1 Topic by annalenhartmurray

  • annalenhartmurray
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  • Registered: 2014-10-12
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Topic: Replace Extruder Cable and now new problem

I received my replacement cable from solidoodle and replaced it on my printer. The problem I have now, is when it told to extrude  in RH, it retracts/and when told to retact it extrudes. Is this a cable problem? or can it be fixed with g-code? I checked my cable connection to the board, and it can connected one way.... Did I do something wrong?

Anna Lenhart Murray

2 Reply by grob (edited by grob 2015-08-24 03:56:59)

  • grob
  • grob
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  • Registered: 2014-01-02
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Re: Replace Extruder Cable and now new problem

Don't panic! All you need to do is flip the stepper motor cable (i.e. plug it in backwards at the controller board).

The extruder is usually reversed compared to the other axes on the solidoodles (and several other printers for that matter) so it's quite likely the cable is just the one they have for the other axes.

If the plug is a white plastic keyed type, and won't fit in the wrong way, you can remove the pins from the plastic connector and re-insert them in the reverse order - use a small screwdriver to push down on the metal tab for each pin, and gently pull the cable out the back of the connector. To insert, just orient the pin with the tab facing the correct way, and push it in until it clicks/engages.

There are also some other options to fix this, but I see them both as less preferable / more work:
* Cut the plastic tab off the connector on the board so the cable fits in backwards
* Reflash the firmware, and configure the extruder axis to be reversed

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi