Z-Axis Fine Tuning is an advanced troubleshooting feature on Formlabs Form 4 and Form 4L generation printers. Use Z-Axis Fine Tuning to correct any consistent, small-scale dimensional errors or to mitigate model adherence issues.

Printed prints are sometimes shorter than their intended design. This dimensional inaccuracy is referred to as Z-compression and can be adjusted by either raising the build platform or by recalibrating the Z-axis.

Fine tune the Z-axis

Z-Axis Fine Tuning changes the height of the build platform above the tank’s flexible film before the first layer adheres to the build platform. Small adjustments adding to the build platform’s height may correct Z-compression in models.

To fine tune the Z-axis on a Form 4 or Form 4L generation printer:

1. Update the printer’s firmware.
2. Ensure that the printer is not running a print job and is currently Idle.
3. Tap the gear icon on the printer’s touchscreen. The Settings screen appears. Tap Tools > Calibration > Z-Axis Fine Tune.
4. Tap the ˄ button above Z Offset to raise the default position of the build platform and increase the value in increments of 50 µm. The highest available Z Offset value is 1000 µm.
• Depending on your printer’s firmware version, the value may be displayed as an integer or with multiple decimal places.
5. Start by changing the Z Offset value to 50 µm. Tap Apply to save the value and return to the Settings screen.
6. Print small models to test the change and continue to adjust the value until models print with consistent supports and rafts.

Prints that run without an error but leave the build platform empty are examples of non-adherence. This can be corrected by either raising the build platform or by recalibrating the Z-axis.

Fine tune the Z-axis

Z-Axis Fine Tuning changes the height of the build platform above the tank’s flexible film before the first layer adheres to the build platform. Small adjustments lowering the build platform’s height may correct non-adherence in models.

To fine tune the Z-axis on a Form 4 generation printer:

1. Update the printer’s firmware.
2. Ensure that the printer is not running a print job and is currently Idle.
3. Tap the gear icon on the printer’s touchscreen. The Settings screen appears. Tap Tools > Calibration > Z-Axis Fine Tune.
4. Tap the ˅ button above Z Offset to lower the default position of the build platform and decrease the value in increments of 50 µm. The lowest available Z Offset value is -1000 µm.
• Depending on your printer’s firmware version, the value may be displayed as an integer or with multiple decimal places.
5. Start by changing the Z Offset value to -50 µm. Tap Apply to save the value and return to the Settings screen.
6. Print small models to test the change. Continue to adjust the value until models print with consistent supports and rafts.

If your parts never adhere or continue to shift location on the build platform, reset all Z-Axis Fine Tuning settings to default values and contact Formlabs Support or your authorized reseller.

To help us provide the fastest and most effective response to your issue, please provide the following information:

• Upload diagnostic logs.
• Serial name of the printer:
  • The serial name is on the back panel of the printer in the format Form4-AdjectiveAnimal.
  • Tap the printer icon on the Home screen.
• Troubleshooting steps attempted:
  • Example: “I raised the build platform to overcompression.”
• Resin formulation and lot number:
  • The lot number is inside the skirt of the resin cartridge.
• Layer thickness:
  • Tap the queue icon on the printer’s touchscreen. The Jobs screen appears.
• Relevant FORM files:
  • If available, attach FORM files of the model to the support request.
• Previous attempts to print the part and any successful prints:
  • Example: “I printed the file part2.form three times previously. The first and second were successful. The third one failed.”