[Sonic Mega 8K S] Z-Axis Cleaning

Regular maintenance of the Z-axis ball screw is essential for your Sonic Mega 8K S. Over time, the screw threads can accumulate dust, debris, and other contaminants that can cause friction and hinder the smooth movement of the building plate.

Lubricating the Z-axis ball screw helps to reduce friction and prevent wear and tear, ensuring that your printer operates at optimal performance levels. It also helps to extend the lifespan of the Z-axis ball screw and prevent any potential issues that can arise due to debris buildup.

Therefore, it is recommended to lubricate the ball screw every 3 months to keep your printer functioning smoothly and producing high-quality prints.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps you can take to keep your Z-axis ball screw in perfect working order.

1. Check the Z-axis movement

The purpose of this test is to run the Z-axis from bottom to top, and check for any unusual sounds or vibrations. The steps are described as follows:

• Wear clean gloves
• Open the door, then remove the building plate and the resin vat
• Run the Z-axis calibration to make the T-plate go to the bottom by tapping TOOL → Z-CALIB → START
• Next, click on the button 10.00mm, then tap UP ARROW▲ for a few times until the T-plate goes up to the top
• When the Z-axis moves up and down, check the ball screw for any areas that move less smoothly or emit unusual noises

2. Dry cleaning the Z-axis 

• Wear clean gloves
• Open the printer’s door, then remove the building plate and the resin vat
• Click on the button 10.00mm, then tap UP ARROW▲ for a few times until the T-plate goes up to the top
• Run the Z-axis calibration to make the T-plate go to the bottom by tapping TOOL → Z-CALIB → START
• Put a microfiber cloth under the T-plate while it is descending to clean the ball screw

3. Lubricating the Z-axis

• Apply the grease to the microfiber cloth, and spread it evenly along the ball screw. Alternatively, you can wear gloves and apply the lubricant to the ball screw.
• Click on the button 10.00mm, then tap UP ARROW▲ for a few times until the T-plate goes up to the top
• Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess lubricant from the screw

Avoid touching any other parts of the printer with the gloves that have been contacted with lubricant.

4. Lubricants for Z-axis

To avoid the appearance of layer lines on the surface of your prints, it's important to ensure that the bearings and screws rotate smoothly. As part of the Z-axis cleaning process, we recommend applying the following lubricants:

Shell Alvania Grease S

• Shell Alvania Grease S is a high-quality lithium-based grease used to lubricate ball screws. 
• It provides long-lasting lubrication, reduces friction and wear, and is resistant to water washout. 
• Its versatility makes it suitable for use in high and low-temperature applications.

REACH_151 EP Lithium Grease

• REACH_151 EP Lithium Grease is a premium quality lubricant that is commonly used in a wide range of applications like for ball screws. 
• It is designed to provide superior protection against wear and tear, reduce friction, and promote the smooth and consistent operation of machinery and equipment.

To prevent issues, it is important to avoid using lubricants with rust removal features. It is NOT recommended to mix WD-40 3-in-1 Lube with WD-40 Dry Lube with PTFE. Doing so can cause potential problems.

5. Choosing the Right Lubricant for Your 3D Printer

Consult the list below for further information on which lubricant is the most suitable for your printer.

Contact Support 

By following the above suggestions, you can clean the Z-axis of your Sonic Mega 8K S properly. If you find any issues, feel free to reach out to Phrozen Support or your Authorized Reseller for further assistance. When contacting Phrozen Support, kindly share a few photos and videos illustrating the issues with the Z-axis. This will greatly facilitate the troubleshooting process.