Welcome to the SeeMeCNC Community

Orion machine here.
I noticed since the machine was new the rods work there way out of the cheapskates.
I put some magnets over the ends and this seemed to work.
Was looking at printing up some clip arrangement over the ends but here is the problem and question for you guys.

The layer fan gets in the way of magnets and any kind of clip I envision.

I could put a dab of epoxy over the ends but that is messy and doesn't look good.

Peen one end and machine a groove into the other side for a clip?

Thoughts?

Are you talking about the rods on the cheapskates or the rods on the effector platform?

You said cheapskates, but the layer fan is attached to the effector, isn't it? (I don't have an Orion so I don't know for sure...)

Are you missing the factory retaining clips, or are they what's slipping?

http://seemecnc.com/collections/parts-a ... nts-6-pack

Hi Jim, yes I have those clips they don't do much.
Connections down at the hot end (effector)

Here is a picture of one end coming out.

Appreciate the quick reply. Is there already a solution to this?
They are hard to push back into place but after a 4 hour print they come out almost completely

I'm guessing that they are spreading? I hear of those aluminum joints binding - maybe they are binding then twisting making the rods pop out. I think people grease those?

One thing you might consider is popping them off, then wrapping each in a rubber band or similar to make them clamp down tight on the aluminum joint.

JFettig might have nailed it. I don't remember what the problem was with those aluminum bearings, but SMC is sending out acetal ones now.

http://seemecnc.com/products/universal-joint-sold-ea

$9 for 12, might as well pick up a package and see if that solves your problem.

The aluminum was actually fine, they kept receiving axles that weren't to spec and that's what was binding. They've switched materials for the axles and not had that trouble since. I believe that the plastic u-joints are an experiment in cost savings more than a fix for sticky joints.

Either way though, oil the ujoints and see if that helps.

Thanks for the input guys, I'll grab some oil and lube em up.

Kinda makes sense, these are super hard to push in but when the machine is running they move out of place real fast.
Never thought about binding up.

Maybe that's why I get a band sometimes on a print at levels?

My rods have been coming out too. ( out of the effector end, not cheap skate end)
Instead of worrying about them, I was thinking I would upgrade to the trick laser arms.
I am assuming this will also fix that problem?

Is it worth upgrading the arms? I really don't have much trouble printing well- except for strings with abs.

One I started using silicone oil every 100 hours, I haven;t had a problem.

Tonkabot wrote:My rods have been coming out too. ( out of the effector end, not cheap skate end)
Instead of worrying about them, I was thinking I would upgrade to the trick laser arms.
I am assuming this will also fix that problem?

Is it worth upgrading the arms? I really don't have much trouble printing well- except for strings with abs.

You will end up with a more solid effector platform, but it won't help your stringy retracts The Slicer gremlins will still be there.