Problem
This printer refuses to feed material. During a print, or during "filament loading" the stepper motor makes a clicking sound and rocks back and forth. If I tell it to do a "filament unloading" it moves with zero issues. Long diagnostic story short, I was able to run the stepper completely unloaded, and it still clicks when trying to extrude. This 100% is not a filament jam, I've run the extruder open, with no heat nozzle present, I event removed the coupler nut and it still rocks back and forth. Hooking the stepper motor up to my Duet Wifi board, I was able to drive it forward and backwards without issue.
Diagnosis
After determining that it was not the stepper motor itself, nor a physical jam, the only part left that I believe could be at fault is the stepper controller, which I believe is located in the head of the unit. These two chips I believe are the stepper drivers. (yellow circle). I believe they are the drivers, in some capacity, due to identical pairs of these on the mainboard under the XY and Z steppers. Or the L(left?) R(right?) and Z ports as the board actually says.
- Stepper Driver
- IMG_20180121_1317584.jpg (93.24 KiB) Viewed 50120 times
- Head board rear
- IMG_20180121_1318172.jpg (224.24 KiB) Viewed 50119 times
The two chips have no markings or identifiers on them. So I have no way of sourcing and replacing the part. Makerbot is so locked down anymore reading forums of other people with this problem is like reading an Apple forum. "Take it back, call support, buy another one." So, the only logical course of action, and honestly the original plan all along is.... GUT the proprietary electrical, and wire in my Duet Wifi. Why? Because why not? I have the board waiting for me to finish my COREXY build, so in the meantime, it might as well get some use!
- Head with wires
- IMG_20180121_1831573.jpg (64.14 KiB) Viewed 50120 times
- Top with Wires
- IMG_20180121_1941238.jpg (143.23 KiB) Viewed 50120 times
- MakerBot Mini Frankenstein
- IMG_20180121_2007215.jpg (365.56 KiB) Viewed 50120 times
Use as much of the original Makerbot as possible.
Learn how to use and setup the Duet wifi in general, so it can be transplanted into our COREXY build.
The usual printer upgrade parts for itself, and future printers.
So far the existing steppers, and mechanical system has been saved. The thermocouple was replaced with a thermistor due to not wanting to upgrade the Duet to handle the thermocouple. Mechanical endstops have been added until my Gcode knowledge is advanced enough to use current limited endstops.
Smart Extruder: The Smart Extruder has been turned into a regular extruder/heater. While the original setup included a optical rotation sensor to detect filament movement, a touch sensor to detect if filament was in at all, and a hall effect z probe, this has all been gutted. As knowledge progresses, some of these systems will be added back in. Currently none of the "head" boards are being used.
Helpful Links
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic ... CTde2CKCAg Potential Stepper information
