During assembly in the step “CALIBRATING Z AXIS” I can’t get the AUTO HOME function to work properly. For some reason the Y axis will not move in the direction towards the end stop, but it moves in the opposite direction only during AUTO HOME. X and Z are moved correctly in position to their end stops.
Trying to pinpoint the problem:
Motor Y is working, I can control the motor in both directions when using function “Move Axis Y”. Because I can control the motor manually I would say X and Y moves OK on the rods and pulleys are fixed.
Y end stop is working, I have tried to clean it with Q-tip, swapped it with the Z end stop, but problem still there on Y axis.
Stepper driver Y, I have measured voltage and it looks ok, swapped it with the Z stepper driver, but problem still there on Y axis.
End stop Y cable, I swapped the end stop cable with X, but problem still there on Y axis.
Firmware, I installed current firmware a second time (v1.1 one head) - after I “Restore failsafe” and “Store memory”.
I am out of ideas what I can check… :-/
Does anyone have a clue what could be the root cause of my problem and what I can do?
Your problem is typically an end-stop issue.
As you’ve checked everything it could be a problem on the controller board.
Is the endstop lit?
There are three pins for the end-stop :
Ground
+15V
Signal
When the carriage is not in the park position, the signal line is connected to the ground.
When the carriage is homed, the signal/ground circuit is open.
I can’t give you any conclusion for now. I should check on my Vertex but I’m not near it.
On your Y axis the ‘Y open’ voltage is about half the others. It could mean a controller board issue. Or not. I’ll check when I’m back home.
Actually the “close” reading indicates the end-stop is working.
Try measuring the voltages on the board without the end-stop connected.
[quote=“gblaster”]I measured the voltages on the pins when endstops are disconnected:
X, Y, Z: -/+ = 14,35V
X, Y, Z: -/signal = 4,2V[/quote]
All you measures look good.
I have 0.5V when the end-stop is hit and 4.25 otherwise.
To see if the end-stop is working, try the following :
Set the axis near the end-stop but not hitting it. With the manual control move the Y axis quite far away. Then move it towards the end-stop (use the 10 mm option and turn the button a lot. While the axis is moving, place a pencil (or whatever can cut the beam) in the end-stop : the axis should stop immediately.
[quote=“raby”]
Set the axis near the end-stop but not hitting it. With the manual control move the Y axis quite far away. Then move it towards the end-stop (use the 10 mm option and turn the button a lot. While the axis is moving, place a pencil (or whatever can cut the beam) in the end-stop : the axis should stop immediately.[/quote]
Ok good idea, I tested this.
I could move the Y axis in both directions (10 mm option) and nothing happens when I cut the bean, Y motor keeps moving towards the end stop.
But now I noticed (could have been there before but then I missed it) on the “Status screen” last row says “endstops hit: Y”.
It probably means something but I don’t know what, regardless I can still manually move Y in both directions…
[quote=“gblaster”]But now I noticed (could have been there before but then I missed it) on the “Status screen” last row says “endstops hit: Y”.
It probably means something but I don’t know what,[/quote]
Well it means that your end-stop is functioning. “endstops hit: Y” means that the end-stop was triggered before the expected position.
Now I have no explanation for the Y axis still moving after hitting the end-stop.
One last thing to do is to reload the firmware. Perhaps it’s somehow corrupted.
Check that you have not inverted the X and Y (or Z) stops, i.e. that the cable with X marking is connected to the proper input on the mainboard, same for Y and Z. This is the most likely cause of your issue.
[quote=“raby”]
Set the axis near the end-stop but not hitting it. With the manual control move the Y axis quite far away. Then move it towards the end-stop (use the 10 mm option and turn the button a lot. While the axis is moving, place a pencil (or whatever can cut the beam) in the end-stop : the axis should stop immediately.[/quote]
I redid the test again on Y axis, manually breaking the beam during movement towards end stop, Y axis doesn’t stop.
Then, I tested the same on X&Z axis (where end stops/home positions works), X&Z axis doesn’t stop either when breaking the X&Z end stop beam.
My conclusion is that end stops are disabled after I have pressed AUTO HOME once. Even though AUTO HOME doesn’t work in Y axis it assumes home position for Y where it is located at the moment. And it’s only after I have used AUTO HOME once I can move Y in both directions manually. Seems like I can move Y in both directions only because Y end stop is disable.
If I reset the printer it assumes it is in X: 0 and Y: 0 position and end stops are active. If I in this mode try to manually move Y axis it will only be allowed to move in direction away from Y end stop (as if Y end stop is closed). So again I measured voltages at the board for Y end stop signal, -/signal = 0,68V = Y end stop is open. Then if I manually break the Y end stop beam I will get the message in LCD screen “endstops hit: Y” and the voltage on Y end stop signal, -/signal = 4,2V = closed. Based on measurements and message on LCD it seems like the Y end stop is working.
So whenever Y end stop is active Y motor will always consider it closed and not move in end stop direction.
[quote=“raby”]
One last thing to do is to reload the firmware. Perhaps it’s somehow corrupted.[/quote]
I tried to reload firmware from two different computers different USB cables, I even tested to reload the old firmware 1.0, but problem is still the same - AUTO HOME doesn’t work in Y axis.
Could this mean the controller board is faulty and need to be replaced… ?
I would be really interested to hear how a working version of controller board looks like compared to mine.
Just between the two stepper driver boards Y and E1 there is a component place called DZ6 - but on my board I have no component in this place. Maybe it should be a component there similar as DZ3?
[quote=“eero”]Hi gblaster, DZ6 should not have anything to do with Y-axis. This zenerdiod is part of Bed thermistor input (used together with heated bed).
Regards Eero[/quote]
Ok, now I found a PCB issue that really is related to the Y end stop. I also found the PCB schematics which helped a lot.
It looks like the DZ6 zenerdiod has been removed by force and maybe during the process damaging the PCB board. If I follow the connections from the PNP transistor T12 collector pin, which is related to the Y end stop, the PCB trace crosses exactly where the board surface is damaged. When measuring there is no connection in the trace that goes from T12 collector to the ATMEGA2560 chip. The damaged PCB area also breaks another trace related to T5 transistor (Bed Heater).
But I don’t get why the DZ6 zenerdiod have been removed like this… is it deliberate or manufacturing error?
Regardless, it’s getting more obvious it really is faulty controller board and I would like a replacement, please!
You’re right DZ6 is missing.[quote=“gblaster”]Regardless, it’s getting more obvious it really is faulty controller board and I would like a replacement, please![/quote]Send a message to supportatvellemandotbe with the same e-mail address you used to login on this forum? Join the ordercode : K8400-MB’TWand and a link to your post.
