Sovol Sv08: Wave problems with 45° diagonal printing

Sovol SV08
1

Hi all,

we have had a Sovol SV08 printer for 3 months and use it to create molds for CFK laminates.

For large parts we have to print diagonally at 45° which leads to wave patterns that are more or less pronounced depending on the angle.

On the photo below you can see an acceptable print image in the front area of the mold. From approx. 1/3, horizontal waves begin to build up.

If we print parts smaller than 35 cm at a right angle to the print axes, the effect does not occur.

Our main question is how can we avoid this wave pattern with 45° prints?

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2

Hi @Iccebear! Great question! I ran into this with larger prints at first until tightening my belts & running a full suite of calibrations thereafter.

Are you running the stock hotend, or is your printer upgraded/modded in any way by chance?

What you’re observing is called “Z-Banding” and is most prominent in prints with white or lighter filaments (at least that’s been my experience).

Usually the fix is tightening your belts and then running through the gantry calibration + bed mesh and z-offset.

The Sovol Team shared how to adjust belt tension in this video around 5 minutes in.

If that doesn’t solve the issue, here are a few other factors to check:

  1. Check Z-Axis Alignment:
    Inspect and ensure the lead screws and Z-axis are straight and properly aligned. Lubricate the lead screws with appropriate grease to minimize resistance.

  2. Stabilize the Frame:
    Make sure all screws and bolts in the printer frame are tightened to eliminate wobbling.

  3. Improve Layer Height Settings:
    The optimal layer height depends on your nozzle size and the step resolution of your Sovol SV08’s Z-axis.

It’s typically recommended to go with:
Max layer height is usually around 75% of the nozzle diameter (for reliable adhesion)

Min layer height is around 25% of the nozzle diameter (for quality without excessive print time)

Optimal Layer Heights for a 0.4mm Nozzle

Layer Height (mm) Use Case
0.08mm - 0.12mm Ultra-fine detail (slow)
0.16mm - 0.20mm Balanced quality and speed (best for most prints)
0.24mm - 0.28mm Faster prints with acceptable detail
0.30mm Maximum recommended height for a 0.4mm nozzle

Best overall choice: 0.16mm - 0.2mm for quality and speed balance.

Optimal Layer Heights for a 0.6mm Nozzle

Layer Height (mm) Use Case
0.16mm - 0.20mm Extra fine (unnecessary for most 0.6mm prints)
0.24mm - 0.32mm Balanced quality and speed (best for strong prints)
0.36mm - 0.44mm Faster prints with good strength
0.45mm Maximum recommended height for a 0.6mm nozzle

Best overall choice: 0.3mm - 0.36mm for strength without losing too much detail.

  1. Tune Extrusion Settings:
    Perform an extrusion calibration to ensure consistent filament flow. Check for issues like filament grinding or partial clogs in the nozzle.

  2. Bed Leveling and Gantry Squareness:
    Re-level the bed and make sure the gantry is perpendicular to the bed. Consider using a mesh leveling system or auto bed leveling if available.

  3. Reduce Print Speed:
    Printing slower may help mitigate the issue, as it gives the system more time to stabilize between layer changes.

  4. Temperature Control:
    Ensure the hotend maintains a stable temperature. PID tuning can help stabilize this.

Please let me know if you have any questions, I’m happy to help!