[Sonic Mega 8K] Maintaining the Z-axis

Regular maintenance of the Z-axis ball screw is essential in your Sonic Mega 8K. 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 screws every 6 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.

Recommended Supplies:

• A microfiber cloth
• Lithium grease 
• Non-reactive nitrile gloves

Recommended grease:

• Shell_Alvania Grease S 2
• REACH_151 EP Lithium Grease

Step 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 as follows:

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

Step 2: Clean the Z-axis

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

1. Wear clean gloves
2. Open the door and remove the building plate, resin vat
3. Click on the button 10.00mm, then tap UP ARROW▲ for a few times until the T-plate goes up to the top
4. Run the Z-axis calibration to make the T-plate go to the bottom by tapping TOOL > Z-CALIB > START
5. Put a microfiber cloth under the T-plate while it is descending to clean the ball screw

Step 3: Lubricate the Z-axis

1. Apply the grease to the microfiber cloth, and spread it evenly along the screw. Alternatively, you can use gloves to apply the lubricant to the screw.
2. Click on the button 10.00mm, then tap UP ARROW▲ for a few times until the T-plate goes up to the top

3. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess lubricant from the screw.

Contact Support

By following these steps, you can easily check the Z-axis on your Sonic Mega 8K. If there is any Z-axis issue after attempting the above steps, please contact Phrozen support or your authorized reseller for assistance.