Help Removing Smooth Rods from Damaged Part
Well I'm on hold until I get a replacement part.... While working on the Z-axis assembly in section 4, step 18 I broke the arm on the X-end-Motor Tensioner Assembly while tightening the M3x18 screw.
My confusion was that I didn't really know what this did and while tightening it using the instructions I didn't notice any change so I continued to tighten it. Now I'm on a long hold while I get a part replacement.
Additional problem: The smooth rods that go into this part are in there really tight. Too much force and I can damage the rods....
How to remove the broken part from the smooth rods without damaging them? I'm thinking of breaking up the part around the rod, but I wanted to ask everyone's advice before I start.
Because if I damage the rods, I'll be ordering a lot more.
Re: Help Removing Smooth Rods from Damaged Part
Yup its break the part. First cut away as much of the part as you can around the rods to reduce the parts strength so that it is easy to break. With a razor saw you should be able to go very close to the rod without damaging it. The danger in using a hacksaw is damaging the rods if you cut to close. Once the part if cut away as best you can then try breaking it out.
One trick that might work is to put the part with the rod attached a plastic bag with some desiccant and expel as much air as possible then place in the freezer. The differential contraction should loosen the rod slightly but you will have to be fast in taking the rod out of the part as it will not take long to come back to room temperature. A walk in freezer would be easier as you could do the removal while in the freezer.
Hope this helps,
Martin
Martin Wolfe
Re: Help Removing Smooth Rods from Damaged Part
Thanks Martin I was figuring I'd have to cut it out some way. I've got the part on order, gave me a reason to order some more things from PRUSA while I was at it.
Re: Help Removing Smooth Rods from Damaged Part
Couldn't pull them out, but I was able to use a Dremel cutting bit to saw a slot in two sides. Then with a heavy pair of diagonal pliers and it came off easy. No scratches on the rods.
Now waiting for the part replacement. It gave me an excuse to order a few other extra's on the PRUSA site since I'm paying shipping.
Re: Help Removing Smooth Rods from Damaged Part
I could get the rods out of a (home printed) R2 x-end-idler that were really tight (needed to use a wood clamp to push them in) without breaking or cutting the part...
Simply whack on the printed part with something heavy-ish (I used a plastic hammer). strike completely parallel to the rod and you'll move the part because of the rod inertia. So a lot of small whacks, not one big bang. Hold one of the rods while doing so.
Re: Help Removing Smooth Rods from Damaged Part
I just did the same dang thing. I was tightening the bolt on our second i3 MK3 printer and heard the dreaded "SNAP" on the X-end-motor assembly. I just have to wait for our PETG to get here so I can print a new part on our working printer next week. Was having a difficult time removing the rods themselves and was thinking a dremel disk as well. Just wanted to come here and check if anyone had any better ideas or had the same problem. lol