CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems
Posted by Bee69
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CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 07, 2017 03:56AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
Hi Guys.
I'm a total novice at 3D printers. I bought a printer off Ebay and it's giving me a load of headaches.It was advertised as: 2017 Upgraded Full Quality High Precision Reprap Prusa i3 DIY 3d Printer.
The thing has not worked since I've had it. The board is a GEEETEC GT2560. and all seemed fine but the extrude motor does not work. I've tested the motor and the wiring and they are all good.
If I hold the filament it feels like it just twitches but not feed.the company sent me a replacement board but that was even worse than the original so I bought a new board and that's not working.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Adrian
I'm a total novice at 3D printers. I bought a printer off Ebay and it's giving me a load of headaches.It was advertised as: 2017 Upgraded Full Quality High Precision Reprap Prusa i3 DIY 3d Printer.
The thing has not worked since I've had it. The board is a GEEETEC GT2560. and all seemed fine but the extrude motor does not work. I've tested the motor and the wiring and they are all good.
If I hold the filament it feels like it just twitches but not feed.the company sent me a replacement board but that was even worse than the original so I bought a new board and that's not working.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Adrian
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 07, 2017 08:13AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 4 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 07, 2017 08:32AM |
Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 413 |
Im betting Baron got it right with the "hot end not heating". You can't extrude unless the hot end is above a pre-set temperature - limited in firmware - and that temperature is sufficient to melt your material.
Don't know what material you are using but for PLA I believe you need about 160C and for ABS over 210.
A picture of the machine is always good.
Is this a direct drive extruder or Bowden?
Check the voltage setting for the motor driver.
Heat the hot end to the desired temperature and push the filament through by hand to prove there is no blockage.
For a direct drive check the throat on the hot end is not so far through the mounting block that it touches the gear and prevents it rotating.
Don't know what material you are using but for PLA I believe you need about 160C and for ABS over 210.
A picture of the machine is always good.
Is this a direct drive extruder or Bowden?
Check the voltage setting for the motor driver.
Heat the hot end to the desired temperature and push the filament through by hand to prove there is no blockage.
For a direct drive check the throat on the hot end is not so far through the mounting block that it touches the gear and prevents it rotating.
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 07, 2017 10:58AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
Hi guys thanks for the reply. the hot end is getting hot. It's not clogged. I'm using PLA set the temp to 205. The drive motor is twitching not feeding.
This is the printer. [www.ebay.co.uk]
Thanks Guys
This is the printer. [www.ebay.co.uk]
Thanks Guys
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 07, 2017 10:59AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
Hi guys thanks for the reply. the hot end is getting hot. It's not clogged. I'm using PLA set the temp to 205. The drive motor is twitching not feeding.
This is the printer.
[www.ebay.co.uk]
Thanks Guys
This is the printer.
[www.ebay.co.uk]
Thanks Guys
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 07, 2017 06:52PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 181 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 08, 2017 11:48AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 08, 2017 12:29PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 759 |
Can you push the filament thru the nozle (when heated 
)
Is that fitted with a plastic extruder ?
if it is i would sugeest upgrading to a all metal like [www.ebay.co.uk]
plastic extruders are known for giving trouble
)Is that fitted with a plastic extruder ?
if it is i would sugeest upgrading to a all metal like [www.ebay.co.uk]
plastic extruders are known for giving trouble
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 08, 2017 12:43PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 08, 2017 04:05PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 267 |
How did you check the driver? Did you increase the current, direct drive extrudes will need more torque and power over a geared extruder.
Also I cant really see from the images provided on the ebay link, but is there a way to increase or reduce the tension on the extruder? Most have a screw with a spring that will bring the idler pulley closer to the feed gear when tightened
[printrbot.zendesk.com]
Also I cant really see from the images provided on the ebay link, but is there a way to increase or reduce the tension on the extruder? Most have a screw with a spring that will bring the idler pulley closer to the feed gear when tightened
[printrbot.zendesk.com]
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 09, 2017 07:37AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
Hi guys.
I have not tried to increase the current as I've read it's a bit dodgy.
This is a link to my youtube posts.
Forgive the noise the bed clips are not in place.
