1 Topic by andrewcgodfrey

  • andrewcgodfrey
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-02-07
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Y-Axis movement problems

Hey,

I am new to this whole world of 3D printing and have managed to get myself one and set it up. After some fiddling with it, I managed to get the hang of the few basic controls there are. However I found one problem. When I moved the extrude forward on the Y-Axis it does so just fine with no fuss, but when I tried to move in reverse I found my printer making this awful noise and not really responding. At first iI thought that this would be a problem with the motor, but how can it move just fine one way, but not another.?
I was reading and i have been wondering if this a problem with Everything else seems to work just fine.

Any suggestions as to what this problem is an how to possibly fix it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Andrew

2 Reply by jagowilson

  • jagowilson
  • PRINTiT
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-09-14
  • Posts: 1,701

Re: Y-Axis movement problems

Sounds like your belts are loose/poorly aligned. Follow the steps in this video. If you have an S4 or workbench the tension is adjusted on the front pulley brackets with screws.

http://vimeo.com/55031028

3 Reply by andrewcgodfrey

  • andrewcgodfrey
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-02-07
  • Posts: 3

Re: Y-Axis movement problems

Alright so I watched the video and i saw that the belts needed tightening. I did so only to get no response from going backwards on the Y_Axis.

4 Reply by jagowilson (edited by jagowilson 2015-02-07 03:03:33)

  • jagowilson
  • PRINTiT
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-09-14
  • Posts: 1,701

Re: Y-Axis movement problems

Does it move by hand? Getting it all just right requires some effort on your part. Follow the video and your printer should be moving. Follow all steps including removing the Y motor belt. Your printer must not be aligned well. Since it moves forward I am assuming this is not a voltage reference (VREF) issue for the motors. Also, make sure to home the X and Y axes before trying to move. Otherwisw the printer doesn't know where it is. This is the house button in Repetier under manual controls.

5 Reply by andrewcgodfrey

  • andrewcgodfrey
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-02-07
  • Posts: 3

Re: Y-Axis movement problems

Alright, thank you I will try that.

6 Reply by 1stangcobra

  • 1stangcobra
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-02-01
  • Posts: 2

Re: Y-Axis movement problems

I have the same issue with my SD3.  It started by sounding like it was missing a gear but the first thing I noticed it wasn't extruding.  I ordered a new extruder head assembly and it looks like I received one for a SD4, but it fit, just had to change a stop for the Z-axis and add a stop lever to hit the micro-switch for the X-axis home.  Now with everything hooked up I noticed the Y-axis wasn't smooth.  I readjusted the Y-axis drive per the video but no luck.  The funny part is that if I leave the right side pulley loose it works smooth again.  What would cause these pulleys to get one tooth out of time from each other?  Do I need to replace the belts and pulleys?

7 Reply by OneMoreCast (edited by OneMoreCast 2015-02-09 02:34:21)

  • OneMoreCast
  • OneMoreCast
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Long Island, NY
  • Registered: 2015-01-02
  • Posts: 334

Re: Y-Axis movement problems

1stangcobra wrote:

I have the same issue with my SD3.  It started by sounding like it was missing a gear but the first thing I noticed it wasn't extruding.  I ordered a new extruder head assembly and it looks like I received one for a SD4, but it fit, just had to change a stop for the Z-axis and add a stop lever to hit the micro-switch for the X-axis home.  Now with everything hooked up I noticed the Y-axis wasn't smooth.  I readjusted the Y-axis drive per the video but no luck.  The funny part is that if I leave the right side pulley loose it works smooth again.  What would cause these pulleys to get one tooth out of time from each other?  Do I need to replace the belts and pulleys?


Sd3 is same thing as an sd4, minus the enclosure. Honestly ordering a new head was more than likely a waste of money. Belt tension and alignment will fix 98% of noise and movement issues like yours. Check y motor and the closed belt attatched to it going up to rear y rod that the closed loop belt is tight...if not loosen y motor push it down and tighten screws in a criss cross pattern. After that readjust alignment and belt tension on either side.

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

OneMoreCast's Website

8 Reply by 1stangcobra

  • 1stangcobra
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-02-01
  • Posts: 2

Re: Y-Axis movement problems

After posting earlier I disconnected the Y-Axis drive.  Then I tried to set the tension on the the belts as noted on the video and one of the above posts.  Then everything was smooth until I tightened the right hand grub screw.  After more belt adjusting I was finally able to get it to cover about 75% of the area before it wants to jump a tooth on the gear.  What I did notice was that the right gear turns at a slight different ratio than the left so I will be taking it back apart and checking the slides to see if they might be bent.  Anything else that I should be looking for?

9 Reply by juergenlite

  • juergenlite
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-04-07
  • Posts: 1

Re: Y-Axis movement problems

A friend of mine has just received the Workbench model and was having all sorts of problems getting it to print properly.  Often the print would jump in the Y axis by 1/4-1/2 inch for no apparent reason.  We went over the machine and noted a fair amount of friction in the Y axis when moved by hand.  After looking for a reason we determined that the additional support bearing added near the Y Axis drive motor was bowing the shaft back toward the back wall.  Shims could be used to provide the correct placement, however we just removed the screws holding it to the back wall and all the issues went away.   Seems as though the shaft was over constrained so near the end, probably wouldn't have been a big deal if it was done near the center of the shaft.  I have a SD-4 and although the holes for the bearing are in the back wall no support bearing is present.