How to Square 3D Printer Frame Properly – Ender 3 & More

The frame of your 3D printer is a foundational part and it’s important to make sure it’s square. This article will detail how to square your 3D printer frame properly on 3D printers like the Ender 3 and others out there.

Keep on reading for more details on learning how to square your 3D printer’s frame.

How to Square a 3D Printer Frame

Here are some ways to square your 3D printer’s frame:

• Re-assemble the frame
• Flatten the extrusions or replace them

Re-Assemble the Frame

One of the first ways you can better square your 3D printer’s frame is to re-assemble the frame. If you don’t put your frame together correctly, it might pull to one side leading to an uneven frame.

Here are the basic steps to do this:

• Push down on your 3D printer’s frame to check if it rocks or is stable
• If it moves, you want to adjust it by loosening the four bolts that hold it together with an Allen Key
• Loosen the four bolts on the other side of the 3D printer also
• Then re-tighten the bolts, but not too loose or tight. You can tighten it with the longer end of the Allen Key

Check out the video below to see this process visually.

Make sure there’s nothing underneath the feet of the 3D printer that’s making it not sit flat.

Flatten the Extrusions or Replace Them

Before you do this, you want to check just how flat your extrusion is to see if it is causing an issue. Some cheap extrusions have been known to have bulges in the past with suppliers that cut corners, but they are usually better these days.

You can see in the picture below how this might look.

You can use a known flat object like a machinist’s ruler across the extrusions. If they aren’t flat, then you can either replace them or try to flatten them yourself if you have the relevant tools.

One user suggested you can try the following options:

• A belt grinder
• Sand with rough grit emery cloth (180-240 grit) with handheld sanding platform
• Sand with a large file (not too fine or rough)
• Use a rough slab of stone that’s flat and run the extrusion back and forth on the slab

The ideal method here would be the belt grinder, but most people don’t have access to one. Maybe you have a workshop in your local area where you can access it and maybe even get assistance with sanding the aluminum extrusion flat.

You just need to sand flatten the contact areas of the extrusion and not the whole thing.

With the emery cloth, it will take a lot more work but you can sand it flat. Same thing with the large file.

The flat stone method works because aluminum is relatively soft and easy to remove material from.

The video below goes through a 3D printer frame check to ensure it’s square.

How to Fix 3D Printer Not Printing Square

Here’s how to fix a 3D printer not printing square:

• Adjust eccentric nuts
• Lower your bed temperature & printing temperature
• Tighten belt tension
• Square your 3D printer’s frame

Adjust Eccentric Nuts

One way to fix your 3D printer not printing square is to adjust the eccentric nuts on your 3D printer. When you adjust these, they change how tightly the wheels will connect to the frame of the 3D printer.

When they are not correctly aligned, it can lead to your 3D printer not printing objects square. You can simply take the wrench that came with your 3D printer and adjust these eccentric nuts until they have a good tension with the frame, not being too tight or loose.

You should be able to turn the wheel manually and the axis moves with the wheel. If it’s too loose, the wheel will spin without moving the axis.

Lower Your Bed Temperature & Printing Temperature

Another reason for 3D prints not printing square might be due to an imperfection called Elephant’s Foot. This is when the bottom of your model gets deformed due to high temperatures and pressure from the layers.

One user who reported that his 3D printer wasn’t printing square cubes found that lowering his heat bed temperature helps to fix the issue. He also leveled his print bed so the nozzle wasn’t too close to the surface.

Below is an example of this happening.

Tighten Belt Tension

Tightening your belt tension can also help with 3D printers not printing square. 3D printers create models through movements, so when your belts are loose, it can negatively affect your print quality.

Check out the video below to see how to properly tension your 3D printer’s belts.

Ensure that the belts are tensioned properly, if they do not make a thrumming noise when you pull them. There is a possibility that it is too loose and needs to be adjusted.

Square Your 3D Printer’s Frame

Lastly, it might be your 3D printer’s frame not being square that is creating this issue. Make sure to properly assemble your 3D printer’s frame to the point where it is straight and equal on all sides.

You can loosen the fastening bolts, then straighten up the frame.