1 Topic by CrazyBear (edited by CrazyBear 2014-06-08 15:38:43)

  • CrazyBear
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  • From: Orange County, CA
  • Registered: 2013-02-18
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Topic: Issues after multiple upgrades

I have been having random issues with my printer after I made multiple upgrades simultaneously (probably it was better doing one by one, but since I had to disassemble the printer for some, I took my chances). These are the upgrades:

•    New X-Y carriages with new 8mm chromed rods (Lawsy)
•    Front Y-Axis Brackets (OzAd1an)
•    Pillow Block for Y-Shaft Drive (Smitty505000/Adrian)
•    Replaced self-aligning bushes for Y-Shaft Drive with Flanged Ball Bearings
•    PID auto calibration

Now the issues:

After belt tensioning the “4 sections”, the X belt and performing PID auto calibration at 206C. I checked the extruder calibration and it was fine and then I printed a calibration cube with extrusion multiplier of 1. I got a different reading for each wall: 0.51, 0.54, 0.50 and 0.52. Is it normal to have multiple readings? All the walls are very smooth.

I set the extrusion multiplier to 0.82, printed another cube (0.42, 0.43, 0.44 and 0.48 wall thickness) and I printed a calibration object I designed and it printed ok. After performing the PID auto calibration and changed the values I printed another calibration object and the quality it was not as good as before.

Then I printed a cylinder 20x40 mm and it seems really nice, but when I wanted to print another calibration object but now using the 0.1 profile the Y-Axes shifted. I don’t understand why. Any ideas?

I tried printing a 5cm(x 1cm)  diameter circle (not shown) and it shifted on the Y-Axis, but the small cylinder printed just fine.

Am I missing any other calibration?

Thank you in advance CB

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2 Reply by CrazyBear

  • CrazyBear
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Re: Issues after multiple upgrades

Now the Y axis is shifting without any changes since I printed the above objects sad

Any ideas?

3 Reply by ronsii

  • ronsii
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Re: Issues after multiple upgrades

The axes have to be able to be moved with minimal effort on the steppers part..... so make sure there is no binding, friction, out of square, lube, interference issues... otherwise the stepper motors do not have the power to overcome any of these issues let alone multiple things.

4 Reply by CrazyBear (edited by CrazyBear 2014-06-08 15:40:27)

  • CrazyBear
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Re: Issues after multiple upgrades

Thank you all for your inputs.

Things that I learned…

•    Use Loctite in all the setscrews. The setscrew of the Y-Motor got loose and that was causing the shifting.
•    I replaced the OEM power supply for a 12V@30Amps and the bed heats up faster now. Before the new PS, it was taking up to 30 minutes to reach 100 degrees, now it takes 20 minutes (Still I wish it could take less time). Also the LEDs do not flick anymore.
•    Adjust the Step Drivers Voltages when switching PC, tablet, etc.
•    Use a fan to keep the step drivers from overheating
•    Execute the PID auto tune after pre heating the head and run it for at least 5 cycles. You get a better result this way: M303 S<TargetTemp> C5
•    Set the layer height to 0.2963 if you have the 5/16”-18 leadscrew. It gives you better layer adhesion and part finish in general.

I still have an issue with one of the small holes (as shown in the picture) but I cannot figure out why just that one.


CB

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