Nozzle Z Offset Search - Generic Version

Note that this model has been superseded by this new test square. I find it easier, as well as being faster, covering a wider range of nozzle offsets, and having a finer resolution.

This is a test print to help fine tune a printer nozzle's Z offset. It prints squares that range from -0.05 mm to +0.05 mm in height. See picture for the square layout. 

This gcode must be customized for your specific printer. I hand edited some Cura gcode to produce this and while it's not hard, it's a bit of a pain, so have provided these generic gcode files that can be adapted to different printers. To do so, add your printer's specific initialization gcode just after the “; insert printer init gcode here” comment and the specific finalization gcode after the “; insert printer cleanup end gcode here” comment. Or, you can slice the model provided and edit the gcode to add the Z height offsets. Note that slicers can print the squares in an unintuitive order, so be sure to match up the offsets correctly.

All gcode files are meant for PLA and use a bed temperature of 60 C and a hotend temperature of 200 C, with a travel speed of 50 mm/s. Variants are provided for direct drive extruders (retraction of 1.0 mm) and Bowden ones (retraction of 2.0 mm). Additionally, gcode for 0.6 mm and 0.4 mm nozzles has been provided. I can add other options upon request.

If you do create a test pattern for your printer, please post it as a remix so others can use it too. Thanks!

Before using this, make sure your nozzle's height has been approximately dialed in. Otherwise, in theory it could hit the bed if your nozzle is set much too low. Additionally, it is presumed that the bed has been leveled well enough (or has ABL set up) for the minor Z offsets to be useful for refining nozzle height.

Note I have only tested this on my Sovol SV06.