¶ Periodic Maintenance — X-Plus 4
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure reliable printer operation.
Benefits of routine maintenance:
- Improves performance — Ensures smooth motion and stable operation.
- Extends service life — Reduces wear and protects mechanical components from environmental effects.
Maintenance should be performed according to printer usage, environment, and material type.
¶ Maintenance interval
Inspect and lubricate the Z-axis lead screws every 1–3 months, depending on:
- Usage frequency
- Operating environment
- Type of lubricant used
Perform maintenance earlier if:
- The lead screws appear dirty
- Movement resistance increases
- Power off the printer.
- Remove dust, debris, and old grease from the lead screw threads.
- Use a soft cloth or toothbrush.
- Isopropyl alcohol may be used to remove old grease.
Ensure the lead screws are completely clean before lubrication.
- Home the build plate.
- Apply a thin layer of grease to the lead screws.
- Move the build plate downward.
- Apply another thin layer of grease.
- Repeat the movement several times to distribute the grease evenly.
- Remove excess grease near the lead screw nuts.
- Lucas Oil Products LUC10533 White Lithium Grease
- Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease
- Lucas Oil 10005 Red ‘N’ Tacky Grease
Most greases are compatible with lead screws.
An NLGI Grade 2 grease is recommended.
¶ Maintenance interval
Maintain every 2–4 weeks, or when shafts appear:
More frequent maintenance may be required when:
- Printing at high chamber temperatures
- Operating in dusty environments
- Power off the printer.
- Wipe the steel linear shafts with a soft cloth.
- Use isopropyl alcohol if necessary to remove residue.
Keeping shafts clean prevents abrasion and ensures smooth motion.
- Apply a suitable light machine oil to the linear shafts.
- Use a brush or lightly soaked cloth.
- Move the printhead along the X–Y axes to distribute the oil.
Use oil designed for linear motion systems.
- Keep the enclosure closed when possible.
- Protect shafts from dust, moisture, and chemical exposure.
- Super Lube 52008 Synthetic Lightweight Oil
- TSI Supercool Synthetic Vacuum Pump Oil
Recommended viscosity: 68 cSt, without additives.
If unavailable, sewing machine oil or 3-in-1 oil may be used, but will require more frequent reapplication.
The printer contains four cooling fans:
- Hotend cooling fan (toolhead left side)
- Part cooling fan (behind the toolhead)
- Auxiliary part cooling fan (chamber right side)
- Chamber heater fan (chamber left side)
¶ Maintenance
- Power off the printer.
- Use compressed air to remove dust and debris.
- Hold the fan blades in place while cleaning to prevent overspinning.
Regular cleaning ensures stable airflow and extended fan lifespan.
¶ Hotend and Nozzle
Over time, the hotend and nozzle may require replacement due to wear or clogging.
See:
Nozzle replacement steps
Reference tightening torque:
1.5–2.0 N·m (tighten while heated)
See:
Hotend replacement steps
High-temperature printing accelerates thermal grease degradation.
For instructions:
Apply thermal grease
- Always heat the nozzle to the recommended printing temperature before removal.
- Wear thermal-resistant gloves to prevent burns.