Z Axis not level (Mechanism seems to be twisted)
...And everything seemed to be going so well 🙁
I'm building a mk2s kit.
I've got as far as assembling the frame with the z axis components on it but the x axis carriage will not sit level. There is a 3mm gap at the top of the right side (z axis) when the left side is moved to the top of it's travel.
I've taken it all apart again swapped the bearings around to see if one of them is concentric in some way. I even tried one bearing on its own but it still wants to twist.
It's as if the the two x axis rods are not 90 degrees to the z axis. I.E. block holding the stepper motor isn't square.
if I try to force it level, the Z rod on the left side starts to bend! That can't be right can it?!
I think that I need a new part! (the x axis left hand block that holds the x axis stepper)
[attachment=0]IMAG1987[1].jpg[/attachment]
Any suggestions?
Re: Z Axis not level (Mechanism seems to be twisted)
Going by the picture it looks like your trapezoid nuts aren't screwed in? Apart from that I know I had a small issue with the x-axis rods not pushed in all the way which made it misaligned until I realized it and pushed the rods in further.
Re: Z Axis not level (Mechanism seems to be twisted)
Yep well spotted. The trap' nuts aren't screwed in. I unscrewed them to see where the x axis naturally sat.
I get your point about the rods not being pushed in all the way (I built a Huxley years ago and had the same problem).
I have since taken an 8mm drill to the holes in the stepper side. The rods still fit in the holes with out being sloppy but they are free to move (so can't now be forcing a trapezoid twist in the x axis carriage assy). I the problem still existed so I took the decision to ream the holes in an upward direction. I just put it all back together and it just about sits level without stressing the vertical rods.
I've also noticed that these blocks are printed standing up. Therefore if the printer that made them had a poorly leveled x axis the bed would level itself against that. The part would print OK but it would then have the same horizontal/trapezoid twist in it that this part has.
I think the first print job (once I'm happy that is truly all square) is to print another pair of x axis blocks!