MK2S making strange clicking noise on X axis
I got and assembled my MK2S kit yesterday, and within a few hours had it calibrated rather well and have been producing some nice prints. I'm not sure when it started, sometime late last night, but during my last few prints I've noticed a noise that seems to be coming from the X axis motor or in that general area, but I can't seem to pinpoint the source of the sound.
I described it as a "clicking" in the post title, but this is not a noise I would associate with a bad stepper motor. It sounds more like the teeth on the inside of the belt are running over something and I'm hearing the thump of the teeth on whatever it is. However, nothing seems off after investigating. Furthermore, this sound doesn't seem to happen all the time. During initial calibration, the sound is absent. Even during the print certain movements involving the X axis will have it, while others won't. The print quality seems unaffected by whatever's causing the noise, I haven't noticed any slipping or anything that would indicate any print head movement being affected.
I'm trying to get a video that clearly demonstrates the sound, but without knowing where it's coming or what's causing it it's hard to anticipate when it will be the most audible. I'll keep working on that; if there are any other questions that I can answer to help narrow things down, please let me know.
[Edit] Here's a video; the noise is a bit quiet but it's the best I could do. Especially noticeable at the end.
Any and all help is appreciated. Thank you!
Re: MK2S making strange clicking noise on X axis
I think this one is a common one. To me it is just the belt of the X axis moving on the side of the idler pulley or the pulley hitting the housing when the teeth of the belt touch it. Sometimes if you move it a little the sound goes away for a while.
Maybe it is because the belt is too tight, can you see the belt twisting a bit when changing direction from forward to backwards?
Re: MK2S making strange clicking noise on X axis
Thanks Julien. Yeah, I do have the X axis belt twisting issue; I've read conflicting reports of whether loosening the belt fixes it, or if it's a design flaw that requires a new print head cover (like this one). I'll try loosening the belt a notch or two and see if that prevents the belt from riding up on the pulley, or possibly moving the pulley on the motor in ever so slightly.
I've also heard this could potentially be related to mesh bed leveling, and that the noise is the sound of the printer correcting itself against some slightly skewing. I'll try correcting the belt first and seeing if that makes the noise go away.
Re: MK2S making strange clicking noise on X axis
I've read also it can be the pulley that is slighty to tight against the printed part and that loosing it a bit can help. Hope you will find a solution.