I have had this same issue I would look for a set of z axis wobble isolators on thingiverse They completely solved this for me What’s probably happening is your z threaded rod is not perfectly straight and its pushing your carriage one way or the other every layer
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Seeing broncosis comment made me think again. The first thought I had was that this was a z-axis wobble. I have had severe z-axis wobble on my old Orca v0.3. However, I locked in on the pictures included with the original post, thinking that the objects are oriented on the print plate as on the pictures. Is this not so?
In the OP’s description, it says “vertical” ripple. Is that one where the wave-vector is vertical, which would be consistent with a z-axis wobble, or where the wave-fronts are vertically aligned, which would be consistent with x- and y-axes wobbles?
The prints are indeed oriented as they were on the build plate.
It is the wave fronts who are vertically aligned. I don’t think it is Z-wobble because I have multiple wave “points” on every layer, which together make a vertical line, Z-wobble would be happening at layer changes, not multiple times in a layer.
12 months later
Hi! i’m having exactly same problem, did you solved this?
Sadly, I did not
After looking around a bit more I have heard that putting the printer on a hard surface such has a concrete block could help but it didn’t work for me. I could also be caused by flow control issues but again, didn’t work for me.
After looking a close look at the machine during printing I’m almost certain this is caused by vibrations, either through ghosting or plain old resonance of the printer but I did not find a way to fix it.
I hope this helps you, if you find a solution that works for your problem I’d be really happy if you could let me know
9 months later
I’m rather late to the party, looking up an issue im having myself and came across this. Just incase your sitll having this issue i think i know the solution. Atleast to @dimitriz anyway. I think @I_am_me 's issue could possibly be the same depending on your infill settings.
It looks to me like the infill layers are showing through at the edge where there is slightly more plastic inside so the layer lines push out the outer shell causing slight ridges. First test: Hole the part up to a strong light and see if the ripples align with the infill lines. If they do, just increase your shell thickness in your slicer. I had this issue at 2 shell layers so i increased it to 4 and my surfaces no longer get this.
Hope this helps someone! 
As I said in my first post, it’s not a problem with infill. It happens even on 0% infill or vase mode.
But you’re right, for most people this kind of ‘symptoms’ are because of infill poking through.
If you are experiencing ripples etc. in your 3D printed object, you can try out the following:
- Reduce the 3D printer vibrations by placing it on a solid surface
- Check the bearings to be smooth
- Make sure all the bolts of the equipment are tight
- Add oil to the rods of the 3D printer
- Adjust the acceleration of the firmware.
What is the print speed? What slicer?
This really looks like a mechanical issue. If it were acceleration or something like that (Ringing) it would fade quickly along the face and definitely would be very unlikely to do it on a 45 degree pass in relation to the X and Y. The first clue is the “rhythm” of the waves, they are persistent across the face.