Good 3D printers are like good speakers, solid and heavy, with some dampening.
Read more: 3D print ghosting or ringing (vibrations)
Signs of vibrations and 3D printing ringing:
Lines are appearing on your print as if they are a shadow of some detail on the print, see the image used.
Explanation:
More commonly vibrations and 3D printing ringing are caused by mechanical issues but there are a couple of settings that could also cause this issue.
How to fix:
You may be printing too fast. Artefacts of vibration or ringing/ghosting are often related to printing too fast.
It could be an indication that your acceleration and jerk settings are too high. The higher the mass of your extruder, the more susceptible it is to these artefacts when printing at higher speeds. This is where Bowden extruders shine.
Loose belts or pulleys could be the cause so be sure to check they are tightened.
Backlash in your motion system. Backlash (or in other words too much play) is a mechanical problem with your printer hardware. Might mean something has come loose or is worn. Check with your printer manufacturer for possible fixes.
Worn or dirty bearings or rods that cause friction in the travel. Ensure they are clean or replace if needed.
The so called “stick slip” issue with linear bushings. The stick/slip effect is a common issue when using polymer or metal bushings instead of ball bearings, usually caused by poor alignment, bent or rough rods or similar mechanical problems. Stick/Slip is like a stutter during the acceleration phase of what should be a smooth linear motion.
Vibration might be reduced by installing NEMA dampeners.
Artefacts introduced by the stepper drivers can be reduced by installing smoothers or different stepper drivers.