Printer Maintenance
Hi all.
I haven't printed anything for well over a year and I want to start using it again. My printer is in my room, uncovered, half a roll of filament still waiting for me to use it.
I know the filament will need to be replaced but I'm wondering what I need to do to make sure the printer is in fully working order.
Does anyone have any maintenance tips? Do I need to WD40 the gears/rods etc etc? Do I need any special grease or anything?
I've been cleaning it, I'm not a complete savage but want to make sure it works correctly,
Thanks,
Sean
RE: Printer Maintenance
Wipe the dust off the smooth rods, X, Y, Z
Wash the Build plate with Dish Soap and Hot water, Rinse with hot water, dry immediately with plain paper towels
Heat the printer to the temperatures for the filament that it installed
whilst the printer is heating, Smear a little of the lubricant that you used when you built the printer, onto the X, Y and Z Smooth rods.
Move X and Y from end to end of travel by hand
Move Z to the top of the rails using the LCD Knob, the X axis end pieces should vibrate against the top of the Z axis both sides,
if it doesn't, press the reset switch and try again, this will ensure that the X axis rails are paralell with the Build plate surface.
when the printer reaches temperature, select Unload Filament,
and your filament should be unloaded from the extruder.
Cut about 10cm of the filament off, using cutters at an angle to create an angled end on the filament.
try flexing the remaining end of the filament, if it snaps with little effort, put the filament on one side and try a different roll.
If it doesn't snap, reload the filament.
run a live Z test, Adjust if necessary.
If OK, try a print
regards Joan
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 Maintenance
... and you may be able to resurrect the filament by drying it, look up threads on here - but if it's dusty you should discard the first few metres.
Cheerio,
RE: Printer Maintenance
In my opinion, you should never use WD-40 (or similar) for printer. For lubricating moving elements on printer, you should use some white (lithium) grease instead. Main reason being, it will stay where you put it. There also exist grease in sprays, but they make somehow hard to apply exact amount of grease where you want it.
[Mini+] [MK3S+BEAR]
RE: Printer Maintenance
Hi all,
Thanks for the replies. I didn't build the printer so didn't receive any lubricant but have bought some white lithium grease.
RE: Printer Maintenance
Look at this knowledge base item
https://help.prusa3d.com/en/guide/maintenance-tips_23200
and this one
https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072
regards Joan
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