I have a new P1s. I’ve run maybe 15-20 prints through it so far. I have noticed what I was calling ridges on my prints.
After a little googling I have discovered that this is VFA, and it sounds like it’s a tricky phenomenon to try to cure. I’d settle for just better than this than completely gone.
What I have done is adjust belt tension per Bambu official procedure. I also see some other methods of tuning belt tension that I want to try.
I’ve performed a full calibration about a hundred times.
I have NOT but I do plan to attempt a manual bed leveling procedure.
I’ve tried small tweaks to some things here and there, but for the most part I’m printing default settings, default profiles.
I’m using creality hyper petg and sunlu PETG. Running them with generic PETG settings.
I’m looking for nice details on most of my prints (custom speaker parts) so all I’ve tried to tweak is smaller layer heights and line widths, but I have also had these same types of artifacts without changing a single thing.
I’m starting to be of the opinion this is related to the belt teeth running on the smooth rollers more so than motor harmonics, but I’m open to any and all suggestions as to what I can pursue to mitigate these ridges on my prints.
I know a more matte finish petg will help hide this, but I’d still like to get to the root of the problem.
The best suggestion I have seen is just print faster, so the next time I print a speaker grill (which is the situation where it’s most important NOT to have these lines) I’m going to try speeding up the outer layer.
I appreciate any insight!
Check your gantry for squareness.
I’ll check that and figure out how to adjust it. Is that something that typically needs to be adjusted on a new printer?
From my research on VFA it sounds like it’s a tricky phenomenon to try to tame on a core Xy printer.
Problem with BBL printers: those pulleys should be teeth idlers instead of smooth idlers
Each time a tooth bites on the smooth idler, it stretches out the belt a little bit, hence the VFA on the print. But seem nobody notices it or wants to talk about it.
There are chances that a tooth bites on 4 idlers at the same time then the VFA shows up more “profoundly”. If you are lucky, those idlers are not bitten by a tooth at the same time then the VFA is less severe.
Either you deal with it or buy a different brand of printer.
I’ve had varying amounts of VFA. I cleaned the carbon rods, adjusted belt tension and made sure the belts weren’t running at the top or bottom of the pulleys. Did some VFA calibration tests in Orca Slicer show that is it is more present on some speeds than others. Speeds closer to 200mm/s show none. Make sure your belt automatic tensioners are not stuck. Loosen the two screws on both and then push on the belt on the gantry and you should see the idler push against it’s spring tensioner. Same for the other belt and tensioner on the other side. VFA test a bunch if speeds that PETG prints well at and see if you can find a combination that has less visible VFA.
For what it’s worth the Prusa Core One also has smooth pulleys in that position and some people also have VFA. Though some people report not having any.
