Summary and Notes:
In this guide we will go over the proper methods to ensure that your gantry is aligned correctly. It is important to note that it may be beneficial to repeat some portions of this guide to create a free-moving gantry system.
TOOLS
1) Hex Wrench/Allen Key set
2) Lint free towel/paper towel
3) Extra lubrication
4) Printed alignment blocks
Note: Towels, lubrication, and the alignment blocks are not included with the machine’s accessories
Let’s get started:
Step 1.) Lower the Z-axis to a suitable position and disable the stepper motors
Press the Utilities tab on the touchscreen and press the blue home icon.
When the Z-axis is in its home position, press the value box and input 200mm.
(Note: Please ensure that there are no items that will impede the build platform from lowering to this position)
Lastly, disable the stepper motors by selecting the motor icon with a red X
Step 2.) Loosen the X and Y sliding blocks
Each screw includes a lock washer, to ensure enough leverage please use the short end of the hex wrench.
Using the 2.5mm hex wrench from your set slightly loosen all 16 sliding block screws.
[ ! ] (Note: Do not loosen the screws more than a quarter of a turn as the belt tension is maintained by these blocks.)
Step 3.) Manually moving the printhead and aligning the gantry
Grasp the extruder carriage and gently move the printhead back and forth along each axis. With the sliding blocks loosened the printhead should move smoothly along each axis with very little resistance or binding.
To ensure that the gantry is completely square, move the printhead around the entirety of the build area. Side to side, up and down, corner to corner, multiple times. Once you have completed these movements return the printhead to the center of the build area.
Note: If you encounter any resistance when attempting to move the printhead use your lint free cloth to wipe any excess lubrication away from the smooth rods. [ ! ] If there is still too much resistance, or the printhead is binding you will need to complete steps 5 – 8 first.
Step 4.) Secure the sliding blocks
Using the 2.5mm hex wrench tighten all 16 sliding block screws. When tightening, be mindful as to not move the sliding blocks back or forth.
[ ! ] Doing so can result in the block falling out of alignment.
(Note: The sliding block screws do not need to be overtightened as they have lock washers between the screw head and sliding block.)
Step 5.) Verify alignment
Grasp the extruder carriage and gently move the printhead back and forth along each axis. While moving the printhead feel for any changes in resistance or points where the printhead catches and stops completely. As a final verification, move the printhead into each corner, stop, and move it along one axis. The printhead should be able to move freely from each corner with any binding.
[ ! ] If there is still too much resistance, or the printhead is binding you will need to continue onto steps 5 – 8.
Repeat this test in every corner of the build area to verify that the alignment has been performed correctly.
Step 5.) Verifying X axis pully position
To verify the pullies are aligned correctly the alignment blocks will need to be used to check one axis at a time. Starting with the X-axis pullies, place the alignment blocks onto the right side of the X-axis rods. Ensure that the alignment blocks are sitting flush with each of the pullies.
When each block is in place, grasp the printhead and move it to the right-hand side of the gantry flush with the alignment blocks.
Note: Each axis pullies are located on the opposing axis rods.
Visually inspect that both sliding blocks are sitting flush with the alignment blocks and that there is no gap between the two.
(Note: To ensure that you are measuring properly place slight pressure on the printhead to the right to ensure that the sliding blocks have traveled as far as they can along each rod.)
[ ! ] If you can visually see a gap between one of the blocks but not the other, you will need to continue and correct the pullies position. If both blocks are flush, you can skip to “Step 7.) Verifying the Y axis pully position”
Step 6.) Correcting X axis pully position
Locate the four X-axis pullies, each pully has two set screws securing it onto the smooth rod. Using the short end of your 2mm hex wrench loosen all eight set screws.
To adjust the position of each pully and align them properly all eight set screws will need to be loosened. (Note: To verify that the pullies are completely loose, you should be able to slide them back and forth.)
When all set screws are loosened, and the pullies are moving freely verify that the printhead is returned to the far right position At this point, both sliding blocks should be flush with the alignment blocks and there should be no gaps.
Once you have verified that the blocks are flush with each other the pullies can be re-tightened. Apply a small amount of pressure on the printhead towards the right side of the machine to ensure that the blocks remain flush while tightening. Using the short end of your 2mm hex wrench tighten all eight set screws.
[ ! ] (Note: Some set screws may be rotated into a different position and not accessible. Start by tightening the screws that are accessible first, then move the printhead to the left slightly until the other screws are in a position that can be tightened.)
[ ! ] After tightening all eight set screws, double check that the position of the pullies did not shift during tightening. Move the printhead all the way to the right until it is flush with the alignment blocks and verify that there is no gap between either block.
Step 7.) Verifying Y axis pully position
Place the alignment blocks onto the back side of the Y-axis rods. Ensure that the alignment blocks are sitting flush with each of the pullies.
When each block is in place, grasp the printhead and move it to the back side of the gantry flush with the alignment blocks.
Note: Each axis pullies are located on the opposing axis rods.
Visually inspect that both sliding blocks are sitting flush with the alignment blocks and that there is no gap between the two.
(Note: To ensure that you are measuring properly place slight pressure on the printhead to the right to ensure that the sliding blocks have traveled as far as they can along each rod.)
[ ! ] If you can visually see a gap between one of the blocks but not the other, you will need to continue and correct the pullies position. If both blocks are flush, you can move onto the final steps of this guide.
Step 8.) Correcting Y axis pully position
Locate the four Y-axis pullies, each pully has two set screws securing it onto the smooth rod. Using the short end of your 2mm hex wrench loosen all eight set screws.
To adjust the position of each pully and align them properly all eight set screws will need to be loosened.
(Note: To verify that the pullies are completely loose you should be able to slide them back and forth.
When all set screws are loosened, and the pullies are moving freely verify that the printhead is returned to the back of the gantry. At this point, both sliding blocks should be flush with the alignment blocks and there should be no gaps.
Once you have verified that the blocks are flush with each other the pullies can be re-tightened. Apply a small amount of pressure on the printhead towards the back side of the machine to ensure that the blocks remain flush while tightening. Using the short end of your 2mm hex wrench tighten all eight set screws.
[ ! ] After tightening all eight set screws, double check that the position of the pullies did not shift during tightening. Move the printhead all the way to the back until it is flush with the alignment blocks and verify that there is no gap between either block.
Step 9.) Final verification
To ensure that the alignment has been completed successfully, grasp the extruder carriage, and gently move the printhead back and forth along each axis. While moving the printhead feel for any changes in resistance or points where the printhead catches and stops completely.
As a final verification, move the printhead into each corner, stop, and move it along one axis. The printhead should be able to move freely from each corner with any binding.
Repeat this test in every corner of the build area to verify that the alignment has been performed correctly.
Step 10.) Re-applying lubrication
When applying lubrication, less is more, apply a very small amount of lubrication to each smooth rod.
Once the lubrication is applied, manually move the printhead back and forth along the X and Y axis to ensure that the grease is worked in properly.
[ ! ] (Note: After applying fresh lubrication the printhead can require a little more force than usual to move by hand. Repeatedly moving the printhead should resolve this.)
[13.116-EN.1.0.20230523-Pro2 Series-How to Align the Gantry]
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