1 Topic by devook (edited by devook 2014-05-20 04:05:36)

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Topic: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

Hi guys.  This is my first foray into the 3d printing world and I am having some issues with my brand new SD4.  I followed the setups steps on the website (although somewhat haphazardly since they seem to have been made with an older version of the SD) and I've messed with some of the settings in Repetier to know avail.

On my test prints, the printer is making some kind of clicking/dragging noise and the y-axis is drifting significantly between layers.  I spent several hours leveling and re-leveling the print bed and adjusting the z-axis limit but I couldn't get it to stop doing this.  I took a video of the problem that you can see here:

[video]

In the video the SD4 is attempting to print the companion cube from the getting started section on thingiverse.  You can clearly see that each layer is VERY far off from the previous.  There is also an issue with the print not sticking but I think I can probably fix that on my own once I've solved the problem with the y-axis.

Edit: I'm not sure why youtube embedding isn't working and the forum will not allow me to post links but the video of my issue can be seen on youtube.com/watch?v=JmD5FPtvQP8

2 Reply by ronsii

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

You need to have the filament a little more squished into the bed... raise the bed a bit and it will stick better.

Which calibrations have you done?

3 Reply by devook

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

ronsii wrote:

Which calibrations have you done?

I leveled the bed using the three screws and adjusted the z axis height.  I'm hesitant to bother with doing any further calibration since I doubt minor tweaks are going to fix the major issue of the y-axis motor jerking up every layer.

4 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

devook wrote:
ronsii wrote:

Which calibrations have you done?

I leveled the bed using the three screws and adjusted the z axis height.  I'm hesitant to bother with doing any further calibration since I doubt minor tweaks are going to fix the major issue of the y-axis motor jerking up every layer.

If your over extruding then that calibration needs to be done or it will keep skipping.  I know that because you just spent good money on a printer that should "print right out of the box" you feel you shouldn't have to.  Unfortunately you need to go through the calibration processes listed in the WIKI.  It may seem daunting at first but once you've done it you'll be happy you did.  There is nothing minor about calibration.

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5 Reply by hy-bye

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

It sounds like your X-Axis isn't rectangular to your Y-Axis.
You have to adjust your belts till it isn't blocking anymore.

6 Reply by mgraham23x

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

TLDR; try printing with your side panels off/check them for rub marks/bow them back out.

I've had my SD4 for all of two days and had to work through the same issue.  Leveled the bed, worked on the Z-axis.  Googled more and more, re-tensioned all my belts.

Since I had the sides and door already off I ran the next test print after the belt tensioning before I put them back on.  Successful print, hooray!  No clunking, no alignment issues.

Put the machine completely back together and run another print.  *CLUNK CLUNK* fail.

Pull the sides back off, fiddle with the belts more, run off part of a print with no issues.  Put the sides back on and *CLUNK CLUNK* fail.

Then I look over and wonder, what's with all these rub marks on the inside of my side panel?  The X carriage with the stepper motor mounted on it has been rubbing on the side panel, leaving drag marks and binding everything.  I give both side panels a firm shove out with the palm of my hand, run a print with no issues.

So that's one problem solved. smile

7 Reply by devook (edited by devook 2014-05-23 20:12:42)

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

mgraham23x wrote:

TLDR; try printing with your side panels off/check them for rub marks/bow them back out.

Thanks!  This sounds way more plausible than an extruder miscalibration.  I will give that a shot and report back.

8 Reply by devook (edited by devook 2014-05-29 04:45:56)

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

So I finally got around to testing this fix out after having to get a new screwdriver (the screws on the side panels were so tightly fastened that the head of the first screwdriver I used shattered).  Took side panels off - printed with no issues for a good 20 minutes and then CLUNK next layer is off by about a cm along the y axis CLUNK CLUNK next layer is even further off CLUNK and so on...  This is definitely not an issue with basic calibration there is something fundamentally wrong with the y-axis stepper, the carriage, the belts... something is broken in here and needs to be fixed.  What other things could likely be the culprit?  I could try increasing the tension on the belts or printing a new carriage from my university's 3d print shop?  At some though I feel like Solidoodle should be responsible for distributing something that is obviously defective out of the box...

9 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

Is one of the Y-axis belts skipping?  I have seen this happen when the two belts are not aligned properly.  It's easy to fix loosen the y-drive pulley in the back right corner from the y-drive rod by loosening the set screw.  Then slide the carriage for and aft a few times coming to rest in the middle.  You'll want to use both hands one on each side as you move it.  The goal is to stop with it in a nice neutral position.  You can feel if it is binding if you try to push or pull too much on the right side.  Once you find that nice happy neutral position tighten the set screw.  A stepper that skips doesn't go "Clunk, clunk".

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
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Thanks to all for your contributions

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10 Reply by ysb

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Re: Clicking noise + Y-axis drift on brand new SD4

if it's like mine, yes .. the belt tension of the Y axe is not good (remove right panel, and tighten the two screws that control the belt tension)... also check the screw on the pulley on y stepper motor axe, mine was not enough tighten , and that make the Y drift...

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