ESD protection? My printer died...  

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

What part of the world do you live? I am curious what type of weather is typical for you? I am in the southeastern US and atmospheric static is rarely a problem around here due to higher humidity (most of the time). But, after seeing your experience, I would definitely be interested in taking steps to avoid the same problems.

I am in northeast US. I actually live near the LI Sound and a river but the Winter's cold dry air contributes to the power of the shocks.

Keep an eye on the humidity in your home .. if you can keep it above 40% (but below 60% because mold), you shouldnt see too much static. At least, I dont when my indoor air is around that %. But I dont have a humidifier where I live so it can get down to 20-25% rel. humidity in the winter just like outside. This is the time of dry chapped skin, shocking the pet's noses, and doors that close super easily as the wood contracts and the tolerances open up.

Theres still a chance ESD damage could happen at ideal humidity though, due to other factors-- which is why I've been asking for a fix from Prusa. Even if it is just a published document on what we could do or modify on the printer to stop ESD from causing any damage. (If I knew enough about electronic engineering-- I would just publish such myself!! I would apply tinfoil or solder wires if I had to.. just tell me what to do!)

I think we all expect reasonably ESD-proof electronic devices these days, to the point where we take that fact for granted. Like I said, I've shocked my TVs and computers and charging android phone, monitors, old Epson projector, laser printer, RC battery chargers, plenty of times -- they are all working just fine and have been through years of similar abuse.

This LCD-- not so much!! A single shock is all it takes due to it's design. Apparently

I am still waiting on Prusa to get back to me on a 2nd replacement. The chat rep I spoke to said he's not even sure if I am under warranty at this point. I was very upset to hear that might even be a possiblility .. I have not owned the printer long at all. Subscribe to the thread!

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

What did you use to print the black LCD cover?

Could it be electrically conductive?

I don't fully understand electrostatic discharges, so I might be wrong about this, but how can you discharge from your finger to ground, by touching non-conducting ABS plastic?

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

I have an update -- Tomas from support emailed me, asking me to try swapping cables and flipping them around, which I arleady did before even emailing them, and did again when speaking with their chat Rep a few days ago. So I repleid as such. *Sigh* looks like another replacement is going to take a while.

I have asked Tomas to let me know where else I Can buy a replacement screen, and how I would know if any screen is the right type to work with my machine. Does anyone here know the answer? If not I will post his answer.

What did you use to print the black LCD cover?

Could it be electrically conductive?

I don't fully understand electrostatic discharges, so I might be wrong about this, but how can you discharge from your finger to ground, by touching non-conducting ABS plastic?

The black plastic was provided by prusa in the kit.. I assume it was printed with Prusa's black PLA or ABS like the rest of the parts included in my kit. It is definitely not conductive. However, the black metal "can" of the screen extends past the cut-out in the black plastic cover, it is easy to come into contact with that accidentally, or even the surface screen itself, while using the printer. You don't even have to come into contact with it fully-- the spark of electric static discharge can jump a cap of 1cm pretty easily, it can go right through the plastic and zap the metal inside. ESD almost always occurs via a spark gap , which is why it has an audible sounds and viisble light. Even ESD that is not audible or visible (occuring via touch) can damage electronics that are not protected

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

IS anyone surprised they havent' gotten back to me in a week? I'm not, this is how their support works.

I am left with a printer with no screen -- cannot run any Live-z calibration adjustments, cant update the firmware, can't see any errors the printer may have , and they haven't even told me where I can go buy a screen myself (something I want to do because they were hinting I might not be covered under warranty anymore, Despite buying this printer 10/22/2016.........................

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

Hi Ryan,
Sorry to hear of you're troubles.
I bought one of these :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141679594646?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

for a project and can confirm they work with the mini rambo and fit inside the Prusa Mk2 cover.

Probably not the solution you are looking for but they're inexpensive and will get you working. Does ship from china so can take a while depending where you are, You should be able to find a local importer all be it a little more costly.

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

Thanks John 😀

Yesterday I zapped my display. Only garbage are visible on it. Hope the Rambo is unaffected.

Printing is still OK, from time to time I can read some scraps on the display.

I ordered the 2004 Display from an offer on German eBay : http://www.ebay.de/itm/131169178816

Hope it will arrive soon.

Maybe only the display is crashed, will also try to replace the display only on the old PCB.

And next thing at the printing-ToDo-List : Print the display-cover with some ESD-protection material !!!

Thomas

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

@Thomas:
💡 that's the correct lcd2004 display. but take in mind that there the orientation of the two 10 pin connectors is correct (not flipped over as delivered by prusa) !
➡ so you have to change the orientation of the ribbon cable at the rambo (-> so that the red wire of the ribbon cable matches pin#1).

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

Really ?

Where is it flipped ? In the Rambo or at the LCD-PCB ? Yes, it doesn't matter on which side. I only ask because I'm interessted if Prusa do some "extra Süppchen kochen" or the Display-PCB is specially manufactured for Prusa.

Thomas

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

the only "extra Wurst" is that prusa has decided to assemble the angled connectors in the wrong direction, so that the ribbon cable shows in the direction where it should be assembled at the frame-rods. the standard lcd2004 module comes along with normal (non-angled) connectors... so that this is no problem at all.

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

😈

OK; Thanks

Thomas

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

Oh the joys of living in a northern climate.

My LCD quit working on a new i3 MK3 after about a week. Prusa support (via chat) was helpful and a replacement LCD is on the way. Being impatient, I stumbled across Folger Technologies ( http://www.folgertechnologies.com ) who stocks the 2004 lcd's and offers 'will call' pickup for those who live in the area. The Folger replacement required additional clearance on the support for the LCD contrast pot, and reversing the ribbon cable plugs. So far, so good.

Then (one day later) I greeted my printer in the morning after an 8 hour print - and ZAP as I reached for the SD card to prepare the next print. ANOTHER LCD DEAD!

Aside from precautions - is there an engineering fix? What can be done?

David

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

I'm also in a very cold, dry climate. I usually touch the metal frame to discharge ant stray static electricity. Often I'll also touch the room's light switch face plate (the screw) and then the printer frame.

Re: ESD protection? My printer died...

Touching the frame still messes with the LCD. Fortunately, I have a spare or two of those LCD screens.

I have went as far as attaching a ground wire to the frame of the Prusa to a grounded wall socket... I still get zapped and garble the display, but it has been recovering, though I have only had a couple print jobs freeze and had to abort them. Which does concern me, but I have been able to restart and re-do the jobs. I am just concerned about long term damage.

It is like there is no real grounding in the power supply or system.