This is a preventative maintenence scheule based on our own experience and feedback from Rev1 customers.
Lubrication:
Lubrication:
- Every 300 print hours (two full weeks) The linear rails should be greased
- Any multi purpose grease that can withstand >80c temperatures will suffice, such as white lithium grease.
- Apply grease to a towel/ rag and apply it along the length of the silver guide surfaces on each rail.
- Run the machine gantry back and forth to work the grease into the bearings.
- Every 600 print hours (Four full weeks) the Z-screws should have fresh grease applied.
- Any multi purpose grease that can withstand >80c temperatures will suffice, such as white lithium grease.
- Apply a generous portion to the ball-screw grooves
- Lower the bed downwards to spread the grease inside the ball-nut.
- remove dirty/ excess grease buildup from the ball-nut using a rag.
- If the ball-screw channels are dirty, you may use gear floss to help remove the dirty grease prior to a fresh application.
- Every 3 Months the extruder body should be disassembled, inspected,
cleaned, and re-greased.
- Check for worn gears, loose grub screws, and
discolored or loose bearings.
- Remove any filament debris
- Clean the extrusion teeth of any filament buildup.
- Grease the meshing drive surfaces of the gears with a multi purpose grease.
- Avoid applying to the extrusion teeth surfaces to prevent it from entering the hotend.
Basic machine checks:
- Before every print:
- Check to ensure the build plate is properly seated against the guides and that the plates are resting flat and not overlapping if multiple are present.
- Ensure the build plates are free of debris including previous prints, brims, and purge lines.
- Check the nozzle and hotend and remove any debris struck to them with a brass wire brush.
- Ensure the extruders you plan to use purge material correctly.
- When changing material types:
- Heat the nozzles and build plate to temperature. Double check the Probe Z offset.
- Preheat the build plate and
chamber temperature to new material Let it warm up
for at least a half hour after arriving at temperature.
- Perform
a bed leveling routine. Check to make sure the build surface has no
greater that 0.30mm deviation across the plate. The smaller the better!
- Fully clean the build plate with soap and water.
- Reapply bed adhesives compatible with the new material. (optional)
- Every 2 weeks:
- Check hotend retention screws and check the hotend for any sign of looseness. It should be securely fixed to the extruder body.
- If the hotend is loose, loosen the retention screw(s), remove the hotend, and then firmly reset it before tightening the retention screw(s). This ensures the hotend is inserted straight and proper contact is being made with the electrical pins
- Check all motion surfaces for dust and debris.
- Ensure the build plates have been thoroughly cleaned with soap and fully rinsed with water.
- Preheat the build plate and chamber temperature to the material you are currently using Let it warm up for at least a half hour after arriving at temperature.
- Perform a bed leveling routine. Check to make sure the build surface has no greater that 0.30mm deviation across the plate. The smaller the better!
Preventative part replacement: (* Marked items will likely be cautionary for general machine use, but are recommended for frequent use of abrasive materials)
Every 6 months:
- Inspect all fans for debris, ensure operation, and detect rattling/ noise when active. Replace any fans that do not spin, spin slowly, or make excessive noise. High chamber temperatures can reduce the life of your hotend cooling fans especially leading to increased jams and downtime.
- Consider replacing the machine's HEPA/Charcoal filter if it is being used.
Annually:
- PTFE guide tubes from the print head to the filament bay.*
- Replace the extruder bearings (two per side)
- Replace the extruder feed gear if you see signs of wear on the teeth.*
- Both hotend cooling fans
- Install new hardened nozzles*
- Replace the hotend temperature sensor and heat cartridge.
- Replace filament run out sensors. *
- These typically only fail with excessive abrasive material use.
Every two years:
- All parts found in the annual category even if abrasives are not being used.
- Tool head wiring harness.
Recommended parts to keep on hand to prevent downtime based on frequency, cost, and randomness.
- A full spare hotend assembly.
- A selection of nozzles
- Replacement hotend cooling fans.
- Replacement tool head board.
- Replacement filament run out sensors*
- PEI film for the print beds if you are using the smooth side.