1 Topic by joshhunsaker (edited by joshhunsaker 2013-04-15 16:07:38)

  • joshhunsaker
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Topic: Solidoodle losing connection mid-print

Hi everyone,

New solidoodle 3rd generation user here.  My company purchased one at my request so we could start doing our own housing prototyping for our products to get an on-the-spot idea of what it will physically look like instead of having to wait for the T1 shots from our contract manufacturer.  I've got the unit setup and "printing" so to speak.  I realize I probably need to do the glass bed tweak and get to understand a lot of the feedrate/flow/calibration stuff but I'm noticing just in the attempt to get the device to print "anything" at all it seems to just "stop" and the computer it's attached to gives the sound like I've just disconnected/connected a USB device.  I then have to "disconnect" and then "reconnect" the printer via Repetier and wait for everything to reset in order to get it going again.  I literally can't get more than a single layer going without it doing this which is really frustrating.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here.  I realize there could be a multitude of issues but I'm just looking for an idea why the thing would just stop and lose connection.  The nozzle is definitely not running into the print bed and my temperature settings appear to report fine if just slightly lower than what they should be.

2 Reply by ronsii

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Re: Solidoodle losing connection mid-print

Sounds like a computer or software issue??? can you give us some details on the hardware and software you are using...

3 Reply by adrian (edited by adrian 2013-04-15 16:32:51)

  • adrian
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Re: Solidoodle losing connection mid-print

How long is your USB cable that you are using? Test it using a short one first, as USB has a max distance (according to spec, not to say you can't run many devices with longer) of 5m's or 15feet. And you also need to have a good shielded heavy gauge one to work reliably at that distance as otherwise the voltage can drop quite dramatically over that distance on narrow gauge wire (as much as 1+ volts, which will throw out the controller anyway).

So I personally would try a short USB cable , and if it's already a short one, swap it for another one ! smile

4 Reply by joshhunsaker (edited by joshhunsaker 2013-04-15 16:45:47)

  • joshhunsaker
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Re: Solidoodle losing connection mid-print

haha, that's funny.  Actually - I just checked with our assistant IT guy and he mentioned it could very well be a problem with the USB cable (I was just using the basic one that came with the Solidoodle which I believe is a 6ft).  I've got a much nicer uber-shielded usb cable with RF chokes so I'll swap that one in and see what happens (is a little shorter as well).

Here's the current system I'm running for this.

Hardware: i7-3770 based computer (self-build), DQ77MK Intel mobo, AMD FirePro V4900 graphics card, 16gb RAM, x64 Windows 7

Software: Repetier-Host Solidoodle V0.82b, Slic3r V0.9.7

I'm impressed by the quick responses.  Extremely helpful.

5 Reply by accusedmonk

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Re: Solidoodle losing connection mid-print

Resurrecting this thread a bit, but i was experiencing this exact thing.  It doesn't do it but every once in awhile.  Has anyone else had a similar issue using the stock USB cable?

If it keeps happening I'll get a different cable and try it.  I was worried it was a software problem.

Hoping to hear from OP if this fixed the issue or not!

Bowden SD3, Rumba, E3D hotend, Mk5 with RtRyder changes, Direct drive Y axis and bearings, GT2 pulleys and braided fishing line, Lawsy linear bearing conversion, M3 Z screw.

6 Reply by Kevin Gossett

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Re: Solidoodle losing connection mid-print

I had a similar issue happening when I would walk away from my computer.  I realized I had "energy saving" settings enabled, and after 15 minutes of inactivity the computer was sleeping, which caused the USB to disconnect.  I changed those settings and haven't had any issues since.  Not sure if it makes any difference, but I'm using a Mac.

7 Reply by accusedmonk

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Re: Solidoodle losing connection mid-print

I did have that happen to me as well, the last time I had a disconnect.  I forgot about the computer going to sleep after awhile.  I was printing my own version of a dial indicator mount, was about 2 1/2 hrs.  Went to the store for a bit, came back and it was stopped mid print in a glob of melted plastic.

Bowden SD3, Rumba, E3D hotend, Mk5 with RtRyder changes, Direct drive Y axis and bearings, GT2 pulleys and braided fishing line, Lawsy linear bearing conversion, M3 Z screw.