Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing
 
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[Solved] Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing  

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John
 John
(@john-14)
Active Member
Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

Hello,

 

I've build this printer from a kit, I haven't done any printing on it yet.

 

After completing the build, I've powered it up, went through the set-up wizard and everything went fine, until the axis test, where print head homed in the front right position, then the head started to move on the X-axis to the right, stopped about 2cm from the end and displayed X on the screen. The test for the other two axis start, the other tests were OK.

 

I've looked at the knowledge base article on this topic and applied the troubleshooting steps, I've also looked at other topics in this forum and found a couple of advices. I have disassembled the X-axis mount with the X-axis stepper and the hot-end carrige, making sure that everything runs smooth, belt doesn't jump, stepper motor gear is tight. I've re-tightened the belt many times, I've even removed it from the hot-end mount to loosen it by a whole tooth to get a more range for testing different tightnesses. The X axis is aligned and not bent. I've also checked the wiring, cleaned the x-axis plug and slot on the buddy-board with contact cleaner, inspected the visible part of the wire for damage, none of it helped

 

My printer does auto home without problem, mesh bed levelling also runs well. The axis move fine, both when moved by the hand or when I input the position manually in the settings menu. The X-axis moves without skipping smoothly between -2 and 180.

 

I've tried the XYZ-axis test both alone and as part of the wizard. I've started the test from various positions and after auto home.

 

I've looked at the firmware changelog and saw that the 4.3.1 firmware is supposed to address the X-axis self test fail, but my printer already came with the 4.3.1, so I've downloaded 4.3.0, flashed that, tried the self test, and it went exactly as in Solear's case, X-axis failed and the other two axis were OK, perhaps the hot-end didn't move so far to the left, but I didn't measure it. I've flashed the 4.3.1 FW back and it was back to the original, where X fails and the other axis don't get tested.

 

Unfortunately, Solear didn't post how he solved his issue, or, if he ever did.

 

Should I just try printing, even with the X-axis test failing?

 

Is there any way to get a more precise information, than just the red X? Is there something like a debug output?

 

Is there any support line to prusa? Or is it e-mail only?

 

I'd be thankful for any advice, I'm at my wit's end.

Posted : 08/07/2021 4:39 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

there is a chat service, on this page 

https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/

once the page opens wait about 5 seconds, and a chat window should open in the Bottom right corner of the page. 

it's manned 24/7 363  I believe they get Christmas eve and New years eve, off for good behaviour

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 08/07/2021 5:05 pm
bobstro and John liked
Craig
(@craig)
New Member
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

Hi,

I'm having exactly the same problem on my new build.  Did you perhaps get a response from Prusa on how to resolve it?

Thanks

Posted : 09/07/2021 8:37 pm
karl-herbert
(@karl-herbert)
Illustrious Member
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing
Posted by: @john-14

Hello,

 

I've build this printer from a kit, I haven't done any printing on it yet.

 

After completing the build, I've powered it up, went through the set-up wizard and everything went fine, until the axis test, where print head homed in the front right position, then the head started to move on the X-axis to the right, stopped about 2cm from the end and displayed X on the screen. The test for the other two axis start, the other tests were OK.

 

I've looked at the knowledge base article on this topic and applied the troubleshooting steps, I've also looked at other topics in this forum and found a couple of advices. I have disassembled the X-axis mount with the X-axis stepper and the hot-end carrige, making sure that everything runs smooth, belt doesn't jump, stepper motor gear is tight. I've re-tightened the belt many times, I've even removed it from the hot-end mount to loosen it by a whole tooth to get a more range for testing different tightnesses. The X axis is aligned and not bent. I've also checked the wiring, cleaned the x-axis plug and slot on the buddy-board with contact cleaner, inspected the visible part of the wire for damage, none of it helped

 

My printer does auto home without problem, mesh bed levelling also runs well. The axis move fine, both when moved by the hand or when I input the position manually in the settings menu. The X-axis moves without skipping smoothly between -2 and 180.

 

I've tried the XYZ-axis test both alone and as part of the wizard. I've started the test from various positions and after auto home.

 

I've looked at the firmware changelog and saw that the 4.3.1 firmware is supposed to address the X-axis self test fail, but my printer already came with the 4.3.1, so I've downloaded 4.3.0, flashed that, tried the self test, and it went exactly as in Solear's case, X-axis failed and the other two axis were OK, perhaps the hot-end didn't move so far to the left, but I didn't measure it. I've flashed the 4.3.1 FW back and it was back to the original, where X fails and the other axis don't get tested.

 

Unfortunately, Solear didn't post how he solved his issue, or, if he ever did.

 

Should I just try printing, even with the X-axis test failing?

 

Is there any way to get a more precise information, than just the red X? Is there something like a debug output?

 

Is there any support line to prusa? Or is it e-mail only?

 

I'd be thankful for any advice, I'm at my wit's end.

I think that the cause is more likely to be mechanical. Maybe these tips will help you:

https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/xz-axis-skew-correction-mini-mini_158518

https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/selftest-mini-mini_112055

https://help.prusa3d.com/en/guide/troubleshooting-the-mini-assembly_7848

wbr,

Karl

Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.

