Z axis going out of calibration, prints failing
Please look at the photos to see what is happening to the prints. Print is ok on the left but starts to gap as it goes to the right.
I have a MK2.5s that i upgraded from a 2.0 a few years ago , purchased the 2.0 in 2016
Usually prints perfectly but recently prints are failing with sections that are printed too high on the right z axis side.
when i do a z axis calibration the right side is several mm higher that the left side. It is corrected in the z axis calibration but returns again after a print.
sometimes it prints perfectly and sometimes i get this print gap that is more prominent on the right side.
somes after a print when i go to print again it forces z axis calibration,
I think that the z axis on the right is drifting higher for some reason. the problem in the print is much worse on the right side than the left.
you can see in the third photo x axis smooth rods are tilted to the right
there must be a problem with the z axis motors, my machine is 7 years old and it has done 100s of prints over the years.
Any ideas
RE: Z axis going out of calibration, prints failing
Based on the 3rd photo you can see the right side of the X gantry is higher than the left, I can visibly see it's not level. Have you calibrated it? The standard procedure is to raise the Z axis via the control panel to the very top until both sides touch the top parts to the Z axis rods on both sides.
If after calibration this happens again quickly, check your connections on the Rambo board and insure they're tight. Since the Z steppers are operated by the same driver and it doesn't matter to which slot they're connected to, swap the connectors on the board and see if the problem stays the same or swaps. It looks like the right side is higher than the left and due the gap in the print my guess is that's the problem child. It could be the stepper is on it's last roundup and needs go to the great print place in the sky. If the problem does swap that could suggest a problem with the internal connections of the Rambo which is probably not a DIY repair and could require replacement. In any case due to vibration things can loosen over time, it could be a simple as insuring the wires have good contact with the pins.
Cheers
-Bob
Prusa I3 Mk2 kit upgraded to Mk2.5s, Ender3 with many mods, Prusa Mini kit with Bondtech heat break, Prusa I3 Mk3s+ kit