Print stops in second layer
I just finished putting together an MK2 kit yesterday and printed the Prusa logo for testing. It printed pretty much perfectly.
Today, I decided to put some grease on Z-axis rods and some oil on X and Y-axis rods. I cleaned up any excess grease and made sure to not get it on anything but Z-axis rods. I tried printing a couple of more things and the printer stops in the middle of second layer for all prints, LCD flashes and goes back to the Info Screen without showing any error messages.
Below is the photo of the failed prints, along with the successful print of Prusa logo from yesterday on the top:
Just in case it's relevant, I also can't seem to pre-heat anymore. When I go to the settings and try to preheat for PLA, the LCD flashes and it just goes back to the Info Screen.
The nozzle temp seems to be stable throughout the failed prints and I can move all 3 axes through the settings menu fine. I made sure to re-run self-test, XYZ calibration and first-layer calibration gcode after I put on the grease/oil and also updated to the latest firmware with no changes.
I would appreciate any help finding out what might be happening.
Re: Print stops in second layer
Just a quick update:
I was never quite happy with the noise my Y-axis was making. It was mostly the linear bearings, but the motor and belt also sounded very strained.
Basically, after re-aligning the y-axis belt (moved idler bearing and the Y-axis motor pulley slightly, which also lowered the tension ever so slightly on the belt), the Marvin print went as far as completing the legs (3-4mm in z-axis).
It still stopped printing at that point, LCD flashed and went back to Info Screen with no output again. I figure my y-belt tension might still be too high, so I will loosen the belt a bit, try another print tomorrow and update this thread.
I just wish the print would at least stop with an error message that could help identify the issue.
Re: Print stops in second layer
Just a quick update:
I was never quite happy with the noise my Y-axis was making. It was mostly the linear bearings, but the motor and belt also sounded very strained.
Basically, after re-aligning the y-axis belt (moved idler bearing and the Y-axis motor pulley slightly, which also lowered the tension ever so slightly on the belt), the Marvin print went as far as completing the legs (3-4mm in z-axis).
It still stopped printing at that point, LCD flashed and went back to Info Screen with no output again. I figure my y-belt tension might still be too high, so I will loosen the belt a bit, try another print tomorrow and update this thread.
I just wish the print would at least stop with an error message that could help identify the issue.
Just in case it's a bad flash of firmware, try run the firmware updater using the latest firmware twice in a row.
Re: Print stops in second layer
Are you using .gcode files or are you using a slicer program to turn a .stl file into a .gcode file?
If you close down Slic3r too early during the export .gcode process, then you get a file that just ends somewhere in the middle of the print.
You can check if the .gcode file is complete by opening it with a text editor, then scroll down to the end of the text. There must be several dozen lines starting with " ; " , like this:
; filament used = 2314.1mm (5.6cm3)
; avoid_crossing_perimeters = 1
; bed_shape = 0x0,250x0,250x210,0x210
; bed_temperature = 79
; before_layer_gcode =
; bridge_acceleration = 1000
; bridge_fan_speed = 40
; brim_width = 0
; complete_objects = 0
; cooling = 0
; default_acceleration = 1000
Re: Print stops in second layer
Just in case it's a bad flash of firmware, try run the firmware updater using the latest firmware twice in a row.
The prints started failing before I updated the firmware, but I flashed the latest firmware on there twice in a row once more, following your advice, just to be safe.
Re: Print stops in second layer
Are you using .gcode files or are you using a slicer program to turn a .stl file into a .gcode file?
If you close down Slic3r too early during the export .gcode process, then you get a file that just ends somewhere in the middle of the print.
You can check if the .gcode file is complete by opening it with a text editor, then scroll down to the end of the text. There must be several dozen lines starting with " ; " , like this:
; filament used = 2314.1mm (5.6cm3)
; avoid_crossing_perimeters = 1
; bed_shape = 0x0,250x0,250x210,0x210
; bed_temperature = 79
; before_layer_gcode =
; bridge_acceleration = 1000
; bridge_fan_speed = 40
; brim_width = 0
; complete_objects = 0
; cooling = 0
; default_acceleration = 1000
I tried both the gcode files that come on the sd card, as well as a Benchy STL I downloaded and converted to gcode. All prints stopped at some point.
Re: Print stops in second layer
I am pretty sure the LCD flashing and going back to the Info Screen is actually the Rambo board rebooting. So, I am looking into whether it could be due to a short somewhere that's causing the board to reboot.
Re: Print stops in second layer
If you have an oscilloscope you can check the power and rest lines of the Atmega for possible reset causes. I am slowly thinking about ordering a spare rambo, extruder and motor in order to facilitate the troubleshooting...
Re: Print stops in second layer
If you have an oscilloscope you can check the power and rest lines of the Atmega for possible reset causes. I am slowly thinking about ordering a spare rambo, extruder and motor in order to facilitate the troubleshooting...
