Extruder motor not working (?)  

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Hi Marcin

I think the first thing to do is to print one of the gcode files which were supplied with the printer; they are known to work and will eliminate some of the potential issues.

One more thought - what temperature are you printing at and does the temperature drop below 190 degrees when printing?

Peter

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

That might actually work :). Do you have a picture of installed thermistor? I think it might not be reading temp. correctly afterall. Looks like there's a very specific position in which it has to be attached in relation to heater.

Ok my bad - didn't notice there's a hole for the thermistor ;P

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Hi Marcin

Full assembly instructions here: http://wiki.e3d-online.com/wiki/E3D-Lite6_Assembly

Peter

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Ok, looks like I still need your help 😀

So I decided to put some thermal PC paste in the thermistor hole. I've seen a video of a guy doing something similar and I thought it would be a good idea to improve temp. recognition. Sadly it turned into rock so I was forced to rip it apart and buy a replacement which is this one:
http://allegro.pl/termistor-reprap-100k-ntc-b3950-z-kablem-i-wtyczka-i5834846700.html

I don't know if it's me doing something wrong or is it not the type of thermistor I should be using but my prints have this problem which is characteristic for poor temp. control.

Anything specific I should pay attention to? Want my nice quality prints back :<.

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Hi Marcin

Looks like you need a change in the firmware for that thermistor. Configuration.prusa.h; around line 215:

#define TEMP_SENSOR_0 5

Thermistor type 5 and 11 definitions:

// 5 is 100K thermistor - ATC Semitec 104GT-2 (Used in ParCan & J-Head) (4.7k pullup)
// 11 is 100k beta 3950 1% thermistor (4.7k pullup)

You will need to change the 5 to an 11.

Peter

EDIT: This is the original: http://e3d-online.com/Electrical/Components/100k-Ohm-NTC-Thermistor-Semitec

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Ok, gonna give it a try tomorrow, thanks 🙂

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Marcin

Actually, looking again at the thermistor tables, there are three types with 3950: Type 11, 13 and 60. If you have a type 11, then I think your temperatures at 200 degrees are actually about 230. Be careful you don't damage the PTFE tubing...

Peter

EDIT: It may be best to contact the retailer to ask what thermistor number is required in Marlin firmware for this one.

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

That would explain the smell of burnt PLA. I never go above 205 because of that. I will run another print and start decreasing the temperature till it starts stuttering. I can imagine normally it would be around 190 but if what you say is true then I should be able to go below that.

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Ok it doesn't work below 190 so it seems to act moreless normal.

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Marcin

The printer will not extrude below 190; that's fixed in firmware:

#define EXTRUDE_MINTEMP 190

Just had another look at the tables. With type 11 installed and type 5 coded, when the LCD reading shows 200, the actual temp will be more like 235. With the LCD reading 190, actual will be about 218, getting very close to OK temp, but the heater will keep dropping below minimum extrusion temp and the extruder may well start/stop/start as the temperature hovers above and below 190.

Peter

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

UPDATE

Solved the problem and thermistor was not the issue here even tho it looks like it's temp. control related. Yesterday somebody posted a question regarding the same thing on facebook and another person replied with an article...

Long story short - after replacing threaded rods one of them was in direct contact with the rod that's coming out of the motor. There was no loose space on the rubber tube and that was the problem. My prints are sexy again :).

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Marcin

Very strange. As far as I am aware, both the Z threaded rods should be pushed down firmly and in contact with the motor shafts.

Peter

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Maybe it's either both or none? Maybe... 🙂

Re: Extruder motor not working (?)

Marcin

I wonder... If there is something preventing the X smooth rods from seating properly at each end, then the threaded rods would need to the gap between Z motor shaft and threads for lateral movement, otherwise the threads could be damaged.

I remember I had to push really hard to get the X rods seated at both ends. Maybe it would be worthwhile if you checked that out?

Peter