XL rattles when printing
Hello everyone.
I recently got my 5T XL but it was damaged when DHL decided to throw the box over my fence instead of leaving the package inside my yard as requested. Claim submitted with both DHL and Prusa.
I went ahead and started my build. The only damage I could find was on the top of the printer assembly near the X/Y stepper motors.
This was on both sides but I could not see any other issues with the unit. Now that I'm printing I'm hearing an odd noise from either the extruder or the rail.
Anyone else with an XL have this noise while printing? I saw on the single tool thread folks were having a noise issue but didn't seem to match my own. This sounds like something is loose and is shaking about.
RE: XL rattles when printing
Sorry to hear it got damaged - that sucks. You could look at this recent discussion - it might give you some clues particularly in the second YouTube video: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-user-mods-octoprint-enclosures-nozzles/mods-to-queit-down-the-xl/#post-681255
RE: XL rattles when printing
I have the two tool XL and have been experiencing resonance during certain moves in x and y axis. I had originally thought that it was due to a loose panel but nothing seemed to reduce the noise when pressed. After several hours of careful sleuthing I discovered the culprit - the bar that lives in the extrusion slot that each tool bay attaches to. In machines that have less than 5 tools there is nothing to stop the end without tools attached from vibrating against the extrusion. Obviously, 5 tool users don’t experience this problem. The fix is very simple - just run a screw into the free end of the bar to anchor it to the extrusion and voila! the noise is gone. I hope this is of help to other partially-tooled users.
RE: XL rattles when printing
In addition, I discovered another source of rattles while printing - the diffuser lens of the RGB lighting strip. This is just a loose slide in part and has a tendency to vibrate against the extrusion that it sits in. The back of this extrusion is covered with a foam strip which stops it from vibrating against the side covers but the lens is still free to move. Agin, the fix is fairly simple - remove the rail panels and lift up the LED strip. Remove the end cap (glued) and then you can slide the lens out. I used silicone furniture bumpers in five empty areas on the LED strip and these push against the lens slightly forcing it against the extrusion and removing the play and hence, the rattle. I also put some small pieces of weather stripping foam into the cutouts at the two ends of the LED assembly to provide a snug fit. Not sure if that was actually necessary but, I was already in there so…
RE: XL rattles when printing
One more addition was a strip of foam weather stripping along the top edge of the back panel where the tools live. I found that the docked tools hang over this panel and can vibrate against it during aggressive movement. The foam doesn’t stop the movement but does stop the back of the tool from hitting the panel.
RE: XL rattles when printing
You may need to recheck things because there should be more than enough room between the tools and the top of the back panel to never have them vibrating against each other. Image
One more addition was a strip of foam weather stripping along the top edge of the back panel where the tools live. I found that the docked tools hang over this panel and can vibrate against it during aggressive movement. The foam doesn’t stop the movement but does stop the back of the tool from hitting the panel.
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RE:
My adventure so far with this issue can be found here: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-xl-tool-changer-hardware-firmware-and-software-help/x-and-y-movements-generate-horrible-resonance-and-vibrations/#post-684787
Awaiting response or support.
RE: XL rattles when printing
Had the same issue with a 2 print head (2T) XL model i got last week. Was easy enough to fix: https://www.printables.com/model/724606-prusa-xl-2t-rattling-noise-dampeners-cancels-rattl
However, for me the main problem was that the metal screw/holding strip for the print heads, that is loose on one end if you do not use all 5 slots in the 1T or 2T models.
Also, I had forgotten 2 screws in the right side panel, that additionally made the rattling worse. So maybe check again that no screw is missing to avoid one of the side panels (or back panel) rattling against the frame.