SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — best way to adjust trimpots?

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (wardjr) — Sat, 10 May 2014 02:52:02 +0000

The gaps could be many things flow being one of them. As far as 1/32 steps go that is definitely a whole other topic but if you have a search you'll see what's involved.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (KD) — Sat, 10 May 2014 01:51:20 +0000

Thanks.

Will try it again with your method.

I don't get skipped steps. Just the gaps between the layers relative to the moire effect as shown in the previous posted pic. Could the gaps be a flow issue?

How to change to 1/32, or is that for another thread?

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (wardjr) — Fri, 09 May 2014 23:40:05 +0000

KD wrote:

Tried to do this by ear. Not sure what I am listening for exactly . Can get pulsing to stop but so does the motor and the opposite I begin to hear a clicking , presumably to high. I go approximately mid between the two and can hear a consistant pulsing sound. Adjust toward the low side and the pulsing sound is higher pitched. The only way to get the pulsing to stop pulsing is right before the motor stops moving.
Tried different positions and still get the gaps and moire pattern shown in your example pic.
Can't seem to get rid of it.
Tried different extrusion multipliers and filament settings, no difference.
The layers measure .3 thick per slicer setting.
X, Y, and Z seem to be right on since the part measures to model size.

With 1/16 micro steps you will never completely eliminate pulsing or moire. For that you'll need to go to 1/32. Try it at twice the speed. As for skipped steps I have never had that problem.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (ohbaby714) — Fri, 09 May 2014 23:38:56 +0000

This is what i did and it apply to all motors.

There are 2 end (i'm not sure clock wise or counter clock wise), but all the way to one side the motor will click loudly, the other end it will totally stop moving.
Like the advise, for extruder, i set it to extrude around 35 mm
Set the speed to 10 mm/min, turn the pot on end till it stop and back up about quarter of a turn. It will extrude smooth silky line. Repeat with all other motor. Just move the x, y, z while turn each pot.
Again, one side will make a lond clicking noise, the other will turn the motor off. I find that spot (off) and go the opposite way quarter of a turn.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (KD) — Fri, 09 May 2014 23:18:11 +0000

Tried to do this by ear. Not sure what I am listening for exactly . Can get pulsing to stop but so does the motor and the opposite I begin to hear a clicking , presumably to high. I go approximately mid between the two and can hear a consistant pulsing sound. Adjust toward the low side and the pulsing sound is higher pitched. The only way to get the pulsing to stop pulsing is right before the motor stops moving.

Tried different positions and still get the gaps and moire pattern shown in your example pic.
Can't seem to get rid of it.

Tried different extrusion multipliers and filament settings, no difference.

The layers measure .3 thick per slicer setting.

X, Y, and Z seem to be right on since the part measures to model size.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (Tomek) — Fri, 09 May 2014 22:25:47 +0000

Nice! I like seeing how adjusting by ear seems to work well.

My big concern with adjusting my ear is skipped steps because the ideal microstepping current limit might not have enough current.

Do you folks have any problems with that?

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (wardjr) — Thu, 08 May 2014 22:34:53 +0000

Not proving any one wrong we are all here to help and I am just happy it's working out for you.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (ohbaby714) — Thu, 08 May 2014 22:09:51 +0000

I'm not posting this to prove anyone wrong but just want to share my results as it may help other.
FYI, I use this voltage for the Vref below (Rev E.)
Extruder: 0.770V
X-Axis: 0.443V
Y-Axis: 0.520V
Z-Axis: 0.500V

Voltage adj is on top, by sound is on the bottom.
So for my case, by sound definitely the way to go.
Anyway, thank bro.

Everything sound quieter too.
Awesome tips.

Happy printing thank to you,

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (wardjr) — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:46:57 +0000

Don't get me wrong Tomek is right and has described a great way to avoid shorting something out on your board. The correct way is with a good meter setting them to the correct voltages. That being said theoretical voltages don't account for variations in resistance from one component to another. This has led me to fine tune by ear or even visual results on many occasion. It is just that adjusting by ear is so quick and easy with little to no risk of damaging anything. It becomes an easy way for someone with limited electronics background to make a notable difference in the quality of their prints.
Please don't forget what I said in the previous post. "This is only one of many calibrations needed to attain high quality results." I repeat it because if your prints are as you said. "I did the voltage adjustment and my print still look like crap."
Then I believe you have other issues because adjusting the VREF's that way should have yielded fair results.
Take your time and have fun with it and as always
Happy Printing

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (ohbaby714) — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:58:46 +0000

I'll try both ways and compare the print

Thank again for the helps.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (Tomek) — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:41:48 +0000

I disagree adjusting by ear.

If you do with a voltmeter though do this:

Don't bother with finding the tiny via that they tell you to check the voltage at. The metal pot is the same voltage.

So clip or otherwise attach ground of the voltmeter to gnd of the driver board. Then take a screwdriver and put it into the potentiometer. Apply your red prob of the voltmeter onto the screw, which connects to the potentiometer and shows you ref voltage. Little to no risk of slipping things this way.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (wardjr) — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:38:04 +0000

I hope it works out for you. Just remember this is only one of many calibrations needed to attain high quality results.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (ohbaby714) — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:35:29 +0000

Awesome, i'll try this tonight.
I did the voltage adjustment and my print still look like crap.

Thank you for an easy way to fine tune it.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (wardjr) — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:24:14 +0000

It will work for all axis.
Set them to travel slowly for E: and for a good distance to allow enough time to adjust it. For X- and Y-axis I like to remove the belt and tell it to home with out it against the end stop switch (although it isn't necessary). All your listening for is nice smooth operation with no or minimal pulsing (voltage to low) or heavy groaning and noise (voltage to high). It is fairly easy to tell when you have them at the optimal setting. Very small adjustments go a long way.

Re: best way to adjust trimpots?

null@example.com (ohbaby714) — Wed, 07 May 2014 17:05:02 +0000

Will that work with all motor?
X, Y, and Z also?

If so how?