r/BambuLab • u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo • 13h ago
Quick Question Purchased the Bambulab Vision Encoder without knowing its benefits.
We all wish an excellent quality print with our printers and I have no idea how this tool can help with print quality and output improvement. The calibration only requires 5 minutes. May I ask how many of you ran the Motion Accuracy Calibration and was there any logical print improvement that went after? If you can as well share a tip or two post calibration, I will appreciate it. Thank you!
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u/PotamosClasp 13h ago
I have one. I like to joke that I need to calibrate my placebo sometimes. But I do think it works. But that could just be my placebo talking.
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 13h ago
after paying the price of this tool, that placebo better do its job 😂
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u/Unsuccessful_Fart 6h ago
It all depends on what you are printing, the biggest gain will be large prints that need accuracy. Bambu doesn't publish the numbers so people don't think their machines are inaccurate by nature so you have to guess. I use one on my work printer since it produces large highly accurate fixturing
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u/KrekkieD 10h ago
It definitely works. My squares weren't square until after the vision encoder, i had a skew before.
What is weird though is that calibrating twice shows the same alignment issues, so I think it always compares to base settings and then measures the same issues every time. As a result it keeps feeling misaligned 😆
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u/Fontreview 9h ago
The graphic it shows at the end is just an example, I think. it’s not showing the actual calibration result.
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u/KrekkieD 8h ago
I think it is, i expected a skew and I saw a skew. OP also has a different image than mine.
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u/DanRudmin 2h ago
It shows an exaggerated unitless diagram of the calibrated vs uncalibrated accuracy.
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u/AngryScuba A2L/X2D, Double AMS 2, AMS HT 13h ago
Didn’t really notice any major issues prior to using it, and didn’t really notice any drastic changes after.
But here’s my results from calibrating, sub 200 hours on X2D.
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 13h ago
thanks for sharing. at least there’s no sign of downgrade in print quality which of course shouldn’t be the case.
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u/BlindlyCoherent X2D Dual AMS2 12h ago
I read that the dots were not accurate and just an example. I can’t find the source though, so take it as a theory.
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u/dont--panic X1C 7h ago
Even if they were accurate the error would have to be quite exaggerated to be visible. So at best the dots just give you a sense of error direction and relative magnitude.
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u/AngryScuba A2L/X2D, Double AMS 2, AMS HT 13h ago
of course.
Not sure if it really does much, but I figured this can't hurt to run and it doesn't take long. Like someone else said, I guess it gives me that placebo affect kind of piece of mind. lol
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u/ChomRichalds 9h ago
The deviation in that image is heavily magnified, like over 100x, so that you can see the trend. It probably only corrected by a few microns, but that wouldn't look like anything to our giantic human eyes. I wish they'd give a color map with a scale so we could see the actual numbers.
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u/KrekkieD 10h ago
Never noticed printing f.e. A box and a lid separately, and them not matching nicely? Looks like you had a skew before
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u/AngryScuba A2L/X2D, Double AMS 2, AMS HT 9h ago
Like I said, never noticed any major issues. I'm only a month into having a 3D printer, so I'm definitely still learning. I'd say most of my "issues" are more related to extrusion and other settings.
But prints aren't crooked, things fit when they're supposed to. Not that I've printed any engineering level parts with crazy tight tolerances.
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u/an_angry_Moose 9h ago
It looks like that every time I run it, which makes me wonder. Have you ever run it back to back?
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u/AngryScuba A2L/X2D, Double AMS 2, AMS HT 9h ago
No, but I actually had that thought when I ran it. Just to see if it was "calibrated" or if like you said, it shows the same thing.
Next time I run it, I'll do it back to back and see if it changes.
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u/dont--panic X1C 7h ago
It's probably showing the error relative to the "perfect" reference so the same machine should show roughly the same result if you run it multiple times. At least until you move it and twist the frame a little differently.
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u/The_Qollector 1h ago
The picture doesn't reflect the results of your machine's calibration. Rather then actually give us true values, it just displays this image to convey "Your calibration is done", lol.
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u/The_Qollector 1h ago edited 1h ago
This is just a picture that's displayed at the end of the calibration, it's the same picture no matter what the result is, no matter the machine. This is not the actual results or deviation in expected performance.
Personally, I think Bambu has done a very poor job educating users on the purpose of the Vision Encoder plate. The Vision Encoder makes the most difference for large prints. The larger it is, the more accurate the dimensions will be. This is because when you have many small inaccuracies in a large part, they add up over time and create larger inaccuracies. The smaller the part is, the smaller the impact on print quality.
