3D Printer calibration is critical to 3D printing accuracy. These calculators and resources will allow you to calibrate your printer for optimal results.
The steps per millimeter (steps/mm) calculation is used to calibrate the X, Y, Z and E axis of your 3D printer. This same calculation is used regardless of the axis. The process is to have a known target you are trying to reach and then measure the actual value of what was printed.(for instance a 20mm x 20mm x 20mm calibration cube) This calculator will then adjust your steps/mm based on the measured value to provide a new value which will match the target value.
Flow compensation is used to compensate for the expansion of the filament being pressed against the layer underneath. Use this calculator to correct for the expansion of the filament by adjusting the flow rate. To use this calculator print a 20mm x 20mm x 20mm cube with 1 wall,0 top layers, and 0% infill. Then measure the top 5 layers with your caliper. Measure near the center of the cube not near the edges. Enter the values below to see how you can adjust your flow compensation to produce the properly sized line width of extruded material.