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Topic: Z stepper motor spat the dummy!

OK. This is strange. I'm using Repetier host to control my (ramps with marlin) printer which I'm busy setting up. Today, whilst trying to set the z offset, my Z stepper started acting weird. It was OK before today.  Using Repetier, I was jogging the Z axis. The options are 10, 1 and 0.1 mm increments. For no reason, it started making a loud whining noise when I tried moving it 10 mm. The motor is showing tiny shuddering motion back and forth but that's it. The 1mm and 0.1mm work fine. Its just the 10mm increment that's doing this. Loud whining noise and motor shuddering but gantry not moving. I've tried swapping the driver over but it does the same thing. What gives? Is it likely that my stepper motor just needs replacing??

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Re: Z stepper motor spat the dummy!

gravy wrote:

OK. This is strange. I'm using Repetier host to control my (ramps with marlin) printer which I'm busy setting up. Today, whilst trying to set the z offset, my Z stepper started acting weird. It was OK before today.  Using Repetier, I was jogging the Z axis. The options are 10, 1 and 0.1 mm increments. For no reason, it started making a loud whining noise when I tried moving it 10 mm. The motor is showing tiny shuddering motion back and forth but that's it. The 1mm and 0.1mm work fine. Its just the 10mm increment that's doing this. Loud whining noise and motor shuddering but gantry not moving. I've tried swapping the driver over but it does the same thing. What gives? Is it likely that my stepper motor just needs replacing??

Maybe your steps per mm for none print movement is set too high in your firmware.

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.

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Re: Z stepper motor spat the dummy!

Nope, I'm sure its not that. I'm using Anthems settings from here, http://www.soliforum.com/topic/15273/ho … -ramps-14/. Up until today those settings worked fine and I've already checked them and they haven't changed.

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Re: Z stepper motor spat the dummy!

So, my best noobish guess is that the Ramps is damaged. There is defo no question that my problem lies with the pins on the board for the Z axis. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have a clue how to test these connections for bad soldering etc. with a Multi Meter. Visually, under magnifyer the solder joints seem OK but, of course this doesn't really mean anything unless I tested them. Thankfully I didn't pay too much for the board so its back to Amazon I go.

5 (edited by Tin Falcon 2016-11-03 23:27:02)

Re: Z stepper motor spat the dummy!

Try switching the Z and x or y motors and try to jog.
Look for the simple stuff first.  Could be a cable issue
Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

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Re: Z stepper motor spat the dummy!

@Tin Falcon. Thanks but I've already done that. I've tried 3 known working drivers in the Z. With each driver I plugged in X then Y. I also tried the Z motor in X and Young etc. Having done this ive concluded that the problem is not the Z motor, nor the wiring. It's not the drivers. There is no question that the problem must lie with the Z pins on the board. Or, that specific area of the board. I may be wrong. I'm certainly no expert but I simply cannot think of what else it might be.

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Re: Z stepper motor spat the dummy!

If you haves swapped drivers and swapped cables motors and the problems has stayed put then could be a board.
It can be frustrating. Damaged an arduino board when setting mine up fortunately had a spare on hand.
Good luck man press on .

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura