Z-Axis motors very warm to the touch (while Idle)
Hey there, Sorry for the profusion of questions.
Anyone else notice that the Z-axis motors stay warm even when the printer is idle? Wondering if this is normal behavior? I understand them getting warm due to the micro adjustments they are making with autoleveling, (mine get pretty hot) but after a print is finished Ill come back a couple hours later and the motors are staying heated up.
This happen to anyone else?
Re: Z-Axis motors very warm to the touch (while Idle)
I believe that the Z axis motors stay enabled to prevent them from moving whenever the machine is on. This means that there is power applied to them to keep them from moving. . Most of the motors are made with 80c rated wire insulation. So as long as you can still touch them they will be ok. Some one that knows the software can confirm this.
Re: Z-Axis motors very warm to the touch (while Idle)
I believe that the Z axis motors stay enabled to prevent them from moving whenever the machine is on. This means that there is power applied to them to keep them from moving. . Most of the motors are made with 80c rated wire insulation. So as long as you can still touch them they will be ok. Some one that knows the software can confirm this.
That would make sense for the reason.
Though i dont see why the motors would need to be locked after the gcode finishes (the X and Y arnt) . As the machine re-homes before every print.
Re: Z-Axis motors very warm to the touch (while Idle)
Though i dont see why the motors would need to be locked after the gcode finishes (the X and Y arnt) . As the machine re-homes before every print.
The reason is to keep Z axis leveled on both sides. Unpowered motors can be very easy moved by hand, trapezoid screws do almost no resistance. If you apply even small preasure on left or right side, all X carriage gets off level. With powered motors you don't have to level X carriage again and again between prints, unless you power down the printer itself.
Re: Z-Axis motors very warm to the touch (while Idle)
Erron
Basically, every time you power up the printer you need to (remember to) align the Z axis by taking it up to the stops at the top...
Not ideal, but as has been mentioned, they can be easily moved and get out of alignment.
Peter
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Re: Z-Axis motors very warm to the touch (while Idle)
Erron
Basically, every time you power up the printer you need to (remember to) align the Z axis by taking it up to the stops at the top...
Not ideal, but as has been mentioned, they can be easily moved and get out of alignment.
Peter
good to know, I very rarely if every power the printers off 🙂 my 3 Mk 1's run almost 24/7 I only asked the questions cause i had never noticed z motors on the Mk1's heating up and staying so the same way. (I understand the diffrence in systems though)
Thanks for all the info!
Re: Z-Axis motors very warm to the touch (while Idle)
Basically, every time you power up the printer you need to (remember to) align the Z axis by taking it up to the stops at the top...
Thanks for that bit - it is an excellent thing to keep in mind every time.
I wasn't able to get consistent results during calibration. I kept turning the printer ON & OFF during failed calibrations. I would then move the carriage by hand to see where in the circle the PINDA probe was lining up. I think this was a major reason for my woes.