Introduction

The Y-axis of the A1 series printer uses a metal guide wheel, and this guide rail system ensures that users do not need to frequently adjust the printer’s moving components. However, regular lubrication and cleaning are necessary to reduce wear and noise, ensure the printer’s accuracy and service life, and effectively prevent the guide rail from rusting. Each printer receives a certain amount of lubricant before leaving the factory, but only a small amount of lubricant is applied to the machine. This is because excessive lubricant could drip onto the packaging during shipping and affect its appearance.

Therefore, we strongly recommend checking the Y-axis lubrication after unpacking the printer to make sure that the lubricant evenly covers the entire guide rail. If you find that the lubrication is insufficient, please follow the following A1 printer Y-axis lubrication guide.

A1 PRINTER Y-AXIS GUIDE RAIL LUBRICATION GUIDE (WITH THE INCLUDED OIL LUBRICANT)

For everyday use, we recommend lubricating the Y-axis guide rail once a month. In addition, if you receive a lubrication reminder, please follow the instructions for lubricating the Y-axis guide rail.

Comparison before and after lubrication

Required materials:
Non-woven fabric and oil lubricant

Additional instructions for the oil lubricant:

In response to user feedback regarding the stickiness of grease and its ability to attract dust and dirt, we conducted extensive verification tests and decided to switch the lubricant for the A1 Y-axis guide rail. Therefore, we recommend using an oil lubricant for lubricating the A1 Y-axis guide rail. We suggest switching to an oil lubricant for future maintenance if you previously used grease. During the lubrication process, you can also wipe the grease off the guide rail and then follow the oil lubricant application guide.

Friendly reminder:

Two types of lubricants are included in the accessories: one is an oil lubricant and the other is grease. The packaging may vary depending on the batch, so please refer to the actual package you received. Here is an introduction to their respective applications:

Uses of the oil lubricant: Used for the X-axis linear rail, the Y-axis guide rail, and eliminating noise from the tension wheels.

Uses of grease: Used to lubricate the lead screws and extruder brackets.

Please note that it is strictly prohibited to use grease on the X-axis linear rail.

In addition to the oil lubricant included with the accessories, you can also use “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” (both large and small bottles are fine) to lubricate the X-axis linear rail, Y-axis guide rail, and Z-axis lead screw. Both the A1 and A1 mini use “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” for lubrication, and their operating procedures are the same.

Please purchase an authentic “WD-40 Multi-Use Product”.

We have not tested other types of oil lubricants and cannot determine whether they could adversely affect the Y-axis guide rail (including, but not limited to, corrosion and wear of the bearings and steel shafts).

Oil lubricant application guide
Be careful during operation and ensure that the oil lubricant does not come into contact with the surface of the textured plate. If necessary, it is recommended to remove the textured plate from the heated bed during the operation.

Step 1:

Use non-woven fabric to wipe lightly. Avoid using paper tissues, which could leave fibers behind. Twist and unlock the oil lubricant cap, then make a small hole in the bottle nozzle.

Step 2:

Move the heated bed all the way to the front end, where the screen is located. Open the Y-axis guide rail cover.

Step 3:

Use clean non-woven fabric to wipe off any remaining grease on the guide rails, as well as the surrounding dust and dirt.

Step 4:

Press the oil lubricant bottle along the upper edge of the Y-axis steel shaft, ensuring that the oil is applied evenly and exclusively to the steel shaft.

Step 5:

Apply the oil lubricant to the curved surface of the steel shaft using the back of the bottle.

Step 6:

Move the heated bed back and forth so that the oil lubricant is distributed evenly.

Apply the oil lubricant to the remaining parts of the steel shaft using the same method.

Step 7:

Move the heated bed all the way to the front end, where the screen is located. Replace the cover.

A1 MINI Y-AXIS GUIDE RAIL LUBRICATION GUIDE (WITH THE INCLUDED OIL LUBRICANT)

Introduction

The Y-axis of the A1 mini uses all-metal guide wheels, ensuring that users do not need to frequently adjust the moving components of the A1 mini printer. However, regular lubrication and cleaning are necessary to reduce wear and noise, maintain the printer’s accuracy and service life, and effectively prevent the guide rails from rusting.

Each printer receives a certain level of lubrication before leaving the factory. However, only a small amount of lubricating oil is applied to the printer to prevent excess oil from dripping onto the packaging during shipping and causing visible stains that would affect its appearance.

Therefore, we strongly recommend applying an appropriate amount of lubricating oil to your printer’s Y-axis guide rails after unpacking the printer to ensure that the entire rail is lubricated.

