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printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting - SOLVED
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:38 pm
by ken cummings
Tried to condense the problem into the subject line. I got my stock Orion printer three weeks ago. Today I noticed it starting a print about 2-3 mm above the blue tape. I ran through the z setting procedure and it still printed up off the plate. Did a reset Z and it still went in the air. I', hoping it is simply a matter of my hitting the wrong button while trying to adjust thing on my MatterControl Touch. Any ideas. Hope it isn't major damage caused by the Bowden tube hanging up on the end of one of the arms recently. That problem is fixed. May just need to tap the reset button and start over?
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:42 pm
by mhackney
Likely not damage. It really sounds like you don't have Z=0 set correctly.
Try this. Home the printer and the issue a G0 Z0. Where does the nozzle end up? If above the glass then your 0 is not set correctly.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 6:03 pm
by ken cummings
Okaaaay, I am so new to this I am not sure what you mean by GO Z0. A G code command to bring the tip down to where the machine thinks the zero point is? I'll start looking for training on how to use G code. In the mean time is it safe to use the printed instructions I got from SeeMeCNC tech support on how to zero the machine. Then set the machine one or two tenths of a millimeter lower then That.? Something weird is going on here as it ran just fine the first two weeks then blammo.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 6:08 pm
by mhackney
Yes, that is exactly what G0 Z0 does.
If you use repeater or matter control hosts, they both have an entry field to manually type in gcode. You could also just create a file with nothing but G0 Z0 in it and print it.
Yes, the instructions are safe but test before manually setting the height.
What changed after 2 weeks? Did you move the machine, the temperature warm up, or anything else?
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 6:12 pm
by Xenocrates
Note that GO is not the same as G0. GO tells it there are two values there (G being general commands, and O being a program or sub-routine name/number (Up to 5 digits, 4 on older controllers) ). If Seeme sent you instructions, they are safe (And if something goes wrong following them, they will have your back).
If you want training on G-codes as used in printing, look for a college around that offers Intro to CNC machining, and then call either the instructor or department head. Ask them if they cover G-code, or Conversational programming.
It may also be that the endstops have worked loose, and bounce up as it homes.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 6:22 pm
by mhackney
G0 (G Zero) is a rapid linear move. But this might be less confusing and potential safer since you can specify the speed so you can slow down:
G1 Z0 F1500
G1 is the linear move gcode and the F parameter tells the machine how fast to move.
Good point on the endstops Xenocrates! Definitely check that. Also make sure the set screws on the pulleys on the stepper motor shafts are all tight.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:37 pm
by ken cummings
GO Z0 F1500 went down to the platform firmly enough so that the slip of paper would not pull out unless I tore it. The three end stop bolts/screws and their plastic holders feel non moving under finger pressure. Fun figuring out symbols on the Touch screen. New to a 'Nam era Vet who used carbon paper and manual keys to make copies.
I will wait a while before opening things up and messing with the pulleys. Now I'll re-check the setting for the first layer thickness - I think it was 0.3 mm. To reduce it and later maybe later increase the amount extruded by telling the machine it has a 0.68 nozzle instead of the 0.5 installed. You all are outstanding.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 10:59 pm
by Xenocrates
If it goes to the right place, then it is likely a slicer issue (Perhaps a decimal point got missed/misplaced). G is finicky stuff, and the slicers are just the same. I today found no less than five places over 1500~ lines of G I wrote where I had moved a decimal or typed too many numbers, or otherwise screwed something up in a minor way (By the way, M606, not a valid M code, on any controller, but it looks like T606 when you are insufficiently caffeinated. However typing that is inexcusable)
Also, thank you for your service (And what branch, if you don't mind the intrusion?}
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:51 pm
by 3D-Print
Interesting that this happened to me today. Now I did just upgrade to the Duet and this is my first print with the duet. I used MatterSlicer in MC to export the gcode files. I manually set Z and each axis because I need to print my FSR brackets. All was well except it started the print above the bed at exactly z=2 as denoted via the Duet web interface.
