Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Welcome back to Magnetic-Idex! Today I'm showing off the very first full prints on the new ZGX (Zero Gravity X) mod for the Akula 3.
This simple bolt-on upgrade relocates the X stepper motor to the frame and replaces it with an ultra-light 22g coupling using a square shaft and 8 ball bearings. Combined with aluminum X-rails, it cuts ~422g (~1 pound!) off the moving gantry mass – that's like removing an entire X1C toolhead!
In this video:
- Live first print (modified Slice Engineering flow test) in real time
- Detailed tour of the coupling, square shaft, and GT1.5 belt changes
- Print quality discussion and PA tuning notes
- Multiple speed macro tests: 350 → 375 → 380 mm/s at 15,000 accel
- Step loss checks (0 to 1 microstep – basically perfect)
All of this on a second-ever print with zero tuning. Huge potential for lighter, simpler, quieter high-speed motion without CoreXY complexity.
What should I call it? ZGX? Zero Gravity X? Something else? Let me know in the comments!
Files will be on Printables once refined. Support development on Ko-fi:
ko-fi.com/m_idex
I am also on Printables:
printables.com/@dmitryr
and MakerWorld
makerworld.com/en/@m_IDEX
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & slow start
02:06 - Mod background and weight reduction (422g!)
03:40 - Coupling close-up tour (square shaft magic)
10:48 - Print quality check & slowing down
11:33 - Speed macro tests begin
13:48 - 375mm/s handheld view
15:20 - 380mm/s final test + step loss results
#3DPrinting #Akula3 #ZGX #HighSpeedPrinting #CoreXYAlternative #Picolino
Welcome back to Magnetic-Idex! Today I'm showing off the very first full prints on the new ZGX (Zero Gravity X) mod for the Akula 3.
This simple bolt-on upgrade relocates the X stepper motor to the frame and replaces it with an ultra-light 22g coupling using a square shaft and 8 ball bearings. Combined with aluminum X-rails, it cuts ~422g (~1 pound!) off the moving gantry mass – that's like removing an entire X1C toolhead!
In this video:
- Live first print (modified Slice Engineering flow test) in real time
- Detailed tour of the coupling, square shaft, and GT1.5 belt changes
- Print quality discussion and PA tuning notes
- Multiple speed macro tests: 350 → 375 → 380 mm/s at 15,000 accel
- Step loss checks (0 to 1 microstep – basically perfect)
All of this on a second-ever print with zero tuning. Huge potential for lighter, simpler, quieter high-speed motion without CoreXY complexity.
What should I call it? ZGX? Zero Gravity X? Something else? Let me know in the comments!
Files will be on Printables once refined. Support development on Ko-fi:
ko-fi.com/m_idex
I am also on Printables:
printables.com/@dmitryr
and MakerWorld
makerworld.com/en/@m_IDEX
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & slow start
02:06 - Mod background and weight reduction (422g!)
03:40 - Coupling close-up tour (square shaft magic)
10:48 - Print quality check & slowing down
11:33 - Speed macro tests begin
13:48 - 375mm/s handheld view
15:20 - 380mm/s final test + step loss results
#3DPrinting #Akula3 #ZGX #HighSpeedPrinting #CoreXYAlternative #Picolino