For regular use, we recommend lubricating the Y-axis guide rail once a month.

Recommended lubricant

Please use the lubricant included with the accessories and avoid grease-based lubricant. Please check the label on the lubricant bottle: “lubricant”. Some batches may have black text and patterns on the packaging.

If grease-based lubricant is used by mistake, please remove it immediately and reapply the lubricant provided with the accessories.

In addition to the lubricant included with the accessories, you can also use “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” (both large and small bottles are fine) to lubricate the Y-axis guide rails.

Please purchase an authentic “WD-40 Multi-Use Product”.

We have not tested other types of lubricating oil and cannot determine whether they could negatively affect the Y-axis sliding rail system (including corrosion and wear of the bearings and steel shafts).

Lubrication operation guide

1. Lubricating oil is included with the accessories in the box. For instructions on applying the lubricating oil, please refer to the video:

Note: Before performing the lubrication step, raise the toolhead to prevent scratching the print bed.

2. For instructions on lubricating the Y-axis guide rails using “WD-40 Multi-Use Product”, please refer to the guide:

Here are the instructions for lubricating the Y-axis guide rails using “WD-40 Multi-Use Product”:

1. Raise the toolhead to prevent scratching the print bed.

2. To prevent small fibers from forming on the guide rails, use non-woven fabric for lubrication.

3. Before lubrication, use clean non-woven fabric to wipe dust from the guide rails.

4. After wiping off the dust, spray WD-40 onto another clean piece of non-woven fabric and then gently use it to lubricate the Y-axis guide system with the fabric containing WD-40 Multi-Use Product.

Photos after lubrication

Image of the Y-axis guide rails after proper lubrication.

HOW TO LUBRICATE THE A1 SERIES USING “WD-40 MULTI-USE PRODUCT”?

Introduction

The Y-axis of the A1 series printer uses an all-metal guide wheel, and this guide rail system ensures that users do not need to frequently adjust the moving components of the A1 printer. However, regular lubrication and cleaning are required to reduce wear and noise, ensure the printer’s accuracy and service life, and effectively prevent the guide rails from rusting. Each printer receives a certain level of lubrication before leaving the factory, but only a small amount of lubricant is applied to the machine. This is because excessive lubricant could drip onto the packaging during shipping, affecting its appearance.

Therefore, we strongly recommend checking the Y-axis lubrication after unpacking the printer to ensure that the lubricant evenly covers the entire guide rail. If you find that the lubrication is insufficient, follow the following A1 printer Y-axis lubrication guide.

For regular use, we recommend lubricating the Y-axis guide rail once a month. In addition, if you receive a lubrication reminder, please follow the instructions for lubricating the Y-axis guide rail.

In addition to the lubricating oil included with the accessories, you can use “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” (both large and small bottles are suitable) to lubricate the A1 series X-axis linear rail, Y-axis guide rail, and Z-axis lead screw. This video shows how to effectively use “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” to lubricate the Y-axis guide rails of the A1 mini printer; please ensure that the lubricant does not splatter.

Please purchase an authentic “WD-40 Multi-Use Product”. Other types of WD-40 are not recommended for use on the A1.

Important notice

WD-40 is a trademark and does not necessarily refer to a specific product type. We recommend “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” because it has been thoroughly tested with the A1 and confirmed to work as expected.

We have not tested other types of lubricating oil and cannot determine whether they could adversely affect the Y-axis guide rail (including, but not limited to, corrosion and wear of the bearings and steel shafts).

Avoid using any other lubrication method, as this may lead to problems.

Please be careful during operation and ensure that the lubricant does not come into contact with the surface of the textured plate.

It is recommended to remove the textured plate from the bed during operation to prevent any contamination, as this could lead to adhesion problems.

If adhesion problems occur, always wash the plate with warm water and detergent.

Required materials:

Non-woven fabric and “WD-40 Multi-Use Product”

Lubricant application guide

Step 1: Clean the guide rails with a non-woven cloth, avoiding fibrous fabrics.

Step 2: Spray the thoroughly mixed “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” evenly onto a clean non-woven cloth.

Step 3: Gently apply the damp cloth with WD-40 to the Y-axis guide rail.

Step 4: Move the bed back and forth so that the “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” is distributed evenly.

Apply “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” to the remaining parts of the steel shaft using the same method.

Step 5: Finally, use a clean non-woven cloth to carefully remove any oil stains from the surface of the packaging and the guide rail. Be careful not to wipe “WD-40 Multi-Use Product” onto the steel shaft.