Original+ head doesn't move smoothly

[vincentbaas 19]

Just finished assembling my Original+. When I got to calibrating the bed as preparation for my first print I ran into some difficulties which I need some help with.

When bed leveling should move the head to the first position, I can hear and feel the X and Y motors turn on. However, the print head itself doesn't move. Also, moving the head manually is quite difficult. I put some mineral oil on the axes, but this didn't help much. From some quick strolling around the forum I got that it may either be friction from the end caps or misalignment of the pullies/axes. Or am I missing something else?

[neotko 1,417]

It might be the x/y

Check this guides

 

 

[amedee 349]

It's probably too late, but for the next time...

The trick is to position the pulleys with the set-screws on the same place when you put the belts around them. Because if there is an offset between sides it will be a pain to adjust them afterwards as both sides won't be reachable at the same time...

[neotko 1,417]

It's probably too late, but for the next time...

The trick is to position the pulleys with the set-screws on the same place when you put the belts around them. Because if there is an offset between sides it will be a pain to adjust them afterwards as both sides won't be reachable at the same time...

 

True is quite important to have all perfectly aligned to avoid future problems on the belts doing 'clicks'

[gr5 2,171]

Some people say normal force to move UMO head is "very easy". some say "quite a bit of force". The best way to describe it is you should be able to push the head in one axis with just two finger: one finger on each block on either side of the head. the force is typically almost enough to slide the printer around on a table but usually not that bad.

It could be your friction is fine and you need instead to tighten the setscrew holding the pulley to the motor. All the setscrews need extreme tightening -- enough where you are getting scared you will break something (screwdriver or setscrew).

Or it could be the endcaps as you mentioned or many other things.

[vincentbaas 19]

Putting the pulley set screws in the right place isn't too late, as I disassembled all axes and removed the print head. I was planning on doing these assembly steps again and be extra careful to check clearance between the bearings, axes and end caps. So I will definitely pay attention to the set screw positions (already had some frustrations with reaching them indeed). Thanks for the tips!

[vincentbaas 19]

Fixed it! Steps taken:

- Fully lubricated the axes before I put them in

- Tightened the motor pulleys (didn't do that enough the first time, as it is easy to forget early on in the assembly)

- Added washers at the end caps

- Tightened the hell out of my other pulleys (however, aligning the set screws so they are visible at the same time was difficult)

- Aligned the x and y axis using the calibration sticks

Printer is spinning happily now on its 2nd print!