Z Axis Not Calibrating

Discussion in 'Calibration, Help, and Troubleshooting' started by Josh C., Jul 31, 2018.

  1. Josh C.

    Josh C. Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2016
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hey guys, I have had my BigBox for a little over two years now and I am having a really weird problem. When I turn on the printer I can auto-home the printer and get a great z, but if I try to print a second print or even auto home the printer after my first print, the printer will not hold a z until I restart it. Unfortunately, lately when I have tried to auto-home my printer after turning it on it will not keep a good z no matter what I try. I have tried all that I can think of and even replaced the sensor on my printer. If any of you have suggestions on what I can do to fix this, they would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks, Josh
     
  2. Spoon Unit

    Spoon Unit Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2015
    Messages:
    1,561
    Likes Received:
    483
    Probably gonna need more detail. What do you mean by a 'great z', 'hold a z', and 'keep a good z'? Maybe a video would enable you to more clearly explain the issue.
     
  3. mhe

    mhe Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2015
    Messages:
    279
    Likes Received:
    77
    I am going out on a limb here and guess he is using the IR sensor and probably has fluctuations in reading due to dirty or heated up bed, hence can't home directly. Or maybe the sensor is dirty, the print gunk gets everywhere over time.

    But yes, more precise info would definitely go a long way here.
     
  4. Old_Tafr

    Old_Tafr Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2016
    Messages:
    731
    Likes Received:
    93
    As above more info :)

    And also on the controller (Rumba original? or maybe Duet?) and the firmware level?

    I'm a traditionalist (= lazy) and have the original untouched firmware, prints work fine BUT if I cancel a print and then start again without cycling the power the X-Carriage tries to get through the wall behind the printer in a very violent fashion.

    Maybe you just need an update?

    After the first print what happens when you run the 9 point calibration sequence?

    PS. Is the Z sensor slightly loose?
     
    #4 Old_Tafr, Aug 1, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2018
  5. Josh C.

    Josh C. Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2016
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    My printer has the original Rumba and I have never updated the firmware and I don't know how to check. When I turn on the printer and auto home the nozzle will be nicely snug at .0, but after a print I cannot get the nozzle to be snug even when I adjust the z offset. I thought that it was something to do with the IR sensor but it is screwed on tightly and I have tried auto homing with the bed clean and with glue or tape and my results are all unsuccessful.
     
  6. Ephemeris

    Ephemeris Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2015
    Messages:
    388
    Likes Received:
    241
    interesting. I have actually seen something similar on my Duet WiFi equipped BigBox. I'll start a print and the head is clearly too high. I rehome Z and try to print and the head is still too far from the bed. The only cure seems to be to reboot the Duet and it's fine again. I have no idea what the cause might be for you or me.
     

Share This Page