Problem with a Prusa i3 Pro C controller and Z axis

[aja175]

Hey there
Nobody responded to my email so I'll ask my questions here -

1: My Z axis travels a lot farther than it should. When I connect with Simplify3D I can move the X and Y axis the correct distance, but the Z axis travels the entire length of the axis and would continue past the top if there weren't a physical stop.
- It doesn't seem to matter what I set for the Z steps per mm, that just makes it go faster or slower.
- I've checked my controller voltages, they are all between 5.0 and 5.03v
- I've tried swapping controllers, that didn't help
- I've tried different lead screws that I know the pitch of, same problem

2: When I upload firmware to the GT2650 via Arduino IDE 1.01 as suggested the change is not reflected on the LCD, nor does it make any difference when I move the axis. It shows successful in the IDE, I have the correct board selected but as far as I can tell the firmware changes are not being made in the controller.

3: It doesn't seem to matter what I adjust, the Z axis binds at the bottom. It happens regardless of which lead screw I use, doesn't seem to matter how I adjust the length of the screw with the coupler, it always binds every time.

So I'm guessing I have a controller problem, but hopefully someone from Geeetech will notice this and respond.

[Toy]

you mean no matter how long you move the z axis, it will moves all the way of the axis?
Even when you change the steps, also the same just the speed changed, right?
Could you home the printer normally? Could it be possible the problem of the motor or motor wire? I think you can plug the z axis motor to other axis,
see how it moves.

[aja175]

Thank you for the suggestion, I'll try that this evening.
A bit more detail, when I was using the threaded rods you provided in the kit it was set to 2650 steps/mm, I select .1mm and it moves about 1mm, I select 1mm and it moves about 10, 10mm moves 100, 100mm moves beyond the limits of the device.
I changed to a T8 with 2mm pitch, set my steps/mm to 1600 per the reprap calculator, the distance has the same problem.
I changed it to 400steps/mm to see what that would do, it moved the same distance but very slowly.
No matter what setting I use it binds at the bottom of the screw.


Any suggestions for my GT2560 firmware problem? Maybe I'm doing something wrong?
My steps to upload firmware are standard for the Arduino IDE, I load the firmware in the suggested IDE version, select the mega2560 board, compile and upload. The upload shows successful in the IDE, the board resets itself as it should when a new sketch is uploaded, but when I look for the changes I made in the LCD menu they don't show up, nor does the machine respond any differently than before I uploaded the new firmware.

[aja175]

I did as you suggested, I swapped both Z axis motors with the X and Y motors, the problem persists.
The X and Y axis moves the correct distance, the Z axis still moves too far.

.1 moves 1mm, 1mm moves 10, 10 moves 100, 100 moves too far to measure.

[William]

I did as you suggested, I swapped both Z axis motors with the X and Y motors, the problem persists.
The X and Y axis moves the correct distance, the Z axis still moves too far.

.1 moves 1mm, 1mm moves 10, 10 moves 100, 100 moves too far to measure.

I don't know if the Z motor is defective itself...Maybe you can remove the motor from Z axis and make it compare with other axes' motor.

[aja175]

That's what I did. I physically removed the motor, moved it to another axis, screwed it back in place and ran it.

The motors look exactly the same on the outside.

[William]

That's what I did. I physically removed the motor, moved it to another axis, screwed it back in place and ran it.

The motors look exactly the same on the outside.

Did the Z motor rotate normally?How do you think on it?

[aja175]

The motor moved properly when I moved it to the other axis. The problem is specific to the z axis, I'm suspecting it's a firmware problem

[William]

The motor moved properly when I moved it to the other axis. The problem is specific to the z axis, I'm suspecting it's a firmware problem

Download the firmware for Pro C and reupload it:
http://www.geeetech.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20&t=17046

[aja175]

I've done that. When I upload firmware it shows successful in the ide but nothing changes. When I specify a steps/mm in the firmware it doesn't change how the printer functions and the change does not show in the LCD