Remember to clean the machine!

[lintilla]

After returning from a long vacation it was time to do some work with the Voltera again.
The machine strugled with measuring the probe and threw a few errors, but suddently worked. All looked good until I tried to dispense solder paste, everything was offset a millimeter in the X axis.

Inspecting the calibration microswitches I notices a small lump of old hardened solder paste on one of them, that explained the offset. Carefully cleaning this made all the difference.

I now inspect and clean up any small spills every time I finish up (a lot easier when it's still liquid form).

[jazozaya]

This is super important! Thank you for making the post @lintilla,

Usually I get a Q-Tip and add some rubbing alcohol to do the cleaning.

There are 2 locations you want to clean:

• The small circular shaft that acts as the bottom Z limit switch
• The large opening with the gold pad (where the nozzle bounces around in X and Y)

[Leland]

Oh, I asked about the best solvent, then I saw you said alcohol (above).

(I'd seen that elsewhere, but thought it would be good to include here. )

[jazozaya]

Acetone also works, but I know most people won't have some readily available... With that said, it is actually the main component in nail polish remover.

[Leland]

Thank you, Juan! I actually do have acetone on hand because I'm an artist. That should simplify it for me.

And you're right. Oftentimes if you look with the nail polish removers you can find an "unscented" one that is pure acetone. (Not always, and not in all locations, IIRC.)