Prusa i3 x-axis problem  

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Hi Peter

Welcome to the forum

There are a few things which could cause this.

{Most likely} Printing via usb cable rather than SD card. The printer is not receiving data fast enough and there is a buffer underrun. Connect cable directly to PC (not via a hub). Don't do anything else on the PC whilst printing. Or print from SD card.

Are your belts tight enough? they should ping like a guitar string.

Is the Z axis going up at this point; it could be the end of a layer and the X axis will reset slightly for the next layer.

Are your cables routed properly? Exactly according to the manual, they could otherwise be catching somewhere.

Slicer issue - try using a different slicer.

You may need to increase the current to the motors - I very much doubt this is the cause though (the sound does not indicate this) and doing this would be a last resort.

Peter

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Hi Peter

I use the USB card when I prints.

Belt is tight on the X and Y axis

The problem is not when the z axis goes up, but it happens when printing multiple layers at the same level.

All cables are installed according to instructions on the machine and also on Rambo, the wires are labeled before assembly so that they can not be fitted incorrectly. I've triple checked before the first start of the machine.

I have also checked again now and everything looks good.

I use slic3r.

See all video and picture https://onedrive.live.com/?id=63AE75CC399E28FB%21145&cid=63AE75CC399E28FB

I am sending a copy of the email I sent to Prusa yesterday so you get all the details, read below

__________________________________________________________________
XYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZXYZX 🙂
__________________________________________________________________

the belt is tight on the x and y axis See video "Belt tight" and listen.

There are also problems with the Y axis when I checked and analyzed more.
You can start checking the video "Y axis motor" and listen. Maybe you need headphones to hear but there is something strange sounds with the engine sounds like bzzzz and engine stuttering, but it may not be visible on the film.

When I put my finger lightly on my Y axis, I can clearly feel that the stuttering. Check and listen.

You can hear bzzz immediately when you start the movie "Y axis motor", the sound will come just before the motor reverses direction, and shortly after the engine is rotated in the opposite direction.

Then look at the video "X axis motor" when the sound is heard from the Y axis motor and the X axis stuttering while.

I also feel that the X axis stuttering when I put my finger lightly on the X axis.

See all video https://onedrive.live.com/?id=63AE75CC399E28FB%21145&cid=63AE75CC399E28FB

Best regards Peter

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Hi Peter

You appear to have covered everything I can think of; will see if Josef has any thought.

Peter

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

What g-code are you printing on the video?

When you tried printing the bundled g-codes (with stock fw?) did it cause any problem? Can you upload your g-code for us to test?

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Hi Joseph,

I have sent the g-code into your e-mail info@.....
I have the latest FW Version: 2.2.1 but the problem was also before

I also want to test the Cura but are not sure what settings I should have for my Prusa i3 will work well in Cura. Maybe you can help me?

Best regards Peter

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Peter

If you could please zip the gcode file up and upload it to this site as an attachment, then we could all have a look to see is we can find the issue.

As for Cura, it's very easy to set up for the Prusa printer. I think it took me about 10 minutes when I first bought a printer.

Leave most settings as default, set the nozzle size (0.4 mm), and extrusion width (again 0.4 mm) select your layer height and off you go.

Peter

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

ok Thanks Peter

I uploaded the zip file now

Best regards Peter

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Hi Peter

I have put the gcode through both a simulator and my printer.

The only stuttering I can see is at the Z lift on a layer change.

Josef may be able to see something else.
Peter

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

I sent the g-code to my company (I am out of office for one more week) for them to test.
Do you have a picture somewhere how it affects real print?

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Hi Joseph,

Here are some photos

when the 3D printer starts and makes first Birm see picture "dot.jpg". too much I think.

I have checked the filament calibration and it looks ok.

Then, check image "layer.jpg" does not look good and it is at this point 3d printer stuttering. NOTE! I understand that when the printer switches to the next layer, the X axis stops Shortly, lifting the z axis to the next level. But the problem is when it makes a circle on the same level / layer and I see that the 3D printer stuttering.

Picture "dot-layer top.jpg" I must remove it from carbon fiber plate to photograph dot. Strange dot! see picture.

Check image 'nozzle.jpg "leak before and after 3D printer is ready.

There is something very strange with 3D printer.

Feels like it's something with the hardware, what do you think? Could it be the y axis motor is faulty as I wrote earlier. When the y axis stuttering and the strange noise occurs before reversing the rotation, it can affect the z axis motor negative?

Or is the fault of Rambo?

More information for troubleshooting
When I received the package and opened the package, heatbed the glass was broken. This I have contacted support and it is replaced. Thanks 🙂

I might also add that LED lights are not working on heatbed. I think UPS is not taken care of the package well. NOT replaced.

Not fun when 3D printer does not work optimally, but at the same time interesting because I can promote development 🙂 this is me and I want to make things better 🙂

Yes, I have updated 3D printer but all the problems existed before.
My update list:

1: Belt tensioner Z and Y axis belt / ping as a string 🙂
2: Springs to hold down Heatbed
3: Carbon fiber plate (recommended, buy one NOW)
4: 4mm cork during the heatsbed (isolate heatbed)
5: Secret for now 🙂 but your printer will be quieter. Will be back with price and where to buy!!

Best regards Peter and happy 3d printing

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

OK,

1) Nozzle oozing: This is completely normal behaviour, as the plastic warms up in the nozzle it increases volume and pushes itself out. That is why we have the extrusion info at the beginning of the print and the brim around the object, to stabilise the flow. During the print Retract feature prevents thsi from happening. You should not worry about this, it is completely normal with every FDM/FFF printer.

2) Dot on the brim: Again, this is the first point where the nozzle starts extruding from generated g-code. Brim is completely sacrificial and it's main use is to get stable flow of plastic. The point nicely anchors the rest of the brim to the print surface.

3) The dots on the top layer: There is just too little plastic in the object. This can sometimes happen in objects which are supposed to be 100% filled with plastic. You can see that most manufacturers won't let you fill the object 100%. That is because the filament is manufactured with +- 0.05mm tolerance and as the filament is fed by millimetres, tolerance can change to total amount of plastic extruded. You can tweak this in Slic3r under Filament -> Extrusion multiplier. 0.98 can be good start. Also Slic3r isn't 100% precise when the number of perimeters is not integer. For example when it has to do 2.8 lines to make the circle similar to yours, it has to decrease the flow for the 80% width line and this calculation is not always precise. Try printing full cylinder or increase the thickness of the wall and you will see you get much better results.

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Hi Josef,

thanks for your reply. I want to ask what / which slicer except slic3r you recommend if you make a top four list.
Have checked on Simplify3D but the question is, if it's worth spending money to buy a slicer programs?

Best regards Peter

Re: Prusa i3 x-axis problem

Hi Peter

I don't think Josef is in a position where he can recommend any particular slicers.

However, I am aware that he has previously mentioned both Cura and KISSlicer in addition to the two you name.

Personally, I use primarily KISSlicer and Cura (in that order). KISS is more complex but generally produces better results for me. Cura is used when KISS has issues (very rare) or when I just want a quick print.

All printer are different and will work best with slightly different slicer settings. You just have to find out which works best for you and your printer. And of course, you have to take into account certain calibration settings as Josef mentioned above.

Peter