1. Got a question or need help troubleshooting? Post to the troubleshooting forum or Search the forums!

Partially Solved Now I can't print at all - Time to throw in the towel.

Discussion in 'Troubleshooting' started by hippy1970, Jun 8, 2017.

Page 1 of 5
  1. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    Hi All,
    After installing my full graphic LCD I had a few issues with the firmware.
    This seems to be resolved by using the beta firmware (I have a beta Robo...)
    I attempted a few prints with pretty crappy results. See photos below.
    IMG_1294.JPG IMG_1295.JPG
    I then decided to go for broke and print a case for my shiny new LCD. That was a big fat fail, repeatedly.
    The first parts of the first layer were warping and lifting off the bed as the hot end passed by to lay down more filament.
    I tried various speeds and temperatures but gave up by 10pm as I don't want to get divorced.

    Today I tried again but after multiple attempts at printing various designs I couldn't even get the first layer onto the bed. I checked the bed was level etc etc. I just give up.

    IMG_1292.JPG

    I have a link to a video of what happens when I try to print but I'm not allowed to add it to this post.

    This is taking far too much of my time. After six months of coming back to my Robo with renewed enthusiasm I think I am finally ready to throw in the towel.

    So if anyone in the UK is interested in a beta Robo for tinkering purposes PM me. I'm open to offers.
     
    #1 hippy1970, Jun 8, 2017
  2. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Messages:
    6,757
    Likes Received:
    2,339
    sounds (and looks) like your first layer height isn't set right. If you want to maek your life easier( and keep the Robo) you should consider upgrading it to autolevel (very cheap upgrade). That said if you get your first layer set right, it should stick to the bed (with or without painters tape) if using PLA.
     
    #2 Geof, Jun 8, 2017
  3. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    The first prints show a little tuning of the drive is still needed (or a simple extruder calibration -- can't be certain) they are not terrible.
    The last one though is a simple needs the first layer fixed issue. Not close enough to the bed. Level does not mean flat.

    You need to lower that nozzle just a bit more until the first layer is flat, not round.

    This:

    https://printedsolid.com/blogs/news/37035715-get-your-prints-to-stick-check-your-skirt

    is the way it should look
     
    #3 mark tomlinson, Jun 8, 2017
  4. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    I'm using painters tape and pritt-stick. Two of the poor prints you see were meant to be for the auto level upgrade.
    If you can talk me through laying the first layer I'll give it a go. I can't imagine why it worked yesterday but not today.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #4 hippy1970, Jun 8, 2017
  5. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Attached is a model that is one layer tall. Use it to test with. Adjust this size to cover as much of the bed as you want and slice and print it. Remember that you want to end up with a layer that looks like the one I linked above.

    You need to start the print and if the layer does not look like the picture adjust the Z screw (you only have one on the beta) up/down as needed and restart the print. When it is right and the print competes... you are done :)
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 mark tomlinson, Jun 8, 2017
    Geof likes this.
  6. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    For the record. My robo has two stepper motors on two threaded rods for the z axis...


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #6 hippy1970, Jun 8, 2017
  7. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    I have one last go this evening. Thanks for the helpful replies.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #7 hippy1970, Jun 8, 2017
    Geof likes this.
  8. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    They all do.

    edit: well the beta and R1 series do

    On the beta they are both driven from the single Z axis stepper driver on the RAMPS. On teh R1+ they are driven from two different stepper drivers (one for the Z and one for E2)
     
    #8 mark tomlinson, Jun 8, 2017
    Geof likes this.
  9. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    Interesting. You are extremely knowledgeable. Shame you're not local.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #9 hippy1970, Jun 8, 2017
    Geof likes this.
  10. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Messages:
    6,757
    Likes Received:
    2,339
    He's better than local! He's here! lol. Stay with the chin up and you'll get that printer humming right along.
     
    #10 Geof, Jun 8, 2017
    Patrick Ryan likes this.
  11. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Sorry, if you are not in the central Florida area, I am not local :)
    @Geof is in the mid-west ;) Maybe he is local-er
     
    #11 mark tomlinson, Jun 8, 2017
  12. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Messages:
    6,757
    Likes Received:
    2,339
    I'm not sure which is closer to the UK lol! Your closer to the boat! :D
     
    #12 Geof, Jun 8, 2017
  13. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Heh, we are over that way every once in a while :)
     
    #13 mark tomlinson, Jun 8, 2017
    Geof likes this.
  14. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    Pop in. The kettle is always on
    I've a lot on over the next four days. So won't get to play with the Robo. I'll have a look next week and report back. Thanks again everyone.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #14 hippy1970, Jun 8, 2017
    Geof and mark tomlinson like this.
  15. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    Hi Guys,
    I came back to my Robo tonight and I'm pretty sure the problem is a bed that's just not level. I bought this beast second hand and it's had lots of 'upgrades'. The fixings for the Y axis runners have been printed as has the fixings either end that hold the bed. The fixings for the bed aren't great and there's no adjustment. (That I'm aware of)
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Any suggestions as to how I fix it?
    I'm all ears and don't mind spending a few quid.

    Thanks for reading.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #15 hippy1970, Jun 16, 2017
  16. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    Print replacements, the correct ones :)

    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:681894

    Those are the best ones.

    You can convert the beta to the linear rods with a little work. Otherwise I am not sure what to tell you. That bed is rather customized from the stock one that the beta had...
     
    #16 mark tomlinson, Jun 16, 2017
  17. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    Thanks. I'll give it a try. Given the current issues I'm not sure how well they'll turn out. But it's definitely worth a try.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #17 hippy1970, Jun 16, 2017
  18. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    If it still has the drawer rails under there then it probably has an all-plastic (delrin) bed base or a wooden platform with glass over it.
     
    #18 mark tomlinson, Jun 16, 2017
  19. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,912
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    It doesn't matter if the prints turn out super great. If they are functional you can print better ones.
    If you DO have issues, let us know and someone can print you the plastic parts.
     
    #19 mark tomlinson, Jun 16, 2017
  20. hippy1970

    hippy1970 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    10
    I don't see any wood at all. Just 3D printed parts. The bed is fixed to the parts at the end of the rails with 3 screws and one bolt. Not great but it did work when I first bought it. I'd like to replace the bed with a heated one while I'm at it. Are there any on eBay or Amazon you would recommend?

    Oh and thanks again for being so patient and helpful.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #20 hippy1970, Jun 16, 2017
Page 1 of 5

Share This Page