Of note I upgraded MC, and ugh because all settings went away with the upgrade. Losing setting with MC upgrades have happened to me before, thus beware!!!!! Thankfully I have saved my settings based on losing settings last time I upgraded MC. Need to play tomorrow to figure out why it starts at 2 mm Z-height.
Has any one used MC and MS with duet? I know Mhackney and others use Kiss.
Did you also upgrade MC is there something about the upgrade????
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 8:49 am
by mhackney
Please read my blog entry on setting up FSRs on Duet - and David's blog. This sounds like you have the probing setup incorrectly - most likely the G31 in config.g.
Yes, I've used MC and MS with Duet. It should not make any difference to use MC and MS with Duet. There are some little nuances with RepRapFirmware in that it requires you/the gcode to be EXPLICIT with relative and absolute extrusion but once you have that, it won't matter where the gcode comes from. I have printed gcode on Duet from MS, Slic3r, S3D, KISS, Cura and that new slicer that just was announced (and not worth the time right now).
You shouldn't have to upgrade MC. The Duet handles USB perfectly fine. I've printed on my Duet from MC, Repetier, S3D and Pronterface. But, I highly recommend connecting an ethernet cable and using the built in web interface. It is so much easier and nicer.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 12:09 pm
by 3D-Print
mhackney wrote:Please read my blog entry on setting up FSRs on Duet - and David's blog. This sounds like you have the probing setup incorrectly - most likely the G31 in config.g.
Yes, I've used MC and MS with Duet. It should not make any difference to use MC and MS with Duet. There are some little nuances with RepRapFirmware in that it requires you/the gcode to be EXPLICIT with relative and absolute extrusion but once you have that, it won't matter where the gcode comes from. I have printed gcode on Duet from MS, Slic3r, S3D, KISS, Cura and that new slicer that just was announced (and not worth the time right now).
You shouldn't have to upgrade MC. The Duet handles USB perfectly fine. I've printed on my Duet from MC, Repetier, S3D and Pronterface. But, I highly recommend connecting an ethernet cable and using the built in web interface. It is so much easier and nicer.
Awesome good to know MC and MS work well. I will check the config.g, G31 and ! Agree that I want to run this from the web interface which has been awesome to use and easy. Just need to help my iMac find my V2 and the Duet MAC address. Would prefer not to use USB to avoid other devices who use USB interfering with a print.
The MC update was a routine push that I accepted, not that it was needed, just happened when I reopened MC after not using it for a couple of weeks.
Thanks again.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 2:32 pm
by ken cummings
Xenocrates wrote:If it goes to the right place, then it is likely a slicer issue (Perhaps a decimal point got missed/misplaced). G is finicky stuff, and the slicers are just the same. I today found no less than five places over 1500~ lines of G I wrote where I had moved a decimal or typed too many numbers, or otherwise screwed something up in a minor way (By the way, M606, not a valid M code, on any controller, but it looks like T606 when you are insufficiently caffeinated. However typing that is inexcusable)
Also, thank you for your service (And what branch, if you don't mind the intrusion?}
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 2:39 pm
by ken cummings
Army, somewhat. Army Security Agency in particular. Its been over 20 years so I can admit we radio intercepted enemy and Allied communications and started the decryption. NSA and DIA did the rest. It paid my way through engineering school.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 2:46 pm
by ken cummings
it may just be that missing decimal. I found the outer surface setting was 0. , not o.1 or 0.anything. I set it on standard, 0.6mm and will try again.
That seems to have been it. printed the little SeeMeCNC blinky logo. REally stuck to the platform let it cool down and used a sharp solid dinner knife to get it loose. With thanks to all the help out there. Now to work towards those braille signs I saw mentioned in the MC text.
Re: printing in air 2-3 mm after repeat z setting - SOLVED
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 8:38 pm
by 3D-Print
Up and running.
What I realized was the 2 mm difference noted was actually the first layer thickness and that after adjusting my horizontal radius (i.e Delta radius) manually via the M665 G-code the printer was spot on with the first layer.
Still need to connect MC.