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Auto-Level installation kit instructions?

Discussion in 'Mods and Upgrades' started by G-Suave, Jun 18, 2014.

  1. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    So I received the auto-level kit from Robo today and for some inexplicable reason, it doesn't come with instructions! Are they available online? Thanks in advance.
     
  2. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    I think Mike has some, the bed upgrade kit had none as well, but there was a decent write up with pictures online.
     
  3. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    Thanks, Mark!
     
  4. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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  5. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    Thank you, Mike. I got the new hardware installed and used the firmware you provided, but changed that Z_MIN_ENDSTOP_INVERTING back to true since I left the wiring as it came from Robo. Is that correct or should I have left it false? Anyway... when I run a job, it goes through the process of dropping the hotend down to the bed in all the spots it's supposed to, but occasionally instead of lowering to the bed it raises, only to lower at the next test point. Not sure if that's normal, but it doesn't seem like it.

    Ultimately what's happening is one of two things: the print starts extremely tight on the bed so that the line it puts down is about 2mm wide and when it goes to do the infill it just turns to mush, or it tries to start printing about a quarter inch above the bed. I tried tweaking the Z offset in the starting gcode in .1mm increments in either direction, but the same thing keeps happening.

    This is so incredibly frustrating. I've spent a couple hundred dollars on top of the cost of the printer and countless hours trying to make this thing work and only occasionally gotten any usable prints. I just ordered the linear bed upgrade kit to see if that makes a difference since the bed that came with the printer is warped and doesn't sit level. It's also cracked from one of the mounting screws being over-tightened when it was assembled. I wish I'd waited to order a printer until they got the first-batch kinks worked out.
     
  6. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    You're correct on the firmware. This is the latest version for parallel auto level switches, aka R1 firmware: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hd6djpsdaaqiumw/Auto_Level_6_10.zip

    If it doesn't lower to a test point it isn't seated correctly. Or it comes unseated too early triggering a home. Try adjusting your switch positions again to keep it connected until the nozzle is on the bed.

    G-suave let's approach this more methodically. Let's get you printing to start with and then work out the kinks.

    You can hold down your x carriage with slight pressure to prevent the switch from activating early. I think it's a good idea to do this until you can get the first layer figured out. Once you're printing we can determine how to prevent this.

    Then I want you to verify the response codes from G29. Show terminal by, advanced controls > Configuration > Show terminal

    Tell it to filter output to not show the temperature requests. Then start a print holding down your carriage during G29. Once the print starts (or fails) take a screenshot of the terminal window to show the G29 response codes. They should look fairly consistent.

    Now with the correct G29 responses I think your printer should be able to do the first layer. If it's too high pause the print and lower it. Opposite if it's too low. Start it up again to make sure it sticks. Note the new value and adjust you Z-offset accordingly.

    Lemme know if this works.
     
    2 people like this.
  7. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
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    This is going up on my wall of quotes. I don't suppose you're looking for a job?
     
  8. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    I may not get a chance to mess with the printer again until tomorrow night, but I'll get back to you as soon as I do. Thank you so much for all of your help!
     
  9. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    Not looking per say, but not NOT looking.
     
  10. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    Mike,

    I adjusted the switches upwards a bit and reloaded the firmware with the files you provided above. After installing the kit yesterday, I used your "home all, then raise the extruder in .1mm increments" trick to determine my Z offset should be .5mm, so that's what I started with tonight. Eventually, I re-measured since I had moved the switches and came up with a Z offset of .8mm.

    Moving those switches definitely helped because now the hotend is being lowered to the bed in all of the test positions, but the result of every calibration is the same: when the print starts, it's placing the hotend too low and it digs into the blue tape I have on the bed. Here are the log results from the calibrations of all of the prints I attempted tonight, varying the Z offset each time. All but the last two were done while applying slight pressure to the carriage. I left the last couple alone to see if it made a difference.

