1 Topic by Krythis (edited by Krythis 2013-07-24 03:42:28)

  • Krythis
  • Krythis
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Depew, NY
  • Registered: 2013-02-27
  • Posts: 185

Topic: Possible Z rod or motor issue

About 4h into a 5h print my Z axis stopped moving. I paused the printer and attempted to move Z using manual commands. The printer would make a quiet noise, but no movement at all in the rod. I felt it and could not even feel a vibration. After 10 or so attempts the rod started turning again. The print was a loss, but I was able to move the Z axis top/bottom multiple times without issue. I then printed a calibration tower and it appears I now have some bad Z-wobble. I tried pulling up on the rod and it appears to be attached still. Could this be an issue with the Z motor or rod?


Failed print
http://i.imgur.com/UWWq3LZ.jpg

Green tower is recent print. Blue tower is the same print from a week or two ago.
http://i.imgur.com/qdMxqE4.jpg

E3D-v4 Hotend, MK5 carriage with round plastic wire conduit , 3/16" tempered glass,  Well nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, PowerEdge 2650 500W PS, QU-BD heated bed, circuit board fan, hinged plexiglass enclosure with plastic tray top. Other than that mostly stock SD3

2 Reply by Krythis

  • Krythis
  • Krythis
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Depew, NY
  • Registered: 2013-02-27
  • Posts: 185

Re: Possible Z rod or motor issue

*bump*

Has anyone ran into this issue where either their z motor or connection to the rod began slipping? I'm considering the M3 threaded rod mod, but would like to put it off for a short while if there is a simple fix for the interim.

E3D-v4 Hotend, MK5 carriage with round plastic wire conduit , 3/16" tempered glass,  Well nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, PowerEdge 2650 500W PS, QU-BD heated bed, circuit board fan, hinged plexiglass enclosure with plastic tray top. Other than that mostly stock SD3

3 Reply by adrian (edited by adrian 2013-07-19 16:42:38)

  • adrian
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Canberra, Australia
  • Registered: 2013-01-15
  • Posts: 1,623

Re: Possible Z rod or motor issue

Is the rod slipping on the motor shaft? The press fit + loctite combo has failed for some in the past...

Mark a line from the rod onto the motor shaft..  If these two lines separate then your rod is slipping on the shaft.

If you have a wooden bed, make sure the captured nut hasn't broken free under that first wood plate.

4 Reply by 2n2r5 (edited by 2n2r5 2013-07-19 16:48:26)

  • 2n2r5
  • 2n2r5
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2013-05-09
  • Posts: 1,208

Re: Possible Z rod or motor issue

Might not hurt yo make sure you grease up the rod/nut a little. If it is slipping then you might be able to lower the friction enough to get it working for a while. This will also help if it is binding in the nut somehow.

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

5 Reply by Krythis

  • Krythis
  • Krythis
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Depew, NY
  • Registered: 2013-02-27
  • Posts: 185

Re: Possible Z rod or motor issue

I marked the rod and watched for any slippage while raising and lowering. Got the platform to stick once and noticed no slippage. So I figure it must have been something internal to the motor or the rod was stuck. Cleaned and greased the rod and so far no more issues. It wasn't too dirty, but I guess even a small piece of plastic could do it.

Turns out one of the carriage screws loosened slightly when the hotend got caught on the print. After tightening it the prints look better, thanks for the advice!

http://i.imgur.com/jtQCWbK.jpg

E3D-v4 Hotend, MK5 carriage with round plastic wire conduit , 3/16" tempered glass,  Well nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, PowerEdge 2650 500W PS, QU-BD heated bed, circuit board fan, hinged plexiglass enclosure with plastic tray top. Other than that mostly stock SD3