Use XYZ Calibration Cube to Diagnose 3D Printing Issues and Tune Your 3D Printer

A calibration cube is usually a classic cube with concave X, Y, and Z letters on the surfaces. It's known for 3d printer test cube. Because it's printed to detect issues like 3D printing ghosting, Z wobbling, elephant foot, and inaccurate X, Y or Z-axis dimension. And from the issue of the print cube, you could tune your 3D printer to the best condition accordingly.  

Elephant foot, a commonly appeared symptom in 3D printing

Variations of Calibration Cube for FDM 3D Printer

There are a lot of variations of calibration cubes we can find on internet. Here we recommend two common types, the classic XYZ calibration cube and the calibration cat.

1. Classic 20mm XYZ Calibration Cube

A classic XYZ calibration cube is already described in the beginning, and it has different sizes, often 20mm, 16mm or 10mm.

Classic 20mm XYZ Calibration Cube

Designer: iDig3Dprinting

Thingiverse download link: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1278865

XYZ Calibration Cube shared by ThirstyTurtle328

2. Calibration Cat

Calibration cat, nickname Cali cat, is another popular variation of calibration cube among 3D printer users.

Designer: Dezign

Thingiverse download link: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1545913

Calibration Test Cube New in 2021

3. Helix 3D Printer Test Cube

Designer: FloridaMan

Free model to download on Thingiverse: thing:4894837

You can check the following 3d printing properties on this 30*30*30mm helix test cube:

• stringing
• bridging (are the bridges over the letter clean, including the large area inside?)
• ghosting / ringing
• overhangs
• dimensional accuracy in all axes
• first layer height (is the logo clearly visible on the underside, are there holes in the narrow areas?)
• Was the helix printed neatly with a single wall line?
• Are there problems with the Z-seam due to the many retraction?
• Was the Z printed neatly on the top?

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Except for the XYZ calibration test cube, we could also find some 3d printer test models that specialized in testing specific features. We'll list a few here as well. 

4. Stringing Test Model

Designer: Loohney

Thingiverse download link: Thing 2080224

How Calibration Cube Works?

The concave letters, X, Y and Z on the calibration cube usually stand for the X, Y and Z axis of our print. Hence we can detect exactly in which axis the problem occurs and decide what problem is, inaccurate alignment or dimensional offset.

Also we can see if there is filament stringing, bulging or abnormal texture on the surface of the calibration cube.

In a word, abnormal symptoms or dimensional offsets of the printed calibration cube will give us the exact answer about the issues of our 3D printer.

Cura Settings for XYZ Calibration Test Cube Print

Cura settings affect 3D printing result too. Thus before printing the XYZ calibration cube, giving correct Cura settings is a must to avoid incorrect setting misguide our judgement.

Recommended Cura setting for XYZ calibration cube printing:

Rafts: no

Supports: no

Resolution: 0.1mm

Infill: 30%

For referral guidance of Cura settings profile on Anet ET4 and ET5 series 3D printers could get on our blog. 

Symptoms of 3D Printing Issues and Solutions 

Some symptoms will appear on the printed XYZ calibration cube if your 3D printer works improperly. They are the 3D printing ghosting or ringing, Z-axis wobbling, elephant foot or bottom layer bulging, incorrect Y, Y or Z steps per millimeter. 

Let’s check out why and how to right tune our 3D printer.

1. 3D Printing Ghosting / Ringing

3D printing ghosting or ringing is a symptom like we have astigmatism and see ghosting images. Ghosting textures appear on the calibration cube.

The problem can be caused by loose belt, too fast printing speed or unstable base. The solutions are tightening 3D printer X and Y belts, setting lower printing speed and placing your 3D printer at a solid table.

2. Z Wobbling

Z wobbling (Z-axis wobbling) in 3D printing is a symptom that the layers don’t aligned well with neighboring layers above and below. We often call this symptom as 3D printing layer banding.

Solution for Z wobbling issue:

1. Correctly align the Z axis
2. Use half or full step layer heights
3. Enable a consistent bed temperature
4. Stabilize Z axis rods with lead screw bearing holder to help eliminate Z-axis wobble.
5. Stabilize bearings and rails in other axis/print bed

3. Elephant Foot / Bottom Layer Bulging 

Bottom layer bulging, commonly named as elephant foot, is that the bottom layer of your print extrudes like an elephant foot.  

Solutions for elephant foot 3D printing:

1. Level your 3D printer and adjust nozzle height from the bed
2. Lower bed temperature to increase bottom layer cooling speed
3. Always print with a raft
4. Add chamfers to some specific models

4. Inaccurate X, Y or Z Dimension

Inaccurate X, Y, or Z dimension is another common symptom of abnormal 3D printing. Measure out dimensions on X, Y and Z axis with a digital caliper. If any of the dimensions offsets from the standard dimension of the calibration cube, we need to calibrate X, Y or Z steps per millimeter value accordingly.

Calibration cube can detect inaccurate dimension on your 3D print.

For example, we print the 20mm XYZ calibration cube and measure out that the X-axis dimension only reaches 19.74mm, a little lower than 20mm. So we can increase the value of steps per millimeter on the X-axis. If the measured number is higher than 20mm, then we decrease the value of steps per millimeter accordingly.

Printing XYZ calibration cube is a simple yet good method to detect 3D printing issues. If you’re encountering some problems with your print, give it a try and tune your 3D printer to the best condition.