Banding in prints...??? Can someone please give me advice or ideas of other things to try. I have banding in my prints that repeats every 7-8 layers. I have the following setup: Prusa V2 now with 1/4-16 leadscrews (didn't help the problem at all!!) MG extruder and hotend Ramps 1.4 - ultimachine Latest Repetier fW T2.5 belts 3mm PLA - Ultimachine I just completely isolated my Z axis with the Z-isolators off thingiverse...didn't make a difference... I just increased the voltage on my Z axis stepper driver to 0.6V from 0.4V...didn't make a difference... The banding does go all the way around the print, so still looks like a Z-axis problem??? Please Help, I've been printing for 4 months and have everything figured out except this!! Pic attached:[img]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f13/magicald_223/Snapbucket/1AEAA0DB.jpg[/img] https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167193#msg-167193 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:59:22 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,168133#msg-168133 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,168133#msg-168133 roger.]]> rogerw General Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:15:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167865#msg-167865 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167865#msg-167865






It was due to Z-wobble as many of you fine folks thought. So instead of removing my bottom contraint bearings, I loosened the bottom nuts so the rod end is now free to move and what do you know...you guys were right!! Sorry for doubting you guys, but after no change when switching to acme leadscrews and completely decoupling my X-axis I was stumped. I've learned many things since getting my printer 3 months ago, but 3D printing is a bumpy road...highs and lows...success and failures...wish my wife could only understand!!

Hope this helps any other Reprappers!! Keep printing!
]]> magicald General Sat, 24 Nov 2012 01:41:48 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167853#msg-167853 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167853#msg-167853
1. Your coupler is a flexible tubing. This allows the z lead screw to go up and down. You should consider using Nophead's coupler design.

2. The bottom constraint bearing is a bad idea. You seem to be relying on this piece to support the lead screw. But this printed piece is not solid enough to support the x carriage. Also, installing bottom constraint on a Prusa makes worsens z wobble by increasing the effect of bent z threaded rods on the x carriage itself. The end of the threaded rods should be free so that the ends wobble instead of the middle. You should remove these printed plastic pieces and use a longer threaded rod to attach to the z smooth rods per Prusa's design.]]> brnrd General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 23:06:48 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167852#msg-167852 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167852#msg-167852
@ akhlut: my Z rods are parallel, I just measured them, must be the angle of the picture.

I'm printing something now, then I'll try to take out the bottom bearings.]]> magicald General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:51:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167851#msg-167851 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167851#msg-167851 Sublime General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:42:05 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167850#msg-167850 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167850#msg-167850 magicald General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:31:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167849#msg-167849 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167849#msg-167849 magicald General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:26:09 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167847#msg-167847 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167847#msg-167847
The bearings in the lower blocks - can you easily remove them?

Are you running without the anti-backlash Z nuts?]]> akhlut General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:19:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167846#msg-167846 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167846#msg-167846
The theory goes: If the top and bottom are fixed and the rod is anything but 100000% straight, then it has to wobble in the middle. Take the bottom bearing out and that end will probably have visible wobble in it. Better there, than in the print.]]> tinyenormous General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:18:06 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167845#msg-167845 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167845#msg-167845
I started out with a makergear prusa with a lower z bearing, a solid motor coupler, and at least one bent z rod. I changed to a flexible coupling and it helped a lot. The coupling came from coiled tubing, so it was not 100% straight when I put it on. After a few days that straightened out, but there was still some wobble. I removed the lower rod constraint and now I am really happy with how little banding I have.

I think that provided your x and y axis are both square, tight and true then this problem is 100% caused by your z rod. I suspect that you changed from one set of bent rods to another set of bent rods. In lieu of getting straighter rods, my other thought is to get -smaller- threaded rods. I recently bought 3 feet of 10-24 and if my recent changes didn't get rid of my wobble then I was goign to put it in. The theory is that threaded rod pulls up and down, and wobble moves left and right. Smaller diameter threaded rod will not have enough force to be able to bend the smooth rod or flex the x-end. I _just_ uploaded this to thingi, in case you feel like tresting this theory. [www.thingiverse.com]

A wide photot of your machine would help me get an understanding of your hardware.]]> tinyenormous General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:14:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167842#msg-167842 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167842#msg-167842








My E-steps give me exactly 50mm now, but still have banding??

I haven't autotuned my hotend as Repetier doesn't have this function...guess I could load Marlin and autotune if you think that will help...

And yes I do have an extra stepper Motor on my X-end to even the weight out...also didn't help!
]]> magicald General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:43:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167839#msg-167839 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167839#msg-167839
Also, have you autotuned your hotend?

if you measure and mark off 50mm of filament does extruding 50mm bring you to that mark on the filament?]]> akhlut General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:18:19 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167837#msg-167837 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167837#msg-167837
I've been playing with tons of setting in Slic3r and I can definitely make it less apparent by playing with nozzle size...going down to 0.3 mm makes it better, so maybe my E_steps are not correct??]]> magicald General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:03:10 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167836#msg-167836 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167836#msg-167836
I got a new set of calipers and printed some thin wall cubes, which do show the same banding even after recalibrating all 4 axis including E_steps. I'm at a loss and looking back at all my old prints I've done, this banding has always been there even with a Wades extruder, original 8mm lead screws, etc. Wondering if this could be a Firmware issue?? I've never printed anything with Marlin...I'm really at a loss here!!! Very frustrating

BTW: my ave. measured wall thickness is 0.43 and Slic3r says 0.37...I've played with extrusion multiplier, but it doesn't change the banding...

