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Lubrication of smooth rods and bearings  

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Allan Fonroques 🚀
(@allan-fonroques)
Eminent Member
Lubrication of smooth rods and bearings

Hello all !

I have concerns of scratches on the smooth rods, I contacted the support, they return me smooth rods and bearing, a big congratulations to them for their reactivity!

I would like to know your feedback, how do you lubricate the bearings?

Do you disassemble the X axis ?? do you put fat on the smooth stems every now and then? (if so, how often?)

It was explained to me that putting grease on the smooth rods is useless because the bearings are protected by oil seals and that the grease therefore does not enter the bearing, but according to the support, it is good this way it should be done, then who is right?

Posted : 04/07/2021 10:08 am
karl-herbert
(@karl-herbert)
Illustrious Member
RE: Lubrication of smooth rods and bearings
Posted by: @allan-fonroques

Hello all !

I have concerns of scratches on the smooth rods, I contacted the support, they return me smooth rods and bearing, a big congratulations to them for their reactivity!

I would like to know your feedback, how do you lubricate the bearings?

Do you disassemble the X axis ?? do you put fat on the smooth stems every now and then? (if so, how often?)

It was explained to me that putting grease on the smooth rods is useless because the bearings are protected by oil seals and that the grease therefore does not enter the bearing, but according to the support, it is good this way it should be done, then who is right?

Has been discussed countless times, opinions vary, but I always do it this way:
Clean bearings before installation (not a must, but remove rust preventive oil), fill with thin lithium soap based grease (approx. 1/2 gram/bearing). Important - do not stuff the bearings with a grease gun.
For maintenance, it's sufficient to clean and coat the guide shafts with less grease about every 100 hours of operation (depending on environmental conditions).

Misumi recommends: Misumi_Linearbearings

wbr,

Karl

 

Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.

Posted : 04/07/2021 10:41 am
Baklin
(@baklin)
Reputable Member
RE: Lubrication of smooth rods and bearings

Before first installing the bearings you need to clean them with IPA and let them dry. After that grease them with the grease that came with the printer.

This tool will make that easier. https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/32359-prusa-lubricant-lm8uu-adaptor-bearing-pacifier

 

For the MK3 there is no info about this in the manual, but there is for the Mini. https://help.prusa3d.com/en/guide/2-yz-axis-assembly_196824#197015

 

With the bearings greased the right way they will last a long time before needing any cleaning and re greasing. Adding a little grease on the rods every now and than helps keeps thing running smooth longer.

 

And be careful not to overtighten the back of the extruder as that can deform the bearings and cause scratches in the smooth rods. 

Posted : 04/07/2021 10:47 am
Baklin
(@baklin)
Reputable Member
RE: Lubrication of smooth rods and bearings

Karl posted as I was typing and you already have slightly different ways of doing this. 😀

Posted : 04/07/2021 10:52 am
Allan Fonroques 🚀
(@allan-fonroques)
Eminent Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Lubrication of smooth rods and bearings

Thank you for your opinions 😉

Posted : 04/07/2021 11:10 am
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