New marlin customisation problems

Hi Guys, Totaly n00b to marlin firmware here. I replaced my hictop combined RAMPs card with a MKS Gen1.4 running DRV8825 steppers.
The printer has no Z-probe or auto levelling. It's a Stock Hictop 3dp-08 apart from the controller card..

I'm attempting to configure the firmware so I can get printing. I *have* fixed a number of issues including:- Stepper motor direction, end stop and homing errors, Missing heatbed on display, bed size, PLA preheat temps Steps recalculated and configured, extrusion calibration and test..

The Main problem I have currently is the extruder does not extrude when printing but is fine in a static test. I have to put pressure on the filament to get any extrusion at all.

Minor problems are-
on the lcd display the X.Y and Z symbols alternatively flash with question marks.
It also occasionally flashed E1 heating despite have only one extruder defined.
There's a couple other things but just minor annoyances.


Cheers for your help,
Fraz

"on the lcd display the X.Y and Z symbols alternatively flash with question marks. "

this is normal

it means you have not homed that axis yet, so it doesn't know where 0 is.

#define Z_MIN_PROBE_ENDSTOP_INVERTING false // set to same logic as "Z_MIN_ENDSTOP_INVERTING".

It appears to me your are calculating for a NEMA 17 0.9° Stepper.

Hictop 3DP08 has the following
// Typical stepper motors have 200 steps per full step/rev = 1.8°/step, so 1/16 microstepping = STEPS_PER_REVOLUTION_E = 3200
// X-Y Axis 3200, / 20 tooth, / 2mm pitch = 200*16 / 20 / 2 = 80 :: (STEPS_PER_REVOLUTION_X / IDLER_TEETH_X / BELT_PITCH_X)
// Z Axis 3200, / 8m pitch leadscrew = 200*16 /8 = 400 :: (STEPS_PER_REVOLUTION_Z / PITCH_OF_Z_ROD)
// E-Axia 3200, / (11mm Gear OD * pi) 200*16 / 11 * 3.14159265359 = 92.599239617 :: (STEPS_PER_REVOLUTION_E * EXTRUDER_GEAR_RATIO / (PINCH_WHEEL_DIAMETER * PI))

#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT { 80, 80, 398, 94.4962144 }

Here is a Online Prusai3 calculator for your conveniences.
http://www.prusaprinters.org/calculator/#stepspermmbelt


// #define ULTRA_LCD : Should not be needed for a 3DP-08 controller card may need for MKS Gen1.4
#define REPRAP_DISCOUNT_SMART_CONTROLLER

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/2017 08:53PM by Roberts_Clif.

Ah, I'm new to marlin behaviour... Like the z axis raise when homing?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/2017 08:14PM by jedifraz.

I'm using DRV8825's as my stepper drivers.
The config page I used to config them said since they were 1/32 rather than 1/16 microsteppers so I had to double my values.

I tested them with the original values (80,80,400,206) the attempted test print was half size, when I used (160,160,800,206)
The print was full size.

Probably more luck than skill.. When I can get a proper test print I'll calibrate further.

Any ideas on the extrusion issue?

Calculations would be
200 * 32 / 11 * 3.14159265359 = 185.1984792341933

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2017 06:12AM by Roberts_Clif.

Cheers..
Have entered fine tuned data into config.h.

Still cant extrude during print....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2017 07:12AM by jedifraz.

Ok let's start with some basic information.
What version Marlin are you using.
Nozzle size, Filament size, Throat PTFE lined or not.
What kind of filament PLA/ABS - Have you printed with PLA then switched print with ABS


Have you tried to mark the filament and extrude say 20mm of filament.
If you cannot extrude a set length you may have a clogged nozzle or may have a bad throat.

Can you attach a photo of what is does on a failed print.
attach a photo of your attempted half print test cube.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2017 11:46AM by Roberts_Clif.

I'm using Marlin 1.1.3
0.4 Nozzle size, 1.75mm filament. Throat is PTFE lined.
Prima black PLA. Never used ABS.

Extrusion calibration process.
1. Marked 120mm on Filament.
2. Extruded 50mm at 75% speed
3. Repeat Step 2.
4. Measure filament remaining. = 13mm remaining on marked filament.
Total - remaining = extruded
120-13=107mm extruded

Requested extrusion / actual extruded * current estep setting = calibrated estep setting
100 / 107 * 220 = 205.6

Picture of test print is attached the blobby nature is due to me forcing the filament down.

Fraser

I noticed today. That when trying a print the LCD display flashed E1 Heating. Now, I *know* I only have one extruder defined in Configuration.h.
Could the printer be trying to extrude through a non existent extruder?
Pro's.
It would explain why the extrusion test performed on the LCD works since it specifies E0 as extruder.
The MKS Gen 1.4 card does have a second extruder. Does this need to be disabled if not being used?
Con's
A non existent extruder should give error message as min printing temp (170) has not been reached.
Config.h has one extruder defined
All non used thermistors are stated as ) non used in config.h so should be getting errors that non existent thermistors are undefined.

I have noticed this too, though it has not effected any of my prints.

It comes on after the E0 has heated for a few seconds them the print begins.

Never much paid attention to it as the Prints come out perfect.

Marlin-RC8BF-HICi3.zip

Progress. Of a sort.
I managed to get a useable print whilst printing from cura on USB.
On average the dimensions were within 0.4 mil of the 20mm box.

then without making any changes i tried to print the 20mm test box again, this time from sd card to have the non extrusion issue again.

Since then still no good prints, regardless of printing from usb or sdcard.
I even let it sit at printing temp for 20 odd mins while i re-levelled the bed with my feeler gauge set to 0.2. (half my 0.4 nozzle size.) to make sure it's not heat expansion.

Im getting so frustrated it's not even amusing anymore.

Have you adjusted the Stepper motor current

Hictop Controller
[www.youtube.com]

Ramps MKS 1.4
[www.youtube.com]

Edited 9 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2017 05:32PM by Roberts_Clif.