After about 15 to 20 prints, I started noticing a “something loose/rattling” noise (not friction or scraping) coming from the toolhead area. The noise occurs exclusively during fast vertical Z-axis movements (Z-hops) and does not occur during horizontal (X/Y) movements. I can visually notice the Z-axis lead screws moving perceptibly during these hops. You can hear the noise and see the axis movement here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/1Cq1Vjv0MKs.
Is this axis movement normal?
Along with the noise, I started experiencing bed detachment on specific prints, not tall prints, but short prints with multiple islands on the same layer, which generate many repeated Z-hops during printing. This pattern didn’t happen in the printer’s first prints. What could this be?
Mechanical checks already performed, without resolving the issue:
Re-tightened all hotend screws, including the internal ones (removed the 4 front screws for access)
Checked and re-tightened the screws joining the X-axis to the Z-axis sliders (3 on each side)
Tensioned the X and Z belts
Ran auto-calibration
Properly lubricated per the manual (grease on the Z-axis lead screws, oil on the X/Y linear rails)
Do you mean the clicking sound? I’m not completely certain yet whether it’s coming from the toolhead/extruder or from one of your axes. Are you sure the noise isn’t actually coming from the axis instead?
For regular prints, you usually don’t need separate Z‑hop settings. What matters more is choosing an infill pattern that won’t constantly collide with your model, such as gyroid - not grid.
If your print still isn’t sticking properly, you might want to check out this thread on how to clean your build plate.
A calibration, including a photo, wouldn’t hurt either - that way, it’s easier to evaluate. It’s important to take a photo of both calibration.
Thank you for taking the time to help! Just to clarify a few points:
I’ve been systematically washing the build plate with water and neutral soap after each detachment, and it hasn’t made any improvement.
Even though the noise seems to come from the toolhead area, it appears to be radiating from the Z-axis — it follows the same pattern as the vertical movement, going up and down each time it hops to a different island within the same layer.
I’ve also tested with different filaments, including some that were already calibrated beforehand, and the issue remains the same.
It seems like during that up-and-down movement, the axis is hitting something. I’ll try disassembling it like in the video you shared.
