3D Printer Axis: Everything Explained

3D printers are becoming more and more popular. Using 3D in printing has become so popular that it’s now used for everything from food to guns. But because a 3D printer is still in its infancy, there are some things about the process that people don’t know. For example, have you ever wondered what the axis of your 3D printer is?  To fully understand how to use a 3D printer, you need to know how these axes work. Here are some things that you should know about the axis of your 3D printer, so you can make better decisions on how to use it to create your next masterpiece.

Understanding the Axis of Your 3D Printer

In a 3D printer, the x-axis is the movement of the printer head across the platform that it’s printing on. This sends the material from one end of the print to another.  The y-axis is the rotation of your platform as it moves across its surface. Finally, the z-axis is the thickness of your final product – how much height you want it to have. Looking at these three axes in total will give you a complete understanding of using your 3D printer.

Basics:

• X, Y & Z-Axis

The x, y, and z-axis are the three dimensions used to define the movement in 3D space. X is left/right, Y is up/down, Z is forward/backward. The terms x,y,z are shortened versions of the whole terms: "cross," "longitudinal," and "lateral." The three axes are used to define the movement in 3D space. X is left/right, Y is up/down, Z is forward/backward. The 3D printer head is mounted on a rod. The X-axis is the movement of the printer head across the platform that it’s printing on.  This sends the material from one end of the print to another. The y-axis is the rotation of your platform as it moves across its surface. Finally, the z-axis is the thickness of your final product – how much height you want it to have. When using your 3D printer, you will need to know how to move each axis individually and how they work together to achieve what you want out of your design.

• Cartesian Printer

The Cartesian printer is one of the most common types of 3D printers. It is named after René Descartes, a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who developed coordinate geometry. The Cartesian printer has an x-axis, a y-axis, and z-axis used to move the extruder or print head in the three dimensions. The three axes are used to define the movement in 3D space. X is left/right, Y is up/down, Z is forward/backward. Cartesian printers have printheads with two or more axes of motion that can be programmed to move independently or together to create objects with complex geometries. Printers like this have a print bed that moves back and forth along the X-axis and up and down along the Y-axis. The print head moves along the Z-axis.

• Delta Printer

The delta printer is a type of 3D printer that uses three arms to control an extruder to build objects in 3D space. The three arms are connected with joints that allow them to move freely. It has an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, which are used to move the extruder or print head in the three dimensions. The x-axis moves left/right, the y axis moves up/down, and the z-axis moves forward/backward. The delta printer is different from a Cartesian printer in that it has a fixed print bed and the print head moves in 3D space. This allows the delta printer to be more precise. It is also known as a “delta robot,” a type of motion control system used in robotics. The delta printer has been used to create large-scale architectural models, automobiles, metal casting prototypes, and other high-precision applications. The delta printer is often used for high-precision prototyping because of its ability to produce models with excellent detail. It is also popular among users who want to prototype parts before making large purchases to mass-produce their designs.

• Core XY Printers

The core XY printer is a type of 3D printer that combines the x-y positioning system of the Cartesian printer with the z-axis zig-zag positioning system of the delta printer. It has an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis used to move the extruder or print head in the three dimensions. The x-axis moves left/right, the y-axis moves up/down, and the z-axis moves forward/backward. The core XY printer has an XY gantry that holds the print head and a Z-axis that allows movement along the Z direction. This allows for more precise control than a Cartesian printer but is less accurate than a delta printer.

How to move the X and Y-axis

Looking at the 3D printer movement, you can see that a screw controls the X-axis. This is called a threaded rod, which moves your printer head along the X. The Y-axis is held by a belt from a motor to a pulley on your platform. This system is used because there is more torque in a belt than in a screw. You may need to adjust your print settings based on how fast or slow your printer moves as you are printing.  For example, if you want to print something with intricate details, you will want to make sure that your printer moves slowly enough for it not to move past the parties before the printer head can print it.

How to move the Z-Axis

The Z-axis is controlled by a threaded rod as well. However, instead of the X-axis that moves your printer head across your platform, the Z-axis moves your platform up and down. This is what gives you the thickness of your final product – how much height you want it to have. To raise or lower your platform, you need to raise or lower the threaded rod that controls this axis. This is done by turning a knob connected to that rod by a belt system similar to how Y is headed in terms of movement. The belt will rotate with each turn of the knob, raising or lowering your platform accordingly.

How to move the three axes together

When you are looking to develop a 3D printer or use one, you will need to move all three axes simultaneously. This is called a coordinated movement, and it is what allows you to print objects with different heights, widths, and thicknesses all in the same thing. To coordinate movement, you need to adjust each axis individually while also making sure they move at the same speed. This is done using software connected by a USB wire – or sometimes a wireless connection – with your 3D printer.  The software will allow you to move each axis independently and can even help you make sure that they are all moving at the same speed.