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[Solved] I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started  

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bobbydanger
(@bobbydanger)
New Member
I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started

Hi, I bought my MK3s in February and built it. After finally getting it calibrated, I was able to successfully print a benchy without much issue. Then I decided to try to print some face shields, and ended getting a giant blob of PLA on the hot end, which killed my thermistor. That was months ago, and over this past weekend, I finally got the idea to take a wood burning tool to melt enough PLA off of it to clean it and replace the thermistor.

That got my blob fixed. Now, I'm trying to recalibrate this machine, and I keep getting error messages

Every time I run a self test, I get an error saying that the X axis length is incorrect. The rods don't appear to be bent at all, and I put lubrication on them twice, just in case.

I also get the following message when trying to calibrate my first layer, before even printing anything:

"Some problem encountered. Z-leveling enforced" 

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I spent a lot of money on this machine and have endured a lot of frustration with no success

Posted : 20/10/2020 9:55 pm
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started

Before getting too deep into this: what type of print sheet did you purchase? Smooth PEI or Powder Coated PEI [textured]?

That alone may explain why the PLA fell off the bed and collected on the extruder. It isn't exactly an unknown issue with the textured sheet.

Now that you've sorted out and cleaned most of the gunk off the hot end and I presume have a new thermistor installed - one purchased from Prusa - you are probably back to the very basic final assembly steps.

Have you gone through the assembly manual and performed ALL of the steps listed in the PREFLIGHT section. A pain - I know - but it will save you time while figuring out what else might be a problem. This also fixes 80 to 90% of the errors like you are having. You know, it is the simple things that get in the way of progress.

Once you've gotten through the preflight, a full factory reset isn't a bad idea:
https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/factory-reset_2216

Once the printer is there, follow the rest of the calibration process given by the firmware.

Again - it's all about getting to a baseline.  

At this point, if things have gone south and you contuinue to get errors, you can come back here and ask for additional help - or contact Prusa via their on-line chat on their store pages. They are usually quite helpful at getting folk through this type of problem. And, live one on one is often the best and quickest way to deal with calibration issues. 

 

Posted : 20/10/2020 10:27 pm
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started

As a PostScript: an X axis length error is often sticky bearings, lack of lubrication or the screws on the back of the extruder holding things together too tight (loosening them a few turns often helps). The other common user error is doing steps with the print sheet on that should be done woith the print sheet OFF the printer. 

Posted : 20/10/2020 10:30 pm
GKMAKEIT
(@gkmakeit)
Estimable Member
RE: I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started

When doing the X calibration does it look like the head goes from one side all the way to the other or does it error before that happens? If it looks like it goes from side to side check to make sure something on the cable holder on the back of the print head isn't hitting the frame, sometime those cable ties can get in the way.

Posted : 20/10/2020 10:52 pm
bobbydanger
(@bobbydanger)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started

Thanks for the quick and helpful replies!!

I'm checking these things out right away 🙂

 

@tim-m30 - 

Before getting too deep into this: what type of print sheet did you purchase? Smooth PEI or Powder Coated PEI [textured]?

I got the Smooth PEI sheet, not the textured one, and will be checking the preflight info and doing a factory reset after that. It seems that they don't have a live chat feature right now, though 🙁     - going to loosen the screws in the back just a little bit too!

@gkmakeit - 

The head goes all the way to the right and then to the left, and I made 100% sure there were no wires or ties getting in the way

 

 

Posted : 20/10/2020 11:30 pm
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started

You must be logged in to the store to see the CHAT option. 

Posted : 21/10/2020 1:25 am
Mooseo
(@mooseo)
New Member
RE: I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started

@tim-m30

Thanks for this! Was driving me crazy as I kept tweaking the zip ties on the cable holder. Thanks to you, I backed all the screws out 1/4 turn and it passed x-axis calibration!

Posted : 25/10/2020 7:08 am
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: I'm ready to cry and give up before even getting started

@mooseo

yw - though, if you did not pack the bearings with grease before installation onto the rods, don't be too surprised if/when this issue shows up again in a few months. Be ready to do a tear down and have sufficient grease on hand (and print off one of those cool grease tube nozzles from Thingiverse - I got the one that has the nozzle and nozzle cap). I use Superlube 21030 Synthetic, a 3oz tube goes a long way. 

Posted : 25/10/2020 6:33 pm
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