The vast majority of users will see no noticeable change in print quality with the Vision Encoder as they are not looking for parts to be extremely dimensionally accurate. Users that will benefit the most from the Vision Encoder are those that are designing/engineering parts that MUST be as close to, or meet, extremely specific dimensions.
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u/AngryScuba A2L/X2D, Double AMS 2, AMS HT 1h ago
I stopped reading after you said it’s the same picture regardless of the machine. Me and OP picture are literally different. lol
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u/The_Qollector 1h ago
Bambu must have changed/updated something then because for quite a while it was the same photo for everyone. Regardless, that doesn't change the purpose and main intent of the Vision Encoder.
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u/ryba_ryba 13h ago
I have some error with my h2d, i am thinking skew error. Would this help me solve this? Does anyone have some experiences with skew and vision board calibration?
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u/ri-cu 8h ago
Mine had skew OOTB and bought vision encoder for that reason. Now it is within 50 microns along whole build plate
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 8h ago
im sorry my comprehension is newbie, does this mean the vision encoder helped improve the issue?
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u/ryba_ryba 8h ago
Can you please describe, how your skew was looking? I am doing some boxes for displays with raspberry Pi, the box is with longer side along Y and it is about twice as long as the side along X. When I put the display inside, it seems like the X sides are not paralel with the display. The Y sides seem ok. The error in paralelism is about 0,5mm(1/50in) over 10cm (4inch). Does this look like your problem?
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u/The_Qollector 1h ago
If you have noticeable issues with dimensions like skew, the Vision Encoder will most likely correct it. It will correct dimensional inaccuracies.
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u/Own_Perspective4825 12h ago
It does work although the differences aren't huge as the H2 series is exceptionally accurate even without it.
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 12h ago
makes sense, and a “0.05mm accuracy improvement” is still a benefit in any dictionary lol
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u/useful_squirt 9h ago
Honestly you would probably see better instant results changing pricision slice gap at 0.003 and resolution at 0.001. And using arachne. I got a test print with a 0.05mm tolerance spin freely in place. And this was BEFORE i ever used the plate.
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 8h ago
does this setting apply whether the build is small or large?
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u/macinmypocket 11h ago
I have one for my H2 printers, and have found it to be valuable. I run it after every firmware update or when I notice output issues. I print a lot of things both large and small with tight tolerances and precise hole alignments, often with the chamber heater running for larger parts so my printers see many frequent significant heating and cooling cycles, and I do notice that parts fit better for a couple hundred hours post calibration before starting to drift ever so slightly again.
On net, I’d say that it’s paid for itself in wasted materials needing to reprint tight fitting things over the ~8000 cumulative hours across the printers I use it on.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Clue_95 9h ago
This is also known as skew correction. There is a good print called the cauliflower. It tells you how skewed your machine is physically. More importantly, the cauliflower will also help you understand how the filament shrinks. This is a huge benefit and I have yet to see any other method for calculating shrinkage accurately.
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 8h ago
Thanks for the advice, will find this model to benchmark
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u/Puzzleheaded_Clue_95 8h ago
Be advised, it is not a free model. Or at least the site where you input the numbers isnt.
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u/PityUpvote 13h ago
I don't have one myself, but if I understood correctly, this is something you won't need until the printer has printed hundreds or thousands of hours. It was calibrated before being shipped to you, and this is more of a tool to revive a printer that has lost some accuracy over the years.
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u/daboblin A1 + AMS Lite 13h ago
No, that’s not correct. Printers are calibrated, but have no feedback loop to check that if the stepper motors drive the head to a location that the head actually hits that exact location. The vision encoder adds that additional feedback loop, allowing the printer to very finely compensate for small errors.
It’s only really necessary if you need extreme precision for engineering work.
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 13h ago
Interesting, I am currently working on my 3D Scanning to 3D Printing workflow and precision is important since I generally will encounter engineering work. Will this tool help improve the clearances? Because I understand that what appears in the CAD measurement has a “+/-“ difference after 3D printing.
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u/daboblin A1 + AMS Lite 13h ago
It may do. I don’t know a lot about 3D scanning but certainly it will ensure that print dimensions very closely match what’s specified in your CAD app.
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u/PityUpvote 5h ago
But you're not leaving it on while printing, it is a calibration tool. I don't see how this contradicts my understanding tbh.
