Z axis

enob

Z axis
October 22, 2011 01:58PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 22

Hello,

Trying to finish up my reprap. I have it all hooked up and wired. I am using Sanguinololu electronics with sprinter firmware and replicatorg. My X and Y axis move as they are supposed to but my Z just makes a noise and doesn't actually move.

What do I do?

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rhmorrison

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 02:16PM

Registered: 14 years ago
Posts: 3,742

Reduce the speed to 50 mm/min.

Bob Morrison
Wörth am Rhein, Germany
"Luke, use the source!"
BLOG - PHOTOS - Thingiverse

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enob

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 02:40PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 22

It still doesn't work. It goes down but not up

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enob

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 03:06PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 22

Anyone want to make some money in the Buffalo area? I have no idea what to do now..

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VDX

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 03:36PM

Admin
Registered: 16 years ago
Posts: 13,886

... check the endstop for Z - if it's active, then the axis moves only in one direction ...

Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

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zomie

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 03:44PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 26

Make sure you have the zaxis wired correctly. The motors will just hum or beat back and forth if one of the wires isn't connected.

The other thing to check is the power output from your drivers is enough. They should be putting out around an amp or so.

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enob

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 03:47PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 22

I checked the zaxis motors by pulling the threaded rods. They both spin in both directions the same way, so they are working properly. When I put it all back together it still doesn't work. I feel like it is binding in some places. It moves if I help it with my fingers

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Sublime

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 04:17PM

Registered: 13 years ago
Posts: 2,947

You may just need to turn up the current. I personally have run my Z stage on my Repstrap at 95% of maximum amperage on a Pololu A4983 for months and months without any real issues. I have heatsinks and a fan blowing across them, they will overheat and go into protection mode after about 50mm of continuous travel @ 15mm/s (900mm/m) but during printing they never have issues.

FFF Settings Calculator	Gcode post processors	Geometric Object Deposition Tool Blog
Tantillus.org	Mini Printable Lathe	How NOT to install a Pololu driver

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enob

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 04:21PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 22

Oh, that sounds about right. I didn't know I could turn up the current. How do you do that?

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Sublime

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 05:06PM

Registered: 13 years ago
Posts: 2,947

The little dial on the stepper driver board adjusts the current. You should start at about 1/4 of a turn from the lowest setting and turn it up from there. Never turn it all the way up. ( Less = counter clockwise ~~~~ More = clockwise )

Too high and the motors and driver will overheat. You want it just high enough that you never miss steps.

FFF Settings Calculator	Gcode post processors	Geometric Object Deposition Tool Blog
Tantillus.org	Mini Printable Lathe	How NOT to install a Pololu driver

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zomie

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 08:59PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 26

Here is how you change the amp on the drivers:
[www.emakershop.com] 2: Axes

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Sublime

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 09:54PM

Registered: 13 years ago
Posts: 2,947

zomie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is how you change the amp on the drivers:
> [www.emakershop.com]
> ssioning#Step 2: Axes

This refers to setting the current using a Multimeter and is specified for the motors the E-maker Huxley is using. Some motors will need 2A and some will only need 300mA so just setting it to 1A is not a really good idea. You may just burn your motors out if they can't handle that amperage.

FFF Settings Calculator	Gcode post processors	Geometric Object Deposition Tool Blog
Tantillus.org	Mini Printable Lathe	How NOT to install a Pololu driver

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enob

Re: Z axis
October 22, 2011 11:04PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 22

YES! Thank you guys so much. It works after turning up the current. I just had to turn it a little less than a quarter turn. The driver doesn't get hot either (well in my little test). Now I guess I am off to calibrating it tomorrow. I have to take a break, I have been working on this for hours straight.

I hope calibration goes easy on me smiling smiley

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