Issue with Creality Ender 3

[apples33dcast]

Anyone else here using Creality Ender 3? For some reason, it works fine for small prints, but when I try taller ones, the layers start to move out of place halfway through. I already checked the belts and leveled the bed, but it's still happening. Could this be a problem with the Z-axis? Would really appreciate any advice!

 

[elrem0]

I've seen this issue with layer shifting on taller prints quite a bit with the Ender 3. Correct, check the belts first. If the belts are tight, the problem could be with the Z-axis or maybe even the extruder. When you're printing taller objects, the gantry has to move up more often. If the Z-screw or the rollers on the Z-axis are not smooth or are misaligned, the print head can get stuck or not move up at the right rate, which will cause the layers to shift. It's also possible that your print speed is too fast for taller objects and the rapid movements are causing the layers to shift. Try slowing down your print speed and double-check all your wheels and screws on the Z-axis.

 

[bovi.ret]

Loose eccentric roller nuts prolly but check the Z lead screw for wobble or grime, and make sure the rollers aren’t too tight or loose

 

[allproto54]

Anyone else here using Creality Ender 3? For some reason, it works fine for small prints, but when I try taller ones, the layers start to move out of place halfway through. I already checked the belts and leveled the bed, but it's still happening. Could this be a problem with the Z-axis? Would really appreciate any advice!

The Z-axis is likely fine since that only happens on taller prints. I say it almost certainly to X and Y-axis stepper motor driver overheating. On long prints, the drivers build up heat, causing them to enter a momentary thermal shutdown state where the motor loses position, resulting in the shift you see. Make sure the control board fan is running and its vents are clear. Poor cooling is the most common cause on long prints. Also check the tension on the V-slot wheels on the X and Y axes. If they're too tight, the excessive drag overworks the motor, generating extra heat.

 

[Alan]

just catching up on this post... maybe that mid-print layer drift sounds like a Z alignment issue, but sometimes it’s actually caused by skipped steps on the X or Y axis instead. The Ender 3’s motors can get a bit warm on longer prints, which makes tension drift just enough to show up in taller models. If you found a fix, I’d love to hear what it was. Always good for others who might hit the same wall down the line. Did you find a solution for this?