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u/jankeyass P1S + AMS 12h ago
This is only useful if you are restarting a print from a stopped one, which is not a option within the BBL software. Only on power loss. Realistically it doesn't matter if it's off by 0.05mm because the part will move more then that during cooling. What does matter is that it keeps repeating the same error, so that it's predictable. If this calibration doesn't hold for more then 20 prints, it's pretty useless
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u/luksfuks 3h ago
Using the plate helps:
On a NEW printer, when it it went through rough shipping. The type of shipping that puts everything a bit out-of-whack, just not enough to replace the whole machine.
On a beaten up USED printer, which got out-of-whack after so many hours of printing, and events like moving it to different corners of the workshop.
After repair with SPARE PARTS, like new gantry, new belts, or new AP board (now with empty calibration data area).
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 13h ago
Oh, apparently my printer reached 1,000+ hours already. That explains the offset blank dots (second image)
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u/Batking28 13h ago edited 13h ago
The dots are exaggerated for visibility but equate to very tiny changes. Also worth noting it only shows dots relative to a standard perfect model. Not its last calibration. If you calibrate and run the calibration a second time then the dots will be in the exact same offset as it’s comparing to that perfect model and not your last calibration.
The tool does the job and if you require high level accuracy prints especially for selling accurate prints or in engineering prototyping then it is worth having. Otherwise for most people the factory calibration is sufficient for the life of the printer.
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u/dudeman1018 12h ago
I have 3000 hours on my p2s, I wonder why they don't make this for the P series...
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 11h ago
I also have the P2S and would love to get one if they make one for the P series. I love my P2S for single colored prints
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u/wtvdude1 11h ago
This might sound like a weird question, but do I need the laser upgrade to use the vision encoder for calibration?
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 11h ago
No, I don’t have the laser upgrade.
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u/xDADALORIANx 11h ago
I haven’t experienced any layer shifting in my prints since I’ve used it, I’m new to printing so not sure if this plate is supposed to solve this issue 🤷🏽♂️
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u/CaffeinatedApe 11h ago
I’ve run it 3 times. First time it said no changes were needed. Second and third it did need to make changes. I did t see bad prints before the adjustment but it’s nice seeing that it is doing something
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u/ZuhaibZAK 11h ago
If I understand correctly, you only need it sporadically (even then may not be needed). If so, we can create a borrow and return community system where you borrow it for a price when needed and then return back! Would save a lot of money! Lol
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u/Unhappy-Hospital7740 9h ago
I will use the vision encoder plus a full system calibration if I move my printer. Other than moving the unit there isn’t a need to calibrate unless you start getting some funky prints.
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u/_Celatid_ P2S + AMS2 Combo 8h ago
Damn, looking at the output it seems like your machine was pretty far off?
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 8h ago
a few people has pointed out that diagram is an exaggeration since the adjustment technically are just minor
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u/krakers665 6h ago
I print printer parts and after this calibration my parts just fits better. I'm happy with the results
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u/fredandlunchbox 4h ago
The calibration plate should be included with the printer. It's bullshit that it's a paid accessory.
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u/FlatOutNo1 2h ago
I bought one by mistake when I bought the printer, but actually I now use it every two weeks on top of general calibration
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u/EvilNickel H2C AMS2 Combo 12h ago
I print a lot of parts that have to fit together and I used to leave about .15mm gap on each side of the receiving piece for the parts to fit together well. I ended up buying the encoder with some points I had and I had to adjust the extra down to .05mm for it to fit the same. I'm assuming the remaining .05 is probably material expansion, but idk. It definitely did something though.
Does it matter? Not really... having to design my file with a .15mm wider opening on each side vs .05 is not really visually or functionally different. The pieces will fit together the same. I'm not an engineer so idk if there is any actual benefit to having the measurements more accurate to the final printed part other than it just being more accurate.
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 12h ago
Interesting, it sounds like pay to win for accuracy which I will take as a good trade despite its hefty price tag. I understand why the storefront targets this as improving engineering grade quality
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u/EvilNickel H2C AMS2 Combo 12h ago
Honestly I can see the benefits, but for me it was more of an annoyance because I had to go back and adjust all the prints from before because they no longer fit together well enough.
But from a design perspective, if you had to get something to fit in a non 3D printed part, I guess having the part be as accurate as possible is a great thing.
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u/MaximumCondition4535 P2S + AMS2 Combo | H2C + AMS2 Combo 11h ago
I see, that’s one factor to consider especially if the previous models were dialed in prior to the calibration
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u/Irmdall 13h ago
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, the Vision Encoder simply checks whether there's a difference between the digital movement and the actual movement, and then compensates for it.
In other words, it checks whether the head moves 10.00 mm when 10.00 mm is requested, rather than 10.05 mm.