Prusa i3 MK3 - Regular Printer Maintenance

12  FAQ - Printer maintenance and print issues

12.1  Regular maintenance
12.1.1  Bearings
Every couple hundred hours, the smooth rods should be cleaned with a paper towel. Then
apply a little bit of general purpose machine oil on the smooth rods and move the axis back
and forth a couple of times. This cleans the dirt and increases longevity.
If you feel the axis is not running smoothly anymore, bearings can be taken out and greased
on the inside (they need to be removed from axis because the plastic lip will prevent the
grease from getting inside). Super-lube, or any other multi purpose grease, will do.
12.1.2  Fans
Both fans should be checked and cleaned every couple hundred hours; dust or plastic
build-up can decrease their efficiency or even damage them. Computer cleaner spray will
get the dust away and tweezers can be used for little plastic strands.
Both extruder and part cooling fans measure current RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).
Because of that, they can detect any problem that will cause the fan to slow down, like a
piece of filament getting stuck in it. If you get a fan error, check that it can rotate freely; clear
any debris that may be stuck in it.
Pict.   35   -   Nozzle   cooling   fan   from   Noctua
59