Problem printing circles

[OBELIKS]

I was thinking, and in the end it is probably a problem with the sintered bushes that I use instead of bearings.
Image by Toolson

I made a stupid decision and lubricated them, and they still move, but the moves are "sticky". I will try to clean them, and maybe switch back to linear bearings. I just need to find good ones.

Is this still the right category for this thread?

[OBELIKS]

I took X and Y axes apart, cleaned all the components, so now it is gliding as good as it can. Positive is that printer got quieter, negative is that the circles are still flat on top and bottom.
I am slowly running out of ideas.
The only part that I still need to investigate is the print head. But it is rigid as it ever was.

[deckingman]

@obeliks Did you ever try lower acceleration for your Y axis as someone suggested? I note that the motor currents are set to 800mA so presumably the motors are rated at 1Amp? If your bed weight 1.5kg, the Y motor might be struggling so either try lower acceleration, increase the current if you can, or a bigger motor.

[OBELIKS]

I actually just ordered Wantai 42BYGHM810
It was on my to do list, so...
Then I just need 24V power supply and Anet A8 will be no more.

My motors are rated 1680mA, not sure if that is correct. And I had them running, at 1400mA and the circles were not great. But they heated up over 80°C So I stopped that.

And at the moment I am printing a puzzle box for a gift, it has mostly straight lines, so the circles are not a problem.

[OBELIKS]

So, with Wantai motors the circles are circles. So either the stepper for X or Y was bad or the 0,9° vs 1,8° makes the difference. Or it was something else that I did not see and was fixed on reassembly. But I did that before the stepper change and there was no difference.
Motors are also quieter and cooler (both around 5 down).

The only thing left is to figure out what to do with the old electronics and steppers. I might need another printer.

Q: What AWG wires do I need for the steppers? I will need to clean the wiring now.

[wilriker]

@obeliks said in Problem printing circles:

Q: What AWG wires do I need for the steppers? I will need to clean the wiring now.

I started rewiring now and will use 0.5mm² or 20 AWG for the wiring of my steppers. But you have to get wires with rather thin insulation to still fit into the Molex KK crimps. I use LiYY 4x0.5mm² cable for this.

[dc42]

20awg is rather thick. I suggest 22 awg, or 24awg for lower current motors.

[OBELIKS]

I have 2.4A motors, so 22AWG?

[dc42]

Yes, 22awg is suitable.

[wilriker]

@dc42 Is there any reason not to use 20AWG except for the stiffness of the cable if it needs to move?

[OBELIKS]

@dc42 thank you

[dc42]

20awg should be OK, the crimp pins we supply are intended for 20 to 24awg.