with previous 3D printers I've owned.

It's especially easy if we have a tool to help us track the number of turns we need to make to perform the adjustments provide to us by the printer itself.

While I have created and printed a Level Gauge Tool to be used with the Cube 3, it is just as effective to print the gauge with a standard printer on paper and cut it out.  Here is a template for you to download.  This is a PNG meant to be printed with .5" margins in 8.5"x11" portrait.

8.5x11 Level Gauge Template for Laser or Inkjet

Creating The Gauge

Print the template using .5" margins.  The heavier the paper the better.  Cut out the shaded shape and use something like an Exacto knife to remove the centers of the tree circles.

Mounting The Gauge

Remove the print plate. 

Print Plate Leveling Pads as seen from the back of the Cube 3

The print plate rests on 3 magnetic pads.  Looking from the back of the Cube 3, we have numbered these pads from 1 to 3.  For each pad there is a corresponding setscrew that can be loosened and tightened using the hex wrench that came with the Cube 3 tool set.

Pad 1 to the right and back of the group.  Pad 1 is the anchor, or pivot point, for all level adjustments.  It should never need adjustment.  But, should we suspect that it has worked itself loose, the factory setting (as I understand it) is that Pad 1 be turned clockwise all the way down until it stops.  Be sure to loosen the setscrew before adjusting and tighten it after adjustment.

It's easy to identify how to place the Adjustment gauge over the pads.  The ring that has no markings goes around Pad 1.

Gauge mounted in place

Notice that a mark has been written on both Pad 2 and Pad 3 that gives us a 'dial' to use against the gauge.  A 'Sharpie" was used to create these marks on Pad 1 and Pad 2.

Using the Gauge

Following the marks that are written on each pad, each time the mark on the pad passes a mark on the gauge 1/16th of a turn has been made.  1/8th of a turn would require turning the Pad so that the mark on the Pad passes two marks on the gauge.  So, all we have to do is count the number of marks the "dial" passes to turn the pad very precisely according to the specifications reported by the Cube 3's Level Adjustment procedures.

General Observation About Leveling

The setscrew for each pad must be loosened before the pad is turned and then tightened after the pad has been turned.  The steps are:

1. Loosen Setscrew (Using hex wrench supplied with the Cube 3)
2. Turn Pad
3. Tighten Setscrew

Neither Pad 1 nor Pad 2 operate completely independently.  Raising Pad 2 tends to lower the back edge of the plate requiring a slight re-adjustment of Pad 1.  So, Leveling can be an iterative process requiring smaller and smaller adjustments when done correctly.  Always re-run Level until the Cube 3 reports that no more adjustments are needed.

I hope this has been helpful.  Please let me know if I've been unclear or have missed something.