Multicolor: No tool pickup

Discussion in 'Tool heads & ToolChanger' started by n0r3h, Jun 13, 2020.

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  1. n0r3h

    n0r3h Member

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    Hi *

    Base line:
    Firmware Electronics: Duet Ethernet 1.02 or later + DueX5
    Firmware Version: 2.02(RTOS) (2018-12-24b1)
    V6 hotends + Titan extruders
    Slicer: Simplify3d 4.1.2
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The original 3DBenchy.gcode prints OK.
    I concluded the toolchange_test.gcode and successfully adapted the tool offsets.

    However, multi-color files like the suggested kraken model fail because there's no tool pickup at all.
    Looking at the gcode I can see that the tool changes are actually in there.


    When I manually pick up the first tool and start the print after,
    the locking mechanism will unlock and lose the tool.


    Could this be some firmware-related problem or do I overlook something obvious here?
    I've included the FFF-profile in case someone would like to look at it from s3d's angle.


    I'd be grateful for any tips or suggestions.
    Thanks a bunch!

    Chuck

    p.s.:
    I'm sorry to say that the forum upload fails (with no descriptive message) both on the gcode file and it's zipped version. (smaller .tar files aren't accepted either)
     

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  2. Andy Cohen

    Andy Cohen Well-Known Member

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    hmmm... lots of assumptions can be made from your post...
    Have you properly set your slicer to assign each extruder to each of the objects?
    What slicer software are you using?
     
  3. n0r3h

    n0r3h Member

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    Hey Andy

    YES. - Each extruder is properly assigned to the objects.

    I used the latest Simplify3d version (4.1.2)
    There is no apparent problem when slicing the file, no errors whatsoever.
    The tool changes are reflected in the gcode, e.g. T1 has a count of 22 in the file.

    Here is the slicer profile (see e3d ToolChanger.fff)

    Kind regards,
    Chuck

    p.s.: Yeah, the
     

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    #3 n0r3h, Jun 13, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2020
  4. Andy Cohen

    Andy Cohen Well-Known Member

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    Post the Factory file for the Kraken
     
  5. n0r3h

    n0r3h Member

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    Here you go.
     

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  6. Andy Cohen

    Andy Cohen Well-Known Member

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    OK... Ya did it wrong.
    But hey... ain't your fault. It's kinda crazy tricky.
    I think I posted this on the getting started discussions but I'll do it here too.
    Start with ONE process and open it.
    Look at the attached pics!
    In the "Extruder" tab you need ALL FOUR extruders in the Extruder list and each should have all the settings correctly set... i.e., Which tool Tool 0-3, the nozzle diameter, etc. ALL FOUR.
    Next go to the "Temperature" tab. ALL FOUR extruders and the HBP need to be in the Temperature Controller list and set accordingly.
    So if you make a Tool 0 in this list... click on it so it is highlighted and set the radio button to extruder (set the bed accordingly too) then set which of the extruders (from the extruder list in the extruder tab) in the pull down it is associated with.
    Once you have these two tabs set correctly...
    Close the process and hit the Add button to make 3 more processes. Then you go into the first one Hit the Select Models button and assign which of the stl objects you want that process to work on. Then go the "Layer" tab and set the "Primary Extruder" accordingly. Also, be sure to select the correct extruder for the infill for that stl.
    Do this for the other three extruders. Then when you hit the Prepare to Print! button get the preview and then be sure to have the "Toolhead" checkbox turned on so you can see the tool assignments to the stls. Slide the Max slider bar to change the layer preview to verify your infill is as you want it to be. IOWs look at the color of the shell/outline and the color of the infill. Usually you want them the same color in the preview. That means it is the same tool... IMO always work to minimize tool changing.
    Also... you may want to assign which of the 4 processes will do the skirt.
    Note it gets crazier when you realize you need to assign skirts, infill and supports correctly and it takes some time and experience to grok it. For example, you want to set the correct support extruder to minimize color stains. Print and you'll see what I mean.
     

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    #6 Andy Cohen, Jun 13, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2020
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  7. n0r3h

    n0r3h Member

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    I fully agree ;-)
    It seems that S3d does a good job at making things intricate.

    My first attempt at tweaking the settings according to your suggestions has S3d complain about
    - overlapping processes
    and
    - The selected process is not configured for the number of extruders you have chosen to use.

    I have a feeling that I should approach this after a good night's sleep.
    I'll give it another shot tomorrow morning.

    I'll let you know how it goes then.
    Thanks a bunch for your valuable suggestions today!
     
  8. Andy Cohen

    Andy Cohen Well-Known Member

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    Overlapping processes means 2 or more processes want to print the same thing... either the same stl or the same layers of an stl. First check that each process has only ONE stl selected in the "Select Models" button at the bottom of the process screen. Next make sure you do not have overlapped Start Printing At Height and Stop Printing At Height settings in the Advanced Tab between processes (my guess is you have not touched these. It's probably the Models selected).
    That second alert ALWAYS comes up. It means nothing.

    Also... the complexity is not e3D's fault and really neither is it Simplify3Ds fault. It just IS complicated to do what we are trying to do.
    Thats why it is so much FUN!
     
  9. n0r3h

    n0r3h Member

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    Hey

    I managed to start a multi color print.
    There is one remaining flaw, though.
    Here is what I did:

    I created 4 processes + added 4 extruders with equal settings.
    The preview throws no errors anymore.

    However, the machine will start the print without loading a tool,
    unless I manually select the first necessary tool and start the print after.

    I don't see where I hit the snag here, maybe you can you see why..
    I included the factory file.
     

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  10. n0r3h

    n0r3h Member

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    Tool pickup now works flawlessly. - Tested it on two other (2-color) prints.
    I don't know why I had to 'punt the printer to behavior' with the kraken model.

    Anyway, thanks for your valuable input, Andy!

    Chuck
     
  11. Andy Cohen

    Andy Cohen Well-Known Member

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    No doubt you will have more questions. Read the posts on Simplify 3D for suggested start gcode. Your factory file had no start gcode or end. You need that.
    Here's mine:
    ; ****First Tool start.gcode ****
    G28 ; home all axes
    G29 S1 ; Use the Z offset Mesh Map on the SD card
    T-1
    M106 S[fan_speed_pwm]
    M104 S[extruder0_temperature] T0
    M104 S[extruder1_temperature] T1
    M104 S[extruder2_temperature] T2
    M104 S[extruder3_temperature] T3
    M140 S[bed0_temperature]
    M190 S[bed0_temperature]
    ; **** end of start.gcode ****

    here's the End gcode:
    ;********End gcode
    ;Drop Bed
    G91
    G1 Z2 F1000
    G90
    T-1 ; Drop off the tool
    G29 S2 ; Disable Mesh Compensation.
    G1 X-30 Y200 F50000 ; Park
    M0 ;turn off all heaters
     
    #11 Andy Cohen, Jun 16, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2020
  12. Andy Cohen

    Andy Cohen Well-Known Member

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    Also... the downward fan control in the Cooling tab does not do anything beyond an initial command at the start of the file. If you need the downward fan control per tool you have to use the gcode command in the tpost files.
     

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