<![CDATA[SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> 2019-05-27T10:03:03Z PunBB https://www.soliforum.com/topic/18006/questions-from-a-new-dlp-printer-owner/ <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> I recently had problems with printing, I would also like to find help.

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/21913/ 2019-05-27T10:03:03Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150498/#p150498 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> The platform is made of two pieces, the piece attached to the z screw and threaded rod can be unscrewed from the part which slides on the smooth rods.
Do you mean moving this piece by hand? https://youtu.be/f7gYTpBT3uk?t=148

If yes, I can confirm I'm unable to replicate any noise no matter how much pressure I apply to either side as I slide it up and down by hand. But I don't know if my small 30lbs dumbbell lifting arms can provide the same pressure as the Nema motor to replicate the noise.

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/21397/ 2019-04-04T14:21:41Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150047/#p150047 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> The only way to really find out the source is to remove the motor and Z screw since they are one part and move the platform by hand. If no screech then the Z screw or motor is the issue.

t is also possible that your acceleration is set too high for that motor and it is just making the sound due to the much higher frequency being fed to it.

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/7731/ 2019-04-04T11:44:38Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150044/#p150044 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> I tried different motor offsets but it didn't help the screeching sound. Only time the screeching goes away is if I pull the threaded rod to one side as it is rotating. The rod then is bent slightly and noise is completely gone.

I also forgot to mention the noise is only there when the z slider is moving down, but when moving up there is no sound at all. This may give a hint. It doesn't make sense for the bearings to be the source of the noise to me because I think you'd here the noise regardless of the rotation angle of the bearings.

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/21397/ 2019-04-04T10:13:42Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150042/#p150042 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> The screech was there before I adjusted the middle bearing, so it's not due to overthightening because it was very loose before.

I can try unscrew and re-screwing the motor in place. The Z threaded rod seems to be attached to the motor on its inside, not via a coupler so if it's bent I guess i will need a completely new motor with the threaded rod?

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/21397/ 2019-04-03T07:24:15Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150017/#p150017 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> Double-check the adjustments you made to the eccentric bearing...make certain it's not too tight, or that something else is amiss.

-Kevin

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/4251/ 2019-04-02T22:38:17Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150014/#p150014 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> Unless it happens during homing from top, the Z screw never moves fast enough or far enough to make a screech. Remember during operation the z screw is only moving a few steps, not revolutions. At least this is the case in the D7. If it seems to be pushing towards the left then that would indicate a condition causing uneven bearing force and possible the actual balls gouging the rail surface. While the rails and guides are usually hardened the balls in the bearing are much harden and often score the surface they run on if wear or force is uneven.

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/7731/ 2019-04-02T18:01:30Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150012/#p150012 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> That may be the case.
But I've owned 2 chinese 3d printers, a laser cutter, a 3040 CNC router and never have had screeching bearings, so blaming it on chinese bearings right away doesn't make sense either. The importance of quality difference between McMaster-Carr and chinese nobrand components has always been extremely overblown in this forum when it comes to small machines such as consumer priced and sized 3d printers. I remember someone here replaced all his Solidoodle belts, bearings and pulleys for quality ones only to discover the issue with backlash was only due to the actual printer frame being too thin. Talk about Made In USA products...
But that's just my opinion. You may be right in this case. I just don't want to go around replacing every part until problem is gone, I did that with my old Solidoodles and while it was a learning experience it was also very slow and frustrating way to figure out the issue had nothing to do with parts being replaced.

I still think the issue may be with the lead. I can't replicate the screech with manual movement of the z slider and also the threaded rod seems to always be pushing the z slider to the left (from front view) as if it is bent or tilted. https://i.imgur.com/2TRXlr3.jpg

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/21397/ 2019-04-02T17:05:45Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150010/#p150010 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> The screeching most likely is from the cheap bearings on the z guides. Not the screw. As well as the machine works it is still Chinese and uses Chinese parts to give you such a low cost. On any Chinese machine rather SLA or FDM the first thing I do is swap all bearings for better American made bearings.

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/7731/ 2019-04-02T16:47:05Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150009/#p150009 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> Indeed, I'm very impressed by the print quality, the resins last longer than I had assumed and when printing in the same room I work in with only one open window I only get a mild dry throat in the end. Still something I should take care of soon but I have had same issue with ABS fumes from FDM printers.

I have two small issues now.

1) Sometimes the print doesn't stick and falls off randomly during printing. I don't know if the gap between bed and first layer is set too narrow, too wide, or if it's a problem with me cleaning the aluminum bed with alcohol and tissues. I'm sure it's not first layer exposure time as it is 50 seconds and when it remains stuck afterprinting it takes effort to take it off.

2) There's a mild screeching noise from the threaded rod. I have lubricated it several times so have no idea why it is still there. Maybe I have to take off the Z axis slider to be able to get the oil inside the lead screw threads as well? I'd assume the machine oil would get there by itself when lubricating the rod?

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/21397/ 2019-04-02T15:40:46Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150008/#p150008 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> Glad that helped.  I haven't had to adjust my eccentric bearing yet, but I ran across the bearing issue when I was researching banding.  These are great little printers.  I can't believe the quality of print we get for so little money.

-Kevin

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/4251/ 2019-04-02T01:10:07Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/150003/#p150003 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> Thank you. It was pretty straightforward to calibrate the bearings.
The issue with my printer was this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7gYTpBT3uk

At 2:01 , you can see two set screws that fix a simple rotating mechanism which adjusts the offset of the middle bearing.
Mine is probably a newer or older version because there is only one set screw.
And the issue was that set screw on mine was completely loose, so while I haven't printed anything to test if the issue is resolved, I think it was likely this.

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/21397/ 2019-03-31T16:28:39Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/149978/#p149978 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> If you think your Photon has Z wobble, there are videos online on how to adjust the bearings etc.

-Kevin

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/4251/ 2019-03-31T02:52:59Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/149977/#p149977 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> The white is caused by left over alcohol on the print that dried. You need to blow dry the print with canned/compressed air or rinse it with water before final cure. I actually cure mine in water as it reduces the tacky feel and it gets rid of any remaining alcohol.

The banding looks like Z wobble. You need to move you Platform from top to bottom in one step and watch as it moves. Make sure it is not shifting left to right or front to back. If it is then a new z rod/screw may be in order.

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/7731/ 2019-03-30T19:33:59Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/149968/#p149968 <![CDATA[Re: questions from a new DLP printer owner]]> Thanks. I don't think I can tighten the film any more.
I clean the film with tissue and 96% alcohol. But after just cleaning it few times it seems pretty scratched and a bit hazy. I don't know if this is normal after 3-4 times fo cleaning only.

https://i.imgur.com/RXgdfbz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zgiTb87.jpg

]]> https://www.soliforum.com/user/21397/ 2019-03-30T14:26:19Z https://www.soliforum.com/post/149966/#p149966