Ink calibration pattern moveable

[pathare]

This is specifically for the bottom half of the board, I'd like to be able to see the drill file along with the calibration pattern and then move the pattern to print on an area of the board where there are no holes.

[Pyrophreek]

Or just be able to skip calibration step and use an actual trace as a calibration instead

[mewertow]

Good idea - the default positioning of the calibration pattern can definitely put it in some less-than-ideal spots depending on the circuit. I’ll tag @troy so he’s aware of your suggestion for SW planning!

-Matt

[Steven_Hines]

Did this make the list for an upcoming release?

I’m trying to print on a substrate material that can be difficult to clean after the calibration pattern prints on it, so it’d be nice to have an option to either calibrate elsewhere (e.g., another substrate off to the side) or to skip (or have a pre-calibrate workflow).

[jazozaya]

Hi @Steven_Hines

Sorry for the silence. It hasn’t made it’s way into an upcoming release, but we are well aware this is a problem.

Unfortunately there is no “Skip” button right now, but if you want to skip calibration you can hit the ‘start’ button followed by the ‘stop’ button right away. The printer will stop moving before it starts dispensing.

We are toying with the idea of allowing the printer to dispense the priming pattern to the left of the limit switches (on the aluminum cover). Entirely outside the printing platform so it does not interfere with the substrate.

Unfortunately we haven’t been able to explore this further since we’ve been focused on a big update that’s coming soon. Once that’s out of the way we’ll have more time to tackle this.

[Pyrophreek]

I like the idea of dispensing the test pattern on the aluminum, but I imagine you would need to put a nice rigid sticker there with a smooth surface to get good results. Maybe a thin sheet of PC or PET. Would also have to probe it each time I think.

I second this idea.

[jazozaya]

Yes - we were thinking of a little Kapton sticker so the surface is nice and smooth.

[thorstenjaeger]

This Feature has become more relevant now with the V-Drill and VIA Drills.
Workflow is:
#1 Drill via holes (typically 0.7mm)
#2 Print one side (eg Front)
#3 Bake
#4 Print other side (eg Back)
#4 Bake
The problem now is that along #2 via holes may get filled with Ink (this happens when you wipe off the Calibration Print Ink). And this may be needed more than once, depending on things.
After the Baking the Vias are clogged and you need to re-drill with a Dremel - or try to clean them before baking. The latter us cumbersome as well as the entire Ink is delicate to handle.
So to some extent the above workflow can’t work unless i can specifiy the Calibration Print to an area where are no Via holes (or holes in general). Assuming they are known through a .drl File.

Another Option is to first Print, bake and than drill the holes. Didnt have time to test this. It certainly requires Drilling alignment to existing Features.

[mixer]

Hi,

I have an idea. Could you guys make a symbol or footprint for Eagle that we can use so I can just put that in the print?

If we can then only select that part (like when you print solder) we can selectively calibrate away from the holes!

[Fitzy]

Hi all,
A few times now, it’s filled some of the holes with ink just by calibrating more than once. It’s also annoying when you’re trying to repair a trace on a printed board, that it prints the calibration pattern over the circuit.
I really like the idea of being able to calibrate on the aluminum cover beside the switches (thank you @.jazozaya for that). This was mentioned a while ago though… has there been much progress in that area? That would be incredibly helpful.

[jazozaya]

Hi @Fitzy,

Unfortunately we haven’t been able to make much progress in this area. Rest assured that the SW team is still actively working on the V-One software.

We haven’t released a SW version in a while because we’ve been working on 2 large projects. Hopefully once these are out of the way we’ll be able to make more periodic releases.

[mixer]

Why don’t you guys tell us what you are working on?

At least we will know when to expect new stuff.

I desperately need to get the whining from the engines fixed! The noise is unbearable for my tinnitus!!