What seems to be going on here? Do I need to replace my Z rods? Two separate prints
I’d say maybe a loose belts, or a sticking bearing. If you’re saying bent rods (meaning threaded rods or lead screws) you would have occilation. The best way to see that is print a 8-10mm tube 100mm high it will look like it has a thread running up it.
Also which was printed 1st. The one seems better than the other. So It may be getting worse.
Right was printed first. I just checked the tension on my y belt before printing these to see if it helped. If anything it’s too tight.
It looks a bit like some layers are over and some under extruded. I’d play with the retraction settings and check the temperature.
Loose set screw
Maybe check your print head is solid.
The layers are clearly shifted in the Y direction. Print head is solid. Lower sprint speeds seem fine. Maybe my Y belt is just wearing out? I haven’t replaced it in the year I’ve had the machine. Lower print speeds seem to do fine.
Do you have belt tensioners. If they are spring type then that’s your problem. Replace them with solid ones.
It’s a Printrbot Simple Metal so it’s the screw tensioned design. I just ordered some g2 belt off amazon. I’ll post an update when I swap out the belt and maybe I’ll find some other issue when I take apart the y assembly.
Maybe see if @Brook_Drumm has suggestions to resolve it.
Increase current to stepper driver.
@George_Robles_George not a bad suggestion but it would be more randomly skipping steps.
And make sure both sides level of Z axis.
@Michael_Scholtz would be great if you explain your response. Like why it would skip steps if current is increased? Like nearing the maximum output of a stepper driver is why it would cause an issue like that, noise levels are higher but accuracy is increased.
@George_Robles_George It’s clearly layer shifting that started randomly. Increasing current is like putting duct tape on a foundation crack, just covering up a bigger problem.
Just installed a new belt. Testing now.
Still having issues. I guess replacing the motor is the next step?
@George_Robles_George the current to stepper drivers needs to be right if it’s to low the motor will skip steps as it won’t have enough power to hold the moving parts. If there is to much current the motors run hot. The reason I said it would randomly skip is because the results in the picture are consist in the errors. Why it could however be plausible is if there is stuck bearing it may be sticking at the same point every time during the print and some extra current may just overcome that. But if that’s the case you’re not fixing the problem it’s a workaround. All said however the current should be right.
@Adam_Steinmark the only motor I’ve ever had to replace was one I hit with a hammer. What do other test prints look like. A square or round tube a few cm high?