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Lulzbot 3D Printers - Maintenance and Troubleshooting

This guide covers the basics of routine cleaning and maintenance for the Lulzbot TAZ Workhorse and Mini 2 printers.

Quarterly Cleaning and Maintenance

From the TAZ Workhorse Manual:

"If dust is evident on the control box vents, unplug the printer and use short bursts of compressed air to blow out any dust. Once a quarter it is recommended to completely open the electronics cover, and blow away any debris on the board using short bursts from a can of compressed air." 

Do not open the electronics enclosure when powered, as there may be high voltage present. Make sure the USB and power cable are both unplugged before opening the enclosure as well.

 
                                                                             
The picture above shows the location of the fasteners that will need to be removed in order to access the electronics on the TAZ Workhorse.
Step 4 of this guide shows how to remove the cover for the Mini / Mini 2 printers.

Filament is pulled through the extruder by a hobbed (or toothed) bolt. After repeated use, the teeth of the hobbed bolt can become filled with plastic. 

Included with each LulzBot 3D Printer is a fine metallic brush and a sharp, pointed dental pick. Use these tools to clean the hobbed bolt.

Instructions from LulzBot:

  1. With the LulzBot Mini powered off, open the extruder idler and lower out of the way.
  2. Use the fine metallic brush to clean the hobbed bolt teeth.
  3. Rotate the large 3D printed herringbone gear to expose more teeth.
  4. If needed, use the dental pick to remove any stubborn impacted filament. Note: The dental pick is sharp.
  5. A gentle dusting with compressed air will help remove fine dust.

 

You can also watch this video to see the steps in action (video is for a different type of tool head, but steps are essentially the same).

Vibrations can loosen screws in the printers over time. Check frame screws as well as the screws on the stepper motor pulleys and the small gear on the extruder and tighten if they feel loose.

This post from It-Works 3D goes over some of the screw locations to check. It specifically references the LulzBot Mini, but is essentially the same as for the Mini 2 and Workhorse printers.