QIDI X-Max Carriage Mounted Dial Indicator Holder

About

This is an Carriage Mounted Dial Indicator Holder and Bed Leveling Script for the QIDI X-Max. It's as easy to install as replacing the extruder so just remove the extruder cover, unplug and set aside the ribbon cable and remove the two extruder screws from below. Drop in the holder and secure it from below with the same screws that held the extruder.

Notice: It will fit the Qidi X-Plus, X-Maker and I-Mate (S) as well but you must edit the script yourself to fit the bed size.

Support

All my designs and mods on Printables are free to use and remix. They have a non-commercial license. If you enjoy this or any of my other designs you can send me a small donation using the link below. Thanks :)

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BOM - Bill of Materials

All you need is a good quality dial indicator:

Why?

Using a highly accurate Dial Indicator / Dial Gauge you can achieve a perfect bed level and no longer have to rely on the (and relative between each screw) resistance of a leveling paper against the bed surface, which can be tricky. I recommend you use silicone bed columns for a more stable bed level.

The best part is once you have calibrated your setup, you know how to adjust your bed leveling screws for the perfect distance between the bed and the nozzle. For instance, with my Digital Gauge the perfect bed distance between the bed and dial is 23.73 mm. Therefore I adjust each screw until the dial displays 23.73 mm. If I would level the bed in two months or one year it would still be 23.73 mm. If you print different material just change a positive or negative Z offset in the slicer for each material.

How to use

Step 1: Print the holder. There is one version for threaded inserts (M3 x 5.7 mm) using a soldering iron and one for M3 hex nuts, use either one, their function is identical.

Step 2: Remove the extruder and install the holder, secure it with the extruder screws from below just like you would fasten the extruder. You don't have to remove the fan duct, it fits next to it. Copy this bed leveling script (right click and “save as”) to the USB stick and print it and the special leveling program will run:

qidi-xmax-carriage-dial-indicator-holder-1.0.gcode

Notice! The first time you print the leveling program, run it without the dial indicator inserted to make sure it runs fine and stops above each bed leveling screw. Adjust the X and Y values in the script if you need to, each machine is different but it should be fine for most.

Step 3: Insert the dial and print the gcode again. Take notice of the mm distance from the dial to the bed for the first bed leveling screw. You can rotate the dial to get a better view if you like, it will not impact its reading. It will automatically move to the second bed leveling screw after 15 seconds.

Step 4: Adjust the second bed leveling screw below the bed to match the first screw's value. It will automatically move to the third bed leveling screw after 15 seconds.

Step 5: Adjust the third bed leveling screw below the bed to match the first screw's value.

Step 6: After another 15 seconds the bed will lower and the program is complete.

Step 7: Done. Your bed is now perfectly level.

Warning! Do NOT attempt to use the normal bed leveling with the dial mounted, it will hit the frame and likely break!

Dial Indicator Compatibility

The diameter of the holder rod is 8 mm which is standard. The diameter of the dial itself is 57 mm.

Video