    Z offset: 0.5
    22:52:11.498 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.39
    22:52:14.998 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.39
    22:52:18.448 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.09
    22:52:22.148 : Bed x: 200.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.37
    22:52:25.708 : Bed x: 108.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.60
    22:52:29.218 : Bed x: 16.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.64
    22:52:32.788 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.26
    22:52:36.339 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.48
    22:52:39.799 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.26
    22:52:39.809 : Eqn coefficients: a: 0.00 b: -0.00 d: -0.47
    22:52:39.809 : planeNormal x: -0.00 y: 0.00 z: 1.00
    22:52:39.809 : ok
    22:52:39.809 : echo:endstops hit: Z:-0.26

    Z offset: 0.6
    23:12:34.725 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.65
    23:12:38.215 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.62
    23:12:41.666 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.32
    23:12:45.346 : Bed x: 200.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.54
    23:12:48.906 : Bed x: 108.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.81
    23:12:52.426 : Bed x: 16.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.89
    23:12:55.996 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.55
    23:12:59.506 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.63
    23:13:02.997 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.52
    23:13:03.007 : Eqn coefficients: a: 0.00 b: -0.00 d: -0.73
    23:13:03.007 : planeNormal x: -0.00 y: 0.00 z: 1.00
    23:13:03.007 : ok
    23:13:03.007 : echo:endstops hit: Z:-0.52

    Z offset: 0.7
    23:17:44.851 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.66
    23:17:48.342 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.60
    23:17:51.372 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 20.00 z: 0.76
    23:17:55.252 : Bed x: 200.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.45
    23:17:58.413 : Bed x: 108.00 y: 130.00 z: 0.21
    23:18:02.153 : Bed x: 16.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.84
    23:18:05.723 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.53
    23:18:09.234 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.58
    23:18:12.714 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.42
    23:18:12.724 : Eqn coefficients: a: 0.00 b: -0.00 d: -0.52
    23:18:12.724 : planeNormal x: -0.00 y: 0.00 z: 1.00
    23:18:12.734 : ok
    23:18:12.734 : echo:endstops hit: Z:-0.42

    Z offset: 0.9
    23:25:20.112 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.82
    23:25:23.662 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.95
    23:25:27.072 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.45
    23:25:30.743 : Bed x: 200.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.67
    23:25:33.953 : Bed x: 108.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.05
    23:25:37.653 : Bed x: 16.00 y: 130.00 z: -1.03
    23:25:41.234 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.73
    23:25:44.754 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.85
    23:25:48.224 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.62
    23:25:48.234 : Eqn coefficients: a: 0.00 b: 0.00 d: -0.85
    23:25:48.234 : planeNormal x: -0.00 y: -0.00 z: 1.00
    23:25:48.234 : ok
    23:25:48.234 : echo:endstops hit: Z:-0.62

    Z offset: 0.8
    00:02:50.536 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 20.00 z: -1.25
    00:02:53.956 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.78
    00:02:57.356 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.27
    00:03:01.047 : Bed x: 200.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.47
    00:03:04.637 : Bed x: 108.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.88
    00:03:08.267 : Bed x: 16.00 y: 130.00 z: -1.43
    00:03:11.858 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 240.00 z: -1.21
    00:03:15.268 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.72
    00:03:18.728 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.45
    00:03:18.738 : Eqn coefficients: a: 0.00 b: -0.00 d: -1.34
    00:03:18.738 : planeNormal x: -0.00 y: 0.00 z: 1.00
    00:03:18.738 : ok
    00:03:18.738 : echo:endstops hit: Z:-0.45

    Z offset 1.0
    00:19:31.295 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 20.00 z: -1.42
    00:19:34.725 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 20.00 z: -1.03
    00:19:38.096 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.36
    00:19:41.796 : Bed x: 200.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.61
    00:19:45.416 : Bed x: 108.00 y: 130.00 z: -1.14
    00:19:49.046 : Bed x: 16.00 y: 130.00 z: -1.72
    00:19:52.617 : Bed x: 15.00 y: 240.00 z: -1.34
    00:19:56.037 : Bed x: 107.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.97
    00:19:59.467 : Bed x: 199.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.55
    00:19:59.477 : Eqn coefficients: a: 0.01 b: -0.00 d: -1.58
    00:19:59.487 : planeNormal x: -0.01 y: 0.00 z: 1.00
    00:19:59.487 : ok
    00:19:59.487 : echo:endstops hit: Z:-0.55

    Hopefully this sheds some light on the situation.

