ANTCLABS BLTouch V3.1

Description

ANTCLABS BLTouch Australia P.S.

This is not a plug and plays solution, the detailed process explained on YouTube

Features

Main functions and controls are the same as usual auto bed levelling sensor, consists of RC servo and microswitch. Thus, BLTouch can be applied on almost every board.

BLTouch is fulfilled with a simple structure and high precision by using a progressively designed solenoid and hall sensor. It aims for user convenience and enjoyable printing by adding many smart functions, such as self-test, alarm, alarm release & Touch Switch mode, Blue LED for servo signal indicating and Z-probe(Zmin) Testing.

Simple

BLTouch can be easily applied since it has a small and simple structure. As BLTouch works as usual auto bed levelling sensor, Gathering information & setting up your firmware will be an easy task.

Smart

Self-test: The push pin operates two times in a test when the power is on.

Alarm: The LED light blinks if a problem was found on a self-test or during operation

High-precision

Standard Deviation in repeatability is around 0.005mm, at that precise.

How it works

ANTCLABS BLTouch :: Auto bed levelling sensor for 3D printers – YouTube

For more information, please Contact Us

■ BLTouch 

BLTouch must be installed perpendicular to the ground.

If BLTouch push-pin can’t be perpendicular to the ground, BLTouch will put wrong signal out.

■ Micro switch

BLTouch is equipped with all three function as micro-switch, servo motor and also servo arm.

Comparison would be pointless if micro switch sensor for bed leveling does not include the retraction and deployment method.

■ Inductive Proximity Sensor

At Inductive Proximity Sensors, to calculate the sensing distance for other application conditions the following parameters, which affect the sensing distance, must be taken into account. (For example : Variations in ambient temperature(Kθ), Different types of object material(Km), Size of the object to be detected(Kd), Variation of supplyvoltage(Kt))  

Sa(assured sensing distance) = Sn x Kθ x Km x Kd x KtSn : nominal sensing distanceIf non-contacting Inductive Proximity sensor can be provided the same Parameter at whole working area, it must be the best auto bed leveling sensor for 3D printers.​

But who can provide this?​

Most of metal beds have various temperature(Kθ) areas at one bed, and its thickness(Kd) and object material(Km) are also various because of bolts, nuts, or supporters etc.

​Technology

BLTouch consists of Atmel ATtiny2313A, solenoid, and a push pin.

Innovative Solenoid : Ultra Power Saving

On idle state, while the push-pin is whether pulled out or retracted, there are no any electric current flowing on solenoid. Standby electric current in the whole device is below average of 15mA on working state,

but while the pin is moving, in a sudden about 100ms, under 300mA flows in the device.

Low power consumption even drops joule heating, and it prevents heat problem.

Hall Sensor : Free Bed material Selection

BLTouch does not uses either optical, nor proximity(inductive/capacitive) sensor.

BLTouch is controlled by hall effect, providing high precision. Thus the bed material can be freely selected.

Optimized structure : Larger Build Size

BLTouch is a small, and technology-intensive device. Build size can be set larger than other existing auto bed

leveling sensor.

Easy to Use 

BLTouch uses existing RC Servo motor signal intactly, so just plug BLTouch on the same pins after removing servo motor.

Control by G-code 

Open Drain for Logic Voltage Free

In the BLTouch, an additional MOSFET is used to implement the Logic Free 3.3V / 5V (Open Drain) output mode.

Open Drain(Default) mode depends on the logic level of your control board, so if your board is a 5V logic system, BLTouch operates in 5V logic mode and 3.3V logic mode if your board is a 3.3V logic system.

Other than some special cases  (for example, a controller board that has a Zmin input with a large capacitance), the Smart V3 is a drop-in replacement for a V2 (no firmware modification needed).

Signal Timing Diagram

1) If the red LED flashes to 80% duty during 3D printing, check the wiring of the red cable (poor wiring).

    It may be necessary to repair or reinstall the cable.

2) if the red LED in BLTOUCH flashes at 80% duty right after the 3D printer is switched on,

    please  release it with S60 or S160. 

It’s a message to check Wiring because your 3D printer board is already sending a control signal to BLTouch before BLTouch  power is turned on. Don’t worry, your 3D printer and BLTouch work perfectly even if the Red LED flashes at 80% duty.

It is common for BLTouch control signals to occur at machine startup or a little later.

     Z Probing

Probing with Push-pin Down(M280 P0 S10) : tS1090 / tS1090*:

Step 1 : Push-pin Down(M280 P0 S10)

Step 2 : Probing(keep M280 P0 S10)

Step 3 : Push-pin Up(M280 P0 S90) after triggered

Caution: An alarm may occur.

Probing with Push-pin Down(M280 P0 S10) : tS10  ← Recommended

Step 1 : Push-pin Down(M280 P0 S10)

Step 2 : Probing(keep M280 P0 S10)

Step 3 : After triggered, if probing is not finished yet, go Step 2.

Step 4 : Push-pin Up(M280 P0 S90)

Caution: An alarm may occur.

Probing with Touch Switch Mode(M280 P0 S60) : tS60

Step 1 : Push-pin Down(M280 P0 S10)

Step 2 : Touch Switch Mode(M280 P0 S60)

Step 3 : Probing(keep M280 P0 S60)

Step 4 : After triggered, if probing is not finished yet, go Step 3.

Step 5 : Push-pin Up(M280 P0 S90)

Caution: The push pin may not be completely down.

Probing with Touch Switch Mode(M280 P0 S60) : tS60  ← Recommended

Step 1 : Push-pin Down(M280 P0 S10)

Step 2 : Touch Switch Mode(M280 P0 S60)

Step 3 : Probing(keep M280 P0 S60)

Step 4 : After triggered, if probing is not finished yet, go Step 1.  

Step 5 : Push-pin Up(M280 P0 S90) 

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