Grinding noise on Z-Axis
Hi,
See the attached video. I'm getting a strange noise when the print finishes and the bed lowers. It's a grinding noise that I can't seem to find the source of. I have not lubricated the rods yet (after only maybe 8 prints I did not think I was at that maintenance stage yet). In the video, this noise is from the self-tests.
If I manually move the z axis up and down, I do not get this noise, but it seems this manual movement from the control panel is much slower that the "finished print" or self-test speed.
Thanks
RE: Grinding noise on Z-Axis
That does not sound like grinding to me, but rather resonant noises from some sticking/friction during movement. Two things to try:
- With the bed moved all the way down, loosen the six M3 screws which hold the three black trapezoidal nuts in place. This lets the nuts find resting positions which match the positions of their lead screws. Tighten the M3 screws again, but do not overtighten them. (They must not deform the plastic nuts.)
- Lightly lubricate the lead screws (not the smooth rods), using the grease that came with the printer.
RE: Grinding noise on Z-Axis
That seems to have done it!
Before your response, I lubricated the smooth rods. But moving the z axis up/down still gave some noise.
- Loosened the nuts as you suggested. I kind of lightly jostled the nuts thinking I might hear a click (falling into place). Re-tightened the screws, maybe a little tighter or looser than before? Perhaps it entered the rod better.
- Lightly lubricated the lead screws
Manually moved z-axis up/down, was super quiet
Did a 30 min print and listened to the bed drop at the end - that was also super quiet.
After further research on similar issues, I saw people mentioning the steps you provided, as well as some printable z-screw alignment helpers. And now I think I understand what is (or was) really happening when I first posted, and it made sense when you mentioned "resonant noises".
I appreciate the help, Thank you!