Axes Maintenance

Axes maintenance is a procedure that can help you resolve problems connected with the extruder’s movement and the quality of your printed parts. If the extruder does not move properly along the guide rails and it makes unusual noises, or the layers in your models become shifted (manual for shifted layers), the axes in your printer need maintenance work. Follow the steps from this manual to see the correct maintenance procedure.

Checking the Axes Using Jigs

Prepare the axes maintenance jigs (printable models are available to download: Jigs [1] and Jigs [2])

Put the jigs [1] on the extruder guide rails (see picture 1), and move the extruder manually so that the jigs are touching the X axis. This way, you will check if the extruder guide rails are parallel to the X axis.

Next, put jigs [2] on the extruder guide rails (see picture 2), and move the extruder manually so that the jigs are touching the Y axis. This way, you will check if the extruder guide rails are parallel to the Y axis.

Both jigs have to touch the X/Y axis. If one jig doesn’t touch the axis (see picture 3), carry out the next steps from this manual.

Lubricating the Axes

Use silicone oil to lubricate the guide rails, and the X/Y axes. Apply a thin layer of oil on each rail and axis. Lubrication is important to reduce friction on the bearings and extend the bearings’ life span.

Loosening the Self-Aligning Bearings

Loosen the sixteen screws that secure the self-aligning bearings in the printer’s housing (four screws in each corner of the printer).

Moving the Extruder

Grab the extruder and move it around the housing several times.

Tightening the Self-Aligning Bearings

Move the extruder manually to the front left corner of the printer and tighten the four self-aligning bearing screws. Then, follow the same steps with the rest of the corners.

Unscrewing the Z-Axis Cover

Unscrew the four screws that secure the left and right parts of the Z-axis cover. Next, remove the two parts of the cover from the printer. Detailed instructions are available at: Z-axis cover replacement.

X/Y Axis Motor Maintenance

Unplug the X/Y axis motor cable. Next, unscrew the four screws that secure it in the printer’s housing and remove the motor. Tighten the two screws on the motor’s pulley. Then, install the motor back in the housing and plug the cable in.