1 Topic by edbet869

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Topic: Printer sometimes stops during Print

I have a Solidoodle SD2, which I have been learning to print on for the past 2 months.  I noticed that after I print a couple of small prints, less than 3 minutes, and then go to a bigger print, more than 6 minutes, the printer will stop during the printing.  I then have to reset everything and start over.  If the first print is a big print, it will stop near the end of the first print.  I am printing with PLA with Bed Temp of 65 and Extruder temp of 165.  I am using the Solidoodle software with Slic3r as the slicing software but am tempted to try Matter Control or Octoprint.

Is there thermal protection on the unit that would cause it to stop after getting up to printing temps?  I use no fans on the hot end or the controller board and the only fan is the one it came with on the extruder stepper.  Do I need to put cooling fans on the controller and hot end?  I have already put on a new USB cable.

Thanks for any assistance.

2 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Printer sometimes stops during Print

Are you getting an error message of any sort?  Have you tried higher temps? What does the temperature graph look like?

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3 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: Printer sometimes stops during Print

Are you getting  any error messages?

Usually something like this is due to wire connections, a failing thermistor, or insufficient cooling on the motherboard. I have had all 3 produce the same problems you mention smile

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4 Reply by accusedmonk

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Re: Printer sometimes stops during Print

I've had mine do that from a USB that was too long.  I put a shorter cable in and the problem went away.

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5 Reply by edbet869

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Re: Printer sometimes stops during Print

Thanks for all the input.  I am still learning how to use the software and didn't look for error messages, but I wil next time.  I will try another USB cable, but shorter to see if that helps.  At least now I have have some ideas of where to start.

6 Reply by Quintox303

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Re: Printer sometimes stops during Print

I was also experiencing this a while ago. I suspected that it was from power surges after what I had read somewhere else. Anyway I put in a surge protector and haven't had the problem since. big_smile

7 Reply by TickTock (edited by TickTock 2014-12-19 03:55:12)

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Re: Printer sometimes stops during Print

Yup.  Sounds like the USB connection.  I was having similar issues until I replaced the USB cable with a shorter, high quality cable.  Also, oddly, if I put the printer on a different circuit than the computer, I can't even get the USB to connect at all - even with the new cable.  I have Edison circuits in my shop (top and bottom outlets are different phases - sharing ground) so the end result is I cannot plug the printer in the top outlet and the computer in the bottom.  I also ran into the same problem when I put them on an IP switch.  Since the IP switch had two separate, individually controllable outlets, I put the computer on one and the printer on the other (thought it might be nice to be able to power the computer without turning on the printer) but that didn't work either so I had to put both on the same.

Short of the long is the USB connection is very dodgy - focus on making that as good as possible.