[www.youtube.com]
Thanks
Adrian
I have not tried to increase the current as I've read it's a bit dodgy.
This is a link to my youtube posts.
Forgive the noise the bed clips are not in place.
[www.youtube.com]
Thanks
Adrian
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 09, 2017 04:20PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 267 |
Increasing the current isn't dodgy, its the people doing it when the board is powered on or are not careful with the multimeter probes, short the board out then complain that are dodgy.
Have a read, Link: [reprap.org]
Unplug the control board from the power and usb, turn the extruder driver turnpot clockwise a 1/4 turn, plug back in and take reading.
If your smart and safe about it nothing will go wrong
Have a read, Link: [reprap.org]
Unplug the control board from the power and usb, turn the extruder driver turnpot clockwise a 1/4 turn, plug back in and take reading.
If your smart and safe about it nothing will go wrong
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 09, 2017 06:24PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 2 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 10, 2017 12:05PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
Hi guys.
Thanks for all your help.
Today I changed the stepper motor input for the extruder with the X axis on the board and its driving the motor just fine.
Its not the stepper driver board because I've got a few spares and its still the same with other stepper driver boards.
I've changed the driver and its still the same.
I've checked the motor on a different axis.
I've checked the wires and they are good.
So it has to be the main board. And it will not upload new firmware, it keeps timing out.
Adrian
Thanks for all your help.
Today I changed the stepper motor input for the extruder with the X axis on the board and its driving the motor just fine.
Its not the stepper driver board because I've got a few spares and its still the same with other stepper driver boards.
I've changed the driver and its still the same.
I've checked the motor on a different axis.
I've checked the wires and they are good.
So it has to be the main board. And it will not upload new firmware, it keeps timing out.
Adrian
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 10, 2017 06:10PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 267 |
I really dont think its the board, in your first post you say you are on your third control board, ether you are the most unlucky person ever and got three control boards with the SAME defect, or something else is the problem.
Testing the motor on a different axis is a good step, so now we know its not the motor.
Now as maxoverdrive suggested, remove the motor from the extruder assembly, and test the motor, there are two ways to do this, first you could leave the hotend in place, heat it up then test the motor, or send a M302 command to allow for cold extrution to test the motor.
Now if the motor does not turn then it could be the control board
But if it does turn you will need to increase the current on the stepper driver. direct drive extrudes require a lot of force to push the filament out the hotend so will need more current then the steppers that are used for movement
Testing the motor on a different axis is a good step, so now we know its not the motor.
Now as maxoverdrive suggested, remove the motor from the extruder assembly, and test the motor, there are two ways to do this, first you could leave the hotend in place, heat it up then test the motor, or send a M302 command to allow for cold extrution to test the motor.
Now if the motor does not turn then it could be the control board
But if it does turn you will need to increase the current on the stepper driver. direct drive extrudes require a lot of force to push the filament out the hotend so will need more current then the steppers that are used for movement
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 10, 2017 08:09PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 9 |
I have had the exact same issue on my MK8 plastic extruder, which seems to be the same you have on your printer.
The problem turned out to be the pin that holds the bearing pushing the filament against the wheel on motor shaft. It was broken.
I temporarily solved the problem:
- turning a metal pin out of an M3 screw (i have a lathe but you can just a chop off an M3 screw at the right lenght)
- drilling a hole where the plastic pin had broken off
- fitting the metal pin into the hole and using some superglue to keep it in place.
That pin is a design flaw. You can't expect a 3mm plastic pin to hold.
I recommend upgrading to an all metal extruder. You can buy one for 7$ or so from the Geeetech website.
Hope this helps.
The problem turned out to be the pin that holds the bearing pushing the filament against the wheel on motor shaft. It was broken.
I temporarily solved the problem:
- turning a metal pin out of an M3 screw (i have a lathe but you can just a chop off an M3 screw at the right lenght)
- drilling a hole where the plastic pin had broken off
- fitting the metal pin into the hole and using some superglue to keep it in place.
That pin is a design flaw. You can't expect a 3mm plastic pin to hold.
I recommend upgrading to an all metal extruder. You can buy one for 7$ or so from the Geeetech website.
Hope this helps.
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 11, 2017 03:26AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
Thanks for the info guys.
