Syringe Tool Calibration
Overview
This procedure describes how to calibrate the Z-offset for the syringe tool. This is necessary because the syringe can be fitted with different length tips, requiring recalibration each time a new tip is attached.
Prerequisites
- Clear bed of any existing items
- Syringe tool installed on the machine
- Glass plate (if doing gel printing)
Steps
- Connect to the machine:
python
from science_jubilee.Machine import Machine
from science_jubilee.tools.Tool import Tool
m = Machine(address='192.168.1.2')- Load the syringe tool:
python
tool_index = 2 # Adjust based on your machine configuration
syringe = Tool(index=tool_index, name='syringe')
m.load_tool(syringe)
m.pickup_tool(syringe)- Position the syringe:
python
m.move_to(x=200, y=150) # Move over an empty part of the bed
m.move_to(z=0) # Move to starting position- Calibrate Z-offset:
- Gradually decrease the Z value until the tip is just above the bed
- For gel printing, calibrate to the height of the glass plate
- Use either DuetWebControl interface or Python commands:
python
z_offset = 0 # Adjust this value gradually
m.move_to(z=z_offset)- Update the tool offset:
python
starting_offset = m.tool_z_offsets[m.active_tool_index]
real_z_position = float(m.get_position()["Z"])
new_z_offset = starting_offset - real_z_position
m.set_tool_offset(tool_idx=m.active_tool_index, z=new_z_offset)- Move to safe height:
python
m.move_to(z=100)Important Notes
- This calibration is temporary and will reset when the machine is restarted
- For gel printing, recalibrate each time the machine is turned on
- For liquid handling, the Z offset can be set permanently by a workshop organizer
- Always ensure the bed is clear before calibration
- For gel printing, always calibrate to the glass plate height, not the aluminum bed