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docs/maintenance_KGNI.md

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+# Maintenance 
+
+In the following, I'll list some steps for doing maintenance on a regular basis. I won't go into detail about e.g. how to position the v-slot wheels or how to change parts at the hotend, as you'll find notes and instcurtions about that in the belonging sections.  
+
+Generally speaking, this list is just some sort of a rough guidance you can follow where to keep an eye on.  
+Due to the fact that parts are moving, vibrances occur and heat is being generated, parts will wear and tear and components may fail sooner or later.  
+So it's advisable to keep an eye on the whole construction as well as on specific parts especially to avoid any malfunction as much as possible.  
+
+The more you're using the printer, the more often and regular you should actually proceed these checks. Sooner or later it'll become a routine for you, so don't be overwhelmed by the following list.  
+
+If you're using the machine not that often, you still should pay attention. In this case keep an extra eye on the v-slot wheels and their position and condition, as it may happen that they'll become indented due to resting in the same position over a longer time. You should be able to feel any dents when moving the wheels, but you probably have to be a bit sensitive for being able to tell that.
+
+
+*This is still WIP, so maybe come back another time as well.. ;)*
+
+
+??? warning "Don't Use WD-40 For Lubrication"
+
+    Do yourself a favour and *never* use WD-40 for *lubrication* as it's *not* a lubricant!  
+    It's perfectly fine for e.g. washing off old lubrification from the threaded rod, but it's *not* a sufficient lubrification!  
+
+    People use to think WD-40 is the perfect solution for pretty much everything, but they aren't aware of the fact that -due to the chemical recipe it's made of- it's absolutely not sufficient for getting parts lubed mid- to longterm. Fact is, that the chemicals inside of it will even wash off any grease or oil, it can harm POM and rubber and so on.  
+
+    As an example: So let's say you want to lubricate your bike chain and use WD-40 to do so, you'll basically *wash away* the existent lubrification  which is inside the chain - therefore the chain will be worn out pretty quick. You'll also harm the sealings. If you don't believe me, make a little test by yourself: take an air baloon, pump it up, spray WD-40 onto it and wait..  
+
+
+---
+
+## Frame
+
+Check if all screws, bolts and nuts are still tight as they should be.  
+These parts can come loose due to vibrations.  
+If you encounter loose screws, bolts or nuts, it's a good idea to add some Loctite.  
+
+---
+
+## Axes
+
+Check the axes if any visible damage of the belonging parts hits your eyes.  
+Make sure everything is as tight as it should be, but still freely to move nice and smooth.  
+
+---
+
+### X-Axis
+
+You should inspect the wheels and belts and the belonging parts like pulleys etc from time to time to make sure everything is in a good condition and nothing will suddenly break.  
+
+- Belt:
+  - Check the belt tension from time to time as it might wear out and lengthen a bit. 
+  - Check the teeth of the belt if they are still good looking or if they're worn out or if even some teethe are missing.
+  - Check if you can see any cracks or other damage at the belt.
+
+- Pulleys:  
+  - Check the pulleys of the motors which are driving the belts. Are they also looking ok? Did they become loose on the motor shaft somehow?  
+
+- Wheels:  
+  - Check the position of the wheels as well as the bolts and nuts are still being tight.  
+  - Do you see any debris? Clean it off.  
+  - Do you see any signs of heavy wear and tear like in the following picture? If so, check the position and pressure as well as if any damage (besides the wear&tear) is visible.  
+    ![Wheels wear & tear](../assets/images/axes_wheels-weartear_web.jpeg)  
+  - Check if you can see or feel any dents at the wheels.
+  - Check if the bearings still move nice and smooth or if you can feel any hiccups during movement.  
+
+- Motor:
+  - Is the motor still mounted firmly?  
+  - Is the bracket that holds the motor still straight as it should be, or is it maybe not due to too much belt tension being used?
+  - Is the shaft of the motor still straight as it should be, or is it maybe not due to too much belt tension being used?
+  - Is the pulley that is pressed onto the motor shaft still in place, in a good condition and is it still sitting tight on the shaft?
+  - Is the connection of the wire still fine?
+
+- Limit switch:
+  - Is the limit switch still working?
+  - Is it still mounted firmly as it should be?
+  - Is the connection of the wire still fine? 
+
+---
+
+### X-Axis Gantry
+
+You should inspect the wheels at those Y-shaped brackets and check if any sagging of the unsupported side of the gantry occurs.  
+
+- Wheels:  
+  - Check the position of the wheels as well as the bolts and nuts are still being tight.  
+  - Do you see any debris? Clean it off.  
+  - Do you see any signs of heavy wear and tear like in the following picture? If so, check the position and pressure as well as if any damage (besides the wear&tear) is visible.  
