Hello,
First post here and first 3D printer so I may get some terminology wrong so please bear with me.
I had a K8200 bought for me as a present, the box had May 14 on it so I have had it a while.
I have finally found the time to finish it and power it up, I set the voltages up as the documents show and tried to move the motors but they did not respond anything like I had expected.
Upon some Google searching it appears there were some of the boards sent out with a test program and no bootloader in them so I am wondering if this is the case with mine. It is hard to describe what is happening but I have seen other “RepRap” printers operated at shows and the manual control all seems logical, on mine it does not appear to matter what I do the machine does not respond anything like it should, the motors are not smooth and do not stop when they should. By this I mean if I click on 1mm I would expect a very short burst of motion but it can run for 10 seconds or so.
I have used Arduino so I tried to load a slightly newer firmware but it failed (it compiled OK) so I am wondering if the board I have is one of the problem ones that has a test program and no bootloader.
I cannot see any version or other identifying details on the board.
I would greatly appreciate any pointers on what to check as I am keen to get the thing working, especially after seeing some of the great prints some of the people on here have done with theirs.
The problem with the first K8200s in 2013 I had that problem is when you powered the printer up the X Y and Z axis would start to move back and forth and never stop.
When you load the firmware you need to use Arduion software 1.0.6 or lower.
If you are just starting use the version of Repetier from this link. http://www.k8200.eu/downloads/files/downloads/setup_repetierhost_k8200_0_95f.zip
If you are having a connection issue go in to the printer settings and make sure you have the correct com port selected the baud rate should be 250000 and reset on connect should be set to disabled.
A better setting for the stepper motor reference voltage is 0.55.
You should start with PLA since it is easier to deal with and more forgiving then ABS.
A good temp for PLA is 190C
Hi,
Thanks for replying, I have only tried it in manual but that sounds like what is happening.
I will download the file and give that a try.
Since i did the initial post I have checked all the motors out as I though there might be an issue with the wiring. X,Y & Z are all around 1.2 ohm but the extruder motor is around 20 and 6 so there is something wrong with that one or the cableing.
Hi Wrong_Way,
Thanks for your input, I have downloaded the Repetier from the link you posted which is different from what I had been using. I also managed to flash the firmware so I now know at least that is not the test version that some have.
I am not sure why i needed to do it but after reading another thread and clutching at straws had the USB AND DC power to the board, not sure why this is needed but it worked.
I used V1 of the firmware as I was not sure if there is a later version or that is just needed for the additional upgrades.
Ran out of time but now setting up the drivers, you need 3 hands for this so I have soldered on some test points so I can connect the meter and have hands free to hold a magnifying glass while adjusting the pot.
Also got some PLA on order, do you use the heated bed for this and if so what temp is best.
Yes I use the heated bed.
First make sure there is no air blowing on it this will cool it of fast.
I have my bed heat to 50C on the first layer then go to 60C for all other layers.
I also put a light coat of hair spray on the bed as well.
V1 of the firmware does work however it does monitor the end stops while printing.
If all of the end stops are wired correctly this will not be a problem but it you get a false trigger on one of them it will cause the layers to shift. V2 will only monitor the end stops when the print is started and the bed is homed. one the print starts it will ignore the end stops