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Solved Right Z-axis motor won't turn

Discussion in 'Troubleshooting' started by Just Kelly, Oct 16, 2017.

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  1. Just Kelly

    Just Kelly New Member

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    It seems every time I print something tall, I wind up with a z-axis issue. This time, the right-hand motor refuses to turn, so when I try to get it to come down, it just stays. The left-hand motor tries to go down, but of course can only go so far before the right-hand-side impedes its progress.

    I can hand-turn the threaded rod on the left to adjust it, but the one on the right will not budge. I have tried it powered on, powered off, before & after disabling steppers. z-stops are seated flat, reseated the connectors to the stop just to make sure. Not sure what to do next.
     
    #1 Just Kelly, Oct 16, 2017
  2. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Bad stepper driver
    Bad stepper motor
    worst case, bad RAMPS (less likely).

    First sanity check that the wires to the stepper motor from the RAMPS are well connected and not loose.
     
    #2 mark tomlinson, Oct 16, 2017
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  3. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Stepper drivers are quite inexpensive. I would test that by swapping the stepper motor to another one (maybe swap the left and right Z motors to each others stepper drivers) and see if the problem follows the motor or stays with the stepper driver.
     
    #3 mark tomlinson, Oct 16, 2017
  4. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    Just as an example, not an endorsement
    https://smile.amazon.com/Longruner-Stepstick-Stepper-Driver-Printer/dp/B0166QZ5HO/ref=sr_1_34?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1508169655&sr=8-34&keywords=stepper+drivers&refinements=p_85:2470955011

    It is actually a better deal to buy a whole kit that includes Arduino / RAMPS / Stepper Drivers / LCD, like this one
    https://smile.amazon.com/kuman-Printer-Controller-Arduino-Starter/dp/B016D6DSBW/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1508169774&sr=1-3&keywords=Arduino+RAmps&refinements=p_85:2470955011
     
    #4 WheresWaldo, Oct 16, 2017
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  5. Just Kelly

    Just Kelly New Member

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    OK, reseated all motor connections and such, and it's still misbehaving. I think it's probably easier to show than to describe, so here's a video:

     
    #5 Just Kelly, Oct 16, 2017
  6. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
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    Sounds like the stepper driver needs tuning or replacing for that Z motor.

    edit (I'm assuming you have a R1+, can you verify which machine you have please)
     
    #6 Geof, Oct 17, 2017
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  7. Just Kelly

    Just Kelly New Member

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    OK, so I swapped out the left & right z-motor connections on the main board to see if it made a difference. It didn't: left still fine, right still hosed. I take it that means faulty motor?

    (and yes, it is the R1+)
     
    #7 Just Kelly, Oct 17, 2017
  8. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Yup. That has to be the motor, only thing left unchanged :)
    Everything else was specific to that channel on the electronics so if the problem followed the motor -- there you go.

    The god news is that even out of warranty, steppers are cheap.
     
    #8 mark tomlinson, Oct 17, 2017
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  9. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
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    you will want to contact Robo if you want a direct drop in replacement as the R1+ has the integrated lead screws. Its also very easy to change both of them to use a coupler and threaded rod :D
     
    #9 Geof, Oct 18, 2017
  10. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    True, an R1 can just buy a motor, but the R1+ needs a leadscrew so you need to get that from Robo OR replace both of them (there is a thread on suitable replacements and the modifications needed).
     
    #10 mark tomlinson, Oct 18, 2017
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  11. Just Kelly

    Just Kelly New Member

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    I see. I don't suppose there's a nice video out there showing how to swap out the z-motors on the plus? Or even a nice doc with photos? Haven't done this before.

    (also, come to think of it, I should have some old steppers left over from an aborted RepRap. What should I check on them to see if any of them would be a good substitute?)
     
    #11 Just Kelly, Oct 18, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2017
  12. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    #12 mark tomlinson, Oct 18, 2017
  13. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Here is a labeled R1+ RAMPS board so the connections are clear. Robo3D R1 +Plus Ramps Board (labeled).jpg

    Note there are 2 Z motors (Z motor 1 and Z motor 2)
     
    #13 mark tomlinson, Oct 18, 2017
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  14. Just Kelly

    Just Kelly New Member

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    OK, took it to the local printer doc and we worked it out. The right lead screw was gummed up with somethingorother which was keeping things from turning freely. He thought it might be packing oil, as I hadn't printed anything tall until very recently. Either that or stray hairspray (though the left side was free of it, so go figure). Anyway, cleaned & lubed both lead screws & z rods real good, and it's printing like a champ again. Posting this for the next poor soul :). Thanks to everyone who offered advice!
     
    #14 Just Kelly, Oct 25, 2017
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  15. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    Glad you got this solved, I will close this thread to further comments.
     
    #15 WheresWaldo, Oct 25, 2017
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