Boop is a down-scaled version of the Voron Tap nozzle-based Z probe, optimized for Printers for Ants that use V0-style toolheads.
Just like Tap, with Boop, the entire toolhead moves to trigger an optical switch, which offers many advantages, including:
- excellent precision :~.0001mm in some cases - microstep-level!!!
- reliability: an effectively infinite number of probing cycles
- software simplicity: simplified macro configuration
... and more noted on the Tap README. It's great.
2023-01-08: beta-1 release! 🎉
- Bed must be stable for high probing force
- Not a fit for cantilevered-bed printers, including V0 and Tiny-M
- Mounts to a front-facing MGN-9H X-axis rail
- V0-style Toolhead
- V0.2-style mount: 2 holes in front, 1 in back
- Supports MiniSB
- V0.1-style mount: 2 holes in front
- Support MiniAB, MinAS, and potentially others
- V0.2-style mount: 2 holes in front, 1 in back
- 5V required at toolhead
Print 2 parts:
- common base
- front part (matching your toolhead).
For both, Voron-standard settings will work, however higher infill and perimeters are recommended, as you want this part to be strong.
Much of the Voron Tap manual applies here; read through it first.
In particular, note the section about adjusting the bed forwards. Boop adds ??? travel to front-facing carriages for Micron and Salad Fork.
- Update your
printer.cfgas recommended in Tap Klipper Instructions - Home Z and test virtual Z endstop by lifting tool-head
- Heat soak your machine and run a couple
probe_accuracy samples=100to "break-in" your probe - Run a few more
probe_accuracychecks (default of 10 probes)
The core Boop requires a sensor, short rail, magnets, and various fasteners.
| Type | Part | Qty | Link | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | OPB991P51Z 2nd choice: OPB990P51Z |
1 | Digi-Key: OPB991P51Z 2nd choice: Digi-Key: OPB990P51Z |
The 991 sensor is strongly recommended as it is safe for MCUs that cannot tolerate 5v input signals. If you have a MCU that is 5v safe then the 990 can be used. Please verify your MCUs capabilities before ordering! |
| Magnet | 6mm n52 magnets | 2 | ||
| Rail | MGN9H 50mm | 1 | ||
| Electronics | 220 ohm, 1/4 watt | 1 | ||
| Fastener | M3 hex nut | 1 | ||
| Fastener | M3 heatset inserts | 4 | ||
| Fastener | M3x6 BHCS | 3 | ||
| Fastener | M3x6 FHCS | 2 | black oxide or other magnetic alloy required | |
| Fastener | What else? ??? |
In addition, an MGN9H rail sized for your specific printer will be needed. See below for printer compatibility and sizes.
| Printer | Rail and Notes |
|---|---|
| Salad Fork 120 | ✅ MGN9H 180 |
| Salad Fork 160 | ✅ MGN9H 210 |
| Micron 120 | ✅ MGN9H 150 |
| Micron 180 | ✅ MGN9H 220 |
| Pandora Gantry 120 | ✅ MGN9H 200 |
| Pandora’s Box 120 | ✅ MGN9H 200 |
| Tiny-T 150 | ✅ MGN9H 200 |
| Tri-Zero 120 | ❓ MGN9H 200 (!!!) Requires either Pandora Gantry or the gantry from Pandora’s Box along with a gantry brace from the mods folder. Note: The Boop carriage can hit the Z extrusions of the stock frame. For this reason, print volume will be reduced. |
| Voron Zero, Tiny-M | ❌ Cantilevered beds are not a fit. |
| Dueling Zero | ❌ Not supported, as a front-facing gantry is required, and clearance to the vertically-oriented Z extrusions would be needed |
Microstep-level precision is possible with Boop! Sample outputs, from the PROBE_ACCURACY command built into Klipper:
probe accuracy results: maximum -0.507500, minimum -0.508750, range 0.001250, average -0.508650, median -0.508750, standard deviation 0.000339
probe accuracy results: maximum 0.016852, minimum 0.16227, range 0.000625, average 0.016477, median 0.016540, standard deviation 0.000187
probe accuracy results: maximum -1.504824, minimum -1.509824, range 0.005000, average -1.507536, median -1.507324, standard deviation 0.001016
This is a custom testbed with a Pandora’s Box gantry atop a Tri-Zero lower. Unlike the two above, this setup is direct-drive, with no reduction.
This number was made possible by increasing the microstepping to 128x to yield a 0.00125 microstep size.
probe accuracy results: maximum 0.010000, minimum 0.003750, range 0.006250, average 0.005775, median 0.005000, standard deviation 0.001730
All Voron Tap FAQs apply here too!
If you don’t see an answer for your question, the place to ask is the #boop channel in the DoomCube Discord.
Yes, a bit, and your bed mount will require a corresponding adjustment forwards. ** TODO: add precise value.**
Not at this time. Seems hard to design, because the right angle of a V0 mount would create the potential for flex. Perhaps with metal reinforcements, this could work, but you would run into the door and lose space.
So much of the design is shared with Voron Tap that a README here will have to suffice for now.
Not yet.
No. Cantilevered beds are not a fit for Tap/Boop-style probing, where significant force is involved.
Yeri tried to make it work with a 9C rail, but Fusion 360 doesn’t support wormhole technology and the screws interfered with the 50mm rail.
Unlikely, unless these are from the same batch and manufacturer.
No; existing ones should be fine as long as you didn't trim the belts too close to the existing carriage
Yes. It would be smaller and lighter than Tap, and enable the use of the V0-style toolhead ecosystem. ???
Yeri did the original and following CAD work and is the project lead.
Hartk did initial testing and feedback.
Zruncho did testing, some CAD exploration, and wrote the README.
MasturMynd and DoubleT tested the beta parts and provided feedback.