F!RST Layer

Print in place articulated first layer height gauge.

Design
Tuning the first layer is challenging at times! Once you manage to level the bed, adjust nozzle distance it looks nice and works as it should. But is it really the thickness it should be? Will the overall height of your print be on the point? Since extrusion width as well as flow settings play a role (not only) in the first layer as well we always found it useful to measure the effective height and do some additional tuning and dialing btw. nozzle distance, flow and extrusion width. Doing that with a calliper was always a bit complicated and unreliable (directly on the bed) so we designed a quick tool to measure the first layer's thickness directly on the bed.

Construction
The indicator needle is articulated at the left side and relates to some simple notches at the right side, each indicating a 0.1 mm step. The frame has a flat surface for stability and a ruler / guide like bottom to place it flat on the print bed. If you slide the gauge over the bed and the ‘feeler’ moves over the skirt or brim you see the needle move to the thickness indicated by the notches.

Slicing, Printing
The design is optimized for printing with a 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.15 mm layer height. Please make sure that your slicer settings for the first layer are not thicker than 0.2 mm otherwise the indicator needle will be attached to the frame. No brim, raft or supports needed.

Assembly
Once printed you just need to break the slight connection the indicator will have with the frame. Do so by pushing the indicator needle slightly towards the bottom edge starting at the right / indicator step side. It should come loose easily… That is all!

Happy printing and measuring!