1 Topic by d_lairson (edited by d_lairson 2019-06-19 14:23:34)

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Topic: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

I’m banging my head against the wall at this point. I bought a used Da Vinci 1.0a that is running Repetier and I’m having an issue where it prints objects that are supposed to be as ovals. I’ve checked the belts, I have the Y carriage lined up ( both sides touch the rollers in the front at the same time, as best I can tell .) I’ve tweaked the slicer settings.
I’m at the point that no matter what I do I’m getting no improvements. Is there anything else I should check, or re-check?

http://soliforum.com/i/?pxoFJ3T.jpg

Ignore the bed lines, the ring is oriented about how it would print based on the X axis

My thought is that since the curve starts to far on the left side, on the attached photo, the left side of the carriage is slightly behind the right. The problem is no matter how far forward I move the left side, even obviously ahead of the right side, it literally makes no difference in the print. I’m I thinking about this wrong? Will the print look exactly the same unless both sides are perfectly lined up? I’m just at a loss right now ..,

2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

Check the bearing housings at the top of the machine where each roller rod mounts. Those housing crack and will cause your issue.

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.

3 Reply by d_lairson

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Re: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

I replaced the ones on the front, the ones that tighten the belts. I printed new ones because the screws were striped and would not tighten. I thought that the loose housing might cause the problem. Would the ones in the back cause the same problem?

4 Reply by carl_m1968 (edited by carl_m1968 2019-06-19 19:05:33)

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Re: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

d_lairson wrote:

I replaced the ones on the front, the ones that tighten the belts. I printed new ones because the screws were striped and would not tighten. I thought that the loose housing might cause the problem. Would the ones in the back cause the same problem?

Yes they can..

Also I think you covered it but make sure when you pull the gantry full forward that both ends meet the pulley bar at the same time with even force. You need to make sure the gantry is square to the horizontal rods. If a belt slips a notch it can offset one side and cause this as well.

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.

5 Reply by d_lairson

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Re: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

I'm still struggling with this issue. I've replaced all the bearing mounts, made sure the gantry is square, made sure the belts are tight. I've shimmed all but one of the white gears. I've calibrated it so squares are coming out square and the correct size. no matter what I do the circles are still coming out oval. The stupid thing is, I've tried to make the problem worse, just to see if I can (to make sure I'm going in the right direction) and no matter what I do, circles come out exactly the same. I truly mean exactly the same. I've made dozens and dozens of circles, with dozens of adjustments and from the first to last one, they are exactly the same. Is there something I'm missing? Another hardware issue? A software issue? I feel like I'm just banging my head into the wall...

6 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

I would start by looking at which axis the long side of the circle is on and limit my troubleshooting to that axis only. Try printing a cube with a horizontal hole going through in both axis as well and see what those turn out like.

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.

7 Reply by d_lairson

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Re: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

I finally, finally found the solution. I actually feel a bit stupid about it... I was stareing at the printer, as it printed another test circle when I noticed the little belt in the back right, the one that controls the gantry. I looked and saw that it could be tightened, so I did, and the circles are close to perfect. The size is a bit off but I can work with that.

So, the secret is - When you check to make sure all the belts are tightened, make sure you check all the belts...

8 Reply by trendicoff

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Re: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

Any chance you could upload a picture of which one you tightened?  I'm having the same issue and am completely stumped.

9 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Da Vinci 1.0a printing ovals

trendicoff wrote:

Any chance you could upload a picture of which one you tightened?  I'm having the same issue and am completely stumped.

It the little small one in the back right corner that connect to the motor to crossbar pulley. It's about three inches long.

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.