Stepper motors are noisy. The step frequency is normally right across the audible range.
Having said that if you feel your printer is too noisy you can try these things:
Put some squares of carpet or foam between your printer and the table it's sitting on. It's amazing how effective this can be. The table top can act like a speaker, amplifying the vibrations from the printer.
Reduce the stepper drive current. Ideally you want the stepper drive current just high enough to prevent the motors from slipping. Higher step currents than this only make more noise and more heat in the stepper motors.
I don't think you want a higher current or bigger motors.
Plug the ends of the stainless tubes. Maybe with some dense foam. anything that can make a reasonably air tight seal. I haven't tried this myself yet but it is possible that the walls of the tube are transmitting the vibrations.
Cheers,
MikeP
Having said that if you feel your printer is too noisy you can try these things:
Put some squares of carpet or foam between your printer and the table it's sitting on. It's amazing how effective this can be. The table top can act like a speaker, amplifying the vibrations from the printer.
Reduce the stepper drive current. Ideally you want the stepper drive current just high enough to prevent the motors from slipping. Higher step currents than this only make more noise and more heat in the stepper motors.
I don't think you want a higher current or bigger motors.
Plug the ends of the stainless tubes. Maybe with some dense foam. anything that can make a reasonably air tight seal. I haven't tried this myself yet but it is possible that the walls of the tube are transmitting the vibrations.
Cheers,
MikeP