Glossary · Design

3D printing

CoreXY

A 3D printer in which only the print head moves back and forth while the print plate slowly sinks downwards. Fast and easy to build into an enclosure.

Explained in more detail

Two fixed motors move the print head in X and Y via two crossed belts, and each movement results from the combination of both motors. The bed moves only in Z. The low moving mass allows high accelerations, often 10,000 to 20,000 mm/s². The cube shape is easy to enclose, which is important for ABS, ASA and PA. Both belts must be tensioned equally, otherwise parts come out skewed.

Where does the term come from?

Ilan Moyer published the kinematics in 2012 at MIT under the name CoreXY. XY stands for the two axes in the plane, which are moved jointly by two motors.

In practice

• Both belts must be tensioned equally. Many manufacturers offer a measuring function or an app that analyses the pitch of the belts.
• If right angles on the print are not correct, on a CoreXY this often points to unevenly tensioned belts.
• Because the part only moves down, even tall, slender parts remain stable.
• In enclosed CoreXY printers, open the door or lid when printing PLA so that the build volume does not get too warm.

Not to be confused

Not to be confused with H-Bot: this similar design gets by with a single belt but is more prone to the cross beam twisting.

Frequently asked questions

What is the advantage of CoreXY?

Only the light print head moves quickly, while the bed lowers layer by layer. This allows high accelerations, stable tall parts and a compact design that is easy to enclose.

Is CoreXY suitable for beginners?

Yes, current CoreXY printers are set up at the factory and largely calibrate themselves. The extra effort lies mainly with the belts, which must stay evenly tensioned.