1 Topic by harris.wms

  • harris.wms
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Topic: Z Axis Problems - Newbie Help Required!

I'm really hoping this is a silly question, and a quick fix...

Solidoodle 4 (fresh out of the box)

When I run the standard gcode for starts, the print bed pushes up to the extractor and just keeps trying to push.  The motor strains for about 20 seconds, while I frantically push Emergency Stop.  I've tried setting the "home" digitally, and by turning the gear on the back of my printer.  Neither seems to fix the problem.  Every time I print, it just keeps pushing the bed up into the extruder, no matter how ridiculously low I "home" my Z to. 

Please tell me I'm doing something idiotic.  I can't find any posts about big Z calibration problems, only little ones measured in tenths of millimeters.

2 Reply by n2ri

  • n2ri
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Re: Z Axis Problems - Newbie Help Required!

sounds like the Z calibration screw is broken like mine was at 1st or maybe loose connection on switch

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

3 Reply by harris.wms

  • harris.wms
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Re: Z Axis Problems - Newbie Help Required!

Can you provide a picture or video that explains where those are, and/or how to fix it? Thanks so much for the response, and so quickly! I have some hope for a weekend of printing!

4 Reply by n2ri

  • n2ri
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Re: Z Axis Problems - Newbie Help Required!

on my SD2 its at the left side rear corner of build platform when in home position. mine had bad printed screw mount letting adjustment screw wobble causing level to change always. had to get replacement part from SD. the micro-switch is mounted on build platform and has 2 wires from it to board. not sure if SD4 is same. should be able to find how to adjust Z height on SD site for calibration.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

5 Reply by harris.wms

  • harris.wms
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Re: Z Axis Problems - Newbie Help Required!

Thanks, looking into it shortly. I'll post if I make any progress.

6 Reply by grob

  • grob
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Re: Z Axis Problems - Newbie Help Required!

+1 n2ri

Back left of the machine is a black thumbwheel on a screw which is used to adjust starting bed height.

Looking inside the back left of the machine, the bottom of the screw should hit a switch on the rear left of the moving bed just as the bed touches the nozzle.

You can rotate the thumbwheel to adjust the height up and down for fine adjustment, but if this is not aligned correctly with the switch on the bed, or something is broken, the printer may very well be doing as you describe! Watch what this does when you try to home z, and adjust accordingly. Post a pic if you're still not sure. smile

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi

7 Reply by harris.wms

  • harris.wms
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Re: Z Axis Problems - Newbie Help Required!

I wanted to thank you both again, although I have not fixed the problem, I have identified it, and I've been back and forth with Solidoodle (so far so good).  I hope they send me a replacement part quickly.

In the meantime, I've removed the code that "homes" the Z-Axis from my gCode, and I can actually print.  This means (painfully) manually setting up my Z each print, but it's better than nothing!

Thank you both, I'm very impressed by the community already!

8 Reply by grob

  • grob
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Re: Z Axis Problems - Newbie Help Required!

Glad you're on the road, welcome to the family! smile

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi