1 Topic by henrykins111

  • henrykins111
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-02-11
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Model starts printing but then prints a few layers .5cm off-center

I am a High School student working with our art class on this Solidoodle 2 we obtained a while ago. We initially got it and it printed okay for a little bit before the power supply died. It has now been sitting about a year and I was assigned to get it running again. I have never used this or any 3d printer before, so it was a bit of an undertaking. I replaced the power supply with an xbox 360 power supply, did some z axis calibration, and now it is printing again. I have been able to print a 2cm cube with a cyllindrical hole through it with no problems. We are now trying more complex models. One here, an alien, seems to have issues. we printed a small version with relatively few problems aside from the print resolution. Of course this is a rough cut, we have not removed all of the support yet. However, I have this odd problem with the larger version. As shown in the photos, the printhead shifts about half an inch to the left when printing a few of the layers, completely messing up the final print. I have shown it with it cancelled and the final job. I am wondering if anybody knows this as a solvable problem that they have experienced. Everyone is excited and I want to get this printing without error. I am thinking it could probably be a gcode error/slic3r error even though it doesn't show in the sliced model.

PS We made the model in maya and are using Slic3r within Repetier-host to slice.  Thanks so much in advance.

Post's attachments

DSC00161.JPG
DSC00161.JPG 3.38 mb, file has never been downloaded. 

DSC00209.JPG
DSC00209.JPG 3.13 mb, file has never been downloaded. 

You don't have the permssions to download the attachments of this post.

2 Reply by ronsii

  • ronsii
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: PNW
  • Registered: 2012-10-28
  • Posts: 1,723

Re: Model starts printing but then prints a few layers .5cm off-center

Whenever you see a print shifted like that the problem will almost guaranteed to be the steppers missing steps, first thing to do is (with the print off) make sure the print head moves evenly on it's x and y axis(by hand just slide them back and forth and side to side) it may need to be lubed or the belts may need to be adjusted. Another cause of missing steps is when the print nozzle drags on the print creating too much drag for the stepper motors to overcome this can be caused by the print lifting or too much extrusion(overextrusion) if you haven't calibrated the extrusion rates and flow rates now would be a good time to do this smile

http://wiki.solidoodle.com/solidoodle-1  <---- Calibration links

3 Reply by jawhn

  • jawhn
  • jawhn
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-03-12
  • Posts: 77

Re: Model starts printing but then prints a few layers .5cm off-center

Mine did that until I put a fan onto the PCB that controls the steppers. (I used a PC 80mm 12v fan, but any fan you have will help)

Try cooling that PCB somehow, I bet that fixes the problem. If nothing else, it can't hurt, right?

I had SOOOOOOOO many problems *vanish* once I got that PCB cooled down!

Two SD3s - One with Sang, One with Printrboard, Fans on control boards!!! Do this!!!, Dual Glass Beds, Blacklight "EZ Bake Oven" - Improves Ambient Temp, Sketchup, Repetier, Slic3r. Graphic Designer & Makeshift Engineer. Drinks Lots and Lots and Lots of Rum.