X-Axis motor jumping around

[TheDreamMaster]

I purchased an i3 PRO C and I have yet to be able to print a single part! There are tons of problems with this kit, starting the the long list of errors in the instructions, missing steps, wrong parts, rods that do not fit in the holes, wrong connectors, etc.

I managed to get it ready to print and I have not been able to get the ABS to stick to the bed, so while doing some tests, the X-Axis motor started to misbehave.

First it was printing the first layer and suddenly it just jumped around completely out of control. It was working before.

Now if I try to move it with the manual control it sometimes hums, some times jumps at a fast speed. Adjusting the motor driver POT has not worked. I am able to get it to move smoothly for a few seconds and then it starts stopping or jumping/moving at high speed again.

What do I do?

I just got this printer and so far it has been a very frustrating experience.

[zhangxueyou]

Before printing, you should let all the axes auto home .
You can smear a layer of glue to let the filament stick to hot bed, and the temperature of hot bed should be proper (80 degrees for PLA, 95 degrees for ABS)

[TheDreamMaster]

Thank you for your response but I don't think you read my post fully.

My problem is that the X-AXIS motor started jumping around or humming and not moving. Adjusting the driver POT just fixes it for a few moments and then it goes back to jumping not moving again.

[zhangxueyou]

So you need to check if the x motor driver is bad: swap x motor driver with a fine driver, check if you can move x.

[TheDreamMaster]

I have done lots of testing and it seems that the adjustment POT in the X-axis controller is very unstable. I can adjust it to work and later it just jumps around again.

Right now I think i have found a sweet spot and it has not misbehaved for a while.

I have managed to finally print some calibration objects but I am still having lots of trouble getting to print well.

Do you guys have a good guide on how to print well with this printer (i3 PRO C)?

[zhangxueyou]

What type of motor driver are you using? A4988 or DRV8825? Maybe it is wrong microstep that cause X motor jumping around.
If you want to have a good print, you can refer to this page:
http://www.geeetech.com/forum/viewtopic ... 18&t=16429

[TheDreamMaster]

Its the one that came with the printer, the A4988.

[zhangxueyou]

What is the status of the switches under x motor driver? They should be on.

[TheDreamMaster]

They are all ON.

So far the x-axis has been working OK, I just hope it does not start jumping again.

[zhangxueyou]

I think somewhere of the filament was stuck when printing, that the x motor can not move smoothly, so it was jumping.