Printer was working for 20 hours, suddenly this happened with x axis ... any ideas??
Hi There,
I hope someone can help me with what's up with my printer. It was absolutely fine, no issues after build, first time perfect calibration and everything. After about 20 hours of printing and mid print it had an issue, now when I'm moving the X axis to the right it makes an awful sound .... then it gets to a point and then decides to automatically move the axis's around in a pattern? hopefully someone has seen this before and can help?
Here a video of it happening when I try and jog to X.
It only seems to make this noise / have issues when it's jogging right, left seems fine .... when i try and do a new calibration it just failed as it detects a crash as soon as it goes too far left.
Thank you
Andy
RE: Printer was working for 20 hours, suddenly this happened with x axis ... any ideas??
Power your printer off and move the extruder left and right. Both directions should be perfectly smooth.
If you feel any binding, left or right, the printer will pick it up as a crash.
You did lubricate your bearings during construction? Some light oil on the rod is OK for a test.
Extruder bearing screws too tight can also cause binding.
RE: Printer was working for 20 hours, suddenly this happened with x axis ... any ideas??
I think I may have found the issue ... i took the back extruder panel off and cut the zip ties holding the upper bearing and tried to move the bearings by hand, they are really stiff on the upper rod ..... the extruder is still attached to the lower rod and that seems to be moving fine. Are these allowed to be oiled? or should I be contacting Prusa support about this?
RE: Printer was working for 20 hours, suddenly this happened with x axis ... any ideas??
Thanks Robert .... oiled the bearings and it's now perfect again 🙂
RE: Printer was working for 20 hours, suddenly this happened with x axis ... any ideas??
https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072#rods-and-bearings
This is a mine field... the assembly manual says not to lube the bearings,
as you found out, Lubing the bearings works wonders...
Armchair warriors will say RTFM and build it as instructed. quite aggressively,
when I spoke to Prusa Support, they said YES Lube the bearings... (Use the lube they include in the kits these days...)
then perfectionists will start claiming that their prferred Lube is the best...
My thoughts... almost any lube is better than no lube...
Treacle thick grease is probably not a good idea,
WD40 Water displacement fluid, is nor a proper lubricant and should be avoided.
I would also stear clear of silicone based lubricants because they can be devils to remove from accidental spill sites (Like Heatbeds) and some folk believe silicone migrates onto surrounding areas...
Good luck
Joan
I have
one printer lubed with yellow lithium general purpose grease
One Lubed with White Lithium Bicycle bearing grease,
One Lubed with Slug Slime Oil (Light machine oil) and
One lubed with Prusa White lithium Grease,
and they all run fine...
I can't remember what My Geetech is lubed with, probably yellow lithium grease.
and My SL1 printer Linear rail is lubed with Slug Slime oil
I also Wash my build plates on the four Prusa FDM printers....
Guess I am going to burn in hell... because the armchair warriors say that is forbidden in the manuals...
PLA Sticks to my clean build plates without any glue or hairspray at 65 to 70C...
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Printer was working for 20 hours, suddenly this happened with x axis ... any ideas??
I am safe with my opinions. I never frequent Facebook groups - or Reddit...
Around here, we tend to recommend things proven to work. Not always the Prusa line.
Actually - our users here are a pretty civil bunch.
RE: Printer was working for 20 hours, suddenly this happened with x axis ... any ideas??
Any lubricant is better than non at all and you will find loads of recommendations and contradictions on what is best, and best is not necessary if you are a hobbyist type of printer person, but if using your printer at extremes of speed or 24/7 for business, then you should look for the best solution for your needs.
Have a read through the link below and make up your own mind and if your not sure, then go with what PRUSA recommend, it's a good grease for this application if you can get it outside the Czech republic.
Normal people believe that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t have enough features yet.