Ebay SINTRON Kossel Mini full kit

That's it! That's the right way, I just couldn't figure out how to do it using the parts in the bag. Excellent pic.

I have started calibrating my new build, oh this is fun....
Re jigged the Z motor plug, and set them all up from the firmware, so they are all standard now.
M114 = 235
XYZ = 425.14 (but this is without editing the Sintron file at all).

Ran an M302, tested the extruder motor too.

I won't be able to touch it till Sunday evening at the earliest, but in the meantime:

Arm centres are 220mm.
How important is it that all of the offsets are the same, on all three legs/arms/sides of the effector etc. Mine aren't, they are all out by a couple of mm?

Quick clarification needed re Sintron Manual:

9. New MANUAL_Z_HOME_POS value = Old MANUAL_Z_HOME_POS value –current Z value. This new value will defined the Max Print Height.
10. Update #define MANUAL_Z_HOME_POS __?__ with the new value.

My M114 was 235.
Brought the nozzle down to the standard paper thickness test.
My new M114 is -4.10

So, is my
#define MANUAL_Z_HOME_POS __?__

235 + (-4.10) = 230.90
or
235 - (-4.10) = 239.10

I am thinking it is 239.10 but would rather not send my nozzle crashing through the bed (which is now firmly bolted down, flush with the 2020 rails, If that moves at all then it will mess everything else up).

My brain is frying.....

Quote
Wibbles
235 + (-4.10) = 230.90
or
235 - (-4.10) = 239.10

239.10
This value is just the distance between print surface and nozzle after homing.

Many thanks. Steadily getting there...

Ok, I admit defeat on setting up the bed levelling. I can't find the chunk of code referred to in the Sintron manual in Main.cpp.

I don't trust the spring clip to reposition the allen key, so until I can find an alternative bed probe what I want to do is the following:

Manually flick the probe across so that it lowers, let it do its probing, then have it pause for 30 seconds while I manually park the allen key.

I have scrolled up and down the code but can't see where I would change the parameters to make this happen?

My main.cpp and config.h are attached, if anyone can assist I would be very grateful. This seems to be the last leg of the journey, though doubtless I will have to do some fine tuning after I have started the test print process.

The print radius may also need resetting, I have set it 80, but can it go larger, the specs say a print bed of 200x200x270, but is this possible, according to my measurements it is 160x160x235?

I think you need to look at retract_z_probe() function.
You can insert there a code sequence to wait of clicking on LCD joystick. Like it's done in M600 command:

        uint8_t cnt=0;
        while(!lcd_clicked()){
          cnt++;
          manage_heater();
          manage_inactivity();
          lcd_update();
          if(cnt==0)
          {
          #if BEEPER > 0
            SET_OUTPUT(BEEPER);

            WRITE(BEEPER,HIGH);
            delay(3);
            WRITE(BEEPER,LOW);
            delay(3);
          #else
			#if !defined(LCD_FEEDBACK_FREQUENCY_HZ) || !defined(LCD_FEEDBACK_FREQUENCY_DURATION_MS)
			  lcd_buzz(1000/6,100);
			#else
			  lcd_buzz(LCD_FEEDBACK_FREQUENCY_DURATION_MS,LCD_FEEDBACK_FREQUENCY_HZ);
			#endif
          #endif
          }
        }

Thanks to all for helping me out on this, it is much appreciated. I discovered one problem, tension on the probe spring was too slack, it wasn't closing the microswitch.

I installed GRandAG's code, and it worked.

1. Lowered the probe manually.
2. G28 then G29.
3. The probe dropped to the bed, then probed as it should.

Problems:

1. It only probes a small area of the centre of the bed, though it does do the required number of times (I assume 37?)
2. When complete, the buzzer sounds on the LCD.
3. I then raise the probe and lock it out of the way.
4. Press the lcd button.
5. Hotend then drops into the print bed, the Z height is too low for printing...or is it still trying to auto lock the probe, which it can't do because the probe is still in the middle of the bed (see 1), and it is already manually locked out of the way?

Any solutions to 1 & 5?

5. You need not only insert the code above into retract_z_probe() function, but also refactor the rest of procedure to eliminate any unnecessary extra movements that it can do.

