NeoteckElectronic Digital Dial Indicator Gage Gauge 0-1 Inch/25.4 mm Inch/Metric Conversion Auto Off Featured Measuring Tool for 3D Printer Leveling, etc. - Black

Good price, works as advertised, consistent readings

I recently received a gift of a 3d printer from my son.The "no cost" way to level the bed, which is required to get good prints, is to use a sheet of paper inserted under the print head extruder nozzle. You adjust the bed one corner at a time by trapping the sheet of paper between the nozzle and the bed until it has a "small amount" of friction when you pull out the paper. You repeat for each corner until they all feel about the same.Because reasonably inexpensive printers can print at about 0.1 MM accuracy this method is OK but not great.I found a 3d printed bracket to mount this Neoteck dial indicator on the print head of my printer. My first test was to use the "sheet of paper" method to level the bed then verify the accuracy using the Neoteck dial indicator. The result showed that the "sheet of paper" method was in some cases off by 0.05 MM which amounts to 50% of the accuracy of the printer itself.The method is to insert the Neoteck into the bracket then push it on the print head with a friction fit. You then can use a g-code file to position the head to each corner and make an exact adjustment. You can also move the head manually to accomplish the same thing. Usually 2 passes to adjust and reverify each corner is required to get the bed almost perfectly level.I have also discovered that the bed leveling can change from one print job to the next even if the jobs were printed back to back without turning off the printer. Bed leveling can also change by small amounts based on the bed heating and probably air circulation in the room. Bed heating is needed to make the very first few layers stick.I have seen what happens when the bed is not level even if just a very small amount. The first layer may not stick on some points or you get some "strings" on the first few layers if the design needs to move the print head in certain ways.The Neoteck device looks and feels durable and comes with a very nice fitted case. It is very simple to use and you barely need the small instruction manual. The accuracy appears to be very good. And all for about $25.So the bottom line is this fairly cheap solution has raised the print quality and the number of occasional "do overs" when you see the first few layer passes don't print correctly.If you are still trying to level without a digital gauge and have random print problems this could help solve your problem if it is related to bed leveling.If you you want to give it a try search your favorite 3d pattern site for "Bed Leveling Bracket" and "Neoteck".

I have only used this indicator a few times so far but it seems to be well made and accurate. It is heavier than expected which is good. Readings agreed with my other dial and test indicators and the digital display is clear and responsive. The digital display is easy to read and works well although I prefer a needle indicator for checking extended alignment and concentricity. The zero button enables easy incremental measurements and having the option to switch between imperial and metric units is handy, as is the accessary back plate with mounting tab.The included case is useable, includes padded retainers for the indicator and the extra back, and has a functional clasp. I doubt the plastic hinges will last long but it does provide good protection for the indicator for now. A spare battery is included also. My only complaint is that important specs are often not included in descriptions. In this case, the diameter of the upper shaft is not provided anywhere (it's 8 mm). Since indicator holders provide different clamping diameters this is something that should be specified. But overall, considering the low price for this digital indicator and its accuracy in reading to a thousandth of an inch, this seems to be a good option.

You can access some additional functionality by soldering some wires (2 signal wires and a Ground with optionally soldering to the 1.5v supply) to digitize the data and read it to a microcontroller. This is helpful because not a ton of products offer this functionality, or if they do, they are expensive.Obviously, do this at your own risk, but it can be incredibly helpful if you know what you’re doing.

Great tool for 3D printers to calibrate and optimize gantry height. Need to print a bracket for your specific printer but helps you get precision results.

buena herramienta

Well, I originally bought this to help level my jointer tables to make them complain. It did take a little bit of time for me to get used to the digital aspect and instead of the dial style gauges and once I figured that out, it was pretty good pretty accurate very sturdy. I like that the backplate comes off. My only issue with it is it’s hard to find the top dead center of the Blade holder on the joint it sets it zero and it’s hard to find out when you rotate the blade carriage. Exactly what the top of the circle is. I hope that makes sense.

Every time I turn this on the display is whacky, it won’t turn on/display, or just flashes random number. Even after a battery change, it maybe work for one use then back to garbage.Total waste of money and didn’t start acting up until out of a return window