X-Axis stops on bed levelling
XYZ calibration says congratulations... its square but the carriage judders to a halt when trying to do the mesh bed levelling. Its trying to move the carriage much faster while doing this and the motor isn't strong enough to overcome the fairly considerable resistance the carriage has to being moved. Its perfectly smooth with no resistance to speak of without the belt attached. I have loosened the screws on the power supply as I thought that might be pulling the frame out of kilter which did allow me to on one occasion print the calibration print thing. Apart from that, never got past the bed levelling. The belt does appear to track across the driving cog on the motor - I have tried various positions for that cog. None make much of a difference. Something is clearly causing a fair bit of friction but I can't see what it would be. Any suggestions?
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
Have you tried high power mode?
Perhaps the bearings are misaligned or simply defective?
- Gab
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
Are all the steppers the same (I bought the factory built unit), if so swap the steppers used in the extruder with the x-axis to verify the stepper is not the problem.
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
Thanks for the suggestions. I am running on high power. Haven't yet tried swapping the motors but I don't think this is an issue with the motor (although I will try swapping it if nothing else looks promising). After posting the original msg I did try again and for the first time, I was able to get it to perform the bed levelling and print out the calibration pattern. For some reason, the extruder seems to be constantly leaking filament leaving traces of filament where it shouldn't and generally making a mess. Anyway, I tried printing the batman logo after that and that didn't stick to the board. However, I didn't wipe the board before so probably something to do with that. After that failed I tried the bed levelling again and got that to fail again. I was advised to post a vid so here is a link to one: skip fwd to 3:30 to see one of the mesh bed levelling failures
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
Good morning
My name is fabio and i'm a new user.
I have the same problem. I saw the video and it happened the same way.I think it's a software problem. the movement of the engines, also the x-axis, the various calibrations, is regular.It was solved the problem?
Thank's in advance
Fabio
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
In the video the X motor is clearly skipping steps. Is that what's happening to you too?
Update to firmware 3.0.10, and run the self test. I bet the X axis self test will fail with the Loose Pulley message. Make sure to tighten the pulley properly and adjust the belt tension until you can pass the self test.
- Gab
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
After leaving the printer alone for a couple of months I tried again and it worked to a certain extent. I recently upgraded to the mk2s and replaced the heatbed which I had managed to thread the nuts on the bottom of it when originally trying to attach it to the frame (without having drilled the holes larger). Anyway, having reassembled the printer and upgrading to the 3.0.12 firmware it now fails the selftest with the loose pulley message. The pulley is not in any way loose. I have tried various tensions on the belt but always get the same result. The x axis is extremely stiff with the belt attached - the tighter the belt the stiffer it is. I cannot see why. The belt appears to track straight on the motor. The frame is aligned. I can move the carriage around using the move axis controls. It passed the XYZ calibration and said it was square. How stiff should I expect the carriage to be when moving the x-axis? I would assume I should be able to move it with one hand. I need to hold the frame with one hand and the carriage with the other and apply a fair bit of force. Without the belt attached it glides from one side to the other very easily.
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
thought it was about time I tried swapping the X and Y motors. I got as far as removing the X motor and then attempting to unscrew the pulley attached to the motor. Probably didn't need to remove that but it didn't occur to me at the time. It was impossible to remove without using the two spanners to lever it up and off the motor spindle. I did manage to remove it but it doesn't want to go back on. I can use the spanner as a hammer and tap it back on but I guess that means the spindle is bent and is likely to be the source of my problem.
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
swapping X and Y motors makes no difference. It fails in the same way
Re: X-Axis stops on bed levelling
Finally figured out the x-axis idler was way too tight and would not spin. Can't believe I didn't check that before.. Loosening that has fixed my issues and I finally have a functional printer. (now I want a mk3 though!)