I just wasn't sure whether it was the LCD that was having an issue or something else shorting out, causing the Rambo to reboot.
Either way, I fiddled with the cables in the Rambo box a bit and tried to reorganize them and, voila, finally finished the Marvin print successfully!
I will try printing out a few more test prints and keep an eye out for any reboots, but for now I will chalk it up to interference among cables (LCD connector has a reset line in there apparently, that could have cause a reboot due to interference). It still could be exposed wiring, heatbed shorting out due to screws on y-carriage putting to much pressure or a loose connector in the Rambo box, etc.
Another thing that kinda bothers me is that I still see the LCD light up momentarily when I move the Y-carriage back and forth fast enough while the printer is plugged in, but turned off. No idea whether that's feedback going back to Rambo box due to motors moving or something else, but it sure doesn't feel like something that should be happening.
Re: Print stops in second layer
I think the motors act as generators and it's generating enough current to fire up the LCD. Mine does it too.
Re: Print stops in second layer
I think the motors act as generators and it's generating enough current to fire up the LCD. Mine does it too.
Figured that's what it was doing. Thanks for letting me know it's normal behavior. One less thing I have to worry about.
In the meantime, after the successful Marvin print, another print failed after 15-20 layers or so.
At this point, I am pretty convinced it's either a bad connector (or badly inserted connector) or interference/static.
I will check the connectors, try a different power cord and ground the chassis separately and try my luck again.
Re: Print stops in second layer
Do not over do movement of motors by hand. It can damage the electronics!
Nigel
Life is keeping interested and excited by knowledge and new things.
Re: Print stops in second layer
Do not over do movement of motors by hand. It can damage the electronics!
Yeap, figured that was common sense, when I saw the LCD light-up when moving Y-axis. It seems there's no backfeed protection.
In any case, I only ever move the Y-axis by hand (to not mess up calibration) and make sure to not move it too fast or at all while the y-axis stepper is powered.
Re: Print stops in second layer
I am starting to think the issue here is due to the power supply. I moved the LCD cables as far away from the motors and power supply/motor cables, etc. and, still had the same reboot happen during prints or preheating.
After further experimentation, I realized I can heat-up the bed or the nozzle, individually, through the settings->temperature menu with no reboots. But, I consistently experience a reboot if I try preheating for PLA (nozzle and bed together) or try to heat up the nozzle (through settings-temperature menu) while the bed is also heating, vice versa. I also got a series of successful prints with the bed temp set to 0 and, consequently, experienced a reboot again when I tried to do the same exact print with heat on the bed.
I took out and reinstalled the low voltage connectors multiple times, in case they were seated badly, with no luck. I also previously tested the printer while connected to a PSU, just in case it was crappy residential power that was causing the issue in the first place.
Finally, I ordered a multi-meter and will check the voltage on both low voltage connectors out of the power supply to see what kind of voltage I am getting there.
Re: Print stops in second layer
Just a thought - is the PSU set for the correct voltage?
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Print stops in second layer
Just a thought - is the PSU set for the correct voltage?
Peter
Yeap. I am in US and the PSU shipped already set to 110. Just to make sure the Voltage switch was in correct position, I even set it to 220 and back to 110 (while the printer was disconnected from power) after I started having the issues.
Re: Print stops in second layer
that's the input voltage,
have you checked the actual output voltage? there is a variable resistor just inside the plastic shroud on the PS that allows it's adjustment!
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
Re: Print stops in second layer
that's the input voltage,
have you checked the actual output voltage? there is a variable resistor just inside the plastic shroud on the PS that allows it's adjustment!
regards Joan
Like I said a couple of posts ago, I was waiting for a multi-meter to check those voltages. Just received my new multi-meter and checked them and both connectors out of the PSU are stable at 12.02V.
While at it, I also checked the heatbed and got a short notification! Just to make sure it's not on the Rambo board side, etc. I disconnected the bed from the Y-carriage and Rambo and tested it completely isolated and still got a short between the soldered terminals on the bed.
I am blaming potentially being a bit overzealous while tightening the screws to attach it to the Y-carriage :/ It seems other people had similar issues with the bed.
Now, I am trying to figure out the best way to take out the screw housings on the heatbed without taking off the PEI sheet, so that I can add some rubber washers between the screw housings and the bed.
Re: Print stops in second layer
Took all 6 screw housings and the metal washers underneath them out and I am still getting a short. So, I don't think rubber washers will fix this.
I guess I will need to get a new heated bed at this point.
Re: Print stops in second layer
What do you mean by "still getting short"? Heatbed itself (its heating element) has really small resistance, it may appear as short. It is rated to 15A at 12V, so calculated resistance is only about 0.8 Ohm. What resistance did you measure?