Adaptive Bed Leveling: Revolutionizing First Layer Accuracy on the Mark X

The First Layer

The first layer is the most critical part of any FFF print. Common failures—warping, nozzle clogging, poor bed adhesion—originate here. To boost reliability, we introduced a pre‑print bed scan for the Mark X that guarantees a level surface before each job. Adaptive Bed Leveling in Eiger takes this one step further by using laser‑scanned bed topography to adjust the Z‑axis in real time.

Limitations of Traditional Bed Leveling

Standard point‑based leveling can’t fully compensate for subtle bed irregularities. Even a perfectly leveled bed may produce an uneven first layer. Adaptive Bed Leveling corrects this by dynamically responding to the actual bed surface measured by the laser scanner.

Bed Topography & Calibration

During the pre‑bed scan, the Mark X maps the entire bed with its on‑head laser scanner. It checks the topography for flatness; if the bed isn’t level enough, the machine prompts the user to re‑level using the stage thumbscrews. Once verified, the printer draws a calibration line on the left side of the bed. With a calibrated topography, the machine makes minute Z‑axis adjustments during the first layer, producing a consistently adhered and defect‑free surface.

How to Enable Adaptive Bed Leveling

For existing Mark X owners, activation is simple: download the latest firmware update, rebuild your G‑code files in Eiger, and enable “Scan Before Printing” on the touchscreen. The process is fully automated and requires no extra steps, yet it delivers measurable improvements in print quality.

Curious to see it in action? Request a demo or try the feature on your own Mark X.

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