I have two printers in my classroom (Ultimaker Original and Flashforge Creator Pro) two

3D Printing
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1

I have two printers in my classroom (Ultimaker Original and Flashforge Creator Pro) two days ago the Ultimaker started shifting XY during the first layer of the print. I tightened the short belts and cleaned and greased the rails. I tried printing different files…no luck. I did notice that it sort of “zigged” at two places on the platform every time during one print which is why I suspected the belts or rails.

I had a new set of long belts and brought the printer home to work on it this weekend. I tried to print again to see if I could tell where it was having issues again. It is now printing beautifully.

I also have a Flashforge Creator Pro in the classroom which I started using when the Ultimaker went down. For the last day and a half it has been having problems where the filament isn’t adhering to the platform (again it had been working perfectly until a day and a half ago. I have leveled the bed multiple times but no luck.

Now I am wondering if there is some common cause that is messing with both printers in my classroom…maybe something electrical?

I appreciate any ideas.

2

Did you check if the pulleys are still secured on the UMO? Most common is the pulley on the motor getting lose and causing these kinds of shifts.

3

@Daid_Braam I have not checked that but will do that today…thanks

4

pulleys are secured belts are tight…I’m looking at possibility that the short belts need replacing…am getting ready to order replacements…is there anything else I should order that could be responsible for the XY shifting during the print (sometimes during first layer…other times mid-print)…I’m on a time crunch and want to be sure and order all parts I might need.

Thanks

5

Well, another possible reason could be the electronics overheating, that also causes layer shifts. Are these the Plus variant or the early variant with the noisy fan?

6

It’s the early noisy fan…I will definitely add the fan to my order…thanks

7

Also, I assume you oiled the 8mm and 6mm axes already?

8

Thanks for the tip about overheating causing XY shift…my first clue the fan had issues was when i took off the bottom panel and four heat sinks fell out…I re-glued them and replaced the fan and no more XY shift! Thanks again