I am completely confused over the relationship between automatic Z-offset and Z-axis compensation (in the printer’s menu).
When I first turned on the machine and went through the first-time set up, all was well for PLA. My first layer was good and Z-axis compensation originally showed 0.00. After a dozen prints or so, I loaded a roll of ASA. The Z-offset was too large. This is logical since ASA shrinks. I used Z-axis compensation to move the nozzle closer to the bed (-2.37). Oddly, this appeared to be the Z-Offset, not what I would call compensation. I was probably 0.07mm closer than I was before. I finished my ASA work and reloaded PLA. I tried turning the Z-axis compensation back to 0.00. It would only go as far as -0.08mm and was a miles off the bed. I ran automatic Z-offset again and got a Z-offset of -2.313. This seems reasonable for PLA. The Z-axis compensation on the printer shows -2.313 not 0.00. Printer.cfg show 2.313, not sure why the difference in sign.
What the heck! Here’s what appears odd. I must not understand what going on.
When new, Z-axis compensation shows the deviation from Z-offset as the name implies. Once you fiddle with it, it starts displaying Z-Offset relative to the probe. Not what the name implies at all! If you run automatic Z-offset again, it does its job (at least for PLA) but the Z-axis compensation displays the new Z-offset not the compensation which I would expect to return to zero. The printer.cfg displays what I would expect, Z-offset relative to the nozzle (positive number).
None of this makes since Z-axis compensation should be what the name implies, compensation. It should not change meaning if adjusted.
Am I not understanting something or is this weird programming?
If you made it all the way through my post, thank you.
Bill