User:Roddy792643
Rod CurryWood
July 29, 2013 I bought a used Mendal Prusa Liniar off eBay. It arrived in California from Florida with almost all the nuts and bolts loose. Have since tightened and leveled and plumbed things nicely. (I think so anyway)
This machine originally came from MakerFarms and has Gen6 Electronics. Downloaded software and configured most things per instructions. Didn't catch the bit about informing the sofware what size nozzle and what size filament I was using till I plugged up the extruder.
Those long strong springs seemed excessive. (I'm just sayin!) I cut them in half and they seem to work great now! One flew away and I still have one. (As a spare, I guess)(hopefully I'll find the other one eventually) After disassembly and reassembly (with shorter springs) I get a little tiny string of molten plastic from the .35mm nozzle if I got the thing heated up to 135C and tell it to extrude in pronterface. It's just cool!
So that says the extruder works ..... motor works, pronterface operates it properly. The x and y axis move well back and forth. the z axis squeals at me when I try to move it more than .1mm at a time. Don't know what that's about. I used some machine oil but it didn't make a bit of difference. THIS IS A PROBLEM I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX ..... HAVEN'T A CLUE. THINKING ABOUT BIGGER MOTORS OR GEARED MOTORS.
Both x and y belts were pretty loose. X was easy. Had to take the bed off to tighten y and in doing so decided those springs were too long and strong as well. I took a couple of winds off each. I like it much better now and have a tiny bit more build area on the z axis (if it ever stops squealing at me)
The thing has optical end stops (I call them optostoppers)(probably not original)and pieces of coke can were used to break the beams. Those weren't where they were s'pose to be and bending them back didn't seem to be doable. I made one each of my own variety for x and y and now those two directions will home. While trying to do the same for z I broke off a wire from the sensor. The lead broke off at the potting compound. Took the whole thing off and dug down to where there was enough to solder to; did so but it didn't work after reassembling it. Taking it apart again I found two more leads broken in the same way. All leads were very nicely insulated with shrink tubing. I don't know where to reconnect those leads. Instead of messing with it I ordered two more sensors and am awaiting shippment. They were like two bucks apieceand three to ship.
THAT ENDS THE STORY TO DATE (08/19/2013) EXCEPT FOR THE FUNNY PART! (well, I think it's kinna funny) If you're interested read on. ..... Or whatever
Only thing that got broke in shippment was a piece of glass that was to go on top of the heated bed. Gen6 electronics doesn't support a heated bed. However, the kit has one and it's simply plugged into the power supply. Don't know as how that will work out. Actually this might have something to do with the end stop breaking. Without the glass the z axis can go lower. It can go just a bit lower because I lowered it by taking two winds out of the springs and it so happens that that's lower than there is threaded stock to lower it with. I was attempting the bit about moving the nozzle across the bed and leveling z in the x direction and doing the same with y. Well while watching the nozzle skim closer and closer to the bed I heard a plop and didn't even blink an eye. But my leveling maneuvers went in the dumper. The plop was the nut falling off the threads that move z in the down direction. Come on, that's funny.
I went to Lowes and could have gotten two feet of new material for something like $2.87 or six feet for $3.87 (not exactly sure about the figures but that's really close) Anyway I bought six feet and am now planning my next build. (Wallace, I'm pretty sure, with six mm (1/4 inch stock) I've already ordered five NEMA14 motors. I know a girl that might like a dainty little machine. Not sure, tho.
Point is Lemon = Lemonaide? But putting it back together that time, I'm pretty sure, is what messed up the sensor. It's all good. Guess if I got 5/16 stock it won't help make a 6mm(ish) Wallace will it? Lemons and Limes?
Anyway, I haven't had this much fun in years! (08/21/2013 9:24pm PST)
Sep 1, 2013
Since last entry, I've gotten glass for the heated bed to heat. Printed several 20mm x 20mm Boxes. Have learned that there's still a lot to learn and now have a clogged nozzle. That's what we do!
I now realize this is not the place for a blog sort of thing and will reserve my space here for such time as I have something real to contribute. Thank the sysop for the generosity.
Thank You Traumflug.
roddy792643
P.S. If anyone actually becomes interested I have an email address ([email protected]) and a website at firstchurchofplanetearth.com ..... so ..... e voila!
