MK3S developed a squeaky (?) Y axis?
I have owned my original MK3S for over a year and it has served me well. However recently it started "squeaking" every time the y axis moves up, here's a video showing how it sounds like when the movement is slow:
And here's what it sounds like when the movement is a bit faster:
I initially thought that it was the Y axis belt rubbing against the side of the pulley, but when I move it to the middle of the pulley (both the motor pulley and idler pulley) with my fingers when it's printing, the noise doesn't go away (as you can see in the second clip).
Any thoughts what might be causing it and how to fix it? The only similar issues I managed to find when googling were a messed up linear bearing and a misaligned idler pulley holder - I don't think it's the latter at least.
I'm thinking of taking the table apart after the print is done and trying to pinpoint the source of the noise...
Best Answer by sylviatrilling:
https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072
This info is also in the handbook that came with the printer.
Happy printing!
Bearing?
If you turn the power off and slide the bed forward and back, does it move smoothly?
Mk3S+,SL1S
I'll check the bearings as soon as the print is finished
If you turn the power off and slide the bed forward and back, does it move smoothly?
I posted the thread about an hour after starting a lengthy print, I'll take a look as soon as it's finished
Imagine that ...
Loved "I'm thinking of taking the table apart after the print is done and trying to pinpoint the source of the noise..."
Get good at it. The Y axis is the one that I find needs the most active maintenance. If you didn't pack your bearings with white grease when you assembled the printer, you may want to order a new set of bearings, or throw those noisy things away and install drylins.
Fair point
The print ended, I unplugged the printer and put it on its side to investigate.
As some of you (might have) suspected, it was one of the linear bearings - I guess the plastic bushings rubbing against the linear rail could produce this sort of noise? For now I put a couple of drops of oil on the rails and worked it into the bearings and the noise was gone. The table was moving rather smoothly both before and after.
If you didn't pack your bearings with white grease when you assembled the printer, you may want to order a new set of bearings, or throw those noisy things away and install drylins.
I didn't pack them with white grease originally, I'll get some replacements and try it this time.
When you say drylins, do you mean those one-piece plastic bushings?
I actually have a couple of those in my workshop, I just assumed they weren't used on the printers because they'd get loose too fast. Are people using them often?
Loved "I'm thinking of taking the table apart after the print is done and trying to pinpoint the source of the noise..."
Get good at it.
Actually jumping straight into taking things apart and figuring stuff out on my own is my go-to mode of operation, but recently I realised it makes me reinvent the wheel a bit too often. I figured I'd ask on the forum and use the knowledge of the community - and I'm glad I did, I didn't know about the white grease for example 🙂
RE: Making sure
You are cleaning and lubricating the rods with the lubrication that came with your printer about every 200 hours of printing time, right?
Mk3S+,SL1S
😐
No, it's been 600+ hours and I didn't really do much maintenance except for the cases when the printer was acting up.
Can you point me to up-to-date maintenance guidlines so that I can do better from now on?
RE: Glad I asked.
https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072
This info is also in the handbook that came with the printer.
Happy printing!
Mk3S+,SL1S
Yes, those drylins - get the kind that release their own lubricant
Those work great on printers. On the MK3S+ (with the metal clips and the new extruder carriage) they work without having to mod the printer. I use them on X and Y, but the other day I saw one on someone's Z - so I might try that. They dramatically quiet down the machine and do not require any lubrication. They still need to be cleaned from time to time, as little bits of filament will get inside of them and start to cause friction on the 8mm rod.
RE: link to drylins?
@dan-rogers, would you post a link to where I can order these drylin bearings for the MK3S+ so I know I am ordering the right ones?
Mk3S+,SL1S