Rigidbot Z Wobble Solution

thingiverse

The Z Axis Wobble Fix: A Step-by-Step Guide to Square Your Frame and Align Your Lead Screws. If you're still using an older printer model like the Rigidbot, don't worry; there are ways to address the z axis wobble issue. My own printer suffered from this problem for many years, but I recently took steps to fix it. The root of the problem lies in manufacturing and assembly tolerances, making it difficult to get everything perfectly square without adjustments. The X gantry guide rods and lead screw were fighting each other at the bottom of Z travel, causing wobble. To start, you'll need to check your frame's squareness using a rafters square. This will help you identify any misalignment issues that may be contributing to the wobble. Once you've identified the problem areas, it's time to take action. Step 1: Check and adjust the lead screw squareness Use a rafters square to check the squareness of your lead screws against the X gantry guide rods and steel bar. This will give you two perpendicular planes of reference on your X gantry. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure the lead screws are properly aligned. Step 2: Align the lead screws in both planes Use a rafters square to check the squareness of your lead screws against the X gantry guide rods and steel bar in both planes. This will help you identify any misalignment issues that may be contributing to the wobble. Step 3: Home the Z axis and repeat the process Home the Z axis and repeat the process to ensure everything is properly aligned. Pay close attention to the lead screws, z motor mounts, and print head as you move the X gantry up and down. Step 4: Tighten down the screws holding the Z mounts to the frame, and steppers to the Z mounts Once you're satisfied with the result, tighten down the screws holding the Z mounts to the frame, and steppers to the Z mounts. This will ensure everything is securely in place. Step 5: Run a test print to check for wobble Run an X gantry up and down from min to max travel and pay attention to your print head. Is it wobbling? If so, you may need to make further adjustments. Additional thoughts: * Consider using aluminum couplers if your printer is really out of whack. These can help compensate for angular and parallelism alignment issues. * Look into old ham couplers as an alternative to aluminum couplers. They may put less stress on the X gantry and slide nicely to compensate for misalignment issues. * Mounting your Z axis upside down might be a viable solution. This would involve disassembling the frame and swapping the top frame rails or drilling new holes for the z mounts. I hope this guide helps you fix your Z axis wobble issue!