SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Z-Axis ease of movement

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-13T01:55:20Z

I recently found how terrible free movement of my bed was on my sd3. I'm going to replace those bushings with linear bearings at some point. This problem plays havoc with print quality.

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-12T15:20:42Z

Thanks for everyone's help.

I ended up taking the whole thing apart, greasing everything and doing my best to level everything by eye. It seems the problem is these copper looking things, anyone have a name for them?

They need to be greased and free to rotate slightly. This way when the rods are inserted they auto align and don't cause any friction. I stuck a sharpie in each and rotated it to free them up and stuck in tons of grease. If they are not free to move when the bed moves up and down, the rods are not allowed to auto align the copper holes freely and cause a weird deep vibration. No more sound.. for now....

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-08T23:46:11Z

If you noticed a difference from mechanical adjustments, then you may have found the problem at some point during your steps taken.
My only other thought is a VREF adjustment. But with a new unit like yours, the Z shouldn't really need an adjustment, though possible. I say backtrack your steps and find a sweet spot. If you have to move on to VREF adjustments, remember to use a plastic or ceramic screwdriver. Also remember a 16th of a turn goes a long way.

I'm interested to see what the culprit may be. Keep us posted!

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-08T23:28:03Z

As I've moved it up and down a bunch of times and homed it, now moving it down has started to get louder, while moving it up has started making slight noise again. ..... ????

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-08T23:24:48Z

Thanks for the advice for far.

I did the following and now its zero noise on the way up and slight noise on the way down when motor powered. Excuse the grease everywhere!

First I removed the four screws on the threaded rod and spun the copper looking part (name?) all the way down and lowered the base.

Then I removed these(4) end screws both on the top and bottom and the bars wouldn't budge at all.

Then I removed just these top four (not the bottom). And the bars still attached to the black block dropped down along with the base.

I then put the top eight screws back on top, but made sure the base was at the bottom and that there was an even distance around the entire threaded rod and the hole on the base it goes through. I also put all four screws back on the end of each bar (first pic).

Finally I screwed the four screws back onto the copper part that sits on the threaded rod. Again I made sure it was at the bottom.

I seems it relived tension and helped align the threaded rod with the bars. I haven't yet checked how it prints, but noise has been cut to almost nothing. Any thoughts?

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-08T22:54:58Z

AZERATE wrote:

Start an imgur.com account, upload the pics, then copy the embed code for "forums". Paste that code into your message box here, and we can help you faster.

Or use the upload image button

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-08T22:39:23Z

It seems Solidoodle have tweaked some small designs on the Workbench already. The older ones will have collar shafts (a metal band with an opening for a hex wrench), whereas the newer ones have a black bar with said hex openings at each side. Look at the non-threaded vertical rods at the rear of the printer. Follow those up to the top and you will see how they are held in place.
Since I don't own a Workbench, if you have any questions finding something on your printer, feel free to post a pic and we can easily edit the pic for further help.
Start an imgur.com account, upload the pics, then copy the embed code for "forums". Paste that code into your message box here, and we can help you faster.

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-08T22:02:45Z

I'm using a workbench, can you point me to where I can find more info on removing the rods? Didn't find anything through searches.

Re: Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-08T20:26:00Z

Sounds like your rod is binding. I was able to correct my issue by turning it by hand and it worked itself out. One possibility is the motor is not perfectly in line with the axis path. Regardless, remove the collar shafts or hose clamps (whichever you may have) from the rear vertical rods. There will be four in total, one on each end of the rod. Slide them out the top, then you will have access to further analyze the threading.
Try not to let the platform just dangle from the threaded rod for long, I'm not sure that would cause damage, but better play it safe.

If you need to remove the z motor for more workspace or whatnot, loosen the four screws on the bottom of the printer that anchor the motor.

Z-Axis ease of movement

2015-05-08T19:47:59Z

Hello all!

Just how easily should my build platform move when unscrewed from the infinite screw? Should it fall under its own weight or should it take some force when pushing it down. Mine makes a horrible sound when being lowered by the motor, despite tons of grease and/or oil/, and needs a push to be lowered by hand when unscrewed. Assuming it's been greased sufficiently, is there a way to "align" the rods? What else can cause a "sticky" platform?