Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
There has been a common issue of people believing thier z axis threaded rods were bent from factory, or the build was done perfectly but the z axis rod still touches the sides of the hole at the z axis top stop parts leading many to believe the design is faulty, the parts werent printed correctly to a very wide number of possible causes. During my attempt of rebuilding, checking, triple checking etc, there was always one part that escaped my eye. The trapazoidal nut.
This possible soution is simple and effective and nothing is required to be dismantled completely or spending hours of troubleshooting. Simply follow this guide.
1. The printer is built and the process has been followed to the best of ones ability.
2. Move the x axis about half way up. (or start with the z axis all the way down and manually spin both z axis rods until you see the rod moving towards the side of the hole of the z axis top).
3. Confirm that your threaded z rods are not in the center or near center of the hole in the z axis top stop as possible. (again if they are rubbing the sides this will cause vibrations etc. during z axis moves)
4. Simply loosen (do not remove) the two screws holding the z trapazoidal nut to the z bearing holders. (typically, the black screw nut with 2 screws).
5. While loose, simply shift/slide the nut slightly until the z threaded rod is as close to the center of the hole on the z axis top stop parts.
6. Tighten screws with correct alignment found to maintain the new position.
7. Verify by testing the movement simply using the lcd to move the z axis up and down. if there are more wobbles, repeat the proccess until the desired placement is
I hope this is helpful to anyone that has noticed wobbles, rubbing, or noise caused by the z axis threaded rods.
Derrick
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
Thanks! Had same problem 🙂
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
That's great! I'm glad it helped out at least one person! hahah.
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
Thank you! Save lots of headache and probably hours of chasing the noise!
I've done what the book says (About aligning the motor mounts screws) and no improvement.
Your solution was exactly what I needed and was very easy to do!
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
You're welcome! I'm glad this worked for you! I spent a lot of time not understanding what the heck was causing it lol. I'm just glad this little tweak is helping others!
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
This helped! I don't know why this part isn't in the instructions-- this is actually one of the weakest parts of the manual with no clear solution if your rods aren't perfectly centered.
I wasn't able to get 100% touch-free with this method on one side, though. At the very lowest nozzle height, the right threaded rod touches the printed part. One step above that and it isn't touching, and gets closer to the center the further up Z moves. I figure that should be good enough, especially considering it was touching/rubbing through the bottom ~40% of Z range before and had been printing just fine that way.
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
Derrick, this did the trick. I was going to use one of my bearings set aside to build an airtight filament case to fix this annoying rattle. A squidge to the right and no more rattle. Sometimes good enough is simply great. Much thanks for the post!
MK2S kit owner since 8/15/2017
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
im so happy to hear this is helping folks. it may not be the end all fix, but it seems for most cases it will do the trick! if anything in the steps could be improved on etc please feel free to offer more feedback!
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
Genius! So simple, yet so not-obvious, and makes SO much difference! This should be added to the manual post-haste!
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
I have an mk3, but I think what you described here might solve my problem. Quick question about this: My Z axis alignment goes off after even the smallest print (like the first layer cal.) and requires a re-calibration of the Z axis. Would this possibly solve my problem? I thought my rods were parallel, but at this point i'm willing to try anything to get this printer running.
Sadly at work ATM, so I cant try this.
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
another problem i had was the screws on the X that tension the rods wasn't 100% all the way in. once i did that, it was aligned.
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
That's great to hear bud! Im really happy you got it fixed! its the little things... nay the TINY things haha that make the biggest differences!
Re: Z axis threaded rod alignment and possible solution to z axis "rattling" noise
Exactly what I needed! Thanks for posting!