1 Topic by pastprimitive

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Topic: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

My SD3 keeps losing itself on the y axis.  It will be printing, then suddenly without warning it will shift a cm or two in the plus or minus Y direction and continue printing.  Never x.  I've tried different, prints, print files that I have on hand that have printed with perfection in the past.  Doesn't do it on the same layer, every time, that is the random part.  I have retensioned my belts to perfection, cleaned and regreased my y bearing rods.  Checked to make sure my filament wasn't getting hung up numerous times.  Powered the printer off for a long period of time with the power unplugged.  No love.  I've checked my stepper motor voltages in the past, and adjusted them to perfection per Solidoodle's calibration page. 

Anyhow, anybody have some ideas?  I'm out of them.

2 Reply by Briggs

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

Many issues and responses to this problem in the forum. Do you have a fan on your controller? That's where I'd begin.

3 Reply by IanJohnson

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

I've gotten rid of intermittent skipping by goosing the voltage on the driver just a tiny bit to give a bit more strength.  Probably not a good idea in the long run.  It's possible the chip is overheating, also consider loosening the Y stepper belt a very tiny amount. Also check that the set screws in the pulleys are tight enough and they aren't slipping.

4 Reply by Gomisan

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

Mine started out skipping, i had to do the Y-Axis calibrations a couple of times before that cleared up. I also bought some specialty grease to lube the rails.

It really does sound like it's binding, so follow the videos again and just make sure it's all moving easily.

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5 Reply by pastprimitive

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

No fan, and have been searching through the forums simultaneously. Just weird since I've run the printers for 8-12 hours at a time non stop without this issue.  But maybe it's extra hot today inside. And I just checked our room temp. 80 F... yeah I think that may be the issue. We live in a basement apartment, shared AC, landlord out of town.... no AC love today:(

Anyhow I opened the doors, put a fan on it, and we're looking good.

Thanks:)

6 Reply by mohamd

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

I think I have the same problem.

The printer will start printing correctly, then suddenly it will change position and mess the print.
I tried different files from thingiuniverse  like some alphabet characters (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:15198) with the same problem.
When trying very small things like a ring it will complete the job.

So, should I first re-check the belt alignment? or what to do?

7 Reply by Gomisan

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

Do ALL the calibration stuff liek teh Y-Axis calibrations... lots of posts about this on teh forums. Look for 'binding'

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8 Reply by TheBaron

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

I had a problem like this with a print, but it turned out the filament got caught in the spool so it was actually holding the print head from moving forward in Y.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

9 Reply by pastprimitive

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

In my case it turned out to be inadequate cooling for my sanguino board.  Our landlord was out of town, we're in a shared house, and the AC control is on their side.  So no AC on a 90 F day. Room temp was 80 F... normally 70 F.  Last time it happened to me it was when we were visiting my parents and showing the printer off.  They are just cheap with AC and it was equally roasty toasty.  They live in a dessert.  Anyhow... I meticulously align my belts, grease my bearing rods, etc.... on a regular basis. I'm a bit of a calibration fiend because of my machining experience.  Metal is less forgiving;) anyhow when night came I opened all the windows, fans at the door of my office which happens to lead to the outside, and cooled everything down.  Printed flawlessly the first time after that:)

But this may not be your problem. belt tension, poor alignment, filament hangups, etc... etc... can all cause similair problems.   

I just chalk it up as a solidoodle "date night" where I get to know my Solidoodle on that much more of an "intimate" level.... not fun sometimes, but I come out a better maker in the end... well after my frustration subsides;)

best of luck!

10 Reply by Gomisan

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Re: Printer Skipping in y Axis movement

I forgot the old tangled filament problem... I've had mine get in an awful mess, and sometimes I can tell it's starting to go if I hear the extruder chugging as it cant feed as fast as it wants to.

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