    Thanks again for all your help,
    Jason
     
  11. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    If like 1.5 still makes the nozzle dive into the bed, maybe try using a negative value like -0.5

    I don't fully understand how slicer implements the z offset so that's why I do it in G-code because the logic makes sense to me:

    G1 Z0.5 ;Raise the nozzle 0.5mm
    G92 Z0 ;Force define the z position as new home



    This way I KNOW the offset is 0.5 above where the nozzle actually activates the switches. Works well imo
     
  12. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    I have those lines added to the starting gcode right after the G28 instruction, but I'll give the higher (or negative) value a try over the weekend.

    This is my start procedure code:
    G28 ; home all axes
    G1 Z0.5 ; Adjust Z offset
    G92 Z0 ; Define new Z home
    G29 ; Autocalibrate bed
    G1 Z5 F5000 ; lift nozzle

    Thanks!
     
  13. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    Don't forget to remove the Z offset value if you use this method. Benefit is you can use any slicer engine and not just slic3r
     
  14. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    Mike,
    Looks like negative numbers will do the trick. Finally got the hotend off the bed at -.9mm. Thanks for the suggestion!
    Could you perhaps shed some light on why the problem shown here is occurring? After it finishes the perimeter and does the infill on the right, the hotend lifts up and then when it comes down to do the infill on the left, it drops too far and eats into the tape. I was having this issue before installing the auto-leveling kit and was hoping installing that might have solved it, but apparently not.
    Thanks,
    Jason
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    Hmm looks like you're still a little too low. Also be sure your threaded rods are greased up (anything but WD-40)
     
  16. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    I can't seem to get any kind of consistent results with this. After greasing the threaded rods, and also the smooth ones for good measure, I re-ran the same g-code that gave me the results in my last post and this time it was back to digging into the tape at the start of the skirt. So I tried a couple of different negative z offsets with the same results before switching back to a high positive number, which placed the hotend off the bed. So then I remeasured using the ".1mm thinner than a piece of paper" trick and came up with a value of .4mm and that print started out great, nice layer thickness, not too flat like in the above post, but then as soon as the hotend raised and lowered, it did the exact same thing where it dug back into the tape on the left infill. I tried another print (same g-code) and got the same results and then a third where it dug into the tape as soon as it started the skirt. During all of these attempts, I'm applying slight pressure to the carriage. I also checked all the set screws on the flexible couplings for the threaded rods just in case and they're all tight. Is there something else mechanical that could be causing this?
     
  17. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    I think I figured it out. This bed is really uneven in the middle, but I was printing there in order to try to help solve a y-axis shifting issue that was occurring when I'd try to print. Moving to the front of the bed where it's more level instantly cleared everything up and I've gotten a couple of really fantastic prints. Already have a new linear bed on order from Robo and when it arrives, hopefully I'll be able to finally take advantage of the full build area of the printer. Thanks for all your help.
     
  18. muldal

    muldal New Member

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    I also got this problem. The nozzle are too close to the bed, i have tried adding many different Z values, both + and - values, but it dont seem to make a difference. What did you do to solve your problem G-suave ?
     
  19. G-Suave

    G-Suave New Member

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    I have a warped print bed, with a replacement on order, so I'm going to wait until that arrives to resume attempts at getting auto-leveling to work. However, I did see some encouraging results by applying slight pressure to the X carriage during the auto-leveling process, as suggested by Mike above. This prevented the switches from disengaging early and yielding funky results. Have you tried that already?
     
  20. tonycstech

    tonycstech Active Member

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    I have a warped bed too, i expect no replacement :(
    Support wont even reply anymore.
    Its been days.

    I even recorded a video for them proving it but they never watched it, no watch count.

    Where do you go to order parts, have they finally put up page for it ?
     

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