Pyr0-Piezo Z-Axis Sensor Mount for Creality Print Heads

This is a mount that utilizes most of the original hardware of the OEM print head, with only a couple of additional screws needed.

Additional parts required:
2x M3 x 4mm
2x M3 x 12mm

The Nozzle Mount needs to be printed in a slightly more flexible material like PETG, but all others can be printed in any rigid filament, PLS/ABS/etc.

The original M3 x 6mm pan head screws for holding the fan cover on to the print head are re-purposed to hold the nozzle flex-mount.

Assembly Video: https://youtu.be/2cNnFn2G74c

Gfycat for the youtube disinclined

What's this for?

This design incorporates two different enhancements:

1. An Ultra-Sensitive Z-Axis sensor utilizing the mechanical force of the nozzle touching the bed, giving a direct measurement with no offsets or referential assumptions to consider
2. (Optional) An FFC Cable chain (Flat Flexible Cable) that can carry the entire print-head's signals and current in a clean and organized way

Why is this better than X sensor?

• Vs. Inductive / capacitative sensors: No Offset, more accurate, doesn't require special surface
• Vs. Mechanical touch (BL-Touch, servo mounted endstops): No Offset, more accurate
• Vs. removable pressure sensor: More accurate, no need for attaching a device only for levelling
• Optical rangefinder / Time of Flight: Much more accurate, doesnt require specific surface
• Vs. Mechanical endstops: All the things
• Vs PrecisionPiezoUK version: No potentiometer calibration required, better false-signal filtering

Features:

• Self-calibrating (no more fiddling with tiny potentiometers!)
• Ultra-precise z-height measurements
• Zero offset (The nozzle itself is the sensor!)
• Compatible with ALL surface types
• No plugging in removable sensors for leveling
• FFC Cable chain for a clean connection between print head and controller
• Onboard switchable DC buck converter for 12v or 5v fan operation
• LED Feedback on all PWM components
• Standalone version available for drop-in installation

Credit must be given to precisionpiezo.co.uk for getting me started on this project and giving me a place to start. I did build a version of the FFC cable chain based on their electrical designs but found the calibration of the circuit to be very fiddly, as the range of value on the potentiometers that was acceptable was very narrow.

I've since started from scratch using my own BOM and designs, while including an onboard microcontroller to handle auto-calibration. Given that every 3D printer is different, I wanted this sensor to be as easy and stable as other sensors available on the market, but with the increased performance of a piezo sensor.

This page may be updated less frequently than the github project, so for the latest information, files, and models, make sure to check there first:

https://github.com/pyr0ball/pyr0piezo

Discord Channel for support and discussion

Legacy links:
Original Mount (Doesn't work as well as I'd like)
Original Mount v1 (Doesnt work at all)
Original Piezo + FFC board