Clean and Lubricate Extruders

Model [X] AON-M2 [X] AON-M2 2020
Category [X] Preventive [ ] Corrective [ ] Troubleshooting

Tools

Qty Description Specification
1 Hex Key 4 mm
1 Hex Key 2.5 mm
1 Hex Key 2 mm
1 Pliers, Long Nose 90° angle
1 Brush, Wire Brass, soft bristle
1 Brush, Grease Applicator N/A
A/R Rags Lint-free
A/R Isopropyl Alcohol 99%

Parts Information

Qty Part Number Description
A/R LB 8042 Grease, White Lithium, Loctite®
A/R 80345 Grease, White Lithium, Permatex®

Either Loctite® LB 8042 or Permatex® 80345 white lithium grease can be used to lubricate the internal extruder drive gears.

Personal Protective Equipment

Qty Description Specification
1 Safety Eyewear N/A
A/R Gloves Nitrile

Prepare the Machine

  1. Home XYZ.
  2. Lower the Z-axis by 300 mm.
  3. Push the E-stop button.
  4. Turn the machine off with the ON/OFF switch found at the back of the machine.
  5. Wait until the build chamber, build plate and hot ends are at room temperature.

    Allow all machine components to reach room temperature prior to proceeding further. Failure to allow components to cool down may result in thermal injury (burns) to personnel.

  6. Open build chamber door.
  7. Unload the filament from the extruder. If the filament cannot be removed from the extruder, do steps 7a to 7c:
    1. Remove the PTFE feed tube (2) from the extruder fitting (1).
    2. Cut the filament that is inserted in the fitting found at the top of the extruder.
    3. Compress the extruder tab (3) and lever (4) to disengage the internal drive gears. PTFE Tube

Remove and Disassemble Extruders

  1. Disconnect the heater and RTD electrical connectors (5).
  2. Use the 2 mm hex key to loosen the set screw in the Z-probe collar (6). drop hot end
  3. Use the 4 mm hex key to remove the two screws (7) that hold the probe switch bracket. Carefully move the probe switch bracket to the side. Remove Probe Switch Bracket

    Care must be taken to not damage the PTFE tube found between the Z-probe collar (6) and probe adapter plate. A damaged PTFE tube will cause extrusion and/or print inconsistencies.

    Three springs are found between the Z-probe collar (6) and probe adapter plate. The three springs will fall once the Z-probe collar (6) is removed.

  4. Use the 4 mm hex key to remove the shoulder screw (8). Carefully remove the Z-probe collar (6), the PTFE tube, and three springs. Set aside.
  5. Use the 2.5 mm hex key to remove the two screws (9) that hold the probe plate adapter (10) to the toolhead carriage plate. Remove the probe plate adapter to the toolhead carriage plate. Set aside. Remove Extruder Plates
  6. Use the 2.5 mm hex key to remove the extruder top screw (11) and bottom screw (12). Detach Extruder
  7. Carefully detach the extruder assembly from the toolhead plate.

    Do not disconnect the cooling loop and electrical cable that are attached to the extruder assembly.

  8. Rotate the extruder assembly 45 degrees, and carefully rest it on top of the toolhead carriage plate.
  9. Use the 2 mm hex key to remove the two front screws (13) on the extruder assembly. Remove Extruder Front Cover

    Internal extruder components are small and can fall when the sections are separated. Make sure to disassemble the extruder on a suitable work bench.

  10. Carefully separate the extruder front and back sections. Separate Extruder Sections
  11. Use the long-nose pliers to remove the two gears (14) from the front section of the extruder.
  12. Use the 2 mm hex key to remove the two screws (15)(16).
  13. Carefully lift the extruder lever assembly to release the spring (17). remove lever

Clean and Lubricate Extruders

  1. Use the small brush to remove all filament debris found on the two drive gears.
  2. Use isopropyl alcohol and a clean lint-free rag to remove all contaminants from the two drive gears.
  3. Inspect the two drive gears for wear and/or damages.

    Please reach out to our Customer Success team at help@aon3d.com for genuine AON3D replacement part(s) inquiries.

  4. Use the applicator brush to apply to apply a small amount of white lithium grease to all four gears (18). Lubricate Gears

Do not apply white lithium grease the to filament radii (19). Lubrication on the internal drive gear radii (19) will cause inconsistent print quality.

Do Not Lubricate Filament Radii

Assemble and Install Extruders

  1. Install all gears inside the extruder:
    1. Make sure that all gear surfaces are lubricated with white lithium grease.
    2. Make sure that all gear are correctly positioned in the extruder.
  2. Manually install the screw (16) and tighten with the 2 mm hex key.
  3. Use the long-nose pliers to hook the top end of the spring to the extruder lever assembly (17).
  4. Manually install the screw (15) and tighten with the 2 mm hex key.
  5. Position the extruder sections onto the motor. Make sure drive gear teeth are synchronized and in position.
  6. Manually install the two front screws (13). Do not tighten the two front screws (13) at this time.
  7. Position the extruder assembly onto the toolhead plate.
  8. Manually install the extruder top screw (11) and bottom screw (12), and use the 2.5 mm hex key to tighten both screws (11)(12).
  9. Use the 2 mm hex key to tighten the two front screws (13).
  10. Position the probe adapter plate (10). Manually install the two screws (9) and use the 2.5 mm hex key to tighten both screws.

    Make sure that the heads of the two screws (9) sit flush, or lower, than the surface of the probe adapter plate (11), and are square with the toolhead plate. Protruding screws will damage the probe assembly.

  11. Position the three springs onto the three posts (one spring per post).

    Use the applicator brush to apply a small amount of white lithium grease to the three posts to hold the three springs in position.

  12. Install the PTFE tube (the tapered end facing upwards), and position the Z-probe collar onto the probe adapter plate (10). Manually install the shoulder screw (8) and tighten with the 4 mm hex key.
  13. Position the probe limit switch assembly, manually install the two screws (7), and tighten with the 4 mm hex key.

    Be careful with the cables as they are delicate.

  14. Make sure the PTFE tube is seated in the hot end assembly with the tapered end facing upwards.
  15. Line up the hot end assembly so the PTFE tube is inserted into the hole in the probe plate, and the top of the cooling block is flush with the Z-probe collar.
  16. Tighten the set screw (6). Refer to Cooling Block Set Screw Inspection.
  17. Connect the heater and RTD electrical connections (5).
  18. Install the PTFE feed tube (2) into the extruder fitting (1).

Test and Return to Service

  1. Once extruder has been reinstalled, make sure that:
    1. The hose clamps on the heat sink do not interfere with the movement of the probe assembly.
    2. No parts are left over.
    3. All connectors are attached.
    4. The hot end is correctly mounted:
      1. The hot end assembly is secure in its mount in the probe adapter plate (10).
      2. The top of the heat sink should not pass the top of the lower plate of the probe assembly.
    5. The probe assembly triggers smoothly:
      1. Manually compress and release the Z-probe collar towards the probe adapter plate (10) three times. Make sure the Z-probe collar returns to its initial position without any restrictions.
  2. Make sure all tools are removed from the build chamber.
  3. Close the build chamber door.
  4. Turn the machine on with the ON/OFF switch found at the back of the machine.
  5. Release the E-stop button.
  6. Home XYZ.
  7. Set temperature to the hot end to 50°C (122°F).
  8. Make sure temperature does not change more than ± 5°C.
  9. Increase to operating temperature to polymer recommendations.
  10. Install filament and compress the extruder tab (3) and lever (4) to engage the internal drive gears.
  11. Extrude material.

Last modified: July 6, 2021