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Maintenance Schedule

A regular maintenance schedule is the best way to ensure the long-term reliability and consistent performance of your printer. Following this checklist will help you identify and resolve potential issues before they lead to failed prints or downtime.

This guide is broken down into intervals based on typical usage.

A maintenance checklist graphic A maintenance checklist graphic

A graphic representing a maintenance checklist, showing different time intervals (Daily, Weekly, Monthly) and their associated tasks.

Before Every Print

A quick 30-second check can save you a multi-hour headache.

  • Check Build Plate: Ensure the build surface is clean, free of dust, and clear of any plastic debris from the last print.
  • Visual Inspection: Do a quick visual scan of the toolhead and gantry to make sure everything looks normal and there are no failed print fragments waiting to interfere with the new print.

Weekly (or after ~50 print hours)

These checks should be part of your regular routine.

  • Belt Tension (Quick Check): Gently "pluck" the A/B and Z belts. They should feel taut and produce a low, consistent tone. This is just to check for any belts that have become obviously loose.
  • Clean Build Plate: Wipe down the PEI sheet with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) to remove fingerprints and dust.
  • Inspect for Debris: Look for any buildup of filament dust around the extruder gears and any black dust near the belt idlers and pulleys. Black dust can indicate a belt is rubbing against a flange.
  • Listen for Odd Sounds: During a print, listen for any new grinding, squeaking, or rattling sounds.

Monthly (or after ~200 print hours)

These more in-depth checks will keep your printer finely tuned.

  • Belt Tension (Quantitative Check): Perform the frequency-based belt tensioning procedure as detailed in the "Belt Tensioning Guide". This is the most accurate way to ensure proper tension.
  • Hardware Check: Check the tightness of critical screws, especially those holding the motors, gantry components, and toolhead in place.
  • Inspect Printed Parts: Look closely at key structural parts (like XY joints and motor mounts) for any signs of cracking or stress fatigue.
  • Clean Extruder Gears: Use a small brass brush or compressed air to clean any filament shavings from the extruder drive gears to ensure a good grip on the filament.

Every 6 Months (or after ~1000 print hours)

These tasks address long-term wear and tear.

  • Lubricate Linear Rails: Clean and re-apply a thin layer of appropriate grease to all linear rails as detailed in the "Lubrication Guide".
  • Check Consumables: Inspect the PTFE tube inside your hotend for signs of wear or deformation. Consider replacing your nozzle, especially if you frequently print with abrasive materials.