XY Squaring
Fix skewed prints on the 22 IDEX V4 by measuring the test part diagonals, then squaring X to Y with the XY Squaring macros or by rotating the crossbar.
This guide covers squaring the motion system of the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 - making the X axis truly perpendicular to the Y axis. If the axes are not square, every print comes out slightly skewed: rectangles turn into parallelograms, and parts that must fit together do not. You will notice it as unequal diagonals on a printed test part.
There are two methods, and they are used in this order:
- Programmatic - the XY Squaring macros apply a software correction. This is the primary method and covers most cases.
- Mechanical - the crossbar is physically rotated on its mounts. Use it only when the deviation is too large for the programmatic correction to handle.
Before you begin - safety and risk
Read the Safety - Before You Begin article to understand the hazards involved in working on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 - including electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical risks. All procedures in this wiki are provided as recommendations only. By choosing to follow any procedure, you do so at your own risk.
Tools and Materials
- XY Squaring Test model - a quick test part (about 10 minutes of printing)
- Calipers (to measure the diagonals)
- 2.5 mm hex key (crossbar mounting screws - mechanical method only)
- Flat screwdriver (to push the rear crossbar screws - mechanical method only)
- Threadlocker, e.g. Loctite 243 (mechanical method only)
Printing and Measuring the Test Part
- Print the test part. Download the XY Squaring Test model, slice it with your usual profile, and print it.
- Measure both diagonals. The part is a square frame with a cross inside. Measure the two diagonals with calipers:
- Diagonal 1 - runs from the front-left corner to the rear-right corner;
- Diagonal 2 - runs from the rear-left corner to the front-right corner.
- Compare the results. A difference of up to 0.2 mm per 100 mm of diagonal is acceptable - if you are within it, no adjustment is needed. If your parts require tighter geometry, you can tune further to your own needs.
Which Way to Correct
The larger diagonal tells you the direction of the correction - note that the programmatic and the mechanical corrections go in opposite directions:
| Larger diagonal | Programmatic (XY Squaring macros) | Mechanical (crossbar) |
|---|---|---|
| Diagonal 1 (front-left ↔ rear-right) | clockwise (Adjust CW) | counterclockwise (left rear screw) |
| Diagonal 2 (rear-left ↔ front-right) | counterclockwise (Adjust CCW) | clockwise (right rear screw) |
Method 1: Programmatic Correction
- Open the XY Squaring macros. In the Web Interface, go to Macros → System → Calibration → XY Squaring.
- Apply the correction. Depending on which diagonal is larger, run Adjust ↑↓ CW or Adjust ↓↑ CCW. Each run shifts the squaring offset by 0.1 mm, up to a maximum of ±2 mm. The correction is saved in the user settings and persists across reboots.
- Reprint the test part and measure again. Repeat the adjustment until the diagonals are equal within tolerance. If you hit the ±2 mm limit and the diagonals still differ, continue with the mechanical method below.
Method 2: Mechanical Correction
The crossbar is fastened on four mounting screws. Rotating it slightly on these mounts corrects a deviation too large for the software offset.
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Reset the programmatic correction to zero. Before the mechanical alignment, run Reset Offsets in the XY Squaring macros folder to zero out the value you set in Method 1. After the mechanical alignment, an additional programmatic pass may be needed - and it must start from zero, not on top of the old offset.
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Loosen all four crossbar mounting screws. Loosen them just enough (a few turns) to allow the crossbar to rotate — do not remove them completely.
- Rotate the crossbar. Depending on which diagonal is larger:
- Diagonal 2 larger - rotate clockwise: insert a screwdriver into the right rear screw, press it to the right with your hand, and tighten the screw while holding the pressure.
- Diagonal 1 larger - rotate counterclockwise: insert a screwdriver into the left rear screw, press it to the left with your hand, and tighten the screw while holding the pressure.
- Tighten the remaining screws. The order does not matter, but when tightening each screw, the X/U rail must sit directly opposite the screw.
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Check the result before locking it in. Do not apply threadlocker yet. Reprint the test part and measure the diagonals. If more correction is needed, repeat steps 8-10. A small remaining deviation can be finished off with the programmatic method - starting from the zeroed offset.
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Lock the screws with threadlocker. Once the diagonals are equal, apply threadlocker to all four screws. Remove, apply threadlocker, and retighten each screw one by one so the crossbar alignment does not shift. When backing out a screw, be careful with the spherical washers — there are four washers in total (a pair resting on top of the gantry and a pair underneath it). Ensure all four washers remain in place and do not shift or fall out.
- Re-adjust the Y endstops. Rotating the crossbar shifts the position at which the Y endstops are activated, so after the mechanical correction they must be adjusted for the new crossbar position. Follow the method described in Aligning the Y Endstops, with one simplification: unlike a replacement, nothing needs to be disassembled here - do not remove the LED strip, just slightly loosen the two screws of each endstop and shift it within its oval holes. In rare cases the Z-probe pickup positions also need re-calibration: Macros → System → Calibration → Z Probe → Probe Calibration.
Verification
- Run Auto Calibration - after a mechanical correction the Y reference has changed, and the calibration results depend on it.
- Print the test part one more time and confirm the diagonals are equal within tolerance.
FAQ
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