Was carrying on configuring the parameters today, actually had the probe working as nature intended, and then Pronterface decides that it will ignore Z+10 etc, and simply do a Z+infinity. The bed probe that I had working decides to do its own random thing, and then it loses the USB connection, cannot detect a port.

Switch everything off, unplug and reconnect...and the Arduino has died before I have even run the printer? The Voltage Regulator is the probable culprit as it is getting very hot. The LCD is blank, the PSU is putting out a steady 13.65v, and I have never fired up the hotend, and don't have a heated bed, so not exactly putting a load on the Arduino.

I have emailed Sintron to see whether they will send me another board....what are my chances?

That will teach me to work on two printers at the same time...the board is ok, the bed levelling microswitch was plugged in on the bottom two pins instead of the top two.

Still left with the problem of the self leveller. It was working fine earlier today, but now stabs the same centre spot until it has finished.

Pronterface is either needs to be reinstalled or the printer has a setting out of joint somewhere...using Gcode or Printrun move buttons. Whatever G1 codes eg G1 Z50 I put in, it just drops right down to 0, and I have to hit the emergency stop. It totally ignores the commands?

M119 is ok.
M114 gives correct results.
G28 homes ok.
G29 starts the levelling ok.

Ok, managed at long last to get the printer going as far as probing the complete surface. Had to reinstall Pronterface as that had gone haywire, ho hum, and then had to dig around in the firmware to figure out what affected what. Anyway, these are the probe readings (and yes it does reset on a bolt,

Now can anyone tell me whether these readings are good, bad or diabolical, I haven't got a clue what they mean?? Am I correct in thinking that it is the Z output at each location that is relevant, because that seems to indicate that the bed is on a bit of a slope, though it is probing the circumference at the outer limits ?

SENDING:G29
Bed x: 65.00 y: -67.00 z: 11.46
Bed x: 43.00 y: -67.00 z: 9.20
Bed x: 21.00 y: -67.00 z: 8.29
Bed x: -1.00 y: -67.00 z: 7.92
Bed x: -23.00 y: -67.00 z: 7.97
Bed x: -45.00 y: -67.00 z: 8.57
Bed x: -67.00 y: -67.00 z: 9.57
Bed x: -67.00 y: -45.00 z: 7.96
Bed x: -45.00 y: -45.00 z: 7.15
Bed x: -23.00 y: -45.00 z: 7.24
Bed x: -1.00 y: -45.00 z: 7.43
Bed x: 21.00 y: -45.00 z: 7.86
Bed x: 43.00 y: -45.00 z: 8.54
Bed x: 65.00 y: -45.00 z: 9.49
Bed x: 65.00 y: -23.00 z: 8.43
Bed x: 43.00 y: -23.00 z: 7.49
Bed x: 21.00 y: -23.00 z: 6.81
Bed x: -1.00 y: -23.00 z: 6.48
Bed x: -23.00 y: -23.00 z: 6.49
Bed x: -45.00 y: -23.00 z: 6.75
Bed x: -67.00 y: -23.00 z: 7.33
Bed x: -67.00 y: -1.00 z: 6.48
Bed x: -45.00 y: -1.00 z: 6.05
Bed x: -23.00 y: -1.00 z: 5.77
Bed x: -1.00 y: -1.00 z: 5.84
Bed x: 21.00 y: -1.00 z: 6.19
Bed x: 43.00 y: -1.00 z: 6.82
Bed x: 65.00 y: -1.00 z: 7.75
Bed x: 65.00 y: 21.00 z: 7.25
Bed x: 43.00 y: 21.00 z: 6.18
Bed x: 21.00 y: 21.00 z: 5.59
Bed x: -1.00 y: 21.00 z: 5.47
Bed x: -23.00 y: 21.00 z: 5.49
Bed x: -45.00 y: 21.00 z: 5.71
Bed x: -67.00 y: 21.00 z: 6.11
Bed x: -67.00 y: 43.00 z: 5.85
Bed x: -45.00 y: 43.00 z: 5.49
Bed x: -23.00 y: 43.00 z: 5.35
Bed x: -1.00 y: 43.00 z: 5.46
Bed x: 21.00 y: 43.00 z: 5.76
Bed x: 43.00 y: 43.00 z: 6.32
Bed x: 65.00 y: 43.00 z: 7.15
Bed x: 65.00 y: 65.00 z: 7.05
Bed x: 43.00 y: 65.00 z: 6.29
Bed x: 21.00 y: 65.00 z: 5.73
Bed x: -1.00 y: 65.00 z: 5.43
Bed x: -23.00 y: 65.00 z: 5.42
Bed x: -45.00 y: 65.00 z: 5.62
Bed x: -67.00 y: 65.00 z: 6.09
3.67 2.67 2.07 2.02 2.39 3.30 5.56
2.06 1.25 1.34 1.53 1.96 2.64 3.59
1.43 0.85 0.59 0.58 0.91 1.59 2.53
0.58 0.15 -0.13 -0.06 0.29 0.92 1.85
0.21 -0.19 -0.41 -0.43 -0.31 0.28 1.35
-0.05 -0.41 -0.55 -0.44 -0.14 0.42 1.25
0.19 -0.28 -0.48 -0.47 -0.17 0.39 1.15

