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Topic: Printer won't print?

I just got my Solidoodle 2. Replaced the filament with ABS that shipped with it. I can extrude the plastic and it comes out normally, but when I print (using Pronterface) the nozzle moves around in the shape of the print but won't extrude anything. The bed always moves to the bottom when I print, and sometimes the nozzle will get stuck and keeps trying to move to the frame. I have no idea what's going on!

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Re: Printer won't print?

PLEASE HELP!

3 (edited by ronsii 2013-05-08 02:36:26)

Re: Printer won't print?

How close is the bed with respect to the nozzle when it is trying to print? you should have about a sheet-of-paper thickness between the two.... if you do not have this amount of space you need to correct it by adjusting the z axis screw on the back inside of the printer.

http://wiki.solidoodle.com/first-layers … e-z-offset

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Re: Printer won't print?

ronsii wrote:

How close is the bed with respect to the nozzle when it is trying to print? you should have about a sheet-of-paper thickness between the two.... if you do not have this amount of space you need to correct it by adjusting the z axis screw on the back inside of the printer.

Thanks! I will work on that tomorrow. Will that fix the nozzle problem? (Nothing comes out)

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Re: Printer won't print?

scriptingsoul wrote:
ronsii wrote:

How close is the bed with respect to the nozzle when it is trying to print? you should have about a sheet-of-paper thickness between the two.... if you do not have this amount of space you need to correct it by adjusting the z axis screw on the back inside of the printer.

Thanks! I will work on that tomorrow. Will that fix the nozzle problem? (Nothing comes out)

Yes, nothing can come out if the nozzle is being jammed into the bed.

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Re: Printer won't print?

ronsii wrote:

Yes, nothing can come out if the nozzle is being jammed into the bed.

But the nozzle isn't stuck to the bed. The bed moves to the bottom of the frame while the nozzle stays up.

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Re: Printer won't print?

It sounds like your start G-Code is not configured properly or your software is not configured correctly. Your Start G-Code should look something like:

G21; set mm units
G28 ;home all axis
G90; set absolute coordinates
G92 E0; reset extruder distance
M140 S95 ; Set bed temperature
M104 S195; set extruder temp and start heating
G1 Z5 F300 ;move platform down 5mm
G1 X145 Y145 F3000 ; move to back right corner
M109 S195; wait for extruder temp to be reached
G1 Z[first_layer_height] F200 ;move platform close to nozzle
G1 E7; extruder anchor
G92 E0; reset extrusion distance
G1 F3000; Set feed rate for first move.

SD2
E3D V6
MK5 V6

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Re: Printer won't print?

Thanks for all the help! The forum won't let me post a youtube video. Anyway I can get it across? If you need to find it, it is called "Solidoodle Printing Problem" by "bunnyhops6".

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Re: Printer won't print?

Is the drive wheel that the filament goes through 'grinding' or chewing into the filament? if not the shaft may be slipping from the extruder stepper motor.
http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1626/ext … -slipping/

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Re: Printer won't print?

ronsii wrote:

Is the drive wheel that the filament goes through 'grinding' or chewing into the filament? if not the shaft may be slipping from the extruder stepper motor.

Sorry, but I don't think that is the problem. Did you see the video?

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Re: Printer won't print?

From what I could see in the video:

1. the print bed is not homed before you start printing. Normally, in hte start G-Code, you should have a command to home the print head to the right rear (facing) of the printer. The head will hit both end stops. Then the bed will home up to the top of the Z-Axis triggering the end stop for the bed. Then the print head will be close to the printer bed to start printing. Do you have Solidoodle's INI files loaded in to Skeinforge? Did you set the proper start G-Code and End G-Code in Skeinforge? It looks like a configuration problem to me.

SD2
E3D V6
MK5 V6

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Re: Printer won't print?

What happens if you hit the Z home button?  Did you read the link Ronsii posted about First Layers?  It looks like the bed is homing way below the nozzle, which would be adjusted by the screw on the back of the case left of the Z rods.

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Re: Printer won't print?

HELP! I got it to work with Ian's method, but I tripped on the printer and TORE THE USB PORT OFF OF THE BOARD! I am freaking out right now! Is there any way to fix it?! I attached a picture.

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Re: Printer won't print?

scriptingsoul wrote:

HELP! I got it to work with Ian's method, but I tripped on the printer and TORE THE USB PORT OFF OF THE BOARD! I am freaking out right now! Is there any way to fix it?! I attached a picture.

You didn't attach a picture, and the fix is either resoldering the connector or buying a new Sanguinilolu v1.3 from eBay and swapping your stepper drivers over.

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Re: Printer won't print?

You aren't the first to do this.  Search for something like broken USB.   The cable sticks out a little when it is plugged in, and one or two other users have snagged it.

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Re: Printer won't print?

Thanks for all the help! I have somebody who will help solder the USB port back on the mobo. smile