¶ Introduction
Regular maintenance is key to ensuring 3D printing accuracy and extending printer life. This guide provides maintenance techniques for core moving parts. Before performing any maintenance, always turn off the printer and allow the heated bed/extruder to cool completely.
This maintenance guide covers the upkeep of six key U1 components, including:
- Linear Shaft / Linear Bearing
- X Carbon Rod Assembly
- Lead Screw / Nut
- Steel Pin / Steel Ball
- Timing Belt
- Pogo pin
You can check the Maintenance Overview section for maintenance frequency, methods, and precautions for each component, and refer to the Step-by-Step Maintenance section for detailed instructions.
¶ Maintenance Overview
| Component | Frequency | Method | Lubricants/Cleaning Materials | Notes and Warnings! |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Linear Shaft / Linear Bearing |
Monthly | Cleaning, lubrication | Lint-free cloth; High-purity isopropanol; Light lithium grease; Or fully synthetic high-speed spindle oil. Recommended grease: white lithium grease, NLGI 2~3 |
Do not use penetrating lubricants like WD-40. Ensure cloth and hands are clean and dust-free. Avoid contaminating timing belts with oil or grease. |
 X Carbon Rod Assembly |
Monthly | Cleaning, lubrication | Lint-free cloth； High-purity isopropanol/ethanol |
No additional lubrication needed on carbon rods and bushings. Avoid using oil or grease on the carbon rods. |
 Lead Screw / Nut |
Quarterly | Cleaning, lubrication | Soft brush; Lint-free cloth; Light lithium grease (apply moderate amount). Recommended grease: white lithium grease, NLGI 2~3, non-copper corrosive |
Avoid contaminating timing belts with oil or grease. |
 Steel Pin / Steel Ball |
Quarterly | Cleaning, lubrication | Lint-free cloth; High-purity isopropanol/ethanol; Light lithium grease. Recommended grease: white lithium grease, NLGI 2~3 |
— |
 Timing Belt |
Monthly | Tension check, cleaning | Adjusting the xy-axis timing belt tension | — |
 Pogo pin |
Every 4–6 months | Cleaning | Lint-free cloth and alcohol | Do not scrape the Pogopin surface with hard objects to prevent coating damage. |
¶ Tools Required
- White lithium grease
- Lint-free cloth
- Ethyl alcohol
- Soft bristle brush
- Gloves (optional)
¶ Step-by-Step Maintenance
¶ Linear Shaft / Linear Bearing
Maintenance Goal: Prevent rust, keep surfaces smooth and dust-free, maintain a thin, even oil film to reduce friction and wear.
Maintenance Steps:
- Cleaning: Use a lint-free cloth (e.g., microfiber) lightly moistened with high-purity isopropanol or ethanol. Gently wipe the shaft surface to remove dust, grease, and old lubricant. Avoid letting alcohol contact the inside of bearings.
- Lubrication:
- Grease method: Apply a small amount of light lithium grease to the shaft. Move the toolhead or bed across the full range to evenly distribute the grease.
- Oil method: Apply 1–2 drops of fully synthetic high-speed spindle oil (or similar precision instrument oil) at the connection points between the shaft and bearing, then move the parts to spread the oil evenly.
- Inspection: Wipe off excess lubricant, leaving only a thin oil film with no particles attached.
¶ X Carbon Rod Assembly
- Cleaning: Use a lint-free cloth (e.g., microfiber) lightly moistened with high-purity isopropanol (70%) or ethanol. Gently wipe the carbon rod to remove dust and residues.
- Note: Do not apply oil or grease to carbon rods.
¶ Lead Screw / Nut
Maintenance Goal: Ensure smooth transmission and stable bed movement.
Maintenance Steps:
- Cleaning: Remove dust and debris from the screw threads using a soft brush or air blower. For stubborn dirt, use a lint-free cloth with isopropanol or ethanol.
- Lubrication: Apply a thin layer of light lithium grease to the screw threads.
- Operation: Move the Z-axis across its full range several times to distribute the grease. Wipe off excess grease to prevent it from dripping onto prints or inside the printer.
¶ Steel Pin / Steel Ball
Maintenance Goal: Keep surfaces smooth and dust-free, maintain an even oil film to reduce friction and wear.
Maintenance Steps:
- Cleaning: Use a lint-free cloth (e.g., microfiber) lightly moistened with high-purity isopropanol or ethanol. Wipe the steel pins/balls to remove dust, grease, and old lubricant.
- Lubrication (key step): Apply an appropriate amount of grease at the arrow-marked positions on the pins/balls.
¶ Timing Belt
Maintenance Goal: Maintain proper tension.
Maintenance Steps:
- Check: Regularly see if the printer screen indicates timing belt adjustment is needed.
- Tensioning: U1 XY timing belts replacement guide
- Cleaning: Wipe dust off the belt teeth with a dry cloth.
¶ Pogo pin
Maintenance Goal: Make sure there is no dust or grease on the surface
Maintenance Steps:
1. Moisten the dust-free cloth with alcohol
Apply a small amount of alcohol (about 1–2 drops) to the cloth. It should be slightly damp but not dripping to avoid alcohol seeping into the pin housing and affecting the spring mechanism.
2. Wipe the pogo pin in one direction
Wrap the dust-free cloth around the pogo pin tips (contact ends) and gently wipe in a single direction, such as from the base to the tip. Avoid back-and-forth rubbing to prevent leaving behind lint or debris.
If the pin tips are heavily soiled, apply slight pressure to allow the spring-loaded pins to retract and make better contact with the cloth.
3. Dry the pins
Wait 10–20 seconds for the alcohol to evaporate naturally, or gently pat dry with a clean, dry dust-free cloth.
¶ Important Notes & Warnings
- Do not use WD-40: It is a rust remover and penetrating agent, not a lubricant. It dissolves existing grease, attracts dust, and can cause motion components to seize.
- Lubricant selection: Use lubricants designed for precision machinery. Light lithium grease is a safe and versatile choice.
- Moderate amount: Apply sparingly. Excess lubricant attracts dust, forming an abrasive paste that accelerates wear.
- Keep clean: Ensure the maintenance environment and clothing are clean to prevent introducing dust or hair.
- Gentle force: Use light pressure when cleaning and adjusting to avoid scratching shafts or lead screws.
Following these guidelines will help your U1 3D printer maintain stable operation and high printing precision over the long term.