Kossel

Print Height/Print Bed Centre Calibration procedures using Pronterface are as below:

1. Send GCODE G28 to home the Nozzle
2. Send MCODE M114 to check Z Height at HOME position. Z:239 corresponds to
3. MANUAL_Z_HOME_POS 239 in [Configuration.h]

SENDING:M114
X:0.00 Y:0.00 Z:239.40 E:0.00
Count X: 428.76 Y:428.76 Z:428.76

3. Send GCODE G1 Z10 to move the Nozzle close to the Print Bed
4. Use GUI to move nozzle 1mm towards Print Bed
5. Repeat 4 till gap between Nozzle and Print Bed less than 1mm
6. Repeat 4 but move 0.1mm towards Print Bed
7. Repeat 6 till Nozzle is 0.1mm above Print Bed. This Nozzle position will be
defined as Print Bed Centre [0,0,0]
8. Send GCODE M114 to check the current Z value.

SENDING:M114
X:0.00 Y:0.00 Z:-2.80 E:0.00
Count X:186.56 Y:186.56 Z:186.56

9. New MANUAL_Z_HOME_POS value = Old MANUAL_Z_HOME_POS value –
current Z value. This new value will defined the Max Print Height.

239.40 - (-2.80) = 242.20

10. Update #define MANUAL_Z_HOME_POS __?__ with the new value. Then
reupload the updated Marlin_delta2 firmware using step {F09}
11. If 7 is not possible, software Endstop limit reached. Update value in
[Configuration.h] #define min_software_endstops false and repeat Step
{F09}. Kindly disconnect Pronterface before attempting Step {F09}

Set to False

12. Repeat 1 to 7. Once completed, then Repeat 11 with value true.

Set to True

>>>UPLOADED

***************

GCODE G29 consist a set of continuous procedures which eventually align Nozzle to
move at uniform Z Height above a flat Print Bed.
After sending GCODE G29, 3 procedures as below will be automatically executed:
Deploy Z Probe
Probe Print Bed (at 37 Locations)
Retract Z Probe
Below is the snapshot of G29 main codes found in [Marlin_main.cpp]:
The default Z Probe deployment mechanism is by pushing the horizontal portion of Z
Probe against the GT2 belt of Z-Tower. The XYZ coordinates shown below is where
the pushing of Z Probe (in –X direction) against GT2 belt will begin from.

*****************
Main CPP

Reset Probe

destination[X_AXIS] = -100; // Needs to go wider than stock set up provided
destination[Y_AXIS] = -35; //Depends where your bolt is
destination[Z_AXIS] = 30; //Do not change, there is a reason for this.

>>>UPLOADED

******************
#ifdef ENABLE_AUTO_BED_LEVELING

// these are the positions on the bed to do the probing
#define DELTA_PROBABLE_RADIUS (DELTA_PRINTABLE_RADIUS-40) // Enlarge radius by changing the -40 to whatever you want
#define LEFT_PROBE_BED_POSITION -DELTA_PROBABLE_RADIUS
#define RIGHT_PROBE_BED_POSITION DELTA_PROBABLE_RADIUS
#define BACK_PROBE_BED_POSITION DELTA_PROBABLE_RADIUS
#define FRONT_PROBE_BED_POSITION -DELTA_PROBABLE_RADIUS

****************

>>>>UPLOADED

Always test by:
1. Before uploading Disconnect printer by selecting Disconnect button at top of Pronterface screen.
2. Double check that any changes have been saved in Marlin and then select Upload.
3. Select Connect button at top of Pronterface screen.
4. Check that probe is not only down but that it has closed the microswitch.
5. You can hear it click if you raise and lower the probe with your finger. Spring pressure is critical.
5. If the microswitch is not closed then the probing will raise the hotend, not lower it.
6. Always send Gcode G28 first to home the printer.
7. Keep one finger over the emergency stop button on the LCD screen.
8. Then Gcode G29 to probe. Be ready to hit the stop button.

