Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
My XL started to have this grinding sound when the bed moves on the z-axis: https://streamable.com/3t7ewn
Any idea what this is and is it possibly an impending bearing failure?
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
I've been having the same issue for about a month now. Chatting with support, they may be working on a guide on how to replace the linear rails/carriage, which is apparently a difficult thing to do properly. I say may, because I reported this issue to them over 2 weeks ago, and the only updates I get are from the chat support telling me to wait for an email update. Haven't heard from them in over a week now.
Personally, I think it's bad ball bearings in the carriage sliding on the rail, but no way to know without taking it apart myself, and I don't want to void any warranties.
do you have any patterns in the grease on the rail?
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
Sorry to hear about your printer, that’s not something to be okay with for the money spent on this “premium” printer.
I’ll check if the rails have any markings again but I do recall really faint ones
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
as long as the markings are only grease it doesnt matter - those are created from the small up and down movements when printing.
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
Sure but what about that sound in the video? Doesn’t seem right
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
sounds a bit more like it is the lead screw. maybe try lubing it, the printer should have come with some grease.
are these markings on the rails only in the lube layer or in the metal? i doubt they are in the metal, the printer would act quite differently if they were.
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
These marks are only in the grease, but I have tried lubricating the lead-screws to no avail. Standing in front of the printer itself, the noise isn't coming from the lead screws. Also that mark is only on one side, the right linear rail is smooth. That's why I'm guessing its something in the ball bearings or carriage itself on that side.
My example for the noise (occurs both in small and long movements downward) :
RE:
These marks are only in the grease, but I have tried lubricating the lead-screws to no avail. Standing in front of the printer itself, the noise isn't coming from the lead screws. Also that mark is only on one side, the right linear rail is smooth. That's why I'm guessing its something in the ball bearings or carriage itself on that side.
My example for the noise (occurs both in small and long movements downward) :
Your screech is definitely louder than mine and more apparent, but it is still similar. That means my z-axis might be heading towards that stage of damage too.
Support didn’t provide any help in methods to prevent further damage at least??
also, where is the lead screw exactly that you tried lubing up?
I remember instructions in their handbook against lubing the linear rails
RE:
still sounds like leadscrew noise to me.
you could try removing the heatbed to remove any tension it might cause to the linear guide system (mine required a little force to get the mounting holes aligned) and try again.
https://help.prusa3d.com/article/regular-printer-maintenance-xl_401237 there's a bit about z-leadscrew maintenance
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
@3dprintingrookie - Their/My method to prevent damage is unfortunately very "easy". Stop printing with it. I haven't printed anything since opening this case with support. The lead screw is what is pictured on the right side of my photo above right next to the linear rail. The piece that the z-motor actually turns to move the bed up and down.
Support had me loosen retighten the motor mounts and the screws around the collars for the lead screws early in our testing, but that made the sounds worse if anything. (That process involved tipping the printer on it's sides and loosening and retightening both sets of z-motor mounting screws.)
RE:
still sounds like leadscrew noise to me.
you could try removing the heatbed to remove any tension it might cause to the linear guide system (mine required a little force to get the mounting holes aligned) and try again.
https://help.prusa3d.com/article/regular-printer-maintenance-xl_401237 there's a bit about z-leadscrew maintenance
Would lubricating the lead screws work? I’m trying to avoid to taking things apart this early
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
@3dprintingrookie - Their/My method to prevent damage is unfortunately very "easy". Stop printing with it. I haven't printed anything since opening this case with support. The lead screw is what is pictured on the right side of my photo above right next to the linear rail. The piece that the z-motor actually turns to move the bed up and down.
Support had me loosen retighten the motor mounts and the screws around the collars for the lead screws early in our testing, but that made the sounds worse if anything. (That process involved tipping the printer on its sides and loosening and retightening both sets of z-motor mounting screws.)
Oh man that’s hectic. Please keep us posted with what happens with customer support. I hope someone from their team sees your post here
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
@3dprintingrookie; Update for you, Prusa support decided to have me ship the printer back to them (they paid, I packed it, they needed to verify the pack before I could get the return label). It should reach their factory tomorrow. Don't know how long it'll take them to resolve, they've already sent me an email warning that they're receiving department is under a backlog.
So, yeah, not too happy at the moment. Printer hasn't been working for over a month now, no eta in sight.
RE: Metal grinding noise from Z-Axis linear rail on the XL?
Hi. It's been a while. Can you give us an update about this issue? Seems like my printer is also developing this kind of problem.