Y axis not moving freely in one direction
While printing a 10 hour print, it failed in the 9th hour cause the Y axis just kind of stopped moving towards the back of the printer.
I have been printing with the MK3s and MMU2s since late last year, and havent had this issue until today.
Investigating the issue, the gear on the Y Motor is not slipping, but seems to be sticking on the Guide rails do to friction
Has anyone experienced a lack of movement in one direction over another direction on the Y axis? Would this have something to do with the linear bearing?
RE: Y axis not moving freely in one direction
Simply put yes. Linear bearing can experience increased friction in a single direction. Sounds like its time to tear down the Y axis and clean and re-grease your bearings. Also if the Y ones are there you might want to consider doing the X ones too.
Its also possible that the dust seal one one side (the black plastic bits) is damaged and is getting caught when the direction changes but its more likely to be the bearings themselves.
You can temporarily use some light machine oil and work it through the dust seals as a stopgap measure but its no substitute to do a proper re-grease with the bearings off the rails.
RE: Y axis not moving freely in one direction
@neophyl
Yaaaaaaa, I took off the belt and tried it. And the bearings don't want to move freely. Any suggestions on a good way to degrease and a good grease to use post clean? Thanks man
RE: Y axis not moving freely in one direction
Hi, my 2 cents : https://prusacommunity.com/set-your-bearing-straight/
And here is a good way to grease the bearings without a printed cap. Standard lithium grease for bearings is perfect.
MK3s Stock, PS2.3, Fusion360, Debian, Windows 10.
RE: Y axis not moving freely in one direction
I drop mine in a container of 99.9% IPA covered completely and agitate for a bit to clean them out. Then leave them to dry and use a bearing grease packed back into the races afterwards. I'm no expert of the various grease types but from what I've picked up in the past you dont want a really thick grease, the balls need to move freely in the races but it needs to be thick enough to stick and move around. So basically the Superlube type should be fine.
I got mine from a local machine shop, basically cadged some from their big tin by explaining what I needed it for, the guy just laughed and gave me some when he realised that it was only for a few small bearings 🙂 If I had to buy some Id use something like this https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/greases/1847967?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-CSS_UK_EN_Facilities_Cleaning_%26_Maintenance_Whoop-_-Greases_Whoop-_-1847967&matchtype=&pla-301377179469&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4eu1yo2G6wIVV-vtCh0VswbXEAQYASABEgKBPfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds This type of tube you can print off applicator caps designed to fit on the threads to get its into the bearings. Thingiverse has several.