If the probe works ok, it will try and reset the probe on a bolt. It will stop when it has completed. If you do not have a bolt then the probe will not reset in its holder.
If the probe does not work ok, and you have hit the stop button, then click Reset Printer in Pronterface, then click Disconnect, then click Connect again.

If you do not Disconnect before uploading firmware changes then Marlin will throw up errors.
If you do not Disconnect/Connect after resetting the printer then you may get port errors.

Hi again pros

I have a litle problems with my bed leveling too..

I have put all necessary delta measurements (that know) to marlins configuration.h file

I tried to do fine tuning to find out do I have all the measurements perfect.. I had bit concave print surface and I got it adjusted quite good.. or so I thought..

Now if I try to move print head for example on X-axis printhead will collide to bed on positive and head is millimeter or two above bed on negative side same thing on Y-axis

So I think this is bed leveling problem ?? can I adjust theese in marlin? g codes or such?

I found video from youtube that shows how to level bed manually using M666 and M665 g codes
but the problem is that I cannot go to negative Z even using G1 S1 code with marlin

I hope you professionals could help me to sort out my problem..

I have exactly the same problem. If I place a steel ruler across the bed I have a gap in the middle. The aluminium plate is concave. I have tried manually levelling the bed, but I cannot get a constant clearance between the bed and the nozzle. There is a 1mm+ gap at the back of the bed.

During test runs the printer will print, but I am only testing with PLA, and no heated bed.

I can only see the following solutions.

1. Buy a glass bed.
2. Use a Buildtak sheet. I use one on my Smartrap printer (glass bed) and it solves all adhesion problems instantly. I can print parts all day and none of them suffer any lifting problems.
3. Try and solve the problem by adjusting the firmware settings, but I do not know where to begin in order to solve this problem.

First test print

If the problem is due to the effector not staying level how is this solved? Adjust the arms or adjust the firmware, or adjust the bed?

if you have gap in the center your delta radius is too small

check out this video with time.. even if you won't do it like this

video

If you are looking at my video, there is supposed to be a gap in the middle, I was using Gcode from parts that I print on my Smartrap.



I am wondering, do I get the Kossel bed level by moving the Z tower endstop down 1mm?

very sure yes but it would be easiet do like in video I posted but need to go below surface any other methods I don't know
I am so newbie in 3d printing..

If you can't get the head to go low enough, increase the homed height parameter in the firmware configuration. In some firmwares you can do this using the H parameter on the M665 command.

---

Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].

The problem is manually getting the bed level. I have a 1-2mm difference between the front and the back, plus the centre of the bed is concave.

What I don't know is whether the effector is pulling up when it moves to the rear, or whether the bed isn't level. How can I tell which one it is?

Have you measured bed level using vernier caliper (or what ever this tool is) from each corner ?


I don't know any other method for this..

I always used 4-point method to calibrate my printer: 3 points near the towers and the center point.
As my heat bed is firmly screwed to the frame and can't be leveled, to calibrate tower points I iteratively use M666 command (software endstop offsets). So, the algorithm:

1. Check X tower.
2. If X is not OK, adjust offset via M666 and repeat from step 1.
3. Check Y tower.
4. If Y is not OK, adjust offset via M666 and repeat from step 3.
5. If Y is OK, and in the Step 4 there were adjustments, repeat from step 1.
6. Check Z tower.
7. If Z is not OK, adjust offset via M666 and repeat from step 6.
8. If Z is OK, and in the Step 7 there were adjustments, repeat from step 1.
9. Check center point.
10. If center point is not OK, adjust delta radius (i.e. by adjusting DELTA_SMOOTH_ROD_OFFSET).
11. If center point is OK, and in the Step 10 there were adjustments, repeat from step 1.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2017 07:43AM by GrAndAG.

that is the thing I am trying to do, but for some reason I cannot set it with positive offset that's why I need to "lie" that my bed is on negative z
or this is something I just don't get..

