Solved Dragging in/through previous layers

Hello,

Current Setup is in signature with these details: Nozzle is .4 ( really want to get to use my 8mm though). Using MatterControl, totally reset new install. Settings are all default with a 1.5 Z offset.
(Cura out of the box dragged on the glass so I stepped back to MC)

Issue: I can usually get the first layer down solid however each layer after, the hotend tip drags through the layers. Picture a layer of icing and just running your finger in it back and forth etc. Over time this will usually break the print loose. Looking at the visual troubleshooting guides I couldnt identify the fix.

Recent changes to printer:
New RAMPs, E3d v6 install (no firm wear change as I have the hex end thermistor)

When manually leveling the bed, the copy paper clears with 1 mm all across at middle and rear of the bed. The front requires 2mm all across (i.e. the bed is tilting back causing the 1mm difference)

What I tried: Adjustments in different numbers in MC hence the total reset. I had gotten so far out of whack I couldnt back track.

Best guess - Issues is in software settings? as bed is kinda level?

Thanks for any info and direction

 

Thank hou Mark! The machine is pretty much stock except for the e3d. Ill get into the firmware and chck that out. Ill double check the fan as well and report back.

Btw happy thanksgiving to you

 

Mark (or others) I am looking at the firmware and potential need to update or refresh it but TBH I am not a 100% sure what model I have and cannot find a resource to help ID it. Do you know of one?

 

Yes x axis limit switch, chromed rods, No aluminum plate,and no sticker


Oh - if you can tell me what each one of those items would indicate (my printer or not) you would be making this a great thread for future searchers

 

Measuring the thread pitch is the best way to determine what kind of printer you have

 

Ok tried old firmware and the new v3 checked the steps in Arduino and they are correct for my printer type. Printing in Cura or MC yields the same results. Fan in the bottom is running as is the 40mm cooling fan

Reference image on my flicr acct:
https://flic.kr/p/B6RY5N

Prints first layer then wipes through starting on the second or third layer eventually busting the print off the bad and Im forced to cancel.

I dont suspect the ramps as I recently had a very successful print with the leaking stock head. The issue only showed up after the E3D v6 w stud thermistor install. Seems like the new head is just say 1 mm longer and as a result doesnt come up high enough when moving to and starting the next layer?

Currently Cura has the stock GCode, I found a suggested "copy& paste" gcode sometime ago here in the forums but cant seem to locate it. Ill keep searching. If you know what code I am referring to please link. As it stands here is what is stock in Cura 15.04.3 starting GCode

M140 S{print_bed_temperature}
M104 S{print_temperature}
M107; FANS OFF
G28; HOME ALL AXIS
M84; KILL MOTORS
M109 S{print_temperature}
G1 Z2; RAISE Z-AXIS TO 2MM
G1 F10000; SET FEEDRATE FAST
G1 X5 Y5; MOVE CLOSE TO HOME
M565 Z-0.9; Z-AXIS OFFSET
G28; HOME ALL AXIS
G29; PROBE BED
G1 F10000; SET FEEDRATE FAST
G1 Z15; RAISE Z-AXIS TO 2MM
G92 E0; ZERO EXTRUDER
M190 S{print_bed_temperature}
M25; WAIT FOR USER
G1 X20 Y20; MOVE CLOSE TO HOME
G1 Z.5; LOWER Z-AXIS TO .3MM
G1 F1500; SET FEEDRATE SLOW
G1 X200 E25; CLEAR FILLAMENT
G92 E0; ZERO EXTRUDER
G1 F{travel_speed}; START


As always thanks for the great assistance.

 

Ah gotcha should have realized that.

So i will look at the Z steps in the firmware again to make sure they match. After that i will look up the tuning the z axis and give it a shot although that doesnt sound like the same process as mentioned in the stickies. But i will give it a shot. Just have to be patient and keep working on it. This may be my best weekend to do it.

 

Thanks Mark I will take a look, after I try one thing. It finally dawned on me to not only confirm the Z Steps in the firmware but increase slightly to see if that resolves the issue.

If this works is it a good option to resolving or should I leave the Z Steps alone and perform the tuning?

 

Awesome I returned it to stock. With a few of novice experts changes to speed up the leveling/probing etc but Z steps are again all stock.

Thanks for the links I will get into the Z Axis tuning now and report back after a test.

 

As for measuring the volts being pushed to the stepper motor would I be correct in checking across the 2 points 2B and 1A right next to that stepper? I am assuming this as my colors for wires go Black 2B, Green 2A, Red 1A, Blue 1B

 

Doing it the ol analog way I end up to high to low and whats seems now to be right. This however has not fixed the problem

So the volt meter is prob my next step the thing is which one is the middle pin on a 4 Pin setup 2a or 1a According ot the forum I should run the meter connection in series on a single wire. That I think I can handle.


There is an error in the console please see below, but no error log is generated.

< Bed x: 15.00 y: 20.00 z: 0.26
< Bed x: 107.00 y: 20.00 z: 0.27
< Bed x: 199.00 y: 20.00 z: -0.28
< Bed x: 200.00 y: 130.00 z: -0.56
< Bed x: 108.00 y: 130.00 z: 0.05
< Bed x: 16.00 y: 130.00 z: 0.02
< Bed x: 15.00 y: 240.00 z: 0.17
< Bed x: 107.00 y: 240.00 z: 0.15
< Bed x: 199.00 y: 240.00 z: -0.29
< Eqn coefficients: a: -0.00 b: -0.00 d: 0.33
< planeNormal x: 0.00 y: 0.00 z: 1.00
< echo:endstops hit: Z:-0.29
< Error:No Line Number with checksum, Last Line: 31

I hate to do the "throw money at it approach" but that may be next replace all boards and steppers?