1 Topic by TheHman

  • TheHman
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Topic: Help - I can't stop getting layer shifts :(

ADVICE PLEASE!

For those who have experienced layer shift issues (ESPECIALLY ongoing ones) with your DaVinci mini (or any model really) I need your troubleshooting experience, wisdom and help!

I can't figure out why I am still getting shifts in my longer prints.

For the most part, anything that takes less than 3 hours, prints out just fine - even on the best resolution and fastest print speed.

But more than 3h30min (regardless of resolution or speed) and it ALWAYS layer shifts in the home stretch.

- Belt seems fine.
- Desk the printer is on doesn't get knocked around.
- Slowest speed setting doesn't matter.
- Resolution setting doesn't matter (from 0.1 to 0.3, each level has shifted layers on me on long prints and just fine on short ones)

It's been suggested to check the voltage, but how do I do that with a mini? Does XYZWare even let you look at those settings? Where do I find them if so?

I've also been told to check the screws, but honestly I don't know which ones to check (I'm brand spanking new) and XYZ support videos don't really go into much detail about this issue.

Would really appreciate any and all tips, advice and ideas to help me solve this.

What worked for you?

Below are some pics of my failed layer shifting prints. Much sadness, especially on the large vat which was a 12h long print. sad

http://soliforum.com/i/?SqUSkS3.jpg
http://soliforum.com/i/?AdPyzW3.jpg
http://soliforum.com/i/?fjIhVib.jpg

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2 Reply by carl_m1968

  • carl_m1968
  • carl_m1968
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Re: Help - I can't stop getting layer shifts :(

This is usually caused by binding on the axis or the endstop is intermittent due to bad wires. If you are able to move all the axis freely by hand when the machine is off then it is a wiring issue.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

3 Reply by yizhou.he (edited by yizhou.he 2018-02-03 16:15:19)

  • yizhou.he
  • yizhou.he
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Re: Help - I can't stop getting layer shifts :(

I think more information is needed to make sure what the real issue is. Based on the limited information, it looks like y-axis motor overheat over long print time. Check the y-axis motor temperature when you get layer shift. Also you will expect more motor noise when print move along y-axis than move along x-axis. Wire harness issue is also possible if the layer shift is associate with print height but not print time.

I don't think it is easy to adjust motor current on mini. there are three solution if this is indeed the case. if diagnosed, pick one that you are confident to do.

1. RAMPS conversion, so that you can adjust the motor current. It is more expensive and technical challenge, but you get better print quality and no longer limited to xyz software system. I would not recommend it if you are not confident or motivated to do so.

2. Replace the y-axis motor with better step motor that can handle larger current,  make sure the new motor will fit into the space since better step motor usually taller than the stock motor. Also new motor wire may not be the same order as stock motor and may need switch the wire in JST housing. This option is less expensive and less technical challenge, you get more powerful step motor on y-axis.

3. Add cooling fan to Y-axis motor, it may or may not work depend on how bad the overheat is. if it take 3 hours print to get overheat, it is very likely will get the problem fixed. keep in mind mini is 24V system, you need to plan how you want to power the fan before buy new cooling fan. This option is least expensive and least technical challenge, you don't get any improvement except it take much much long for the motor to overheat.

(Da Vinci 1.0, Jr. 1.0 RAMPS, miniMaker) X4, (Creality CR-10S, CR-10 mini, Ender-3) X4, Anycubic MEGA X4, Anycubic Chrion X1, ADMILAB Gantry X2 (MonoPrice Maker Select V2, Plus, Ultimate)X4--Select mini X1, Anycubic photon X4, Wanhao duplicate D7 X1.
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