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Y Layer Shifting on Your Printer

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There have been a few dozen reports on forums, reddit, and our communities about issues with the Y layer losing steps and shifting on the CR-10 machines. Mainly on the S4 and S5 machines. This can happen on stock machines and modified ones running the Unified Firmware.

Common Factors

  • Cura Version 3.4.x and above
    • Can occur with other slicers but it is usually mechanical/electrical if it happens with others. For example S3D does NOT mess with Jerk settings.
  • CR-10 S4 (including S models) or CR-10 S5 (including S models)
    • This can happen on the CR-10 standard size and mini but is less common due to the beds being lighter and smaller.

Symptoms

  • Layers “stepping” and/or erratic on the Y axis
NOTICE THE SMALL LAYER SHIFTS ON THE UPPER PART OF THE PRINT
EXAMPLE OF LARGE LAYER SHIFTS ON Y

Possible Fixes

  • Jerk Settings
    • The latest Cura likes to set your Jerk settings to 20 by default. This is very high for these large machines. Jerk controls how quickly the printer changes direction, if set too high the physical machine cannot keep up with the commands the board is sending to the motors.
    • Steps to disable Jerk Control – MAKE SURE YOU SEND A M502 THEN M500 TO RESTORE THE FIRMWARE DEFAULTS. THIS WILL CLEAR YOUR CUSTOM SETTINGS AND Z OFFSET SO MAKE NOTE OF THOSE TO RE-ENTER AFTER CLEARING THE FIRMWARE SETTINGS
  • Mechanical Issues
    • Belt Tension
      • If the jerk changes and resetting the EEPROM does not work then check your belt tension AND the pulley that is on the motor that drives the belt.
      • The belt should be tight enough to not skip a tooth on the motor pulley when you move it.
    • Wheel Bearing Failure/Defect
      • Your wheel bearings may have a defect or failed bearing. To see if you do move the bed SLOWLY and feel if there are any “bumps” or flat spots. If the motion of the bed from front to back is not completely smooth then you have a bearing that is failed/failing.
      • If could also be wheel tension being too high so check that as well see below.
    • Wheel Tension
  • Electrical Issues
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