Ultimaker x-axis motor problem

[per-pedersen 0]

Hi

My topic concern the Ultimaker DIY kit. Hardware PCB version 1.5.6.

We have an issue that the x-axis movement operates incorrectly during a printing operation.

When we try yo do a print job (i.e. the small default robot in Cura) we see that the motor quickly ends up to the right side of the printer, opposite to the 0,0,0 origin. What happens is that the machine makes a few correct moves in the x-axis directions - forth and back. But after a few seconds there is a change of polarity of the step motor and after this any X-axis movement ONLY happens in one direction. So you can imagine that the printer head soon ends up in the right side.

When I use the manual "jog" feature in the printer setup the behaviour is similar. After a few seconds the left pointing direction is ignored and all activity for the x-axis is to the right.

We tried Cura version 13.06.4 initially. Thought maybe an error was introdceud and tried version 13.06.2, but this version fails as well.

We do not immediately believe that the hardware is likely to cause the malfunction. Checked though if there were some obvious blown parts or similar on the board. Found only one jumper (MS3 - 1/16 stepsize for the motor) which was placed such that it didn't make a connection --> MS1+MS2 enabled, MS3 not enabled. I don't know if someone knows the default setp of MS1+2+3.

Hope someone have experienced this and can help.

BR

-Per

 

[gr5 2,172]

Someone recently had a similar problem:

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/2934-x-axis-step-direction-does-not-change/?hl=driver&do=findComment&comment=21349

I suggest you read through that thoroughly. You may have a simpler problem - your direction pin may simply be loose. Or there may be a bad solder joint at one of those 2 pin shown in the circuit board. If the pins aren't bent and seem to be making good contact both at the arduino and the stepper, then I would swap the X and Y steppers to see if the problem moves to the other axis or not. I would also probe this signal at the driver.

 

[per-pedersen 0]

Thanks. it's giving a good direction.

Do you happen to have a component placement of the floorplan such that I can trace the given connections? There are three duplicate circuits which I believe relates to the signals you refer to, but I need more specific positions.

Additionally, do you happen to know what setting the MS3 should be set to?

BR

-Per

 

[gr5 2,172]

The circuit diagram, and board layout are here:

http://reprap.org/wiki/Ultimaker%27s_v1.5.7_PCB

There is a zip file at the top. It contains the "brd" file which is the layout. Also the "sch" file which is the schematic.

Both files can be opened by eagle software which is free:

http://www.cadsoftusa.com/dow

 

[per-pedersen 0]

Thanks.

After a number of different tests on PCB level I finally found out that the "DIR" signal (from a driver perspective) was wrong. So I took the chance and re-soldered all pins for the X-direction board and all external pins on the complete Arduino board and all of a sudden the X-direction worked in a stabil and reliable manner!!!!

Case solved.