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Unable to now calibrate xyz  

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DarrenP
(@darrenp)
New Member
Unable to now calibrate xyz

Hi,

My printer has been working fine for months since I first built it, but a couple of nights ago I decided to upgrade to 3.3.1 and now xyz calibration fails on the second spot.

Initial tests are fine, first spot is found and calibrated with no problem, but it moves to the second spot, does one circuit around it, then switches to a left/right sweep slowly moving back. After that it just comes up with a failure message (check handbook, etc).

Both belts are showing as 263, so seem fine. I've been over the whole machine to make sure nothing is loose, etc.

Other things I've tried:

* factory reset
* downgrade firmware (tried various versions, with factory reset on each of them)
* Made sure cable runs were clear
* Made sure the nozzle is very clean
* Moved the pinda down a bit further (now < 1mm above the nozzle)

Anything else I've missed that I can try?

Also, how does the calibration work? What is it detecting?

Posted : 20/07/2018 4:19 pm
corycwagner
(@corycwagner)
Eminent Member
Re: Unable to now calibrate xyz

I'm having the exact same problem. Everything was fine until I upgraded to 3.3.1, then my calibration started consistently failing at the second location (lower right corner). I also did the following:

1. factory reset
2. Rolled back to version 3.2
3. Used feeler gauges to reposition the PINDA probe
4. Check for mechanical issues
5.Tested the PINDA probe and cable---I believe it is working properly

I now have a non-working printer and can't figure out how to fix it. It feels like the upgrade left some bad bits in the firmware that the factory reset does not fix.

Does anyone know how to reflash the system so we can start fresh?

Anyone else have an ideas?

Posted : 25/07/2018 6:40 am
Kazibole
(@kazibole)
Eminent Member
Re: Unable to now calibrate xyz

I am not sure how to fix your problem, but connecting to the printer via Pronterface (or OctoPrint or any other terminal) and issuing M502 may reset more settings (dont forget to M500 to save the reset settings)

Posted : 25/07/2018 7:40 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Unable to now calibrate xyz

XYZ calibration is for confirming the squareness of the printer frame,
unless you have dropped it, or similar, XYZ shouldn't need doing again.

Have you guys tried doing just the Z calibration, then Live Z preferably using Jeff Jordan's "Life adjust Z my way" https://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/assembly-and-first-prints-troubleshooting-f62/life-adjust-z-my-way-t2981.html#p99593
version 6.1 gcode... and getting back to printing?

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 : 25/07/2018 11:42 am
corycwagner
(@corycwagner)
Eminent Member
Re: Unable to now calibrate xyz

Hi Joan, thanks for the question. Yes, the z calibration fails in the exact same point. The video might would not attach, so here is a screen capture instead. Unfortunately, since the printer does the 9-point calibration before any print, I can't even get to a point of trying live z because it fails before hand. Again, I've had several months of successful prints until I upgraded to 3.3.1. Possible that it is just a coincidence, but I just want it to work again.

Posted : 27/07/2018 3:33 am
Steve St Jean
(@steve-st-jean)
New Member
Re: Unable to now calibrate xyz

I am now seeing the same issues. My MK3 started having extrusion issues so I wound up trying to Live Adjust. When that didn't solve the problem I did a full recalibration using the XYZ Calibration feature. That failed to find the first calibration point. After a couple of those, checking the PINDA probe wiring, and verifying that the probe does travel over the first calibration point, I would up re-flashing firmware v3.3.1. Still no luck.

I just sent off an email to Support and am going to try the Pronterface M502 and flash back to v3.3.0 to see if that helps.

UPDATE: I flashed the MK3 back to v3.3.0, connected Pronterface and send an M502 followed by an M500. I then had the printer perform an XYZ Calibration and it completed successfully. I'm going to try flashing back to v3.3.1 and see if the problem reappears.

Update 2: I flashed back to v3.3.1and performed an XYZ calibration that was successful, so from here it looks like there was something in the EEPROM that was causing an issue. Hope this helps.

- Steve

Posted : 27/07/2018 7:40 pm
corycwagner
(@corycwagner)
Eminent Member
Re: Unable to now calibrate xyz

Hi guys, well the suggestion to send gcode M502/M500 didn't work.

However, after playing around with the PINDA probe in the dark, I'm starting to believe that I do, in fact, have a bad PINDA cable. I raised the z position to 100, then turned out the lights and ran the extruder back and forth across the x-axis and watched the probe LED closely.

Sure enough, the probe was blinking out intermittently as I moved the head back and forth . In the light, it was hard to see if the red LED was blinking out or not. I further confirmed it by tugging on the cable while the extruder was stationary. It's intermittent, but it is clearly blinking.

I've ordered a new probe. Once it arrives and I've installed it, I'll update you all.

Thanks again for your help. Wish me luck.

Posted : 29/07/2018 3:59 am
corycwagner
(@corycwagner)
Eminent Member
Re: Unable to now calibrate xyz

Just to close the loop: I installed the new probe and now everything calibrates perfectly. The new probe has a thicker cable sheath and seems more robust.
Thanks again for all your help.

Cory

Posted : 06/08/2018 6:56 pm
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