Here are some pics:



[i44.photobucket.com]

I also just tried one without retract and it is somewhat less apparent, but still there especially around corners...Ideas are greatly appreciated...
]]> magicald General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 20:25:24 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167782#msg-167782 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167782#msg-167782 tinyenormous General Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:05:30 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167480#msg-167480 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167480#msg-167480 magicald General Thu, 22 Nov 2012 01:16:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167479#msg-167479 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167479#msg-167479 magicald General Thu, 22 Nov 2012 01:14:48 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167466#msg-167466 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167466#msg-167466

@Tsb4k: That's an interesting post; however, I was printing a long time without a heated bed with PLA, but it finally got too cold in my garage where I print, so I installed a heated 120V silicone pad heater under my aluminum bed...I'll try turning it down and see what happens ---Not sure if Repetier FW supports PID control of the hot bed??]]> magicald General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:58:10 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167464#msg-167464 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167464#msg-167464 forums.reprap.org] it looks like the culprit might be the heated bed.
I use one and have the same artifact on my prints. Some day when I'm not so lazy I plan to turn it off and do the same test.]]> tsb4k General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:30:23 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167463#msg-167463 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167463#msg-167463
Quote
magicald
my thin wall extrusion width could be better, but if this is the problem, why does it only occur in my prints every 7-8 layer??

What did you measure the width to be and what was it supposed to be? Can you post photos of the single-wall object?]]> brnrd General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:33:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167461#msg-167461 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167461#msg-167461
-just printed a rostock motor mount @ 0.2 layer height and banding is still present...back to the drawing board]]> magicald General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:25:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167430#msg-167430 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167430#msg-167430 -------------------------------------------------------
> This is def not wobble of z because then you would
> see a shift left or right one way or they other.
>
> this looks more something like inconcsistand Z
> elavation moving more or less then the appropriate
> distance on every Zturn therefor squashing some
> layers more then the others. or some inconsintancy
> in your extruder. Does it happen if you print a
> bigger box and does it happen in the same 7 or 8
> layers?
>
> Maybe you can true to remove the acme by just
> normal screw thread.

I had the same banding with a 8mm screw for my z drive, that's why I switched to ACME leads

- I'm going to try some lower layer heights

- also, what should my stepper drive voltage be set to? 0.4V?

Thanks for all the advice so far...]]> magicald General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:46:00 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167403#msg-167403 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167403#msg-167403
this looks more something like inconcsistand Z elavation moving more or less then the appropriate distance on every Zturn therefor squashing some layers more then the others. or some inconsintancy in your extruder. Does it happen if you print a bigger box and does it happen in the same 7 or 8 layers?

Maybe you can true to remove the acme by just normal screw thread.]]> Weedz General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:56:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167397#msg-167397 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167397#msg-167397 -------------------------------------------------------
> > 0.3 layers from a 0.35 is crazy in my opinion.
> But I think 0.3 layers is crazy no matter what
> size nozzle. ...
>
>
> I print 0.3mm layers with my 0.34mm J-head all the
> time and the walls are as good as when I do
> 0.25mm. I do this a lot to speed up parts that I
> use only once and where layer adhesion is not an
> issue. I don't see why 0.3mm layers are crazy with
> larger nozzles.

I just think they are hideous, if I wanted something that looked like it was made by laminating sheets of plywood I would laminate sheets of plywood. I think the layers should be invisible. Tantillus default is 0.15, coarse is 0.2 and draft mode is 0.25 which is the thickest layers I have printed in my two years of printing. With 0.25 a dome top looks like an 8bit graphic so why would I make that worse.]]> Sublime General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:31:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167361#msg-167361 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167361#msg-167361 pfinucan General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:29:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167317#msg-167317 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167317#msg-167317
Quote
Sublime
0.3 layers from a 0.35 is crazy in my opinion. But I think 0.3 layers is crazy no matter what size nozzle. ...

I print 0.3mm layers with my 0.34mm J-head all the time and the walls are as good as when I do 0.25mm. I do this a lot to speed up parts that I use only once and where layer adhesion is not an issue. I don't see why 0.3mm layers are crazy with larger nozzles.]]> brnrd General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:58:29 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167311#msg-167311 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167311#msg-167311
I.e. does it depend on height or time?

If it purely depends on height it must be a problem with the lead screws. Perhaps the threads are inclined so it does not increase linearly with rotation. People have reported that before.]]> nophead General Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:25:09 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167251#msg-167251 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167251#msg-167251
- infill density? is set at 25% for the test cubes...using lower or higher doesn't seem to matter
- tuned extruder multiplier to 0.83 in Slic3r even with 100mm E-step correct

@sublime

-I have tried lower layer heights and I still see it...though I haven't done tried it recently, I'll try again after my next Rostock part finishes - Thanks!
-BTW this is a MG extruder with direct drive gear and geared stepper motor.]]> magicald General Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:46:41 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167246#msg-167246 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167246#msg-167246 Sublime General Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:23:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167245#msg-167245 Re: Banding in prints...??? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,167193,167245#msg-167245
It doesn't look like z wobble due to bent leadscrews since the bulge goes all the way around on the same layers. Wobble would cause each layer to be displaced from each other in the x and y direction so that when it bulges out on one side, it bulges in on the other side so that the dimension of each layer stays the same.]]> brnrd General Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:12:54 -0500