M666: In Marlin, only negative endstop corrections are allowed.
Actually, you can change your overall Z-height so offsets became negative.
Personally me live with rather big offsets {-2.36, -3.42, -2.14}, so my endstop switches are even not in pressed state after G28 homing.

does it mean that I need to change manual_z_home_pos value ?

so it means I need to increase that value for example from 234 to 236

Quote
OG
does it mean that I need to change manual_z_home_pos value ?

so it means I need to increase that value for example from 234 to 236

I answer to my self and others who has similar situation..

I decreased my manual_z_home_pos value by 1mm.. so 234 -> is now 233

I ran few offset calibrating rounds and between rounds I tweaked delta_smooth_offset value so I could find centre points Z0

But now I have adhesion problem -> no adhesion at all.. I just can't understand it.. could partial extruding cause this??
Also I managed to get clogged hot end, Damn! why I just can't print..

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2017 04:43PM by OG.

Quote
OG

Quote
OG
does it mean that I need to change manual_z_home_pos value ?

so it means I need to increase that value for example from 234 to 236

I answer to my self and others who has similar situation..

I decreased my manual_z_home_pos value by 1mm.. so 234 -> is now 233

I ran few offset calibrating rounds and between rounds I tweaked delta_smooth_offset value so I could find centre points Z

Now I have adhesion problem ->it means no adhesion at all

Thats what I thought would happen. The solution needs to keep the effector level with the sloped bed, or the bed level with the sloped effector. In a perfect world they would both be flat, and level, and the effector would remain level as it moves across the surface.

Simply raising the hotend will prevent the first layer being squashed onto the bed.

My bed sloped down towards the Z tower, so I am wondering whether I can lower the Z endstop 1mm, and trick the firmware. I can't test anything properly at the moment as I want to fit a glass bed and a Buildtak sheet.

Quote
Wibbles
My bed sloped down towards the Z tower, so I am wondering whether I can lower the Z endstop 1mm, and trick the firmware. I can't test anything properly at the moment as I want to fit a glass bed and a Buildtak sheet.

I think that you don't have to lower that end stop.. you can tweak the offset for that ..

I found this, so it looks like M666 or adjusting the endstops is the solution.

Level bed adjustment


This is an excellent video that shows how to set the offset for each tower. This should level everything.

Three tower offset

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2017 03:44AM by Wibbles.

I did my bed level adjustments just like in that video but I decreased that manual z home pos value in marlin config so I could play with negative offset

Edit >>>>>Ignore this, but I'll leave it here in case anyone else gets the same problem. I reformatted the SD card, and all is working again.

*******************************


Now I have a weird problem...

I have been happily doing tests etc, and even did a couple of test prints using the SD card. Today I decided to have another go, but when I selected the file to print from the LCD, the firmware totally ignored the start Gcode. The rollers stayed at the top of the towers, and behaved as if they were printing something?? No temperature appeared on the LCD, and the room temperature stayed constant.

This is the start Gcode:

G28
G29 ; Auto Bed Leveling
M104 S202 ; set temperature
M109 S202 ; wait for temperature to be reached
G1 X0 Y0 Z40 F9000; Centers Nozzle
G21 ; set units to millimeters
G90 ; use absolute coordinates
M82 ; use absolute distances for extrusion
G92 E0
;Put printing message on LCD screen
M117 Printing...

I then tried printing from Cura via a USB, and it all worked perfectly, so I know that the Gcode is ok.

The only thing that I had forgotten to do was set the Eeprom up, but I have now done that and uploaded the firmware again. It still does it.

Have I somehow altered something in the firmware? I haven't got a clue what it could be. It isn't homing, bed levelling, setting the temperature etc, it is going straight to the print section of the Gcode, after M117.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2017 04:19PM by Wibbles.

I managed to get hotend nozzle open.. oh yeah.. then I remember that I never changed thermistor type in marlin for this e3dv6 printheads thermistor. So my guess is there was no enough heat and that is why my nozzle got jammed in the first place..