26

Re: PLA troubles - strange

Wardjr.  I've got a fan on the motor and does not get hot to touch.  That stringing must not look wrong..huh?

I'm perplexed

SD3 added E3DV6 and the Titan
still a rookie newbie, but learning.
Dreaming on building a large format from scratch

27

Re: PLA troubles - strange

Where is the VREF.  is that in the board programming?

SD3 added E3DV6 and the Titan
still a rookie newbie, but learning.
Dreaming on building a large format from scratch

28

Re: PLA troubles - strange

VREF (reference voltage) is adjusted for each motor on the drivers located on the board.  Each has a small POT that can be adjusted.  If your motor isn't getting hot (it shouldn't) but is stalling, then it's possible the VREF needs to be turned up (CW) just a tiny bit.  Or it could be that the temp is simply too cold for that particular filament.  When you installed the V6 did you set the thermistor type to 5 in the firmware flash?

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

29

Re: PLA troubles - strange

The stinging could just be that the temp was too cool as you pulled the filament out.  It's not uncommon to see that.  Every filament is different.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

30

Re: PLA troubles - strange

Yes, I updated the firmware.  correctly I believe

I see the pot ( I think)

1/4 turn, 1/8 turn?
http://soliforum.com/i/?ZpodQ3a.jpg

SD3 added E3DV6 and the Titan
still a rookie newbie, but learning.
Dreaming on building a large format from scratch

31

Re: PLA troubles - strange

1/16th to start with

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

32

Re: PLA troubles - strange

Use a non conductive screw driver.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

33

Re: PLA troubles - strange

I increased the retract from 2 to 3 and upped the Vref.  Can you explain what is changing with Vref?


PLA seems to be doing better

SD3 added E3DV6 and the Titan
still a rookie newbie, but learning.
Dreaming on building a large format from scratch

34

Re: PLA troubles - strange

Vref sets the current limit that drives the motor.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

35

Re: PLA troubles - strange

Thanks for all the tips.  I've got more information that I think is part of my problem.

I've had several successful runs, but they are always hollow parts which means to me that I might be having a problem with retraction.  The hollow parts have minimal to almost no retraction events.

what sort of number in slic3r should I be using?

SD3 added E3DV6 and the Titan
still a rookie newbie, but learning.
Dreaming on building a large format from scratch

36

Re: PLA troubles - strange

Retraction is kind of dependent on the setup you have (hotend & extruder type) and the material being used.

A direct drive system shouldn't really need all that much, but a bowden can require a fair bit more.

For most materials my direct drive E3Ds use less than 1mm - some materials do require a little bit more (nylon), but not by very much.
One the other hand, the kossel with a bowden system and an E3D is more like 4-5mm.

different hot ends will have different settings.

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

37

Re: PLA troubles - strange

Heartless, WardJr, and Carl.  you were a big help.

I've reduced retraction to 1mm and that has solved my problems.

my new questions.
#1.  how long should I expect to run a nozzle before a cleaning on PLA?

I've been cleaning with two drill bits and a torch.  running the bits in by hand to draw out the plastic.
#2   What is your preferred method.

New problem.  I'm running the crap out of my machine
Last night the Y-axis started jumping teeth.   I lubed it well with light oil.  But it still seem stiff.  I took the y axis apart and all parts seem to slide smooth independently.  but when I reassembled...it seems a bit stiff as an assembly.  I futzed with the tension and now I wonder if the belts are too tight
#3  how do you gauge belt tension
#4  any ideas of how to loosen up the y-axis
( I know that #4 could be a hundred different answers...give me a couple of top choices please)
#5  is light oil (like 3 in 1) the right choice?

SD3 added E3DV6 and the Titan
still a rookie newbie, but learning.
Dreaming on building a large format from scratch

38 (edited by wardjr 2016-07-05 18:23:30)

Re: PLA troubles - strange

I don't ever clean my nozzles but rarely use PLA.
3 in 1 oil is fine.
If the Y axis binds as an assembly then you'll have to futz with alignment of the two y belts until you find the sweet spot.  You may also find that one of the rods has a slight bend to it, try rotating them 1/4 turn and see if anything changes.
As for belt tension the important thing is that they are equal.  I do that by plucking them with the gantry near center and adjust to the same frequency.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

39

Re: PLA troubles - strange

I've reduced retraction to 1mm and that has solved my problems.

my new questions.
#1.  how long should I expect to run a nozzle before a cleaning on PLA?

I've been cleaning with two drill bits and a torch.  running the bits in by hand to draw out the plastic.
#2   What is your preferred method.

As wardjr said - I don't clean my nozzles either, unless i get a clog on a rare occasion. You really shouldnt need to "clean" the inside unless you are clearing a clog.

New problem.  I'm running the crap out of my machine
Last night the Y-axis started jumping teeth.   I lubed it well with light oil.  But it still seem stiff.  I took the y axis apart and all parts seem to slide smooth independently.  but when I reassembled...it seems a bit stiff as an assembly.  I futzed with the tension and now I wonder if the belts are too tight
#3  how do you gauge belt tension

I run mine tight enough that they can just be pinched together in the middle with the carriage parked at one end...

#4  any ideas of how to loosen up the y-axis
( I know that #4 could be a hundred different answers...give me a couple of top choices please)

is everything squared up? if one side is slightly ahead/behind the other side it will cause it to bind up...
Loosen the set screw in the right rear pulley, and work the carriages back and forth a little, stopping with things in a neutral position and tighten the set screw again.

#5  is light oil (like 3 in 1) the right choice?

I use 3-in-1 oil all the time on the smooth rods. If you dont think that is enough, you can try a very thin coating of white lithium grease (available at most auto parts stores)

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1