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Posted (edited) · Z-Axis linear bearings issue

I was having trouble with my printing. @gr5 helped me identify it as a probable z-axis issue in this topic here.

After taking my z-rod out to clean, I realised that I also appeared to have a problem with my z-axis bearings. They stick often and hard enough to support the entire weight of the bed. See the video below:

 

 

I had pretty severe crunching sounds the whole time I had the printer but many people said this was normal. Now I'm thinking that mine were, in fact, indicative of a real issue. What should my next step be?

examples of printing issues:

2.thumb.jpg.b11eff7c9a09d2d19d212ded7f95a964.jpg

4.thumb.jpg.1362d7336780e4193766aad0ba0e5c7e.jpg

2.thumb.jpg.b11eff7c9a09d2d19d212ded7f95a964.jpg

4.thumb.jpg.1362d7336780e4193766aad0ba0e5c7e.jpg

Edited by Guest
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    Posted · Z-Axis linear bearings issue

    If you are in warranty check with your reseller. It might be the z nut (a new one costs 3€ from pololu) or the flanged bearings (misumi new ones cost 10-20€ each depending on the quality)

    Google neotko pololu misumi ultimaker

    And check more posts with that issues and solutions.

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    Posted · Z-Axis linear bearings issue

    @neotko I guess that there could also be wrong with the z-nut but in the video, the z-screw has been removed. So it seems that I definitely have an issue with the linear bearings on the z-axis.

    How does one swap the bearings out?

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    Posted (edited) · Z-Axis linear bearings issue

    @neotko I guess that there could also be wrong with the z-nut but in the video, the z-screw has been removed. So it seems that I definitely have an issue with the linear bearings on the z-axis.

    How does one swap the bearings out?

    On umo+ is easy since it has scape holes up and down, but um2 only has bottom for the shafts to leave. I suppose with strength and much care. Check the um2 assembly manual and follow in reverse ?

    https://github.com/Ultimaker/Ultimaker2/blob/master/um2%20assembly%20manual%20V1.1%20_english.pdf

    Edited by Guest
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    Posted · Z-Axis linear bearings issue

    @mjmdavis,

    From your photos it looks like you have constant z-axis banding that you are trying to solve. If so, replacing the sticking Z bearings may not solve the problem.

    The symptom of bad Z bearings is a bad layer at approximately 10-12mm height on the printed object, which shows up consistently. This is a result of the bearings sticking after direction reversal and that happens at about 10-12mm after the direction reversal, which you can see happening at the beginning of your video.

    Continuous horizontal banding is a different issue that has been discussed at length on this forum. Regardless of this however, changing your Z bearings to better quality ones that don't stick is a good move.

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