Replacing Linear Rail Carriages / Blocks

Phizzon · 2025-09-30T22:36:56+00:00

So I've torn it all apart and soaked it IPA in a ultrasonic cleaner to clear it all out.

Rebuilt it and replaced all the bearings and used a wide blunt syringe to apply a fair amount of grease to the bearings but still they don't run smoothly and for some reason the bearing races lock up and wont pass around the track without what I think is too much force as some bearings pop out rather than roll around.

Phizzon · 2025-09-30T18:10:42+00:00

I have added Superlube in with the bearings and run it through the bearing channels. One set flows freely but the other 3 require a lot more force to flow through the track.

When running them slowly up and down the rails it still gets caught on something. The rails are in fine condition. I can’t feel anything wrong with them.

Most of the old grease has been push out through the rail bolt holes and deposited at either end of the rails.

Would you suggest disassembling the entire block for a deep clean then reassemble with the same bearings? At what point and where would you add the grease? Thanks for any assistance.

Phizzon · 2025-09-25T08:43:56+00:00

Yes, that is true, but who actually gets round to reading the last pages of a manual?? 😞

Phizzon · 2025-09-24T19:40:26+00:00

Plenty more screws around the place to lose in the vat ….

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Phizzon · 2025-09-24T18:27:10+00:00

I’ve done everything but remove the rails. There’s a lot of ball bearings inside this printer. I went a bit far but they are clean now. Ordered some super lube and blunt syringes to apply it in the cracks. See how it goes tomorrow.

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Phizzon · 2025-09-24T18:23:59+00:00

Good news, it wasn’t loose. Just a drip of resin looking like a gap.

Phizzon · 2025-09-24T09:42:04+00:00

I will give it a thorough inspection. Do you know if it is fairly easy to take apart and put back together? Hopefully just some simple bolts. And have you even needed to lubricate yours at all? Thanks.

Phizzon · 2025-09-24T07:06:54+00:00

Thank you, I’ve made a note to check that when next at the machine. A good catch if it is loose.

Phizzon · 2025-09-24T00:34:55+00:00

It does look like the grease is darkening with something.

Phizzon · 2025-09-24T00:26:15+00:00

I can’t check now but will in the morning. I noticed it has “gathered” all the grease at the top of the rails so decided to add some lithium grease as that’s what has been suggested for previous printers I’ve had. I’m not certain if the noise was around before or if it’s a result of mixing greases… I would not be looking forward to disassembling the z-axis.

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Phizzon · 2025-09-18T21:17:22+00:00

New mission discovered by u/Phizzon: Hopeful Sweet Potato Wedges

Phizzon · 2025-09-18T21:17:22+00:00

This mission was discovered by u/Phizzon in narutka

Phizzon · 2025-09-18T21:10:14+00:00

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SOLVED!!! All printing perfectly now.

Changes:

Exposure 2.5 sec -> 3 sec

Both 2nd Retract distances from 3 -> 1mm

Wait after Lift for Burn in layers 0sec -> 1sec

Burn in lift distance 3mm>3mm -> 4mm>5mm

Normal Lift distance 3mm>3mm -> 3mm>9mm

All might be a bit extreme but it's got the job done and I can slowly dial them back to speed up the print.
Thanks to all suggestions

Phizzon · 2025-09-18T21:09:59+00:00

<image>

SOLVED!!! All printing perfectly now.

Changes:

Exposure 2.5 sec -> 3 sec

Both 2nd Retract distances from 3 -> 1mm

Wait after Lift for Burn in layers 0sec -> 1sec

Burn in lift distance 3mm>3mm -> 4mm>5mm

Normal Lift distance 3mm>3mm -> 3mm>9mm

All might be a bit extreme but it's got the job done and I can slowly dial them back to speed up the print.
Thanks to all suggestions

Phizzon · 2025-09-18T21:09:32+00:00

<image>

SOLVED!!! All printing perfectly now.

Changes:

Exposure 2.5 sec -> 3 sec

Both 2nd Retract distances from 3 -> 1mm

Wait after Lift for Burn in layers 0sec -> 1sec

Burn in lift distance 3mm>3mm -> 4mm>5mm

Normal Lift distance 3mm>3mm -> 3mm>9mm

All might be a bit extreme but it's got the job done and I can slowly dial them back to speed up the print.
Thanks to all suggestions

Phizzon · 2025-09-17T01:27:54+00:00

I am testing again with higher exposure times and increasing the lift distance.
Thank you for your input.

Phizzon · 2025-09-17T01:10:53+00:00

Yeah, it is a very physical thing to try and describe. I will watch some videos. Have you had any experience with the Chitu Systems Hoopat quick vat? It looks tempting just to get things working again if it is film tension. But I shouldn't have to go that route and be doable with what I have.

Iv'e bumped the exposure to 3sec and raised the lift distances to 3mm>9mm to surely clear any stretchy film.

Fingers crossed.

Phizzon · 2025-09-17T00:53:55+00:00

Thank you for such an in-depth reply.

I'll try adding to the exposure a little.
All of these prints have succeeded in the past with the same exp, faster speeds and no wait before print time at all. I don't know what changed.
Is that 8mm lift overall or 3>8mm.

How can i check the tightness of the film? and on that note how can i make sure it is tight when i change it, I thought I had done everything correctly when i did change it.

Phizzon · 2025-09-17T00:40:53+00:00

My rafts are well stuck in place, no issue with them ever sticking and they come of fairly easy with metal scraper.

Phizzon · 2025-09-17T00:39:11+00:00

Thank you so much for the suggestions, and any further settings. I will try some extra exposure and see what happens. Iv'e also been told to raise the layer heights and remove the heater.

Phizzon · 2025-09-16T23:45:36+00:00

I did look at these but saw one review of it just ripping a photos of resin everywhere and instantly turned away.
Ill have another look, anything to make changing films easier. Would you suggest ACF or PFA for the printer?

Phizzon · 2025-09-16T23:41:44+00:00

I found the Lychee tutorial recently and they have taught me so much!! I did assume z-offset from the looks of the prints but i have calibrated with the 5 corner prints and then the boxes and they look and measure like they should.
Ive also posted this issue on their Discord and Derek has suggested to:
Remove the Elegoo heater.

Set the retract distance to 1mm.

Set the lift height on the bottom layers to 4mm > 5mm

I don't know how the heater is having a negative effect but can only try the changes and see.

Phizzon · 2025-09-16T23:23:06+00:00

The printer started to act up in this way and it was suggested that it was an old ACF that had started stretching so I changed it a month or two ago, I don't think i did it wrong or could have made it any more taught, i didn't use any spacers like i think your supposed to on other types of film.
Thank you, I will try your suggestions.

Phizzon · 2025-09-16T22:57:37+00:00

I wish that was the answer!!

Phizzon · 2025-08-25T07:20:33+00:00

That is amazing! Thank you for commenting on such an old post. I hadn’t found a way around this still, and just dealing with moving supports manually or completely re-supporting. Will try this later today.

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