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Unresolved Communication breakdown

Discussion in 'Troubleshooting' started by Jaeson Cardiff, Dec 6, 2014.

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  1. Jaeson Cardiff

    Jaeson Cardiff Active Member

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    Hey gang,

    Hope everyone's been doing well. I've run into a bit of a snag.

    I was having too many troubles with MC after the software update so I purchased Solidify3D and for a short time my troubles disappeared. Amazing software by the way.

    Since last week however, I've been having a variety of issues that seem to point to a communication issue between the computer (2012 Win 7) I'm running and the printer. Sometimes it will print if the model is small enough, but if the model is too big it either locks up, starts to print a few layers and then stops or (as of today) the print continues but the extruder stops (I suspect its locking out after the extruders drops below 175).

    I'm thinking I should try the Smart Controller and eliminate the computer as the source of the problem.

    It's a beta PLA model with my own heated bed (non OEM).

    Any thoughts?

    TIA.

    CleanO2 Carbon Capture Tech
     
    #1 Jaeson Cardiff, Dec 6, 2014
  2. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Have you tried printing from the SD card rather than via USB?

    I have a similar issue that I am working with Simplify support where a recent Windows update has made the USB comms a bit less reliable.
    Small models are fine, but larger ones will likely hang up. It is really not their issue, but (obviously) from my perspective it impacts their product. It may be Windows 7 specific. I might just have to upgrade to 8.1 and get over it.

    Printing via the SD card always works. It is just an annoyance.

    In your case the SmartController will likely also work fine.
     
    #2 mark tomlinson, Dec 7, 2014
  3. Jaeson Cardiff

    Jaeson Cardiff Active Member

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    Hey Mark,

    Well Im glad Im not alone. It may seem like a silly question, but how do you print from the SD card? Do you use the the Arduino GUI?

    Cheers buddy.

    CleanO2 Carbon Capture Tech
     
    #3 Jaeson Cardiff, Dec 7, 2014
  4. Galaxius

    Galaxius Well-Known Member

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    #4 Galaxius, Dec 7, 2014
    2 people like this.
  5. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    See attached shot.
    First export toolpaths to disk (save as a .GCode file) then select UPLOAD TO SD card (or manually copy it to the card) then once the gcode is on the card and the card is back in the printer select PRINT FROM SD CARD and you get the pop-up screen to choose from.
    SD.png
     
    #5 mark tomlinson, Dec 7, 2014
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  6. Jaeson Cardiff

    Jaeson Cardiff Active Member

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    Cool. I tried your work around with success so far. I saved the gcode in a desktop folder, clicked on printer controls and clicked print. I then selected the file I just saved and viola.

    Thanks Mark.

    I'm still going to buy the XXL Smart screen this week.

    I appreciate the help

    CleanO2 Carbon Capture Tech
     
    #6 Jaeson Cardiff, Dec 7, 2014
  7. Jaeson Cardiff

    Jaeson Cardiff Active Member

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    Scratch that. It's still having a brain fart.

    Note to self: Avoid alcohol when reading instructions.

    I'll wait for the Smart controller.

    CleanO2 Carbon Capture Tech
     
    #7 Jaeson Cardiff, Dec 8, 2014
  8. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Eh, probably easiest way to do SD card printing (the LCD controller).
    I find using the SD card reader that came with the bed upgrade and doing it (as I described above) that way a bit clunky. I mean it works, but it is a lot of extra 'hand waving'...
     
    #8 mark tomlinson, Dec 8, 2014
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  9. Jaeson Cardiff

    Jaeson Cardiff Active Member

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    Cheers buddy.

    CleanO2 Carbon Capture Tech
     
    #9 Jaeson Cardiff, Dec 8, 2014
  10. Jaeson Cardiff

    Jaeson Cardiff Active Member

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    Quick update. Found the problem. Traced it back to a faulty thermistor. Its now running like a champ.

    Thanks to Mark, Galaxius and Joey at Simplify3D.

    CleanO2 Carbon Capture Tech
     
    #10 Jaeson Cardiff, Dec 9, 2014
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