Posted : 09/07/2021 9:30 pm
John
 John
(@john-14)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing
Posted by: @craig

Hi,

I'm having exactly the same problem on my new build.  Did you perhaps get a response from Prusa on how to resolve it?

Thanks

 

Hi, the printer finally seems to be working.

 

First of all, the advice above is good any of them might be the fix, but none were the issue in my case.

 

For me, the problem was with the firmware. The XYZ test and the XYZ portion of the selftest and setup wizard would fail each time on the 4.3.1 and 4.3.0 FW versions, but on the 4.2.1 (4.2.1 doesn't have a separate XYZ test, but selftest and setup wizard would succeed every time). This was consistent between many tries without any change to the printer, other than the firmware flash.

If you want to test these firmwares, be VERY careful, when I've had the 4.3.0 loaded, one time, during startup wizard, the printer rammed the nozzle into the print surface during the XYZ test. If it ever parks the X axis so that the PINDA is not above the print surface, shut down the printer immediately, so that you don't end up a with a dented print surface, like me 🙁 .

 

If you find out the the FW version 4.2.1, or any other revision, honestly, fixes your issue, I'd just use that and wait for the new fw build, that should address this issue. Alternatively, you can also contact support to provide them with additional information, that would help them develop the patch. More observations is always helpful.

 

With me, it didn't end there, because the nozzle ramming the print surface bent the heat bed, so I've had to readjust the bed during a heat-cycle to make it level again.

 

You can just use the "move axis" option in settings to move the print head around various space of the print surface and see if your bed is level or not. If there is some deviation, you can follow the same steps I did.

 

Anyway, my problem is solved, thanks to the people who Joan and Karl for great advice and Alessandro for stellar support and guiding be through getting the printer working. It feels really crappy that I have a dented bed just because there was a firmware issue, it really kills the good feeling from a new tech. I hope that Craig will have s smoother way to a working printer 🙂 .

Posted : 11/07/2021 4:38 pm
karl-herbert
(@karl-herbert)
Illustrious Member
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

@john-14

Very annoying the crash, but thanks for the feedback. On my Mini fw 4.2.0 runs without any problems.

wbr,

Karl

Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.

Posted : 11/07/2021 9:19 pm
John
 John
(@john-14)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing
Posted by: @karl-herbert

@john-14

Very annoying the crash, but thanks for the feedback. On my Mini fw 4.2.0 runs without any problems.

wbr,

Karl

From what I understand, the XYZ axis check code on 4.2.1 and 4.2.0 should be same, so it should be safe to use the 4.2.1, but it might be worth it to wait for the 4.3.2 or 4.3.3 if the available 4.3 versions cause trouble, instead of trying to fix it.

 

At least I hope that my painful iterations towards a solution will help somebody else 🙂 .

Posted : 11/07/2021 9:30 pm
Craig
(@craig)
New Member
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

Thanks John - really helpful. I think I'll wait for the 4.3.3 release. 🙂 The printer seems to print fine without finalising the X-Axis check - it's printing OK at the moment anyway.

Thanks again and sorry to hear about your print surface bed - very frustrating.

Craig

Posted : 12/07/2021 8:36 am
John
 John
(@john-14)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

 

Posted by: @craig

Thanks John - really helpful. I think I'll wait for the 4.3.3 release. 🙂 The printer seems to print fine without finalising the X-Axis check - it's printing OK at the moment anyway.

Thanks again and sorry to hear about your print surface bed - very frustrating.

Craig

I mean, you can certainly try the 4.2.1 firmware, flashing takes no time and if the XYZ test succeeds there, you can be confident that your printer is doing fine. It's possible that even 4.3.2 fixes it, I'd give it try as well, as soon as a release ready version is made available.

Posted : 18/07/2021 4:43 pm
joshL
(@joshl)
New Member
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

Same here. I have videos of it in action.

I can record more for help trouble shooting. Maybe I didn't tighten a screw enough? I've checked, but it looks fine.

Posted : 22/07/2021 11:04 pm
karl-herbert
(@karl-herbert)
Illustrious Member
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

here are some good tips for calibrating the mini axle geometry: https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/xz-axis-skew-correction-mini-mini_158518

wbr,

Karl

Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.

Posted : 23/07/2021 11:55 am
Alias72
(@alias72)
New Member
Self test needs diagnostic info

This test would be more useful if it communicated the reason for the check failing. If, for example, the x axis resistance was too high i could take certain actions that would be different from if the machine detected a skew.

Posted : 27/07/2021 3:01 pm
joshL
(@joshl)
New Member
RE: Printer seems to work fine, but the X-axis test keeps failing

 

Posted by: @joshl

Same here. I have videos of it in action.

I can record more for help trouble shooting. Maybe I didn't tighten a screw enough? I've checked, but it looks fine.

I can't see the videos in my post. I was trying to show everyone the issues that I've had relevant to the topic.

Posted : 28/07/2021 8:15 am
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