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SoliForum - 3D Printing Community → Help/Repair/Maintenance → SD4 X axis belt stretch? *pics*
So now I have a new problem. besides my prints shifting, I seem to be having belt problems. I tightened my belts. but half way through a print my X axis belt was very very loose. And even when I tighten all the way, its still pretty loose.
What might cause this? I know I didnt over tighten. Could the motor have gotten so hot that it stretched out the belt??
Is it an X shift or Y?
Also, how long are you running the printer before the problem shows up? Do you print a few parts and then it shows up, or is it happening virtually every time?
Is it an X shift or Y?
Also, how long are you running the printer before the problem shows up? Do you print a few parts and then it shows up, or is it happening virtually every time?
I believe its the X. So Im going to try adjust the tension and grease and pray.
I recently happend when running a 4hour print. the first time it shifted at about 45mins, the second time it shifted at about 3 hours 20mins. the third try it shifted at 3hours and 30mins. I tried printing something smaller, a 45min print. and shifted at about 25mins in. the second try it shifted at 15mins into the print.
I had this problem before, minus the loud sound, but fixed by just reslicing.
Check your belts for sure.
On another note, on a separate thread I mentioned that the right pulley can "climb" the retaining M5 screw. I have had this happen and it does cause a bang from the belt skipping. So yes, belt tension can play a key role in this.
Adjust your belts, print, and watch that right pulley.
You need to be sure if it is the X or the Y or you will be chasing solutions for the wrong axis. If you have shifting, it would be obvious which axis is the culprit.
Check your belts for sure.
On another note, on a separate thread I mentioned that the right pulley can "climb" the retaining M5 screw. I have had this happen and it does cause a bang from the belt skipping. So yes, belt tension can play a key role in this.
Adjust your belts, print, and watch that right pulley.You need to be sure if it is the X or the Y or you will be chasing solutions for the wrong axis. If you have shifting, it would be obvious which axis is the culprit.
Ok its definitely on the X axis. I tighten the belts and lubed the rods. But still shifts. I still cant zero in on the bang since its random.
Question, how tight are the belts suppose to be? I know theyre all the same but how tight?
I do it until its tight but still can push on them. or are they suppose to be very tight that has no give to it?
If you flick the belt, you should hear a deep sound like a cello if it's tight enough.
^ this. but you don't want it so tight the belt begins stretching either. too loose or too tight and you'll end up with backlash because the teeth of the belt won't have the proper shape to mesh with the pulley gear.
So I tightened my belts and greased my rods. I got a 1hour print fine but now its shifting on the x again.
while trying a 2hour print. mid print, the X axis suddenly stopped working and idk why. I shut it down and let it cool off. I turned it back on and it worked again, but worries me.
[edit]
I changed the topic to deal with a new problem that just happened.
So now I have a new problem. besides my prints shifting, I seem to be having belt problems. I tightened my belts. but half way through a print my X axis belt was very very loose. And even when I tighten all the way, its still pretty loose.
What might cause this? I know I didnt over tighten. Could the motor have gotten so hot that it stretched out the belt??
So right after my X axis just stopped during a print. I turned my machine off and back on after cooling. Then on my bed, i noticed a small nut, that I cant for the life of me find where it came from. Its a extremely small nut.
But then after my next print my belt just went extremely loose. Its not the but behind this screw that I tighten. so idk if its a part of this problem or not.
It it from the screw on the other side of the carriage (holding the other end of the X timing belt)?
It it from the screw on the other side of the carriage (holding the other end of the X timing belt)?
this is correct. it goes on the right side of the X carriage. the nut trap gets worn down and stops working after a while. you'll have to hold the nut in place with one hand and tighten the belt with the other. you may want to consider upgrading your carriages at this point once you can print again.
It it from the screw on the other side of the carriage (holding the other end of the X timing belt)?
There's already a nut on the other side on the belt tightening screw. This mystery nut is about half the size. Idk where it came from
But even when I tighten my x axis until it can't tighten anymore, it's very loose. What could have made it stretch so fast?
Also do you think my belt stretched? If so, could I just cut it and attach it to the righting screw again? Or will it not work since if it is stretch it won't catch on my pulley teeth?
Something is broken allowing the pulley to move closer to the center. I would think under close inspection you will find something is moving or broken .vs the belt stretching.
you can't stretch those belts easily, and you definitely can't stretch them enough to make it loose no matter what. Wardjr is correct. What most likely broke is the right side of the carriage where the M5 nut holds the idler pulley in place. If that pulley wobbles at all, your carriages are done for. A temporary fix would be some duct tape and a few zip ties around the bolt until you can print Lawsy's carriages. Alternatively, it is also possible that the X motor has melted the carriage and it's not sitting securely--can you move the motor at all? Both of these are common failures.
The SD4 only uses nuts smaller than M3 on the top panel. Is your top lid secured properly? Every other screw is either an M3, M4 or M5 (with the exception of set screws which are M1.5). I've rebuilt my machine from scratch a couple of times now so I'm pretty confident in that.
Something is broken allowing the pulley to move closer to the center. I would think under close inspection you will find something is moving or broken .vs the belt stretching.
Ok I'll try to take a closer look and see if anything is broken or out of place.
you can't stretch those belts easily, and you definitely can't stretch them enough to make it loose no matter what. Wardjr is correct. What most likely broke is the right side of the carriage where the M5 nut holds the idler pulley in place. If that pulley wobbles at all, your carriages are done for. A temporary fix would be some duct tape and a few zip ties around the bolt until you can print Lawsy's carriages. Alternatively, it is also possible that the X motor has melted the carriage and it's not sitting securely--can you move the motor at all? Both of these are common failures.
The SD4 only uses nuts smaller than M3 on the top panel. Is your top lid secured properly? Every other screw is either an M3, M4 or M5 (with the exception of set screws which are M1.5). I've rebuilt my machine from scratch a couple of times now so I'm pretty confident in that.
Ok I'll go check if I can wobble the pulleys and motor. Hopefully I can get up and running again to print new,carriages. I'll also check my lid for that tiny nut
Ok so I just checked and the pulleys are motor doesnt move at all when i try and wobble them. And I still cant find where the mystery nut goes. maybe its not even from my machine? the smallest nut on the machine is twice as big as this tiny tiny nut.
try putting the screw in the hole with no belt attached. is it actually threading?
try putting the screw in the hole with no belt attached. is it actually threading?
Yeah I can screw it into the nut on the other side without slipping out of the nut. If I take the nut out, I can push the screw through the carriage. Is the hole in the carriage suppose to be threaded too?
no, the nut provides threading
^^^This, there should be a recessed area shaped like the nut that that it fits into then the screw threads through from the other side. This is common printer architecture.
Yeah there's a hole that the but fits into on the carriage and the nut and screw's threading isnt stripped. Could the belt have actually stretched? I ordered new bearing to do the Lawsy's carrige upgrade. I just hope it prints ok before becoming more loose.
Could the belt have actually stretched?
No. (well anything's possible, but I'm more likely to win the lottery tomorrow than your problem being belt stretching).
Yeah there's a hole that the but fits into on the carriage and the nut and screw's threading isnt stripped. Could the belt have actually stretched? I ordered new bearing to do the Lawsy's carrige upgrade. I just hope it prints ok before becoming more loose.
Belts are made just like tires. They have multiple layers of fiber and rubber alternating. They will tend to break before stretching.
SoliForum - 3D Printing Community → Help/Repair/Maintenance → SD4 X axis belt stretch? *pics*
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