1 Topic by pbryan22 (edited by pbryan22 2015-03-19 13:03:16)

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Topic: Axis Shift/ Loose belt: Update Broken Carriage

UPDATE: I either determined the reason for the shifting axis, or uncovered yet another problem.  See the Image.  There are plastic teeth (part of the Y-Carriage) on each side that hold the belts.  Yesterday I noticed that after witnessing the belt binding, one of the sets of teeth were loose (they sort of clamp onto the belt, should at least). This morning I now notice that sometime, yesterday when trying to slow down printing speed, in hope of working around the issue, the top of the plastic clamp must have worked itself off.  It is gone (you can see in the picture, one on the right is missing the top of the clamp).

I now realize i will not be fixing this to get amy son's project printed before Tuesday.  And don't know if I will get the printer working again at all, unless it is completely taken apart and the carriage replaced.

Any Ideas/suggestion?  This could be why others have shifting axis in their prints, the belt may slip/bind, because it is loose.

Original Post:
I have experienced intermittent shifting in the x-axis (left/right) but have had some successful prints as well.  After a very long print yesterday, it seems that the axis shift is occurring every print and keeps getting worse.  I have a project to print for my son's school Invention Faire (he designed it in Tinkercad and is finally ready to print).

I checked the belts, and on the left side there are two clamp areas with teeth to hold the belt.  It seems the only way to adjust tension is to pull the belt in between these two clamps and insert between the teeth (see photo).  However, the clamp on the right is loose and will not hold the belt.  The clamps are just plastic, so there is no way to repair/tighten.  Only to replace.

This is just my assessment and I could be way off.  Anyone have any other ideas or suggestions.  I'm desperate and running out of time for my son's project.  We are not going to have anything for his invention and are terribly disappointed.

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belt clamp loose.jpg
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BrokenCarriage.jpg
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shifted prints.jpg
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2 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Axis Shift/ Loose belt: Update Broken Carriage

I would guess when you  put the belt back on you have it off by a tooth or two.  This will cause serious binding but should be fairly easy to assess and fix.  Just move the whole gantry to the front and back and measure to a fixed point on each side.  Then adjust the belt accordingly.

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3 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Axis Shift/ Loose belt: Update Broken Carriage

Also remember that when it comes things like your sons invention fair there are several of us that can and will help.
No one wants to see a child disappointed smile

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
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4 Reply by ottoangel

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Re: Axis Shift/ Loose belt: Update Broken Carriage

I have the same problem and several others seems to have it also. Of anyone comes up with a fix please let us all know.

5 Reply by pbryan22

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Re: Axis Shift/ Loose belt: Update Broken Carriage

Thanks for the tip WARDJ.  I will be checking the distance.  The problem is in the adjustment.  Hopefully you can see in the attached photo where I am guessing the problem arises.  The closer grip on that belt is solid, but the back grip is loose to non-existant.  The movement is unstable, because the belt is so loose here, and with that clip essentially broken...I have no idea how to proceed.  Any ideas?

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6 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Axis Shift/ Loose belt: Update Broken Carriage

pbryan22 wrote:

Thanks for the tip WARDJ.  I will be checking the distance.  The problem is in the adjustment.  Hopefully you can see in the attached photo where I am guessing the problem arises.  The closer grip on that belt is solid, but the back grip is loose to non-existant.  The movement is unstable, because the belt is so loose here, and with that clip essentially broken...I have no idea how to proceed.  Any ideas?

I will apologize up front,  Man I hate that design!!!
Get creative with a paper clip maybe?  I think I would punch a hole in that belt with at paper clip and hook through the belt and back to the carriage somehow.  I have to redesign you guys some better carriages those are simply junk!  Shame on Solidoodle.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

wardjr's Website

7 Reply by trayracing

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Re: Axis Shift/ Loose belt: Update Broken Carriage

If the toothed part is still attached, just loose, a u-shaped clip might slip into the slot below the clip and over the top. (Think sort of binder clip shaped, without the arms, and not quite as springy.) Pretty desperate though, a pain to install, and might pop out.

I'm not sure you could find such a clip in a HW store, but maybe. Or maybe a bobby pin snipped short and bent a bit would do? (I've been known to snap a piece of metal out of an old razor blade and torch bend it, but this is stupidly dangerous if done wrong, so I won't suggest it.)

If the toothed part is loose, design up a toothed u-shape clip and have a friend print it out. (Hey, an invention for the invention fair, dempnstrating the utility pf 3D printers...)