Bed Clearing Code

The Spero Bed Clearing Code comprises specialized gcode commands designed to facilitate the seamless removal of printed parts from the Spero Autoflex Printing Plate, safely guiding them to the front for easy retrieval. This code is executed after the completion of printing, ensuring efficient part removal.

Connecting with 3D Printer

You can either download the bed clearing code if your 3D printer is among the previously adapted models or create it yourself. In either case, it's important to test the script before using it. Small differences in the mechanics and software of your 3D printer may require fine-tuning the bed clearing code. To do this, you first need to establish a connection that allows you to send G-code commands directly to your 3D printer.

There are several ways of to connect with your 3D printer: 

• Octoprint & GCodeViewer (Default Plugin)

GCodeViewer is is a default plugin installed when you set up Octoprint. In the bottom left corner of the GCodeViewer, there's a small box for sending G-code commands. You can use this box to send G-code commands, allowing you to test the recommended bed clearing G-code or create new ones.  

Learn Commonly Used Gcodes

• G90 - Absolute positioning - Set all positions and movement in the logical coordinate space
• G91 - Relative positioning - Interpreted all positions relative to the last position
• G1 - G0 - Linear movement. For example:

G1 Z200 —> Extruder moves to 200 mm in Z axis of the coordinate system

G0 X10 Y30 —> Extruder and printing plate moves to 10 mm in X axis and 30 mm in Y axis of the coordinate system

• G28 - Home the axis. For example:

G28 X Y —> Homing only X and Y axis

G28 —> Homing all axes

• M211 - Disable software endstops

Before continuing, check out if it is your 3D Printer previously adapted from here. 

Pathway for Adapted 3D Printers

Step 1 - Download the Bed Clearing Code

Fow now, we can offer a pre-configured code for Creality Ender 3 Pro and Artillery Sidewinder X1. Check from Github repository of Autoflex. 

Before using, it is highly recommended to test and fine-tune by using direct connection with 3D printer explained above. 

Creality Ender-3 Pro:

M211 S0 ;Disable software endstops 
G91 ;Positioning relatively
G1 Z20 ;Move Z-axis 20mm higher 
G28 X Y ;Home Xand Y axes
G90 ;Positioning absolutely

G1 X230 Y230 ;Go to the up-right corner 230 mm
G1 Z10 ;Docking the adapter by moving Z-axis 20mm lower
G1 X150 ;Adapter goes into the rail

G1 Z30 ;Lift up the plate
G1 Z60 Y215 
G1 Z100 Y185
G1 Z120 Y170
G1 Z140 Y120
G1 Z160 Y170
G1 Z120 Y60
G1 Z200 Y100
G1 Z220 Y50

G1 Z60 Y215 ;Recovery
G1 Z30 Y230 
G1 Z7 
G1 X230 ;Adapter exits from the rail
G1 Z50 ;Move up the Z-axis

G1 Y205 ;Position for wiping
G1 X160 Z2 
G1 Y5 ;Wipe right section
G1 Z50 Y205 X110 
G1 Z2 
G1 Y5 ;Wipe middle section
G1 Z50 Y205 X70
G1 Z2
G1 Y5 ;Wipe left section

G28 ;Home all axes
M211 S1 ;Enable software endstops

Step 2 - Apply Bed Clearing Code

You can start to use Spero Autoflex by applying bed clearing in several ways. 

• Slicer

Paste the Bed Clearing Code into the "End Gcode/Script" section of your slicer software (Cura, PrusaSlicer, IdeaMaker, etc.). This way, the Bed Clearing Code will run and clear the bed after the model is printed.

• Octoprint with Continuous Printing Plugin or OctoPrint-Queue Plugin

Octoprint is a free and open source software providing fairly useful interface to manage 3D Printers. Install Octoprint to your 3D Printer ( https://octoprint.org/download/ )

Install Continuous Printing and OctoPrint-Queue Plugins are free and open source Octoprint plugins designed for continuous printing.

