Mice in the machine

[theverant]

I've noticed a squeaky groaning sound when z moves are happening. As far as I can tell all the bearings are turning and not rubbing, seems to be in the same position.

Any ideas what might cause this?

[JakeCShake]

Might want to check the three Aluminum T-Slot Extrusions for scratches. I know Barnett and I found that the back of the belt clamp, where the the screw goes into it, was brushing against the aluminum. We tightened it and the squeak went away.....but could be many things.

[barnett]

Yeah the other thing that made noise here was the belt rubbing on the side of the idler bearing. The bearing wasn't level and the belt creeped over and rubbed on the side.

[theverant]

Yeah the other thing that made noise here was the belt rubbing on the side of the idler bearing. The bearing wasn't level and the belt creeped over and rubbed on the side.

You nailed it. I readjusted all the belts last night, trying to troubleshoot layer offset problems -> Now the mice are gone!

[dbarrans]

I hear an occasional whine from the Z carriage during a G28, but the most intriguing sounds come out of the extruder during a print. Standing next to it, it sounds like a rhythmic puff of steam, but when I put my ear closer, I can pick out four or five distinct sounds all coming out of that mechanism in a symphony. I just need to be sure not to get my hair caught in the gears while I'm listening that close. I may try to find an automotive stethoscope to track down the sounds.

- dan

[theverant]

I've noticed my hot end make a sound like metal scratching glass when printing. Is this normal? And the obvious problem - extruder rubbing build platform is not what's happening. Though I suppose it might be rubbing the previous layer...

I haven't heard any symphonies coming from my extruder - maybe your bolts are too tight and things are rubbing across in the axel? Maybe a little lithium grease or graphite powder would help? My extruder is usually pretty quiet except for the hum of the motor.

[Highcooley]

I hear an occasional whine from the Z carriage during a G28, but the most intriguing sounds come out of the extruder during a print. Standing next to it, it sounds like a rhythmic puff of steam, but when I put my ear closer, I can pick out four or five distinct sounds all coming out of that mechanism in a symphony. I just need to be sure not to get my hair caught in the gears while I'm listening that close. I may try to find an automotive stethoscope to track down the sounds.

- dan

I know what you mean by the puff of steam sound. It is clearly audible during retract, when the plastic rim of the pus-fit is sucked back a little bit. My bowden tube is hanging to one side. Interestingly, if I hold it straight up, the puffing sound disappears. Might have something to do with the needed force due to the filament rubbing against the tube or because the tube is hanging to one side inside the push-fit.
I had the sound, right before the push-fit broke (loosing all the teeth which hold the bowden tube). But since I changed the push-fit, the sound came back but it didn't break so far.