Y axis rattle
I have frequent rattle, I observed it happens when Y axis is rather at the middle and the extruder moves rather slowly (perimeter extruding, mostly).
Upon inspecting, I noticed that applying a small force with one finger on the heatbed (where fingerprint symbols are) instantly supresses the rattle.
When the printer is off, if gently move up and down the heatbed from the sides, there is a very small free movement and it clicks. I think the rattle is there.
I checked, the heatbed screws are all tightened, it's not the heatbed moving from the axis plate.
Also, the rod holders are well tightened, it's not the rod moving from the frame.
So last suspect are the bearing. Can they have a very slight "slack" (don't know the exact english word) ?
RE: Y axis rattle
HI Galinette
Many has discovered this noice and there is a lot of suggestion on the net to cure this (with more or less success). I had the same issue after printing less than 15hours ASA+ ( high bed temp) and it was clear that the high bed temp has caused the bearings to run low on grease.
After re-lubricating them with Lithium Grease (in my case from Putoline) is the noise gone compleatly 🙂 - you can find injector caps on Thingiverse.
Other people change the bearings to a type without balls and use the friction less bushings - I could´nt get hold of them, so as long the re-lubrication does the job, I enjoy to print.
Happy printing 😉
RE: Y axis rattle
Hello,
I have had the same problem already since a long time.
I have isolated the rattle problem being caused by heatbed. The slight play of the bearings gets amplified into the heatbed. When I remove the printplate and knock on the heatbed it has a "hollow" sound, similar like knocking the body of a guitar. As soon as you add a "dampener" (e.g. just putting your other hand on the headbed), the hollow sound disapears immediately. I assume that putting something between the y-axis frame and the heatbed, in a way that the headbed is "under pressure", would eliminate the rattle. There is another post on this forum where somebody describes squeezing felt-pads between the frame and the heatbed and by doing so eliminating the rattle. I haven't tried that yet since I do not want to mess with my perfectly leveled bed.
Anyway, my steps how I have still eliminated the rattle with a few compromises:
- Do the squash ball mod
- Place the printer with the squash balls on a stone paver
- Place the stone paver on 1-3 layers of cardboard
- Reduce the print speed especially of the non-print fast movements, I have it at 80mm/s. This doesn't increase the printing time that much, but helps a lot.
- Print in silent mode
Taking all these steps will most probably eliminate the annoying rattle also for you. I hope that helps!
RE: Y axis rattle
Thanks for your replies! So it's definitely a small design issue.
I'll try lubricating first, I have to fine tune the belt alignment anyway
RE: Y axis rattle
Hi Galinette
The relubrication will help for a time, I just discovered mine to starting up again after printing several items with ASA+ (again hot bed temp)!
As long as I don´t print bed temp over 65deegree C. is everything okay, I have purchased IGUS bushings and will try them tomorrow. My Prusa version is with the new bearing clamp, so they should be easier to mount and adjust.
So again happy printing
UJF