X-Axis Motor Skipping / Stiff
Good Afternoon,
I have created this post in relation to above topic, I noticed when I was printing some longer prints that my x-axis motor would skip / be stiff when moving in the left direction only from this it is causing the printer in turn not to move correctly.
Im just after some advise on what could be causing this i've included some pictures of what my set up looks like as this was the Kit version that I built.
If any more information is required please let me know and ill add it in
RE: X-Axis Motor Skipping / Stiff
Lack of lubrication is a primary cause. Despite Prusa's claims, the bearings should be greased before installation.
Look at the BELT tension numbers in the status displays. These are useless for setting belt tension, but do indicate excessive drag on an axis. By belts are very tight and I see 296 and 297 ... as my bearings dry out I drop to lower 290's. Ungreased stock bearings were around 260.
Another cause of X-axis drag is on MK3S, the housing plastic is a bit undersized and can crush the bearings. Loosening the screws near the bearing can reduce the pressure and allow easier motion.
ps: if it is dry bearings, add a drop or two of light machine oil on the rods both sides of the extruder & bearings, work the extruder back and forth until the oil gets inside the grease seals. Do the same for the Y-axis, too.
RE: X-Axis Motor Skipping / Stiff
Another thing to check is your x-motor pulley position. This can cause axis stickiness as carriage approaches left end of x-axis. See how your x-belt is not centered in the drive pulley, but instead is sitting far forward in the toothed groove? That is because your pulley is mounted too far towards motor. Position drive pulley a bit further out on motor shaft so belt runs in center of the pulley.
RE: X-Axis Motor Skipping / Stiff
Thank you for the information, When looking it over I ended up adding some lubrication to both X & Y axis, and I will have to check the belt tension number again as I ended up slacking it off just with the X-Axis tilt ability, first time went to re-calibrate the XYZ from the wizard and it failed again, was stiff on the x-axis again.
So messed about with the X-Axis belt tension again, and then left it for half an hour and went to calibrate and I've had no issues with the printer since, as I managed to set a print off over night and it was fine this morning.
Fingers crossed all will be good and no issues for the future.
RE: X-Axis Motor Skipping / Stiff
The belt tension numbers on the LCD report friction of the axis - actually an average of current needed to push the axis - there is no useful information in the numbers related to belt tension.
RE: X-Axis Motor Skipping / Stiff
3-in-1 oil worked for me. Thanks!