Calibration and Measurement MicroSim¶
Learning Objective¶
Students apply caliper measurement technique by reading simulated caliper displays and calculating the dimensional error and required calibration correction for a printed calibration cube.
- Bloom Level: Apply (L3)
- Bloom Verb: Calculate
- Library: p5.js
Preview¶
Specification¶
The full specification below is extracted from Chapter 11: Design for Additive Manufacturing and Metrology.
Type: microsim
**sim-id:** calibration-measurement-sim<br/>
**Library:** p5.js<br/>
**Status:** Specified
Bloom Level: Apply (L3)
Bloom Verb: Calculate
Learning Objective: Students apply caliper measurement technique by reading simulated caliper displays and calculating the dimensional error and required calibration correction for a printed calibration cube.
Canvas layout:
- Left panel (300px): Isometric view of a calibration cube with highlighted measurement faces. Click a face to activate that measurement.
- Center panel (250px): Animated digital caliper display showing a reading for the selected dimension, with the jaw gap visible
- Right panel (150px): Data entry table — student enters the measured values for X, Y, Z dimensions
Visual elements:
- Calibration cube rendered in p5.js with distinct labeled faces (X, Y, Z)
- Digital caliper: realistic LCD display showing mm reading with decimal point; jaws animate to show correct placement
- Three rows in the data table: Designed (20.00), Measured (editable), Error (auto-calculated), Status (Pass/Fail at ±0.3 mm default tolerance)
Interactive controls:
- Click cube face: selects that dimension and animates caliper to measuring position
- Input field: student types their reading; error calculates immediately
- Slider: "Printer Accuracy Level" (Good / Average / Needs Calibration) — changes the simulated measured values to present different scenarios
- Button: "Calculate E-step Correction" — shows formula and computed correction factor if the extruder calibration is the diagnosed root cause
Data:
- Scenario 1 (Good): X=19.97, Y=20.01, Z=19.95 — within tolerance
- Scenario 2 (Under-extrusion): X=19.72, Y=19.74, Z=19.80 — consistent under-sizing
- Scenario 3 (Z issue): X=19.98, Y=19.97, Z=19.60 — Z axis only out
Instructional Rationale: Apply-level objective requires students to use a procedure in a given situation. Simulating calibration cube reading lets students practice the data-gathering and diagnosis steps before working with real hardware.
Responsive: panels reflow to vertical stack on narrow screens.