How to check and tighten a loose axis wheel - Me3D Support

How to check and tighten a loose axis wheel


When to check and tighten an axis wheel

To make sure each axis is square and level, eccentric spacers are used to tighten a set of wheels into the grooves along each axis arm to 'pinch' it. These wheels can become loose over time through vibration or heavy knocks caused in transport. 

You should check for a loose axis if you see poor print quality, prints don't stick properly, there's lots of machine noise or you notice the printer moving strangely.

What do I need?

- 10mm spanner (included in your printers maintenance kit).
- A device running BuildBee to control your printer.

How to check for a loose axis wheel

Step 1 - Raise the extruder off the print bed

- Power up the 3D printer and connect to BuildBee.
- On the 'CONTROL' page in the maintenance console, use the movement buttons to lift the Z axis clear of the bed by about 100 mm.
Take caution when running through these steps if your printer is part of a BuildBee enterprise subscription. Others may still be able to access the printer while you are performing maintenance.

Step 2 - Determine which axis is loose

For X (extruder) and Y (print bed) axes:
- Steady the base of the printer and lightly jiggle the axis while looking at the wheels. 
- If you can see or feel free movement between the axis and the wheel, this axis needs to be tightened. 

X_axis.pngY_axis.png

For Z (vertical) axis:
- Steady the base of the printer and lightly jiggle the gantry (the plate that the X axis mounts onto) while looking at the wheels.
- If you can see or feel movement between the axis and the wheels on the gantry, this axis needs to be tightened. 

Z_axis.png

Step 3 - Determine which wheel is loose

- On the loose axis, slide it to one side until you can access one of the pairs of wheels.
- Try gently turning the wheel on the side that doesn't have the belt.
- If the wheel spins freely or doesn't offer much resistance, it may need to be tightened a little bit.
- Slide the axis to the other side and repeat these steps.

How to tighten a loose axis wheel

Make sure the extruder head is not resting on the print bed.
Be careful not to overtighten the eccentric spacer or you may damage your Me2.

Y axis

- Move the axis all the way left or right to access the loose pair of wheels.
- Using a 10mm spanner, grip the eccentric spacer below the wheel and gently turn it while watching closely.
- The wheel should tighten in against the axis arm. If your adjustment has made the axis looser, turn the spanner the other way.
- Make small incremental turns with the spanner, testing the looseness on the top wheel between each adjustment.
- Tighten the wheel until it no longer spins freely and offers a bit of resistance.

X axis

- Move the axis all the way forward (for the back wheels) or back (for the front wheels) to access the loose pair of wheels.
- Using a 10mm spanner, grip the eccentric spacer below the wheel and gently turn it while watching closely. 
- The wheel should tighten in against the axis arm. If your adjustment has made the axis looser, turn the spanner the other way.
- Make small incremental turns with the spanner, testing the looseness on the wheel between each adjustment. 
- Tighten the wheel until it no longer spins freely and offers a bit of resistance.
Be careful not to pinch the wire that runs by the eccentric spacer.
If you still feel knocking when you jiggle the X axis, first try to identify which side of the gantry the knocking is coming from; the X axis or the Z axis. If it is still the X axis, repeat these instructions above.
 

Z axis

- Move the axis all the way forward (for the top wheels) or back (for the bottom wheels) depending on which pair of wheels is loose.
- Using a 10mm spanner, grip the eccentric spacer below the wheel and gently turn it while watching closely. 
- The wheel should tighten in against the axis arm. If your adjustment has made the axis looser, turn the spanner the other way.
- Make small incremental turns with the spanner, testing the looseness on the wheel between each adjustment. 
- Tighten the wheel until it no longer spins freely and offers a bit of resistance.

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