XYZ 20mm Calibration Cube With Holes

thingiverse

Lately I've been noticing a lot of individuals printing 20mm cubes as calibration tools. This is fantastic for fine-tuning your Outside Dimensions! However, why print multiple different "calibration" pieces? As straightforward as it seems (and why I didn't think of this sooner), I'm introducing my version of the XYZ 20mm Cube. This can teach you a lot about your own printer! Outside Dimensions, Inside Dimensions, Shrinkage, Retraction, Supports. Not just taking three measurements from a single print but learning from them in one go, and using less filament! This is a 20x20x20mm cube with 10mm holes bored through the center of each axis. Print at any resolution, any infill, with or without a raft. The goal is to see what your printer does and understand it. Calibrate your retraction for the best results with your plastics. Calibrate your supports to suit your preferences or observe how your plastics handle overhangs at the top of a circle. Understand the shrinkage of your plastics when making holes, so you know what to expect when creating fitting parts. Remember, folks! If you notice discrepancies, don't automatically assume e-steps are the issue. You only printed one object. Theoretically, you need to print multiple-sized objects to detect percentage issues in your machine. So tape a ruler to any axis and a needle or toothpick on your extruder. Then send commands to move. If it's a percentage problem, it will be magnified from the 20mm object to the full length of your printer's movements. If the discrepancy remains consistent, you likely have a mechanical issue, loose belts, worn parts, or maybe even some unwanted critters living under your printer! You could also have an extruder e-steps issue, over/under pumping, resulting in thick/thin walls that can give you constant outside/inside dimensional issues.