1 Topic by Briggs

  • Briggs
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2013-03-20
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Topic: Y-axis shift for newbies

I can't stress enough the importance of using a fan to cool your electronics. My machine is really dialed in nicely at the moment, and my prints are almost perfect in terms of dimensional accuracy. So how do I explain the shifts in the photo? Simple, I forgot to turn on my 40mm fans for my controller and x axis stepper. (I also upgraded my fan on the extruder stepper to a higher flow fan). The results are not pretty. I killed the job in Repetier Host (RH), scraped off my glass bed, turned on my fans, and started the job again. Was up and running in two minutes. Printed a three hour job right after with no skips.

The key for us newbies is dialing in the y axis. Please follow the soliwiki calibration steps, get some fans, and grease your rods. There is more you can find here. Good luck soliusers.

Oh, that's my new "nut hugger" anti backlash cap in the photo.  I will post a photo of it installed soon.

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2 Reply by Lurkios

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Re: Y-axis shift for newbies

Briggs, can you post a bit of info about your environment. Mainly interested in ambient temperature, direct sunlight on the printer - things that might be causing issues with overheating.

(I'd also be very interested to see how you have your fans, where they're wired, etc. etc. if you wouldn't mind posting pictures. I want to add a few myself.)

3 Reply by Briggs

  • Briggs
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Re: Y-axis shift for newbies

The only thing you need to know about Minnesota is that it's almost always cool and rainy on Mother's Day and Memorial Day. And by the time you get back to work on Tuesday it will be sunny and hot.

It's cool and overcast. I am literally huddled over my printer for warmth.

Yep, these little guys need some cooling Lurkios.

Use 40mm fans. Mine came from qu-bd. helicopters are more quiet. But the. Again these little fans might actually move more air. Seriously, there are quieter fans that will work. Strap a Lasko to the rear of your printer if you have to!

These should be hard wired to power supply to come on automatically. If they were you would not be reading this post.

Some folks have zero issues with heat. Obviously my controller and/or driver is a bit "sensitive" shall we say.

Good luck!

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4 Reply by Briggs

  • Briggs
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Re: Y-axis shift for newbies

The x-axis fan housing is by nlancaster, nice design, just hugs the motor. The other one is mine, but ANY controller fan housing will work. Mine was more an exercise in lofting an ancient Mayan ruin than actually creating a fan housing.

Go to thingiverse.com and search for solidoodle. You will find all sorts of great things to make your printer work a ton better.

5 Reply by nlancaster

  • nlancaster
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Re: Y-axis shift for newbies

Yes these printers should ship with cooling systems.  And I can not recommend more cooling your electronics.  If I don't turn my electronics fan on my prints will start to expand in both x and y during the print.  But otherwise print perfectly fine,  very strange.

6 Reply by Briggs

  • Briggs
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Re: Y-axis shift for newbies

I completely agree. If an item is 2 bucks, or less, and it's essential, it really should be included with the printer. Mine skipped on the very first print out of the box. It's not really an option at this point, is it?