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Extruder stepper runs backwards
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 1:08 pm
by grayd
Hello everyone,
My current setup problem with my rostock is my extruder, it runs backwards. Whats the easiest way to fix this? I have looked around in the firmware configuration.h file but am unsure what to change. Any help appreciated...
grayd
Re: Extruder stepper runs backwards
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 1:12 pm
by mhackney
grayd, tell us how you know it's running backwards? If you are just using the UI you might well be pushing the wrong buttons! It's been done before. If you are running gcode and it is sucking the filament rather than extruding, then you do have something to fix.
You can either rewire the stepper or change the firmware. What firmware are you using? In Repetier it is:
// set to false/true for normal / inverse direction
#define EXT0_INVERSE true
Re: Extruder stepper runs backwards
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:04 pm
by grayd
When in the repetier software, using the manual controls, I have the extrude value set to 10 and the retract set to 5. When I press the manual extrude button ( the top one with the down arrow) it pulls back 5mm and when I press the manual retract button (the bottom arrow that points up) it extrudes 10mm. I will try the suggested changes. The firmware appears to be Marlin, at least thats what it says in the Arduino IDE. What lines do I change in the Marlin firmware? Thank you.
Re: Extruder stepper runs backwards
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:07 pm
by mhackney
Ok, not operator error then!
What firmware you you using and where did you get it? If you are using Polygonhell's then it should be configured properly. That would indicate the wiring is backwards, but no worries, it can be changed in the firmware. Steppers don't really care which way is which!
Re: Extruder stepper runs backwards
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:54 pm
by grayd
I'm using the Marlin firmware downloaded as described in the Rostock assembly guide/manual. Is it just easier to revers the wires on the stepper? Otherwise, what lines do I need to change in the firmware? Thanks!
Re: Extruder stepper runs backwards
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:04 pm
by mhackney
Well, it depends! If you are a hardware guy then resoldering the connections is easier. If you are software guy, changing the firmware is easier!
Seriously though, it is a 1 line change in the Marlin configuration.h file. Look for:
Code: Select all
#define INVERT_E0_DIR false // for direct drive extruder v9 set to true, for geared extruder set to false
and change it to the opposite of what's there. Recompile, upload and print!