Z motor problems HELP
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:22 pm
Z motor problems HELP
I just went to use my MakerGear M2 Dual again after it messed up a print last night. It started to raise the build table, made a terrible screaming grinding noise and went back down to the bottom. It sounds like the motor and/or drive gear is stripped. Has anyone else had this problem or has insight into what the problem is and how to fix it?
Re: Z motor problems HELP
What is the model of M2 (or rather, when did you get it)? Early models of the M2 have a Z stage motor that is not designed for the current running through it (wrong winding resistance). It gets very hot when running (when turned on; it doesn't even have to be moving to get hot), and running hot greatly reduces its lifetime. The worst case is when one of those motors is subjected to a 12V/19V-to-24V upgrade. It has been the experience of several of us that the 24V upgrade will kill the motor within a few months.
If that is your problem, then unfortunately there's not much to be done about it other than to replace the Z-stage motor and screw. You will have to contact MakerGear support for that.
If that is your problem, then unfortunately there's not much to be done about it other than to replace the Z-stage motor and screw. You will have to contact MakerGear support for that.
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:22 pm
Re: Z motor problems HELP
I got the printer back in July of 2014. A birthday present to myself
- Matt_Sharkey
- Posts: 347
- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:10 pm
Re: Z motor problems HELP
you need to clean and oil your rails then grease the z-screw. too much resistance from these parts, coupled with the weight of the bed will cause the z stepper to lose a step and drop the bed making a grinding noise.
to be sure this is the case, home your z again but lift gently on the bottom of the z stage to relieve some of the weight, it should make it to the top
Use 3-in-1 oil for the z rails
Use Lithium Grease for the screw.
to be sure this is the case, home your z again but lift gently on the bottom of the z stage to relieve some of the weight, it should make it to the top
Use 3-in-1 oil for the z rails
Use Lithium Grease for the screw.
Re: Z motor problems HELP
I thought they switched to the correct Z-stage motors mid-2013, but I'm not sure. If it gets hot to the touch when the machine is running, then you have the old motor. To be certain, measure the resistance between pins 1 and 3 or between pins 4 and 6 of the connector. If it's ~3 ohms, it's the newer motor; if it's ~20 ohms, it's the old motor (the current motor MakerGear is using, which is all black, I don't know much of anything about).Explorer71 wrote:I got the printer back in July of 2014.
Sometimes cleaning and oiling like Matt suggests will keep it working for a while, but if the motor is really going south, that will only be a short-term solution.
Re: Z motor problems HELP
What is the difference in the black z axis and the silver one I put in to replace the one I had that ran hot . (New 2012)
Re: Z motor problems HELP
Different number of steps? (I think.)
Do know the black motors just came out on the recent D and E models.
Do know the black motors just came out on the recent D and E models.
- Matt_Sharkey
- Posts: 347
- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:10 pm
Re: Z motor problems HELP
I have 2 of these printers that are of the same generation as OP. I know for a fact that the casual neglect of cleaning those parts cause this symptom. nothing that a quick application of oil an grease cannot fix.
Re: Z motor problems HELP
Well, clearly if you obstruct the Z stage, like putting on a knob lock and forgetting to take it off, the Z motor will slip rather than self-destruct, so it makes sense that enough binding due to lack of oiling/greasing/general care & maintenance can cause the same slippage. That it has never happened to me (with the 3 ohm winding motor) probably is an indication that I'm a bit obsessive about oiling the rods.Matt_Sharkey wrote:I have 2 of these printers that are of the same generation as OP. I know for a fact that the casual neglect of cleaning those parts cause this symptom. nothing that a quick application of oil an grease cannot fix.
- Matt_Sharkey
- Posts: 347
- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:10 pm
Re: Z motor problems HELP
Yeah I have a feeling that this is an issue that isn't experienced by many users here, most of you are pretty meticulous about your maintenance. I know that I'm horrible at taking care of my toys, which gives me the ability to bring a "unique perspective"Tim wrote: That it has never happened to me (with the 3 ohm winding motor) probably is an indication that I'm a bit obsessive about oiling the rods.