As for being unlucky I could fall in a barrel of tits and come out sucking my thumb.LOL
I will check out the pin. ( I've checked the pin now. It's ok)
The board that came with the printer is the one that is not pushing out filament.
They sent a replacement board that does nothing not even a light on the board.
The third board which I bought from Geetech arrived in a damaged jiffy bag with some flat bubble wrap.
Adrian
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2017 05:37AM by Bee69.
As for being unlucky I could fall in a barrel of tits and come out sucking my thumb.LOL
I will check out the pin. ( I've checked the pin now. It's ok)
The board that came with the printer is the one that is not pushing out filament.
They sent a replacement board that does nothing not even a light on the board.
The third board which I bought from Geetech arrived in a damaged jiffy bag with some flat bubble wrap.
Adrian
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2017 05:37AM by Bee69.
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 16, 2017 10:07PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 12 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 17, 2017 08:24AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 18, 2017 08:37PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 12 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 19, 2017 03:42PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 94 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 19, 2017 05:25PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
Hi guys these are the first prints. Any help much appreciated.
Adrian
Adrian
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 19, 2017 06:37PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 267 |
So you got the extruder motor to turn? What did you do? Its always nice to post how you fixed it so other people searching with the same issue don't need to start a new topic about the same issue ( In saying that most will anyway, This forum should be re named to the "Troubleshooting cheap printers")
As for your prints, what did you change between the three? its slowly getting better.
I would start with temperature and E steps then move onto speed and acceleration
Follow the reprap calibration guide LINK: [reprap.org] starting at step 4
As for your prints, what did you change between the three? its slowly getting better.
I would start with temperature and E steps then move onto speed and acceleration
Follow the reprap calibration guide LINK: [reprap.org] starting at step 4
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 20, 2017 01:48AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
the only way I could get it to work was with a new board. I had some good advice on here and I set the gap to 0.01mm and started with a hot end temp of 220 on the first print.
I reduced the temp to 217 for the second one and the third one was at 215 with a bed temp set at 62 witch I reduced to 50 mid print and I think it helped because the top half of the third print seams better.
So I think I'm getting there slowly. Has you said this forum is a great help.
I've ordered a metal extruder to replace the plastic one.
Thanks for all your help guys.
Adrian
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2017 01:51AM by Bee69.
I reduced the temp to 217 for the second one and the third one was at 215 with a bed temp set at 62 witch I reduced to 50 mid print and I think it helped because the top half of the third print seams better.
So I think I'm getting there slowly. Has you said this forum is a great help.
I've ordered a metal extruder to replace the plastic one.
Thanks for all your help guys.
Adrian
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2017 01:51AM by Bee69.
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 22, 2017 01:28AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 12 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 22, 2017 04:25AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 163 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 23, 2017 05:41PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 267 |
Quote
Allan
I guess that nobody is willing to help me. with my API problem, so I give up.
Allan
You would only need an API key if you were trying to print from a server. (At least that is my understanding)
As Bee69 said start a new topic, and you will find someone to help you. Important information to include in that topic
- Printer control board (If you dont know post a picture)
- Firmware make and version (If you dont know dont guess, just list the suppler for the printer)
- Software you are using to control your printer
- When is it asking for the API key, is it your OS (Windows, Mac, Linux) or the software you are using
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 31, 2017 05:37AM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 12 |
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 31, 2017 11:43PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 73 |
Personally, that sounded like your hotend was TOO CLOSE to the buildplate. Like many tiny ridges scraping against hard cold plastic.
Could stand to reason why you are so unlucky with your boards?
How well does it extrude if you start the print with a big gap between the hotend and the buildplate?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/2017 11:44PM by VonRansak.
Could stand to reason why you are so unlucky with your boards?
How well does it extrude if you start the print with a big gap between the hotend and the buildplate?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/2017 11:44PM by VonRansak.
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Re: CTC Reprap Prusa i3 3d Printer problems March 31, 2017 11:57PM |
Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 73 |
Quote
Allan
Can anyone help,
have a great day people,
Allan
Yes. Start a New Topic [imgur.com]
Then, start giving us more information by giving us 'screenshots'. This tool works well if on windows, imo. [support.microsoft.com]
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