layering issue in 3D printing

Hello,

can you place your gcode and/or your STL file here.

I think we can found your Problem easier.

Klaus

Thank you for your response and here we go~. Actually this gcode file is in the CD provided when I bought my machine though...

hello,
I'm sorry but i dont have a stepcraft either the Printhead in use.
I can only remember me that on the CD there are stl files and no gcode file.
The Gcode was created from the slicer and controlls your cnc router over the Win-PCNC or any other controling Software. I dont know what ever you use.
This Gcode file shows what the slicer has made from the 3D-stl file. Read this file and you can locate which component doesn't work correct. If this file OK, then the guilty component is the controling software.

Greetings from Bavaria
Klaus

Thank you for your attention and response. I finally printed out with the original file I tried and found the problem was leveling. I put a fabric under the machine and it worked well with a little bit of its resistance not to make my SC2 shake too much.

Hello Annie, sorry but your problem interest me.
Is it resolved? What's your speed setting to print perimeter or infill?
In my case, I can't work up to 15mm/s without stalling of my X Y axis.
Thanks,
Philippe

hello there

I have the same problem, trying to print the UCCNC demo gcode file.
The toolpath on screen is fine, but in reality there is a Y axis translation every now and then when the Z increases to a new layer. I have no idea where this could come from! I have checked home all and made my zero point 10 times, it does the same thing every time.

any help is welcome thank you

....I have no idea where this could come from! I have checked home all and made my zero point 10 times, it does the same thing every time....

It looks like your y-axis is too sluggish and in rapid motion it stuck sometimes.
For a test you can try to decrease in UCCNC the maximum speed for the y-axis from 3000 to 1500, than try the 3D-Print again.
Long-term I'd fix the y-axis so it would run smoothly at full speed.

Here you can set the max. speed of the y-axis (s. screenshot)
Don’t forget to apply and save your settings

Hello all,

This issue happened to me also at the very beginning. It is most likely a hardware issue, and to be accurate, regarding locking nuts of the axis that is drifting.

I had to lock first axis X, then axis Y and use superglue on the locking nuts.

Regarding the speed, 25 mm/s which is the default by the Stepcraft profiles, its too high for this machine. My axis jammed and vibrated a lot while using this, and had to change to 20 mm/s. Speaking of this, the values shall be changed at the slicing software, not at UCCNC.

Btw, I am using the Y axis upgraded axis with dual motors.

Morg

Ah, that makes sense! Thanks for sharing your experience—hardware issues like loose locking nuts can definitely cause drifting, and it’s something many people overlook at first. Supergluing them after locking each axis is a clever fix, though definitely a “handle with care” approach.

Regarding speed: 25 mm/s does seem aggressive for a Stepcraft setup, especially if your axes aren’t heavily reinforced. Dropping it to 20 mm/s is a safer move to reduce vibrations and jams. And yes, adjusting feed rates in the slicer instead of UCCNC is the right workflow; it gives more consistent results across jobs.

Upgrading the Y-axis to dual motors is a solid improvement too—it really helps with stability and torque on longer travel runs.

@danish678 thanks for your nice information, i was need this info and i got from you thank you so much

Hi everyone,

This kind of layer shifting usually points to a mechanical or motion issue rather than slicing. From what you’ve described (shift happening when Z moves to the next layer), I’d suggest checking a few things:

• Make sure belts on X and Y axes are properly tensioned (not too loose or too tight)
• Check pulleys and set screws on the motors — even slight slipping can cause shifts
• Reduce travel speed and acceleration in your slicer to see if the issue improves
• Ensure the rods/rails are clean and moving smoothly without resistance
• Also verify stepper drivers aren’t overheating, as that can cause missed steps

Since the shift happens repeatedly on layer change, it could be a momentary load issue when Z lifts and motion resumes.

Layer shifting in 3D printing is often caused by loose belts or motor pulleys . Checking belt tension and reducing print speed can sometimes solve the issue.