Z calibration failure
Hello everyone!
I have a problem with calibrating the z axis on my i3 MK3. I found a post here in the forum which describes the problem perfectly:
Calibrate XYZ (or just Z) has the following behaviour:
- Auto homes X/Y
- Z moves to the very top, both motors rattle, each side of the X carriage is hard up against its plastic top bracket
- Asks if steel plate is on bed, I say no
- Reminds me to put a sheet of paper on bed
- Message says calibration failed, check axes. At this point the Z has not moved down at all.
Checked blockages in Z, and both Z screws turn freely.
Also checked Z rods are seated in motor brackets at bottom, and top brackets are square to alu frame without strain (holes in motor brackets needed reaming a little).
Manually moving Z axis (either from LCD or turn by hand) works fine both up and down.
But unfortunately the solution does not work for me. All cables fit perrfectly. The red LED in the PINDA probe is lit up and goes off when I bring some metal near to it.
Is there anything that I can do to solve this issue?
Thanks for helping!
EDIT: Can I test the PINDA probe wit a multimeter?
Re: Z calibration failure
Does your x carriage reach the very top of its travel hard up against the z top brackets?
Have you put the trapezoidal nuts on the x ends upside down? (check the assembly manual)
A fail on either of these means the z height / length is incorrect and will fail the calibration.
Re: Z calibration failure
For me, this was a PINDA failure issue, although it took a long time to realize it. Pull up the "display end stops" on your LCD, and touch the bottom of the probe with anything metallic. If the number for the Z axis does not change, it is a probe failure, even if the red light does change.
Retired doc, should have been an engineer.
Re: Z calibration failure
@Henry I can't check that because I can't find that option. It should be in the calibration menu right?
I did a factory reset while trying to solve my issue. Maybe because of that? My printer is on latest firmware version 3.3...
EDIT: Found this: https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware/issues/881
So Prusa removed the menu entry. Will make a firmware downgrade later and see what happens. But this will not solve my problem. It started with firmware 3.2.x and I made an upgrade to 3.3.0 to try to solve my issue.
EDIT 2: Yeah, its a PINDA failure. Did a downgrade to firmware version 3.2.1 and while the probe light switches on and off, the endstop value for z does not change. Will contact the prusa support team.
Thanks for helping! 😀
Re: Z calibration failure
Glad I could help. I ended up just buying a new PINDA, because if you go through Prusa you will spend more time convincing them , and if your time is worth minimum wage you will save, and delivery to USA was 3 days.
Retired doc, should have been an engineer.
Re: Z calibration failure
So, this issue is still unsolved. I made a video for the Prusa support team and have written a few emails with Pavla back and forth. But I did not get a reply today and yesterday, so I try it here again. I dont know if they dont wanna help me any more or what ever...
Here is the video showing my problem:
I also did the "P.I.N.D.A. Probe testing" tests from this site: https://help.prusa3d.com/l/en/article/3tSXh6nWJd-pinda-probe-testing
The results are as follows:
"Testing the P.I.N.D.A. probe"
The probe light is red when no metal is underneath it, z value is 1.
The probe light turns off when metal is underneath, z value stays at 1.
Point 3 of the test says, when the value changes go on to the next test. It did not change but I did the tests anyway...
"Testing the P.I.N.D.A. probe cable"
When I move the extruder to the right, without metal under the probe z value switches from 1 to 0 near the right end.
When I move the extruder to the right WITH metal under it, z stays at 1.
When I move the extruder to the right till z turns 0 and I put metal under the probe then, the z value changes from 0 to 1 and vice versa.
So the probe does react to the metal. I was pretty sure the probe is the problem but why does it work on the right side then?
"Testing the P.I.N.D.A. probe readings in PronterFace"
---
Connecting...
start
Printer is now online.
echo: 3.2.1-576
echo: Last Updated: May 18 2018 14:50:19 | Author: (none, default config)
Compiled: May 18 2018
echo: Free Memory: 1471 PlannerBufferBytes: 1392
echo:Hardcoded Default Settings Loaded
adc_init
CrashDetect ENABLED!
tmc2130_init(), mode=NORMAL
tmc2130_set_wave 3 0
factor: 0.000
tmc2130_init(), mode=NORMAL
tmc2130_set_wave 3 0
factor: 0.000
PAT9125_init:1
FSensor
ENABLED
PAT9125_init:1
echo:SD init fail
echo:busy: paused for user
echo:busy: paused for user
echo:busy: paused for user
echo:busy: paused for user
echo:busy: paused for user
echo:busy: paused for user
>>>G80
SENDING:G80
echo:Enqueing to the front: "G28 W0"
tmc2130_home_enter(axes_mask=0x01)
0 step=13 mscnt= 216
tmc2130_home_exit tmc2130_sg_homing_axes_mask=0x01
tmc2130_home_enter(axes_mask=0x02)
0 step= 1 mscnt= 31
tmc2130_home_exit tmc2130_sg_homing_axes_mask=0x02
echo:busy: processing
KILL: 0
Error:Printer halted. kill() called!
[ERROR] Error:Printer halted. kill() called!
Bed leveling failed. Sensor didnt trigger. Debris on nozzle? Waiting for reset.
---
After that I reseted the printer, connected again and issued the G81 command and just got "Mesh bed leveling not active."
Does anyone know what causes this? Help would be much appreciated!
Best regards,
Oliver
Re: Z calibration failure
I played around with Pronterface a bit.
In earlier tests the value for my z axis (display end stops) only changes, when bringing a metal part under the probe, when my extruder is on the right side of the x axis.
And now in Pronterface I can move the z axis up and down, with and without a metal part under the probe, no matter where my extruder is on the x axis. This should never be the case, right? It should never move down in z when the probe detects something...
Or is this not the case when using Pronterface? Never used that program before...
Best regards,
Oliver
Re: Z calibration failure
I built one Mk3 and it was working fine until I upgraded the firmware. After that I could not do the Z calibration. I tried everything and still no Z calibration. I got tech support involved and we went thru all the steps and still no Z calibration. Finally tech support suggested I do a factory reset. I believe the steps are hit the x button on the panel and when you see the the Original Prusa..... statement on the panel push in the knob and hold it till it beeps. This is suppose to clear out all settings. This did it for me. I was able to do the Z calibration after the reset.
Re: Z calibration failure
I already tested that with the 3.2.1, 3.3.0 and 3.3.1 firmwares. Unfortunately it did not help.
Dont know what else I can do. Except from removing the pinda from my printer and connect it to a Pi or Arduino. Maybe its a broken cable or something...