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Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: October 12th, 2017, 2:59 am
by Lez0
Hi all
I have managed to build and get running the FT5.
I have gone through the usual problems of the plastic not sticking to the table etc.
I now have a problem I don't know how to solve.
I can print a part that has a small footprint (X&Y) OK but when I do something bigger I get an offset in the x or y, or both.
I have attached a photo of the worst one.
I have checked the cable that go through the umbilical, or whatever it's called, that flexes along the x and y, it was a bit stiff.
This seemed to cure the worst of the problem.
I have checked the motors for overheating, they are cool.
I don't know where to look.
Can anyone help me please.

Thanks in advance.

Lez

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: October 12th, 2017, 9:14 am
by LePaul
@Samurai might have a good idea about this...but if you have an offset all the way thru the print, I would guess the belts first.

If it was doing this midway through the print, I would wonder if your extruder motor is skipping steps

That color filament makes it hard to see if there are artifacts of skipped steps (i keep zooming in)

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: October 14th, 2017, 12:53 pm
by Lez0
I think I have solved the problem.
It was gradually improving the more I printed.
I tried various positions on the bed and found that if I printed close to "home" there was no problem.
This morning I checked everything mechanical. I added a link to the umbilical on the y axis, 1 more than in the instruction. and tightened all the screws. I made sure the x axis was square etc.
I oiled the rails and check everything ran smoothly.
It is now printing perfectly.
I am not sure what the problem was because the belts were OK, it most just have been something sticking.

Thanks

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: October 14th, 2017, 1:47 pm
by LePaul
You know I recall on the Facebook group that many mentioned using more chain links than what was called for. I think I used 23? I would have to go count mine up and verify.

I would really highly suggest the Y idler upgrade (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2108466)

I was surprised how bad the stock "idlers" looked once I removed them and noticed that securing them into the melamine board, cracks had developed and "billowed" out...looks like the humid weather didn't do it much good either.

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: October 16th, 2017, 7:55 am
by Lez0
Thanks LePaul
I have a stock FT-5 apart from a 4mm glass plate on the bed.
I plan to improve areas of the printer that need it as I go.
My first aim is to learn how to use a 3D printer and get good parts from it.

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: October 16th, 2017, 12:18 pm
by LePaul
It's a struggle. I know a lot of people have had bad experiences with the bed heating from the board, causing the board to either burn up or be damaged. Another friend experienced a resistor failure in the power supply 30 hours into a print. I hate to say it but it's not a printer I would trust to leave unattended/running when not home.

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 8:44 am
by Lez0
Hi all
Found the solution to the slipping in the Y axis as above.
I tuned the motors, I increased the power by a quarter turn see:


It has been working for a few days now without any skipping. :-)

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: February 9th, 2018, 9:45 am
by LePaul
That's good news, @Lez0 !

I struggled getting the right voltage for my pancake motor on the FT-5 for a while!

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: March 7th, 2018, 6:33 am
by Lez0
Just an update on the Y axis skipping.
I have been running it almost daily without any problems for the last month, so it looks like it is cured.

Re: Offset in the X & Y directions

Posted: March 7th, 2018, 12:31 pm
by LePaul
Fingers crossed!