Motor constant speed vibration test

3D printer vibration test to help find the best print speeds for smooth surfaces. Almost all 3D printers suffer from this to some extent due to motor build in combination with the motion system and frame. This runs a print test at speeds from 30 to 210mm/s.

Results may vary on surface improvements and is also useful as a general test to see how flat and rounded areas are printed and identify potential print artefacts.

Not to be confused with input shaping which compensates for vibrations caused by changes in speed/direction.

Delta 3D printers work differently and this test will have a different effect with them.

Printing

Either load the .3mf file in the slicer (PrusaSlicer or Bambu Studio) or use the pre-sliced file.

Select the correct printer profile and filament if needed, carrying over any setting changes.

Shinier filament works best to accentuate issues (PLA or PETG) as opposed to more matte ones.

Printing at the higher end of the filament temperature range helps; perhaps even 10 degrees above the maximum filament temperature.

Check the speed preview and make sure it’s similar to the image on the right, ranging from 30 to 210mm/s. Speed may be limited by filament max volumetric speed or minimum layer time.

Layers are printed at 0.12mm thickness. For higher flow hotends you can increase this value to reduce the total print time.

For mini printers: scale the model down non-uniformly, only on the X and Y axes, but keep the Z axis at 100%.

Disclaimer: You should double-check all settings. The files are provided “as is” and you are responsible for any damage or injury caused by using them.

File download

Results

Usually, there will be a speed range where the surface is not smooth. This speed range will be centered somewhere between 40 and 100mm/s and should be avoided, especially when printing flat surfaces parallel to the X and Y axes. It’s much easier to see on shiny filaments.

As a general strategy that can work to some extent, try using print speed below this vibration band for best results (at least for the external perimeter). Alternatively, use print speeds 1.5 times higher above the vibration band to hopefully run outside the vibration range. This depends on the acceleration settings and there will not remove them.

Using motors from a different brand can reduce these vibrations or change their frequency range.

Vibrations caused by speed or direction changes will still show up and need to be canceled using input shaping. These are noticeable at the rounded corners and to the right of the speed numbers.