XYZ calibration cube - A misleading tool for achieving print accuracy

Abstract. Various factors influence the dimensional accuracy in Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The kinematic system is a major influential factor, as the motion precision depends on the implemented solution. Kinematics have a direct influence on equipment costs. The FFF 3D printing market has abundant equipment options, from low-cost to high-end solutions. The filament extrusion precision and the shrinkage induced by the thermal contractions are other influential factors for the resulting parts' quality. Nowadays, the XYZ cube is the calibration benchmark. This cube is used to adjust the dimensional accuracy of the resulting parts. The deficiency with the calibration cubes is that they allow only the measurement of external dimensions, which makes the calibration useless when tolerancing the internal features or scaling. This paper discusses the limitations of the accuracy calibration method using the XYZ cube and possible solutions to overcome them.