Creality K1 Wiki - Chinstrap777/Chinstrap_3DP_Reference GitHub Wiki

This is a wiki for the Creality K1.

Introduction and Overview

Components

Electronics

Main Controller Board

Pinout

Technical notes

Leveling MCU

Toolhead MCU

Motion

Stepper Motors

Linear Rods

Linear Bearings

Linear Bushings

  • The linear bushings that come on the K1 are made of brass with graphite inserts throughout. There are 2 of them in the X Carriage. It is not recommended to lubricate them, even though Creality has. Fix this issue

Common issues

Extruder

Versions

  • v1
  • v2
  • v3
  • v4

Under-extrusion

No extrusion

Bed flatness

Filament Sensor

MCU

Graphite Bushings

  • PROBLEM: Creality lubricated the graphite bushings at the factory. It is not recommended to lubricate graphite bushings as the graphite serves as an adequate dry lubricant for linear motion along the X rods. Speed and acceleration limits are known to be degraded by the buildup of the sticky mixture of graphite and lubricant.

  • SOLUTION: Disassemble the X carriage and remove the bushings. Clean the bushings using 90-100% IPA and then thoroughly dry them out prior to installation. While you're at it, consider [removal of the bushing tension springs](insert link here) and adding the [bent washer mod](insert link here).

bushing tension springs

  • The X-carriage was designed to allow the top graphite bushing to follow the profile of the linear rod. Two springs are installed to provide tension against the bushing. The loosely secured springs and bushing degrade input shaping calibration by adding resonance noises. Removal of the two springs or replacing them has dramatically improved input shaper graphs and recommended acceleration results.
  1. Remove the two screws that secure the toolhead cover.
  2. Remove the toolhead cover and unplug the part cooling fan.
  3. Remove the glue on the RS232 and Lidar connectors at the top of the toolboard.
  4. Unplug the RS232 and Lidar connectors.
  5. Unscrew the two strain relief plate screws.
  6. Remove or replace the two springs behind the strain relief plate.
  7. Plug the connectors back in.
  8. Re-install the strain relief plate with the two screws.
  9. Plug the part cooling fan back in.
  10. Re-install the toolhead cover with the two M3 screws.

Stepper VFAs

  • PROBLEM: The stock stepper motors on the K1 series are underpowered and have resonances at the typical printing frequencies used. Also the 36T idlers keep the motors at these frequencies.

  • SOLUTION: Replace the stock steppers with recommended ones like LDO 42STH48-2504 AC, LDO 42STH48-2504MAC, or Stepper Online 17HS19-2004. Also replace the stock idlers with 20T or 16T. Recommended microsteps at 16-32 for 0.9 deg steppers and 32-64 for 1.8 deg steppers.

Troubleshooting

Maintenance

Mods

Helpful links