This tool helps calibrate the extruder of a 3D printer, ensuring the correct amount of filament is extruded for each commanded millimeter. Accurate extrusion is crucial for dimensional accuracy, consistent wall thickness, and overall print quality. For instance, if the tool indicates a value of 95 steps/mm, it signifies that the extruder motor needs to turn 95 steps to push the filament forward by precisely one millimeter.
Proper calibration prevents under-extrusion, which leads to gaps and weak prints, and over-extrusion, which causes blobs, stringing, and dimensional inaccuracies. Historically, this process was often done manually through trial and error, a time-consuming and often imprecise method. This automated approach provides more precision and simplifies a previously complex calibration procedure, contributing significantly to the reliability and accessibility of 3D printing.