Sapphire Pro Linear Rail Positioner

thingiverse

If you enjoyed this project and want to say "Thank You," please consider supporting me by sending a tip on Thingiverse or my PayPal here. Linear rails in the Sapphire Pro, Plus, and probably S are not cleaned and lubed after machining. They are covered by some kind of oil or petroleum that protects them from rust. You should clean and lube them if you want to get the best performance out of them. Properly cleaned and lubed Chinese linear rails provide a better surface finish. Here is my video about cleaning these rails: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BL7Zni-R0g --- ## Cleaning process in just a few steps: 1. Remove the rails from the printer. 2. Take the carriage out of the rail, being careful not to let little steel balls pop out at this point. 3. Unscrew all parts from the carriage. 4. Soak all parts in isopropyl alcohol. 5. Clean the rails with a paper towel soaked in isopropyl alcohol, paying attention to surfaces where the balls move. 6. Take all parts out of the alcohol and put them on dry paper towels to dry. 7. Do the same thing as step 5 but for the carriage. 8. Assemble the carriage without tightening the screws; sweep seals need to be easily movable. 9. Put some lube on moving parts, using white lithium grease or a similar lubricant that won't slow down the carriage. 10. Don't use thick grease or WD40! 11. Put the carriage back on the rail. 12. Move it a few times so all parts will set in place. 13. Tighten the screws. 14. Wipe off excess lubrication. 15. You're done! --- After you clean and lube them, you'll need to install them properly. As I've seen on my Sapphire Plus and Pro Two Trees aren't aligning them correctly. There's often a grinding noise present, and motion isn't smooth. To fix these problems, you'll need to align them properly. For this, use parts that I've prepared, which will set the rails in the right place and position, allowing you to easily mount them back.