RepRap Extrusion
Posted by RepRapRaj83
|
RepRap Extrusion June 23, 2011 02:44PM |
Hi
I hope all on the forum are well.
First of all, thanks to all who have responded to my previous queries on my RepRap build concerning software freezes and SF/Firmware settings. Without help from the forum members, i would not have been able to get to this stage of my build.
I am close to printing objects but need some final help with calibration (i think). I have attached the test.gcode file generated by SF41 along with pictures of what is printed.
A quick overview of the situation.
The extrusion of plastic on my prints does not remain consistent, resulting in incomplete printouts.
I’m slicing using SF41 and i am trying to upload these through the RepRap Host/RepSnapper.
The extruder is an Adrians geared extruder connected directly to the Extruder Board.
Manual tests which were made in RepSnapper to make sure the extruder works when commands are sent. I tested extrusions of 10mm at a speed of 255 (assuming this relates to ‘top speed’ from a PWM POV) which resulted in a consistent extrusion without any loss of torque. Test extrusions at a lower speed seem to make the stepper motor twitch/skip and the extrusion is not as smooth as at 255.
When sending gcode through the RepRap Host, the extruder motor tends to struggle to move when prints are carried out which result in printouts as attached. Ignore the big paw holding up the printout if you can. Even though it's a terrible print, it's good to see something being printed on the machine.
I am looking to troubleshoot the problem by looking at firmware, RepRap host preferences and possibly the replace.csv file in SF.
Before doing so thought it best to ask if anyone has had similar problems. As always, any input into which area to amend is very much appreciated.
I plan to look at updating the firmware on the extruder board, specifically the ‘#define STEP_PWM’ in the extruder boards configuration h file which is currently 140. By updating this to 255, i am hoping this will result in more consistent level of torque throughout the print.
RepRap Host Global and Extruder Variable update: - There are a lot of variables which may need updating on the Globals an Extruder tabs on the RepRap Preferences.
Globals which i think need amending are outlined below. These are the default settings in RepRap Host.
These seem very high. I have turned off acceleration in the firmware but i was thinking of updating the X and Y federates to roughly 1200mm/minute.
I’m not sure of these have any impact on the performance of the extruder, however they are slightly different to the settings i have in SF41.
On the Extruder tabs, I thought the following areas may need amending.
Apart from the Temperature which i updated, the extrusions and feedrates again seem high. I looked to reduce these to 600, 1200 and 1200 respectively.
The variable above also seems high although it relates to acceleration.
Another possible cause of the drop in extrusion could be the Replace.csv parameters. I have outlined these below and they can also be seen on the attached gcode file. The Mcodes below have been commented out as they are deprecated codes.
M108 ;M108
M101 ;M101
M103 ;M103
M105 ;M105
If any more details are needed, please let me know.
Thanks in advance to all forum users.
Raj
I hope all on the forum are well.
First of all, thanks to all who have responded to my previous queries on my RepRap build concerning software freezes and SF/Firmware settings. Without help from the forum members, i would not have been able to get to this stage of my build.
I am close to printing objects but need some final help with calibration (i think). I have attached the test.gcode file generated by SF41 along with pictures of what is printed.
A quick overview of the situation.
The extrusion of plastic on my prints does not remain consistent, resulting in incomplete printouts.
I’m slicing using SF41 and i am trying to upload these through the RepRap Host/RepSnapper.
The extruder is an Adrians geared extruder connected directly to the Extruder Board.
Manual tests which were made in RepSnapper to make sure the extruder works when commands are sent. I tested extrusions of 10mm at a speed of 255 (assuming this relates to ‘top speed’ from a PWM POV) which resulted in a consistent extrusion without any loss of torque. Test extrusions at a lower speed seem to make the stepper motor twitch/skip and the extrusion is not as smooth as at 255.
When sending gcode through the RepRap Host, the extruder motor tends to struggle to move when prints are carried out which result in printouts as attached. Ignore the big paw holding up the printout if you can. Even though it's a terrible print, it's good to see something being printed on the machine.
I am looking to troubleshoot the problem by looking at firmware, RepRap host preferences and possibly the replace.csv file in SF.
Before doing so thought it best to ask if anyone has had similar problems. As always, any input into which area to amend is very much appreciated.
I plan to look at updating the firmware on the extruder board, specifically the ‘#define STEP_PWM’ in the extruder boards configuration h file which is currently 140. By updating this to 255, i am hoping this will result in more consistent level of torque throughout the print.
RepRap Host Global and Extruder Variable update: - There are a lot of variables which may need updating on the Globals an Extruder tabs on the RepRap Preferences.
Globals which i think need amending are outlined below. These are the default settings in RepRap Host.
These seem very high. I have turned off acceleration in the firmware but i was thinking of updating the X and Y federates to roughly 1200mm/minute.
I’m not sure of these have any impact on the performance of the extruder, however they are slightly different to the settings i have in SF41.
On the Extruder tabs, I thought the following areas may need amending.
Apart from the Temperature which i updated, the extrusions and feedrates again seem high. I looked to reduce these to 600, 1200 and 1200 respectively.
The variable above also seems high although it relates to acceleration.
Another possible cause of the drop in extrusion could be the Replace.csv parameters. I have outlined these below and they can also be seen on the attached gcode file. The Mcodes below have been commented out as they are deprecated codes.
M108 ;M108
M101 ;M101
M103 ;M103
M105 ;M105
If any more details are needed, please let me know.
Thanks in advance to all forum users.
Raj
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