Troubleshooting
From Wiki
Contents |
Diagnosing a Problem
Troubleshooting printer problems is best handled in two easy steps: 1) diagnose the problem and 2) apply likely solutions until the problem is fixed. On this page you can find causes and resolutions to specific printer problems.
Operation
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Buttons are stuck |
TODO... |
Temperature error
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Heater / thermistor connector not connected |
Check heater / thermistor connector for each extruder. |
|
Heater / thermistor faulty |
The hot end needs replacing. |
File read error
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
SD card removed during a print |
Do not remove the SD card during a print. |
|
Error reading the SD card |
Try another SD card. |
|
Gcode file is corrupt |
Use a computer to check the file is complete. Ensure the file has saved fully before removing the SD card from the SD card reader. |
Printer resets
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Short in model cooling fan(s) connector |
Check the connector and wiring to the model cooling fans which may come on when a print starts. |
|
Firmware V4.1.0B1 |
Please upgrade to a later firmware version. V4.1.0B1 contained an issue that could cause some machines to reset. |
|
Extruder heater shorted |
Check the heater resistance measures between 4.9 and 5.8 ohms. |
Temperature Error
A temperature error occurs when the firmware detects that the heater has been on continuously for 35 seconds and the temperature has not risen above 60C. (Exact time and temperature depend on firmware version.) The problem could therefore be due to a faulty heater or thermistor or respective wiring.
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Heater faulty |
Check the heater resistance measures between 4.9 and 5.8 ohms. Check the heater wiring and connections to the control board. |
|
Thermistor faulty |
Check the thermistor resistance measures between 200K and 300K ohms when the hot end is at room temperature. Check the thermistor wiring and connections to the control board. |
Model cooling fans do not switch on
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Fan on command not in .bfb print file |
The model cooling fan(s) are controlled by the .bfb Gcode print file that Axon generates. The M106 Gcode command turns the model cooling fan(s) on, M107 off. |
|
Model cooling fans connectors or wiring faulty |
Check the model cooling fans connectors and wiring. |
Z home position unrepeatable
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
BfB 3000 Y limit reed switch position incorrect |
Z home position repeatability is dependent on a correct Y home position. Check the Y limit reed switch protrudes 7mm along the top centre of the black cylinder. The Y limit switch is located on the rear top left corner block, approximately 15mm up from the bottom of the block (red circle below).
If the Y limit switch is not protruding 7mm, loosen the screw in the recess to the right of the corner block (green circle below) to release the Y limit switch. Set the correct limit switch distance, CAREFULLY re-tighten the screw just so the limit switch is barely held in place. OVER TIGHTENING THE SCREW WILL CAUSE THE GLASS TUBE INSIDE THE LIMIT SWITCH TO BE CRUSHED RESULTING IN A BROKEN LIMIT SWITCH. |
|
RapMan Z drive pulley grub screw is loose |
Tighten the grub screw. |
Manual Move - carriage does not move X- or Y+ / bed does not move up
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
RapMan limit switch detected as activated |
Check wiring and connections to the limit microswitch on the axis where movement is inhibited. |
|
BfB 3000 X/Y/Z limit reed switch is damaged |
Remove the magnet on the Z screw and hold it near the magnetic reed limit switches in turn. Observe whether TEST and OK can be attained on each of the axis on the Manual Move screen. |
Print Quality
Banding in the print
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Z wobble on RapMan |
Suggest a cause with resolution instructions and references where necessary. |
Missing layers
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Extruder pressure bearing tightness |
Suggest a cause with resolution instructions and references where necessary. |
Raft hard to remove
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Z height not correct raft too squashed |
Suggest a cause with resolution instructions and references where necessary. |
Support material hard to remove
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Support material density possibly too high |
Suggest a cause with resolution instructions and references where necessary. |
Ripple in print surfaces
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Print speed too fast |
Reduce the feedrate. |
|
Belts too loose |
Tighten the belts. Refer to manual. |
Raft thickness not even
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Bed not level |
Level the bed. Refer to the operations manual. |
|
Bed warped |
New resolution |
Print Failure
Raft detaches during printing
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Z height not correct raft not squashed enough |
Set Z height. Refer to the operations manual. |
|
Raft margin too small |
In the advanced Skeinforge settings -> Craft -> Raft -> Set Raft margin to 10mm. |
|
Bed greasy / dirty |
Wipe the bed with warm water and a cloth. |
|
Bed too smooth |
Use sandpaper to lightly sand the bed to give a key for the first layer. |
Print is warped
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Use of ABS |
TODO |
|
ABS temperature too low |
TODO |
|
X/Y runs are too long |
Reduce size / orientate model for shorter X/Y runs and regenerate Gcode |
Filament stops feeding
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Extruder pressure bearing not tight enough |
TODO |
|
Print cooling fans not running |
New resolution |
|
Extruder speed too fast |
New resolution |
|
Extruder temperature too low |
New resolution |
Template Table
|
Cause |
Resolution |
|---|---|
|
Describe a possible cause |
Provide resolution instructions and references where necessary. |
|
Describe another possible cause |
Provide resolution instructions and references where necessary. |
Temporary notes below
Operation
- Unable to select menu options (stuck buttons)
- Temperature error (check heater/thermistor connectors, heater/thermistor fault)
- File read error (SD card removed during print, error reading SD card, corrupt file)
Print Quality
- Banding (Z wobble on RapMan)
- Missing layers (filament feed issues, extruder pressure bearing tightness)
- Raft hard to remove (Z height not correct raft too squashed)
- Support material hard to remove (density possibly too high)
- Ripple (print too fast, belts too loose)
- Raft thickness not even (bed not level, bed warped)
Print Failure
- Raft detaches (Z height not correct raft not squashed enough)
- Warping (use of ABS, ABS temperature too low, model too big, rotate model for shorter X/Y runs and regenerate Gcode)
- Filament stops feeding (extruder pressure bearing not tight enough, print cooling fans not running, extruder speed too fast, extruder temperature too low)
Problem Resolution Procedures
- Set extruder filament pressure bearing tightness (BfB 3000, RapMan)
- Remove and replace filament in extruder (BfB 3000, RapMan)
- Align Y limit reed switch (BfB 3000)
Old content
Heater won't start
G-Code file line endings are \n only
Upgrade firmware to 1.0.5 or newer or covert your line endings to \n\r instead \n only
Electrical problem
Check for shorts and poor connections using an ohm-meter. Measure the resistance across all combinations of the thermistor and nichrome heater wires, this can be done at the connector to the board with the machine off. Any significant differences from the values in your manual indicate a wiring problem. The resistance should be infinite between the thermistor and the heater wires.
Extruder stepper not turning
Temperature under 100C
Extruder stepper will not run until temperature of the extruder is over 100C
Temperature target not reached
If the temperature of the heater barrel is under the target temperature, the extruder stepper will not run. Alternatively if you see a rise in temperature but then it stalls this may be a thermistor error - see Testing the thermistor.
If all else fails see Testing the stepper motors.
