Why is connection to Repetier so unreliable?

For every attempt at printing, I have to spend 90+ minutes trying to connect the printer to Repetier.

The repeated attempts are characterized by "5 commands waiting", varying FPS (from 60 to 2000+), "unknown printer firm...", "waiting for temperature." When it works, the firmware loads and the temperature reading pops up. Then all is well. But the road to that smile is long & arduous.
I've tripled checked the printer settings (baud rate, etc) searched the forum and tried lots of the "fixes" suggested, including trying different ports, resetting the board, using a powered USB hub, all kinds of different power on/off & cable plugging sequences leading up to pushing connect, cycling Repetier on & off, and even an old voodoo doll I have... and I cannot find a reliable way to make the initial connection.

The only consistent element is dozens of attempts: sometimes it'll connect after one dozen attempts, sometimes after 3 dozen, sometimes after 6 dozen. There's got to be a better way.

Has anyone out there found a way to just plug & play?

 

PC or Mac?

 

MacBook Air w/ OS 10.9, Repetier 0.56

 

So you've done:

Robo3D -> Powered USB Hub with no other plugs > MBA USB port with nothing else plugged in? And it still disconnects?

 

That's right. Powered USB hub w/ no other plugs (in either the hub or the MBA). Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But as far as I can tell, my odds are just as good plugging the printer straight into the MBA.

 

Not sure if you can open multiple repetier apps at ones, but if you have more then one open you wont be able to connect properly.

Have you tried a different USB cable?

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

For reasons that are beyond me (other than a good night's rest), when I woke up this morning, it connected on the first attempt. I tested fate and disconnected it and once again it connected successfully on the first attempt. I will keep the USB cable idea in mind, if I have issues.

Now, I'm on to the good fun of getting the calibration just right, getting the first layer to stick, etc. I'm happy to move on to another set of opportunities to learn about 3d printing.


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