Jump to content

Axle-Rods knocking on case


Recommended Posts

Posted · Axle-Rods knocking on case

Hey guys!

I'm quite new so please don't blame me, but I'm into deep problems with the Ultimaker 2+ in our FabLab (Bad Windsheim, Germany).

The axle-rods (the thinner ones that go through the printhead) tend to get loose from the black plastic mounts and then knock on the acrylic side of the case.

This furthermore causes another huge problem: Sometimes the rods fail to touch the end switches after printing and when homing the printhead. -> ERROR: X/Y-switch broken. The printhead can be moved with a small but consistent resistance.

What we've done so far:

- checked belt tension and alignment

- checked stepper belts for alignment

- aligned all axis with alignment tool

- replaced brass bearings with self-lubing (graphite) ones

- replaced axle-mounts (black plastic parts) with new ones

- replaced print head bearings for new (polymer) ones

- tried printing without acrylic door & cage --> same results

- tried gluing axle-rods in place --> got loose while printing

(- tried several filaments --> just to make sure)

(- tried printing with & without OctoPrint)

However, print quality isn't affected at all.

I'd be glad if anyone could help me out! Maybe somebody out there has encountered similar problems or knows somebody who has. I'm happy about any tips and suggestions! If you need (detailed) pictures of the printer to help me out, please let me know.

Best regards,

Joshi

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · Axle-Rods knocking on case

    This is more common on UM3 but has never happened to me on UM2.

    I would start maybe with this thing:

    https://www.youmagine.com/designs/cracked-slide-block-cap

    Maybe that can hold the rods in better for you.

    Also maybe you got oil or grease where they connect to the block. Maybe remove the rods, clean with wd40 and wipe very clean and dry. These don't need much oil - almost zero. The thinner rods go through the head with ball bearings. So you don't want much oil on these. The larger diameter rods in the gantry do need oil.

    • Like 1
    Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · Axle-Rods knocking on case

    This is more common on UM3 but has never happened to me on UM2.

    I would start maybe with this thing:

    https://www.youmagine.com/designs/cracked-slide-block-cap

    Maybe that can hold the rods in better for you.

    I'll definitely try that out! Looks like those caps could hold them in place. I'll report the results. Thank you!

    Also maybe you got oil or grease where they connect to the block.  Maybe remove the rods, clean with wd40 and wipe very clean and dry.  These don't need much oil - almost zero.  The thinner rods go through the head with ball bearings.  So you don't want much oil on these.  The larger diameter rods in the gantry do need oil.

    I've already thought of that - problem is, that those axles haven't seen a drop of oil since they got replaced with polymer bearings - which were to be ruined if they got lubed. Even cleaned them of with acetone in advance to re-installing.

    Have a nice day,

    Joshi

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · Axle-Rods knocking on case

    I've already thought of that - problem is, that those axles haven't seen a drop of oil since they got replaced with polymer bearings - which were to be ruined if they got lubed. Even cleaned them of with acetone in advance to re-installing.

     

    When I switched to polymer bearings I also had the same problem - typically this was caused by the polymer bearings binding and as a result moving the black blocks backwards and forwards, usually resulting in the shorter rod working its way forward until it fell out of the printer.

    My solution was similar to the one suggested, but I used these instead: -

    https://www.youmagine.com/designs/slider-block-clip

    I would imagine both could work equally well for you. I'm not 100% sold on using polymer bushings as they do have a habit of binding, but they are quieter and for the moment are working well for me with the block clips.

    • Like 1
    Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · Axle-Rods knocking on case

    Hi Folks,

    I've also seen this problem in the very beginning, but I made a shim of "post it labels" (cut exactly to fit) and this is what I'm using in my printer. It never come loose anymore. You may select a type of paper with less thickness, this to avoid to hi tension, as this can make the black sliding unit to crack -like it's seen on some of the first generation UM3.

    Thanks.

    Torgeir.

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now
    • Our picks

      • Introducing Universal Cura Projects in the UltiMaker Cura 5.7 beta
        Strap in for the first Cura release of 2024! This 5.7 beta release brings new material profiles as well as cloud printing for Method series printers, and introduces a powerful new way of sharing print settings using printer-agnostic project files! Also, if you want to download the cute dinosaur card holder featured below, it was specially designed for this release and can be found on Thingiverse! 
          • Like
        • 10 replies
      • S-Line Firmware 8.3.0 was released Nov. 20th on the "Latest" firmware branch.
        (Sorry, was out of office when this released)

        This update is for...
        All UltiMaker S series  
        New features
         
        Temperature status. During print preparation, the temperatures of the print cores and build plate will be shown on the display. This gives a better indication of the progress and remaining wait time. Save log files in paused state. It is now possible to save the printer's log files to USB if the currently active print job is paused. Previously, the Dump logs to USB option was only enabled if the printer was in idle state. Confirm print removal via Digital Factory. If the printer is connected to the Digital Factory, it is now possible to confirm the removal of a previous print job via the Digital Factory interface. This is useful in situations where the build plate is clear, but the operator forgot to select Confirm removal on the printer’s display. Visit this page for more information about this feature.
          • Like
        • 0 replies
    ×
    ×
    • Create New...