https://www.inventables.com/technologie … or-nema-14

I don't know which exact model SD uses, but I have seen specs on torque as low as 5 in-oz...stay closer to 15-20...

I used Nema 17 on my homebuilt...62 in/oz monster...

nema just refers to the size of the motor. all nema 14's have the same face plate and screw spacing, same for 17s. but they can vary in weight, torque and depth.

Loosen the belt slightly too. But most likely the x motors are getting hot and breaking down the lamination on the coils. A cooling fan and heat sink on your next x motor would help further prevent this. Another upgrade solidoodle couldnt fathom

That seems to be the theme of the Solidoodle printers... Thank you for the input Shields.

Has anyone tried upgrading the x-axis motor to a NEMA 17?

zmilroy wrote:

Has anyone had issues with the a stepper motor (specifically the NEMA 14 motor on the x-axis) stalling (not moving and making a lot of loud unfriendly noises)? When I move the x-axis by hand, it moves with similar resistance to y-axis. However, when I try to print a part or move it with RH, it makes a very angry sounds and wiggles back and forth maybe +/- 1mm. The y-axis works just fine with RH.

I had this issue before and contacted Solidoodle; they had me buy a new motor (of course it was days after the initial warranty 'expired'). The new motor fixed the problem for about 4 months, but I am here at it again. I plan to remove the motor and see if it spins normally without any load next, but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues. I have a SD4.

Try adjusting the current on the stepper driving by nudging the pot about an 1/8 turn clockwise. Do that till it runs smoothly.

Thank you for the advice Carl; however, adjusting the current did not help. Adjusting the current is basically adjusting the amount of jerk and the noise produced by the motor. I also have switched the x and y axis motors (where the connect to the printrboard) to verify it is not an issue with the driver itself. Doing this produced the same results as before; a noisy x-axis (connected to y-driver) and a normally operating x-axis (connected to x-driver).

Has anyone had issues with the a stepper motor (specifically the NEMA 14 motor on the x-axis) stalling (not moving and making a lot of loud unfriendly noises)? When I move the x-axis by hand, it moves with similar resistance to y-axis. However, when I try to print a part or move it with RH, it makes a very angry sounds and wiggles back and forth maybe +/- 1mm. The y-axis works just fine with RH.

I had this issue before and contacted Solidoodle; they had me buy a new motor (of course it was days after the initial warranty 'expired'). The new motor fixed the problem for about 4 months, but I am here at it again. I plan to remove the motor and see if it spins normally without any load next, but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues. I have a SD4.

Try adjusting the current on the stepper driving by nudging the pot about an 1/8 turn clockwise. Do that till it runs smoothly.

I had this issue before and contacted Solidoodle; they had me buy a new motor (of course it was days after the initial warranty 'expired'). The new motor fixed the problem for about 4 months, but I am here at it again. I plan to remove the motor and see if it spins normally without any load next, but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced similar issues. I have a SD4.