The Ultimate Solution to Z-Banding: Wobble-X From MirageC & EvoMoto
Coming in hot from MirageC (the man behind the HevORT 3D printer project) is the Wobble-X, a simple device for your printer that eliminates any artifacts caused by your Z-axis. It’s being hailed as the last upgrade that your Z-axis will ever need as it provides amazing accuracy, repeatability, and low maintenance. We’ll check out how it works and why you might want to consider grabbing some for yourself.
What are Z-Artifacts?
Z-artifacts on a 3D print refer to regularly-spaced bulges that form around the sides of a printed part due to the Z-axis movement of the 3D printer. This is also known as Z-banding or Z-wobble, and it can be caused by various factors such as inconsistent layer height, mechanical issues with the printer, or unstable printing settings.
Normally, to prevent these Z-artifacts and improve the overall quality of your 3D prints, you would have to ensure that your printer is properly calibrated and maintained. This may involve adjusting the Z-axis movement, tightening belts, checking for worn-out parts, and ensuring that the print bed is level and clean.
Since there are so many variables involved in the cause of these artifacts, tracking them down can turn into an endless chase which usually brings along its friends, Stress, and Sadness. Even if your printer is running perfectly, you will still be at the mercy of your leadscrews. Just a slight bend in 1 of your leadscrews will create artifacts that you won’t be able to solve. Enter Wobble-X…
How does it work?
A typical 3D printer with leadscrews will use a T8 nut to connect the leadscrews to the X-rail. This makes a solid connection which allows any problem in your 3D printer or leadscrew to pass along to your prints resulting in Z-artifacts. There have been a few options out there to battle this, such as leadscrew decouplers and Oldham couplers, but none of these have proved to be a perfect solution so far.
The Wobble-X takes the idea of the decoupler further by using metal pins and metal balls that compensate for the deviation of your Z-screw nut under four axes, stabilizing your Z-axis and providing a smooth operation. This 4-axis movement allows the bed to stay stationary while the leadscrew can move or “wobble” as much as it likes.
This freedom of movement will allow you to even use bent leadscrews on an out-of-square 3D printer and still achieve perfect prints.
I should also add that the Wobble-X is meant for use with ballscrews as they are superior in performance to the traditional leadscrew. If you are unfamiliar with the difference, check out this article where we go in-depth on the topic.
Which versions are available?
There are 3 versions available:
Wobble-X WS12 - For use with SFU1204 ballscrews
Wobble-X WS16 - For use with SFU1604 ballscrews
Wobble-X WS8 - For use with T8 leadscrews
The WS8 is what you’ll need if you’re planning on upgrading your Creality printer.
The WS12 + WS16 will need their respective ballscrews, which you can purchase above.
Where to buy?
You can buy the Wobble-X isolators from Mellow3D on Aliexpress. Make sure you grab them quickly as they are sure to sellout.
Printed Parts Needed
To complete this upgrade, you’ll need to grab the stl files from the MirageC github. You will also find STEP files that you can use to design your own mounts if you so choose.
Support the Creator
The Wobble-X and Hevort projects are the epitome of innovation born from pure passion for 3D printing excellence. Every contribution to these projects fuels the independent creators like MirageC and EvoMoto, enabling them to continue their groundbreaking work. If you find yourself admiring the precision and ingenuity of the Wobble-X, or if you’re a 3D printing enthusiast who appreciates the dedication behind these advancements, consider supporting the creators. Your support is not just a donation; it’s a statement that you believe in the impact of independent innovation on the future of 3D printing technology. By backing MirageC and EvoMoto, you help ensure that these creators can keep pushing boundaries and delivering solutions that make 3D printing accessible, reliable, and a joy for everyone involved.
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