1 Topic by LdyMox

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Topic: X Axis grinding to one side

When my printer gets ready to home before a print my x-axis grinds against one side (to the right) for a few seconds making an awful noise. It seems to just be a few seconds and then proceeds normally. I checked the little metal metal bumper bar and it seems all clean and such. It seems like it just does not realize it hot the end briefly. I tried make sure I was using the default r-host and default Solidoodle 2 settings.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

2 Reply by mr_tim34

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

Has it always done this, or has it just started? It sounds like your limit switch is bad, or one of the wires from it is. If you have a ohm meter check the switch and the two wires coming from it to the control board.

TiM

3 Reply by IanJohnson

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

You can also set the extruder moving toward the X limit switch and then click it with your finger to see if it stops.

4 Reply by LdyMox

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

No It didn't always do this, bit have the SD2 less then a week. I will try the limit switch manually when I get home and I have a multimeter in the basement I can dust off the check the ohms.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

5 Reply by LdyMox

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

Ok it was stopping when I pressed the little metal tab. I tried making sure the metal stopped tab was pushed in there very good and that seemed to work. It didn't seem to go in any more but worked.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

6 Reply by Staffordknot (edited by Staffordknot 2013-05-28 23:42:48)

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

I believe this is what you mean?

The little lever that operates the micro switch that sets the axis stop is not quite long enough, it hits it and it springs under the plastic of the jigsaw, it then gets caught as the extruder assembly tries to move away from it and causes the noise as the geared belt slips round the drive gear (i'm not exactly sure whats slipping to cause the noise).

The micro switch is basically to low and needs moving up a few mm's. I tried extending the microswitch with a bit of tubing but it interfered with its operation.

I've not moved mine yet as i suspect changing over to the mk4 extruder assembly will solve the problem anyway. Basically at the moment I hover with a pen and poke the switch to unhook the head. Probably easiest way to solve it is to stick a drawing pin into the wooden bit of the extruder assembly so it has something to push against.

Just poor assembly quality control / assembly.

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7 Reply by ronsii

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

Staffordknot wrote:

I believe this is what you mean?

The little lever that operates the micro switch that sets the axis stop is not quite long enough, it hits it and it springs under the plastic of the jigsaw, it then gets caught as the extruder assembly tries to move away from it and causes the noise as the geared belt slips round the drive gear (i'm not exactly sure whats slipping to cause the noise).

The micro switch is basically to low and needs moving up a few mm's. I tried extending the microswitch with a bit of tubing but it interfered with its operation.

I've not moved mine yet as i suspect changing over to the mk4 extruder assembly will solve the problem anyway. Basically at the moment I hover with a pen and poke the switch to unhook the head. Probably easiest way to solve it is to stick a drawing pin into the wooden bit of the extruder assembly so it has something to push against.

Just poor assembly quality control / assembly.


It's not the belts slipping causing the noise that's just how steppers sound when they stall. I remember another thread on here a while back and the fix was to put a piece of tape(or something) on the extruder where the switch would make contact just so it would trip it sooner as it was not tripping the switch before the stepper would stall even though it looked like it was.

8 Reply by LdyMox

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

Yea that. BUT I think this one is my fault. I switched to the MK4 2 days ago and there seemed to be a small screw hole that meets up with limiter switch. Now that I shoved a screw in there it is all fine.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

9 Reply by Staffordknot

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

Thanks ronsii, does it damage the steppers stalling or is it a fail safe to protect them?

10 Reply by ronsii

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

It will not hurt the steppers but depending on what plastic parts are being stressed upon there may be a chance to break something.... the steppers on the SD don't really have a huge amount of torque that is why you get missed steps if things are not set up just right like belts too tight or bearings out of alignment...

11 Reply by angeloyacone

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

Ok so I just fixed this same problem.  After checking all the guides online and making a call to SD I gave up.  I was about to order a new n14 stepper.  I removed the X stepper and attempted to run it 100mm in both directions, it would just grind and stop. Below are the steps I took to correct my problem. I can’t stress this enough. If you’re not comfortable with doing this get a new stepper.  Again this is what I did if you choose to do this it is on your own. 

1: Disconnect power
2: Remove stepper from main board. Just so you can work with it better.
3: Unscrew back cover to motor. The 4 silver ones on the back.
4: Remove back cover. *****!!! Catch The Wave Washer!!!*****
5: Remove the pulley from the top side of the armature.
6: Remove the armature from the back of the stepper.
7: Brush off all the shavings and chips of metal that have collected on the stepper armature. (I know it sounds nuts but I had quite a bit. I used the toothbrush that came with the tool kit.
8: Brush off the windings on the stepper housing.  (Again I had quite a bit of shavings from something)
9: Carefully inspect both top and bottom bearings on the armature.
10: Reinstall the armature being sure that the top bearing is seated all the way.
11: Install back cover ***!!!Remember the Washer!!!***
12: Reconnect and mount your stepper.

12 Reply by Staffordknot

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

I wouldn't advise stripping the stepper unless solidoodle support recommends it. Check its not binding first.

13 Reply by angeloyacone

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

I was told I was going to have to buy one if I wanted to replace it, send back the old one and if they found it faulty they would credit me.  I have rebuilt plenty of electric motors so this is definitely not for the faint of heart.  It is not terribly difficult, quite easy if you take your time and be careful. The entire stepper comes apart in 4 pieces if you don’t count the screws. I honestly don’t think they would ever tell anyone to go to this level, but for $20.00 I was willing to take the loss.

14 Reply by Staffordknot

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

The point is angel... The problem ldymox and myself had on this thread had absolutely nothing to do with the stepper motor. It was the extruder head catching on the home reset switch.

15 Reply by Filip2103

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Re: X Axis grinding to one side

IanJohnson wrote:

You can also set the extruder moving toward the X limit switch and then click it with your finger to see if it stops.

I was having the same problem. I wasn't sure is it problem in the limit switch or bad connection with motherboard. With manual pushing of limit switch, I have found out that limit switch works good, but it needs more force to activate. Temporarily solution is to put something on extruder head assembly, just something tiny to push limit switch harder.