RAMBo malfunction on z axis motors
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:19 pm
After attempting to begin the calibration process for my printer, I have discovered that the z axis motors will not move. I have performed a series of tests to determine what the cause of this problem is. The conclusion I have reached is that there is a fault on the RAMBo board that was shipped with my printer. While I am willing to work with tech support to see if there is some other cause for this malfunction, I would like to explain the tests and parameters under which I developed my conclusion.
1. The sofware I use is Repetier, for both the firmware and computer software.
2. To determine movement, I removed all of the motors from the frame, so if movement was slow or slight, it would not go unnoticed.
3. I always made certain to power off the printer and unplug it from the computer before removing or swapping cables.
4. For all tests I made sure to press down and release the endstop switches to make certain there was no error in the endstop logic causing the motors not to move.
The tests I have performed were:
1. I examined all of the motors with a multimeter to make sure the circuits were closed.
2. I tried all of the motors in the x/y slots to make sure all of the motors are functioning.
3. I have examined all of the endstop switches with a multimeter to make sure the endstops were properly soldered, wired, and functional.
4. I have checked in the firmware to make sure the motors are receiving enough power to move (the x and y axis motors are moving without problem)
5. I have checked virtually every combination of endstop logic choices in the firmware to ensure that there is no possibility of a faulty endstop setup in the firmware.
6. I have changed the EEPROM settings in the Repetier software such that the z axis motors have the same settings as the x and y axis motors, to prevent any programmed discrepancy from being the cause.
7. I have tried swapping endstop switches to ensure there was no issue with them. (I have tried every combination)
8. I have tried running the printer with nothing but the z motors and the z endstop connected.
9. I have tried running the printer with only the z motors connected, and the endstops physically disconnected from the board, and disabled in the firmware.
All of the tests I have attempted I did not do on my own. I had a friend who has assembled several printers with the RAMBo help me through the process. At the end of the tests we concluded there was nothing wrong with any of the other components.
1. The sofware I use is Repetier, for both the firmware and computer software.
2. To determine movement, I removed all of the motors from the frame, so if movement was slow or slight, it would not go unnoticed.
3. I always made certain to power off the printer and unplug it from the computer before removing or swapping cables.
4. For all tests I made sure to press down and release the endstop switches to make certain there was no error in the endstop logic causing the motors not to move.
The tests I have performed were:
1. I examined all of the motors with a multimeter to make sure the circuits were closed.
2. I tried all of the motors in the x/y slots to make sure all of the motors are functioning.
3. I have examined all of the endstop switches with a multimeter to make sure the endstops were properly soldered, wired, and functional.
4. I have checked in the firmware to make sure the motors are receiving enough power to move (the x and y axis motors are moving without problem)
5. I have checked virtually every combination of endstop logic choices in the firmware to ensure that there is no possibility of a faulty endstop setup in the firmware.
6. I have changed the EEPROM settings in the Repetier software such that the z axis motors have the same settings as the x and y axis motors, to prevent any programmed discrepancy from being the cause.
7. I have tried swapping endstop switches to ensure there was no issue with them. (I have tried every combination)
8. I have tried running the printer with nothing but the z motors and the z endstop connected.
9. I have tried running the printer with only the z motors connected, and the endstops physically disconnected from the board, and disabled in the firmware.
All of the tests I have attempted I did not do on my own. I had a friend who has assembled several printers with the RAMBo help me through the process. At the end of the tests we concluded there was nothing wrong with any of the other components.