+    ![Wheels wear & tear](../assets/images/axes_wheels-weartear_web.jpeg)  
+  - Check if you can see or feel any dents at the wheels.
+  - Check if the bearings still move nice and smooth or if you can feel any hiccups during movement.  
+
+- Y-shaped brackets:  
+  - Check if the brackets are still in the correct position so that the outer wheels rest in the v-slot of the rails equally.  
+  - Check if the screws where the brackets are mounted to the rail with are still tight.
+
+---
+
+### Y-Axis
+
+You should inspect the belts and the belonging parts like pulleys etc from time to time to make sure everything is in a good condition and nothing will suddenly break.  
+
+- Belt:
+  - Check the belt tension from time to time as it might wear out and lengthen a bit. 
+  - Check the teeth of the belt if they are still good looking or if they're worn out or if even some teethe are missing.
+  - Check if you can see any cracks or other damage at the belt.
+
+- Pulleys:  
+  - Check the pulleys of the motors which are driving the belts. Are they also looking ok? Did they become loose on the motor shaft somehow?  
+
+- Wheels:  
+  - Check the position of the wheels as well as the bolts and nuts are still being tight.  
+  - Do you see any debris? Clean it off.  
+  - Do you see any signs of heavy wear and tear like in the following picture? If so, check the position and pressure as well as if any damage (besides the wear&tear) is visible.  
+    ![Wheels wear & tear](../assets/images/axes_wheels-weartear_web.jpeg)  
+  - Check if you can see or feel any dents at the wheels.
+  - Check if the bearings still move nice and smooth or if you can feel any hiccups during movement.  
+
+- Motor:
+  - Is the motor still mounted firmly?  
+  - Is the bracket that holds the motor still straight as it should be, or is it maybe not due to too much belt tension being used?
+  - Is the shaft of the motor still straight as it should be, or is it maybe not due to too much belt tension being used?
+  - Is the pulley that is pressed onto the motor shaft still in place, in a good condition and is it still sitting tight on the shaft?
+  - Is the connection of the wire still fine?
+
+- Limit switch:
+  - Is the limit switch still working?
+  - Is it still mounted firmly as it should be?
+  - Is the connection of the wire still fine? 
+
+--- 
+
+### Z-Axis
+
+You should inspect the screw and the belonging parts like the anti-backlash nut, the motor coupler etc from time to time to make sure everything is in a good condition and nothing will suddenly break.  
+
+- Lead screw: 
+  - Is the lead screw still vertically aligned?  
+  - Is there any debris of the POM from the anti-backlash nut in the threads?
+  - Is the screw still lubed?  
+    Clean off the old lubrification and add some new, I personally use "Super Lube" for this.  
+
+
+- Anti-backlash nut: 
+  - Is it still tightly mounted to that metal bracket or did the screws become loose?  
+  - Is it still compressed?
+  - Can you see any visible wear & tear of the POM inside of the anti-backlash nut? 
+
+- Motor & coupler:
+  - Is the coupler which connects the shaft of the motor and the lead screw still tight?
+  - Is the motor still mounted firmly?
+  - Is the connection of the wire still fine?
+
+- Limit switch:
+  - Is the limit switch still working?
+  - Is it still mounted firmly as it should be?  
+    Check both parts: the one at the frame and the little lever at the x-gantry.  
+  - Is the connection of the wire still fine? 
+
+---
+
+## Printhead & Extruder
+
+You should check the printhead and the extruder from time to time as well.  
+Also check if the part cooling fan as well as the heatsink cooling fan still work properly.  
+
+- Extruder:  
+  - Is filament still being fed correctly? 
+  - Is the tension of the spring still correct?
+
+- Hotend: 
+  - Are all screws still tight?  
+    Pay special attention to the grub/set screws at the heater block which hold the thermistor and cartridge heater in place!
+  - Are the thermistor and the cartridge heater still in place? 
+  - Do you see any harmed insulation of the wires, do you see any bare wire shining through?
+  - Do you see any melted filament around the top or the bottom of the heater block, right at the threads of the heatbreak and the nozzle?
+  - Is the nozzle clean and not yet worn out?
+  - Is the silicone sock still ok, does it also still sit in the correct position?  
+
+- Fans: 
+  - Are the part cooling fan and the heatsink cooling fan still working properly?
+  - Are the screws which hold them in place still tight?
+  - Are the blades of the fans clean, or did dust build up? If so, clean it off.
+  - Can the fans rotate freely or is anything (e.g. wires, cable ties) hitting them?
+
+- ABL sensor: 
+  - Is the sensor still in the correct position, or did the bracket maybe become loose and therefore the sensor sagged?
+  - Does it still trigger when detecting metal?
+
+---
+
+[![ko-fi](https://ko-fi.com/img/githubbutton_sm.svg)](https://ko-fi.com/U6U5NPB51)  
+