1 Topic by afiedler (edited by afiedler 2015-03-23 20:50:25)

  • afiedler
  • afiedler
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  • From: SoCal
  • Registered: 2015-03-23
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Topic: abs curling around extruder

hello! this is my first 3d printer, and its giving me quite a headache
i havent been able to get past the z-offset calibration step
it worked the first time i tried it, but then soliprint crashed and wouldnt allow me to apply my desired settings without rerunning calibration
now everytime i run it the abs just curls up around the extruder and drags a swirly ball of plastic across the bed
also soliprint still crashes everytime at the end of attempted calibration
on windows 8.1
i have removed and cleaned the glass, then coated it with a gluestick
increased bed temp to 105 and extruder temp to 240
i am also leaving the lid open and resting on the printer door

a quick side note, ive read many people had issues with their wires getting pinched and in the way, but mine shipped with a spring that holds it back and keeps it from falling
and i havent noticed any loose screws
so maybe they cleaned up their act before sending out later shipments
mine was in the 31000 order number group

any help is greatly appreciated

2 Reply by trayracing

  • trayracing
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Re: abs curling around extruder

Hmm. Last I saw it curl like that, the z offset was too high, making the filament squirt out to the side. The squirting prevented it from sticking to the bed. Try manually checking your z offset and correcting if needed.

3 Reply by afiedler

  • afiedler
  • afiedler
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Re: abs curling around extruder

trayracing wrote:

Hmm. Last I saw it curl like that, the z offset was too high, making the filament squirt out to the side. The squirting prevented it from sticking to the bed. Try manually checking your z offset and correcting if needed.

thank you for your reply
i am a total and complete noob, do you have a link for how to do that? ive read other people mention doing it manually, but i cant seem to find anything on how

4 Reply by trayracing

  • trayracing
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Re: abs curling around extruder

Easy enough. Ypur goal is for the nozzle to be where the printer thinks it is.
A z offset of zero means the nozzle is the same height as the probe.
Your nozzle is higher, so your offset is > 0.

So:

  • Home X, Y & Z.

  • Move nozzle to center  (G0 X100, Y100)

  • Take something flat & use a micrometer to measure its thickness, in mm.

  • Move the nozzle to that height. (G0 Znnn), where "nnn" is the thickness. Yes, use decimal points.

  • See if your object just fits under the nozzle.

  • If not, see what height is required so your object just fits. Play with G0 commands until you find it.

  • The difference between the thickenss and the height is your error.

  • If bed is too high, lower the z offset by your error. Else increase.

Notes:

  • For best results, you'd do this hot, without burning yourself. Cold is pretty close.

  • I use an old box cutter blade as my test object. Flat and heatproof, but on the downside, sharp.

  • If your current zoffset is wild, change the height in small steps so you don't crash the nozzle into the bed.

  • The printer won't move to a negative Z. If you'd need to, adjust the z offest closer and start over.

  • G code commands get entered on the tools->printerConfig dialog.