Build Tips based on my experience
Some build tips based on my experience. These are kind of covered in the manually but from some errors I had after assembly, might be helpful to others to put some emphasis on them.
- Should be obvious but don't be like me 🙂 Read the entire steps before starting, will help you going back because you missed something.
- I was missing a couple of screws, thank you for including a spare back. So if you find yourself with a missing or extra screw, go over the instructions and don't worry about it if you validated everything is assembled as per instructions.
- When assembling the frame, follow the instructions and use the included filament box as an extra set of hands and place it on the extrusions near the back plate while holding the front extrusions with your arm and tightening the front side. This way you can keep the back weighted down flat while holding the front down with your arm. Got it perfectly flat on the first try with this method.
- When installing the X-Axis on the Z Lead screws make sure that you can turn both lead screws with one hand. If one or both lead screws are really hard to turn, the trapezoid nut isn't threaded properly. Try again until you can turn the lead screws with two fingers. I had an issue where the left z-screw was really hard to turn with one hand. This resulted in only one motor spinning and requiring some work to remove the X-Axis and reinstall it. Also had a hard time getting the left side threaded properly. I removed the trapezoid nuts from the x-axis assembly, carefully slide the x-axis over the lead screws, screwed on the trapezoid nuts and then screwed the trapezoid nuts to the x axis assembly.
- On Step 26 of the Extruder Assembly, make sure that the cables on both sizes are in the slot (channels) Put the thicker cables in the slot first and you'll find they go in pretty flush. Make sure they are flush! After you install the back plate, slide the extruder left and right and make sure the cables (and the zip tip tie wrapping the extruder wires) aren't touching the sides. If they are touching the sides, fix it before continuing. Failing to do so will result in an X-Asis Calibration error.
- I kept getting a fillament sensor wiring error on calibration. When I went into Settings it displayed Fillament Sensor N/A. Reseating the end to the control board firmly corrected the problem. Haven't had an issue since. I think it's a bit finicky but if you have the issue, rather than going through the calibration, just look in settings and make sure Filament Sensor isn't listed as N/A before proceeding with calibration wizard
- Update your firmware before starting the calibration. The firmware that shipped with my printer seamed a little buggy to me. Had some issues with calibration until I updated.
- I kept getting an X-Axis error on calibration even though I made sure nothing was interferring with the edges. Performing an Auto Home before running the calibration corrected the problem.
Re: Build Tips based on my experience
I had an issue with the trapezoid nut on the left side. It took almost super human strength to turn it. I removed it from the X axis and manually threaded it up and down the rod many, many times. After a number of hours over a few days and I was able to wear it in. After every 4 or 5 ascent/decent cycles I would remove it and blast the nut with compressed air to clear the chase, And repeat again and again. I about blistered my fingers but now it is "acceptable" and two fingers turns it. I expect it will wear in.
Some of the advice posted such as rotate to other holes on the nut didn't do it for me. Prusa made me earn this one.
Re: Build Tips based on my experience
I had an issue with the trapezoid nut on the left side. It took almost super human strength to turn it. I removed it from the X axis and manually threaded it up and down the rod many, many times. After a number of hours over a few days and I was able to wear it in. After every 4 or 5 ascent/decent cycles I would remove it and blast the nut with compressed air to clear the chase, And repeat again and again. I about blistered my fingers but now it is "acceptable" and two fingers turns it. I expect it will wear in.
Some of the advice posted such as rotate to other holes on the nut didn't do it for me. Prusa made me earn this one.
That sounds really wrong.
Re: Build Tips based on my experience
Actually it worked out just fine. It took a lot of effort to get the nut ti wear into the thread That and a little Magnalube and itl's all good
Re: Build Tips based on my experience
I think the best advice is this:
Read the stickied threads and do a forum search before contacting support or posting, your issue likely has an easy solution! 😛
Re: Build Tips based on my experience
And for me with the building instructions:
If a step has a large number of comments, read the comments before doing the step.
All the issues I struggled with were hotly debated in the corresponding step comments.