• https://plugins.octoprint.org/plugins/continuousprint/
• https://plugins.octoprint.org/plugins/queue/

Pathway for Non-Adapted 3D Printers

If your 3D printer is not adapted yet, you can easily create a Bed Clearing Code customized for your 3D Printer. You can also contribute to this innovation by sharing this new adaptation with us and others! Upload your adaptation from Github repository of Autoflex! 

Before let's see how to create a Bed Clearing Code.

Spero Bed Clearing Code may require adjustment based on factors such as the size of the 3D printer bed, the quality of the material used in the plate, or the geometry of the printed parts. Our goal is to explain the structure and logic behind the Spero Bed Clearing Code, empowering you to adapt it to your specific 3D printer and requirements.

Structure of Bed Clearing Code

1. Presets and Positioning

Before initiating extruder and Spero Autoflex movements, it's essential to ensure that the extruder is positioned correctly and that the 3D printer interprets commands as positions in the logical coordinate space, rather than relative to the previous location. Additionally, you can configure parameters such as extruder movement speed and warning sounds.  Presets and Positioning section of recommended Bed Clearing Code for Creality Ender-3 Pro is like this:

M211 S0 ;Disable software endstops 
G91 ;Positioning relatively
G1 Z20 ;Move Z-axis 20mm higher 
G28 X Y ;Home Xand Y axes
G90 ;Positioning absolutely

2. Docking

Once the preset and positioning phase is complete, the extruder needs to be moved above the rail to facilitate connection with the Spero Autoflex Adapter. It's crucial to ensure that the bolt can easily enter the rail through the open gap, allowing for a seamless docking process. Pay close attention to alignment and positioning to ensure a smooth connection between the extruder and the rail. Docking section of recommended Bed Clearing Code for Creality Ender-3 Pro is like this:

G1 X230 Y230 ;Go to the up-right corner 230 mm
G1 Z10 ;Docking the adapter by moving Z-axis 20mm lower
G1 X150 ;Adapter goes into the rail

3. Clearing

During this stage, Spero Autoflex Printing Plate ascends and executes various movements to ensure the secure removal of printed parts from the surface.

3.1. Lifting Up

Spero Autoflex Printing Plate elevates, preparing to disengage the printed parts from the surface. Lifting up section of recommended Bed Clearing Code for Creality Ender-3 Pro is like this: 

G1 Z30 ;Lift up the plate

3.2. Bending In and/or Out

Spero Autoflex Printing Plate may perform bending movements as necessary to facilitate the detachment of printed parts. Bending In and/or Out section of recommended Bed Clearing Code for Creality Ender-3 Pro is like this:

G1 Z60 Y215 
G1 Z100 Y185
G1 Z120 Y170
G1 Z140 Y120
G1 Z160 Y170
G1 Z120 Y60

3.3. Leveling

Printed parts are gently slid and removed from the plate, ensuring a smooth and controlled extraction process. Leveling section of recommended Bed Clearing Code for Creality Ender-3 Pro is like this:

G1 Z200 Y100
G1 Z220 Y50

4. Recovery

In the recovery phase, both the Spero Autoflex Printing Plate and the extruder return to their initial positions. This prepares the 3D printer for the next printing task, ensuring it is ready to proceed without delay. Recovery section of recommended Bed Clearing Code for Creality Ender-3 Pro is like this:

G1 Z60 Y215 ;Recovery
G1 Z30 Y230 
G1 Z7 
G1 X230 ;Adapter exits from the rail
G1 Z50 ;Move up the Z-axis

G28 ;Home all axes
M211 S1 ;Enable software endstops

5. Wiping (Optional)

If you want you can add a wiping section to ensure that the parts removed from the bed by pushing by extruder head. Recovery section of recommended Bed Clearing Code for Creality Ender-3 Pro is like this:

G1 Y205 ;Position for wiping
G1 X160 Z2 
G1 Y5 ;Wipe right section
G1 Z50 Y205 X110 
G1 Z2 
G1 Y5 ;Wipe middle section
G1 Z50 Y205 X70
G1 Z2
G1 Y5 ;Wipe left section