Square the frame and check every fastener

A printer that racks under acceleration prints skewed parts and shifted layers. No slicer setting compensates for a frame that moves.

Phase 0 — Mechanicalabout 15 min

How to do it

1. Power off and unplug.
2. Check the frame against a machinist square at the uprights, front and side.
3. Snug every frame bolt in a cross pattern. Firm, not gorilla-tight — these thread into aluminium extrusion and strip easily.
4. Push the top of the gantry gently. Any rocking means loose bolts or a loose base.

How to read the result

Verticals read 90° to the bed on a square. Nothing shifts when you push the gantry by hand.

Redoing this invalidates

Calibration is a chain. Change this and the results below were measured against the old value:

• Tension the X and Y belts
• Physically tram the bed
• Dial in Z-offset and first-layer squish

Open First Layer →
The app walks this in order, generates the test model for your nozzle and filament, and records what you measure so nothing has to be repeated. Free, no account, works offline.