[Solved] MK3S extremely loud  

RE: MK3S extremely loud

As to what type of print make the noise worse?

I have a few back pieces for model RR buildings that are basically a flat piece with tabs that stick up from the build plate.  When it gets to the tab-only height, there's that "ssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" sound every few seconds as it rushes from one part of the print to another.

RE: MK3S extremely loud

Then the shhh sounds like the fan shroud rubbing on the print maybe? The stock shroud is low on the right side. 

Phil 

RE: MK3S extremely loud

The 'shhhhhh' sound I am referring to is a strictly mechanical 'rushing' sound from the mechanism as the X-Y quickly moves from one area to another.  I can tell that it is not made from anything that is not operating properly.  It's similar to other printers I've heard and expected.

RE: MK3S extremely loud

An easy test to do to see if the sounds are from vibrations is to lift the printer up while it’s printing.

I’m using anti-vibration feets much like those posted earlier in this thread and they did an amazing difference for me.

I will try with a slab as soon as I get a hold of one, with that white foam underneath of course.

RE: MK3S extremely loud

Hi, just saying thanks for this amount of solutions. They all kind of work for me.

RE: MK3S extremely loud

Great idea about using an SPL meter! Whilst not a proper meter, an app I just downloaded shows mine between 40-45 during calibration, and up to 60-65 on the second layer of the sample Batman gcode.

Looking at the numbers that’s pretty quiet. I am sensitive to noise though and the hearing it from another room is totally down to the low noise vibrations through the wooden cabinet I believe.

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@covertpluto

I mean @graham25fox

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@karl-herbert

Would you mind sharing a video so we can check how it sounds please? Thanks a lot!

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@fscheps

https://forum.prusa3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/0cd4ffb6cb4b2c21888451eab9adecba.mp4

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@covertpluto

Yes thank you, I saw it too.

I was wondering if @graham25fox and @karl-herbert  could share videos of their 3D printers working so we can check the noise they make

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@pcweber

That is for the stock MK3, not the MK3S.

RE: MK3S extremely loud

Hi i tried to put a video up last night, but was not sure if it was posted correct, i find it a bit difficult to get video up on the site

will try again, btw i checked it with a DB app this morning and it was averaging about 42 DB, yes when it travelled it went up 50.1

RE: MK3S extremely loud

Ok, I did some SPL measurements.  Since I retired I don't have any access to true lab grade measuring equipment, so I was using the smart phone with the Keuwlsoft SPL app, which should be somewhere within the vicinity of the ballpark.  😉  I set this for graph mode so I could easily see the effects of sounds and was not dependent on watching the bounce of the needle.

I set up a print job with two small brackets, diagonally on the build plate, to get some definite examples of what I called the 'ssshhhhh' sound as the extruder moved rapidly.

The ambient noise level in the office was bouncing around between 68 and 69 dBA.  Not that quiet, but there are PC fans going and an adjacent closet with some network gear with fans.  For a sanity check, when I cleared my throat (AHEM!) I got a distinct 94 dBA peak.

I stood about 1 meter from the printer (remember, the inverse square law applies here) and aimed the mike (my phone shows the greatest sensitivity toward the bottom of the front of the phone) directly toward the printer.

During the initial bed leveling, the sound level was consistently in the 70-71 dBA range, a few dB over ambient, peaking at about 74 on the graph as the bed moved to the next level on the Y axis.

During the print and the 'sssshhhhh' sounds, the peaks were very consistently in the 75 to 76 dBA range.

Those are the levels I am seeing (or rather hearing) when the printer is operating.

As a sanity check, I'm typing this in the nearby bedroom.  The ambient noise level, with the TV on, is between 65 and 67 dBA.  I can hear the 'ssssshhhhh' if I listen for it, but it's not obvious.  Those sounds do not appear to register on the SPL at all.

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@fscheps

see and listen here: http://www.kgolger.at/3D-Druck/Prusa_i3_MK3_BT1.8_MMU2S/Tonaufnahmen/MK3-BT1.8-MMU2S-Noisereduction.mp4

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@graham25fox

Larger video files are problematic in the forum. I always put such files on my ftp server (see above - workin fine).

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@karl-herbert

Or you can just upload them to Google Photos and share the link 🙂 Its free and you dont have to mess around with FTP Servers 🙂 

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@karl-herbert

Thanks for sharing I see the printer is also in an enclosure. 

RE: MK3S extremely loud

In general, the issue with noise and the perception of each person to see if its too loud or not its a bit tricky. But maybe we could all find a way to standardize each of our own places where the printer is installed and make a test that would allow us to more or less accurately measure the noise it produces while printing to clear our minds that nothing is wrong with the printer and everything is working within normal parameters.

For example, when I was assembling the MK3S kit one of the suggestions was to place the printer on top of the kitchen counter top which in most cases if made  of stone or similar material is perfectly flat. This was useful. 

Maybe we need to test our printers in the kitchen? And then with a noise recorder or a reliable app measure from the same distance the noise level it generates? 

I am not sure, this is just a vague idea to replicate a similar environment for every installation just to test, but it would still be very difficult to control so many variables that could not be the same in each place. 

RE: MK3S extremely loud

I think I would get shot, or at least have to sleep on the couch for a week, if I would dare bring that thing into the kitchen!

RE: MK3S extremely loud

@fscheps

No problem for me, because i have enough webspace (40 Gb). I hope the video could help. I use a selfmade enclosure to reduce noise and prevent fine dust with an active carbon filter. It's also very usefull for printing ABS, PA12 and similar materials tending to warping.