Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
I completed building my i3 MK2S last night and started calibrating it. It passed the self-test, but then I noticed that the left and right sides of the z-axis were not in sync with each other while moving the z-axis to the top of printer during the xyz calibration test. I powered off the printer and tested the z-axis by manually rotating the motor rods and noticed the right side would drop down/drag and come out of alignment with the left side. My initial thought is that perhaps the bearings in the right side are not properly aligned, but before I tear the printer apart I would appreciate more experienced builders' inupt.
Video to the z-axis becoming unsync'd:
Re: Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
could be caused by a few reasons. the first three that came into my mind are:
➡ first: check the connectors of your right z-stepper at the rambo board. maybe there's a badly crimped contact. with a multimeter you should be able to measure about 6 ohm between both pairs of pins for each phase.
➡ second: check that there is nothing blocking your right stepper, at least one user here reported that the little black protection cap was "sucked into the motor", which lead to the same effect that you've posted.
➡ third point: check that there is no force applied by the gantry to the z-steppers in x direction. some users didn't manage to push the x-carriage rods completely into the x-end motor and the x-end idler part. others tried to adjust the tension of the x-axis belt with the two screws at the right side of the x-end idler part. these screws are not for tensioning the belt, they are for adjusting the whole x-carriage length so that the x-carriage won't squeeze the trapezoid rods neither in- nor outwards.
dem inscheniör is' nix zu schwör...
Re: Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
Jeff,
➡ 1. I'll look into picking up a multi-meter, but I don't think the problem is a crimped cable.
➡ 2. I checked the end cap and it wasn't "sucked into the motor." While doing that I did notice that after manually moving the x-axis up via rotating the z-axis rods the right end. This leads me to suspect the issue might be with the right-side z-stepper.
➡ 3. Per above, I have a sneaking suspicion this is the problem, but probably won't be able to check it until Sunday or Monday.
Thank you for your help so far.
Re: Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
... While doing that I did notice that after manually moving the x-axis up via rotating the z-axis rods the right end. ...
what did you notice ?
think' there's missing an important part of your sentence... 🙄
dem inscheniör is' nix zu schwör...
Re: Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
Jeff,
Apparently I think far faster then I type. 😡 The thought meant to include after "rotating the z-axis rods the right end ..." is no longer valid. Turns out it was completely operator error. I had one of the z-steppers plugged into the extruder. 😡 Of course, now that I've solved that problem, I can't get the z-axis to calibrate. 🙁 My printer passes the self test, but constantly catches the piece of paper during the xyz calibration.
Re: Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
If you are catching the paper during the calibration, then your PINDA sensor is too high.
It should be <1mm higher than the tip of the nozzle. Some people put a credit card under the PINDA, and it should touch at the same time as the nozzle tip. Move the PINDA down, and try again, but make sure it is ABOVE the nozzle.
Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage or loss. If you solve your problem, please post the solution…
Re: Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
Aaron,
I used a credit card to adjust my PINDA height, and while it passed self test it still crashes into the heat bed and catches the paper. Thoughts?
Re: Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
Is the PINDA probe triggering (light goes off) when in the proximity of the bed tabs?
It may still be too high, and may need to be lowered some. It does not have much range. Does it seem to be "searching" in the right area (circles)? There is a thread here: about misalignments:
http://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk2-f23/p-i-n-d-a-probe-misaligned-t1191.html
Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage or loss. If you solve your problem, please post the solution…
RE: Z-axis right side not in sync with left side
HI,
How did you solve this issue? I had my printer working for a long while perfectly and now the Z axis changes from one shaft to he other in the same way it happened to you .
Looking forward to hearing from you .
Thanks a lot and Kind Regards
Iñigo Garavilla