Solved Problem #2 with brand new printer

So right out of the box the printer didn't work correctly. Troubleshooting led me to the ramps board and 2 weeks later one arrived from Robo 3D. Replaced the board, printed the test cube and right after a 21 hour print with no issues. The next day changed from PLA filament to ABS, started print and it went about 2 hours and lost communication with computer. I picked a different part, started another print and this one went somewhere between 6-8 hours and then same problem. Absolutely sure it is not a computer issue. I did verify the fan that cools the board was working both times. This unit is only few weeks old and only made 2 prints with it, but I don't relish the idea of dealing with Robo customer service again. Any thoughts from you guys?

 

Thanks Mark. I tried twice to print from sd card but haven't been able to get that process to work at all I have the lcd controller and generic board sitting here but was hesitant to install because this unit is brand new and should be under warranty. however after my first experience resolving warranty issue, I'm leaning toward chucking idea of warranty and installing new board setup. I was leaning toward board myself, which is a shame considering it's a replacement with only 2 prints on it.

 

My work schedule is unpredictable so their scheduling process doesn't work well for me. The card reader on this looks to be full size sd card and thats what I was using. That may be the issue. I was hoping to use the printer to print the case for the lcd add-on hence some of my frustration. I don't have a micro here tonight to try. I just hate the thoughts of the aggravation I know I'll go through trying to contact tech suport. I think I'll just say heck with warranty and proceed with upgrades, and amazon for any other parts I need lol

 

I'm with you Geof on the communication issue. The lcd kit does have another usb cable. Might give that a shot, but if I can find the time, I think I'll just bite the bullet and do the lcd ubgrade.

 

I started another print to see if it logs an error. I sure will post if it it does and thank you both!

 

So heres an update. I changed usb cable to a know good one. Printed calibration box with no issue. With heightened hopes started another print of a part I had designed. It made it about 1% and stopped. The g cod terminal showed this in log Lost communication to Printer ->Communication State:failedtoconnect ->Read Thread has exited. I hit the connect button and computer connects to printer with no issues. I print the small bridge file no issue immediately after reconnecting

 

I'm not using a hub at all. Direct connect to computer. I think my best route is to just add the lcd controller that will free up the computer I use for my modeling also The kit I have is the Kuman kit using reprap discount red board. So heres a question, can I unplug the robo3d card reader and install the header adapter that came with the controller and basically do a plug and play to the oem board or do I have to also go through the process of installing the generic ramps/

 

I agree with you and that's where I was leaning with all this. I was thinking the lack of buffer was the issue. I'm no electronic wiz but heck even a $50 color printer has a buffer which makes me question why these 3d printers don't. I've owned a cnc plasma and a cnc vinyl plotter for 12 years and never a issue with either and both use the stepper motors and run off g code. Looks like these manufaturers wpuld take a lesson from some of the earlier similar technologies. Thanks for your replies, I'm going to try the plug/play deal with the controller and oem ramp board next.

 

Back in the pre-R1+Plus days people would just disconnect the SD card reader and plug in the LCD controller, no firmware or board fuckery required.

It should still function the same way if you're using the common LCD controller.

 

This is the R1+ but I'm going to give that a shot anyway.

 

The reason for this is because the R1+ is the dumbest printer design from the year it came out when even the basic RepRap printers had LCD controllers.

It introduced a deliberate weakness in the printer's workflow. Hell, even your bog standard 2D printers have some kind of LCD readout on them to tell you when they're out of ink/paper/etc.

 

The only thing that changed between the R1 & R1+ was the way the Z-axis was controlled and how the screws were integrated into the stepper motors.