<p>Finally I've found the damn problem: <strong>Adjustable rollers of all axes were flat on one point</strong> making layers to shift in all directions.</p>

<p>The effect was less visible on the X and Y axes but it was more notable in the Z axis as the flat part was right from the start of the print. I think that flat part was making difficult for the Z axis to move upward, and making my prints fail when printing at higher resolutions (I guess the finer the displacement the weaker the torque).</p>

<p>It seemed to me that the nozzle was getting closer to the previous layer but instead it was resting (or barely moving) on the flat part of the Z right adjustable roller first and then on the other adjustable roller of the same axis.</p>

<p><strong>To diagnose the problem disable the steppers and moved the axes manually and feel if there are notches</strong>, so to speak, in various spots on every axis.</p>

<p><strong>The solution is to replace the rollers</strong> with new ones and to not close them too tight otherwise they'll deform over time.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-08T17:55:05.270Z
2020-04-08T18:04:19.673Z
2020-04-08T18:04:19.673Z
Fredo Corleone
<p>I'm trying to print a lithophane with my Ender 3, but the nozzle gets closer and closer to the previous layer,  layer after layer.</p>

<p>I thought that what was causing the problem was perhaps a gear lock due to the fact that the Z rod wasn't parallel to the vertical axis, but after fixing it the problem remains.</p>

<p>The bed is super planar and perfectly levelled and, in fact, the first layer comes out perfectly.
Extrusion is also okay. The printer seems fine in all aspects.</p>

<p>It seems like the seriousness of the problem is proportional to the number of layers, just like the printer is losing a fixed height by each layer.</p>

<p>I've ruled out the possibility of wrong calibration of Z steps because after measuring a cube of 12&nbsp;cm of height and telling the printer to raise 12&nbsp;cm the cube fits perfectly under the nozzle with the levelling gap (so perfect calibration).</p>

<p><strong>What do you think may be the problem?</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-07T10:33:39.743Z
Could you please add an image of a print? Calibration cubes are excellent for this.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-07T10:54:44.590Z
Yes I could, but there's nothing wrong with the print except the fact that after few layers the nozzle is practically in touch with the print and after few more layers the print fails completely because the nozzle rams agains the edges of the print. If I manually increase the gap by rotating all bed screws thne it prints fine for few more layers but I have to keep compensating throughout the print. It's a pain!
Fredo Corleone
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-07T11:50:56.143Z
What layer size are you printing? This must be an issue with missing steps as a result of insufficient torque or something. But strange that it goes to the correct height without printing.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-07T13:05:42.953Z
Layer height of 0.12 mm, the torque is good I suppose (I find hard to block the Z rod with my hand). Can it be that the printer is skipping steps due to high resolution? I have not printed rough models yet.
Fredo Corleone
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-07T13:08:31.053Z
Could  you include your settings? I'm not an expert, but wondering if you are putting down a .12 mm height of material, but you are only incrementing upwards of .1 mm at a time. Don't know how this would happen, but seems logical in my pea brain.
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-07T13:10:55.923Z
The settings are the default in Cura 4.0 for the Ender 3 and PLA with highest quality.
Fredo Corleone
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-07T17:19:17.887Z
I was wrong but it didn't let me edit my comment. I'm on 4.4 which by the way is good on my other machine.
Fredo Corleone
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-07T17:20:39.640Z
have you tried the following: print a 20x20x20 calibration cube. Measure height. Then compare to the 20mm it shall be. If < 19.5, something on Z is wrong. Maybe oil the Z-axis gently
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-08T07:52:22.457Z
@Trish Yes, came out perfectly. But my other more technical prints fail. What can it be?
Fredo Corleone
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-08T13:51:48.467Z
I have found a problem (which I don't know if it's related), there are two points one in the X axis and one Y axis that act like point of friction during the print. How do I solve it?
Fredo Corleone
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-08T16:00:34.563Z
I replaced "bed" with "previous layer" Please confirm that's what you really mean..
Carl Witthoft
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-08T17:45:22.220Z
@CarlWitthoft Yes, it's correct :)
Fredo Corleone
<creality-ender-3><z-axis>
Ender 3 nozzle gets closer and closer to the previous layer as the print progresses
Fredo Corleone
# Ender 3 nozzle gets closer and closer to the previous layer as the print progresses

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-07)

I'm trying to print a lithophane with my Ender 3, but the nozzle gets closer and closer to the previous layer, layer after layer.

I thought that what was causing the problem was perhaps a gear lock due to the fact that the Z rod wasn't parallel to the vertical axis, but after fixing it the problem remains.

The bed is super planar and perfectly levelled and, in fact, the first layer comes out perfectly.
Extrusion is also okay. The printer seems fine in all aspects.

It seems like the seriousness of the problem is proportional to the number of layers, just like the printer is losing a fixed height by each layer.

I've ruled out the possibility of wrong calibration of Z steps because after measuring a cube of 12 cm of height and telling the printer to raise 12 cm the cube fits perfectly under the nozzle with the levelling gap (so perfect calibration).

**What do you think may be the problem?**

**Tags:** creality-ender-3, z-axis

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you please add an image of a print? Calibration cubes are excellent for this.  
> **username_0**: Yes I could, but there's nothing wrong with the print except the fact that after few layers the nozzle is practically in touch with the print and after few more layers the print fails completely because the nozzle rams agains the edges of the print. If I manually increase the gap by rotating all bed screws thne it prints fine for few more layers but I have to keep compensating throughout the print. It's a pain!  
> **username_1**: What layer size are you printing? This must be an issue with missing steps as a result of insufficient torque or something. But strange that it goes to the correct height without printing.  
> **username_0**: Layer height of 0.12 mm, the torque is good I suppose (I find hard to block the Z rod with my hand). Can it be that the printer is skipping steps due to high resolution? I have not printed rough models yet.  
> **username_2**: Could  you include your settings? I'm not an expert, but wondering if you are putting down a .12 mm height of material, but you are only incrementing upwards of .1 mm at a time. Don't know how this would happen, but seems logical in my pea brain.  
> **username_0**: The settings are the default in Cura 4.0 for the Ender 3 and PLA with highest quality.  
> **username_0**: I was wrong but it didn't let me edit my comment. I'm on 4.4 which by the way is good on my other machine.  
> **username_3**: have you tried the following: print a 20x20x20 calibration cube. Measure height. Then compare to the 20mm it shall be. If < 19.5, something on Z is wrong. Maybe oil the Z-axis gently  
> **username_0**: @username_3 Yes, came out perfectly. But my other more technical prints fail. What can it be?  
> **username_0**: I have found a problem (which I don't know if it's related), there are two points one in the X axis and one Y axis that act like point of friction during the print. How do I solve it?  
> **username_4**: I replaced "bed" with "previous layer" Please confirm that's what you really mean..  
> **username_0**: @username_4 Yes, it's correct :)  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2020-04-08. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Finally I've found the damn problem: **Adjustable rollers of all axes were flat on one point** making layers to shift in all directions.

The effect was less visible on the X and Y axes but it was more notable in the Z axis as the flat part was right from the start of the print. I think that flat part was making difficult for the Z axis to move upward, and making my prints fail when printing at higher resolutions (I guess the finer the displacement the weaker the torque).

It seemed to me that the nozzle was getting closer to the previous layer but instead it was resting (or barely moving) on the flat part of the Z right adjustable roller first and then on the other adjustable roller of the same axis.

**To diagnose the problem disable the steppers and moved the axes manually and feel if there are notches**, so to speak, in various spots on every axis.

**The solution is to replace the rollers** with new ones and to not close them too tight otherwise they'll deform over time.


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