Question M.1000 setup good (maybe even perfect) / operating result: bad, due to Y2-axis

M.1000 Y-axis problems

Hello,

Couple of weeks ago I received my Stepcraft M.1000 construction kit. Slowly built the table up, finally set it up and got it running on 100% in all directions.

I ordered it with: - laser head / 3Dprinter head and 1400w spindle (note: spindle + set of mills still not received)
I want to use this machine for prototyping for the company I work for, so the idea is design models, 3d print it, if result ok: milling the mold for the end products.

So I started with the 3d printing, also finally installed as it should be.
Started first print job, should take 1h 05 mins. First 30min’s i was there by the machine but later went away, when I came back about 20mins later, I noticed the louder noise of the machine and that the print was shifted on a certain point towards backside of the machine.

I stopped the cycle and homed the device and noticed after this issue the difference between Y1-Y2 was 4mm, which was 0,5mm originally before the test.
First I detached the 3D printer and adjusted the table back to perfect condition, perfect tests and restarted the job but this time I noticed I forgot to do warm up on uccnc in the first cycle. So did this. X-Z axles reacted imo like they should, the Y-axles as well, until they reached the backside of the machine, then suddenly speeded up And the X-Z axles began move opposite direction (looks ok) but Y1 trying to move in opposite direction while Y2 jams (it even gave me the impression it still tried to move towards the backside - Almost immediately pushed the emergency button and didn’t retry that for now) This got me scared.

I re-setup the machine (because even with double home I got a difference Y1-Y2 of 2mm), retried the print again, without warming up BUT halfed the speed in Cura from 60mm/s to 30mm/s, so again, it started imo perfect and clearly much slower than the test before, the machine sounds great and moves smoothly, but after a half hour it sounds like its running steel on steel without lubrication, like you brake with a car with used out braking pads. And again, it is shifted towards backside of Y-axis.

What can the problem be? The first print it shifted at a reached print-height of around 8mm and second time around 5mm already.

Don't you too think it's strange, operating the table happens flawless, and when 3dprint starts and lets say half hour later it jams on Y2.

Thanks.





For the ones interested a bit more insight to my experience:

The startup went really slow due to some points of improvement.
First of all, I’m totally new to this, so I can be wrong in some of my claims. But lack of experience had maybe to do with it for less than 5% of the problems in total.
The assembly went ok, the manual is good, the moment I installed uccnc I remarked the blue light is not burning, there was something wrong. I just couldn’t manage to get it right, I tried to find help but was hidden for me. In the mean time I also have a fulltime job so time is really rare for me, and I like to rest as well
Anyway, a few days later going again thru the files (multi installer uninstall / reinstall) same, suddenly got an idea to search for drivers and luckily they were in the installed folders, I ran the drivers and finally got access to the machine using the uccnc software.
Did the final setups, everything perfect.
Try to run the 3Dprint device but not working. Remarked the multi-installer installs the shortcuts for M.1000 general-laser-OTK but there is no 3d print to see. Again cried for help, this time not only at the dealer but also info@stepcraft... But no help… finally solved that problem also thru a trick and got access tot the 3printer.
At the first try initially got the error message: “can’t read Line21…” when I loaded file in uccnc. Later remarked this on the official video of Stepcraft there is a typo in the manual (video dates from 2019) in the start and end codes in cura for the PH-40 printer head. Thanks to this video I could change the info and finally really start printing.
But now I’m facing something totally unexpected, really I was prepared for new problems, but not this my friend. And if I look at previous issues, I think now there is a software issue, but again because of lack of experience I am not so sure. There are also no precedent M.1000 issues which I can find in this forum or on youtube or whatever to compare with my situation. So now I’m desperate and hope someone here can help me, I hope someone experienced a similar problem and fixed on one way or another and can share his/her experience with me. Thanks in advance.

PS: I’m still very excited of my purchase, I’m sure when this issue is solved and I have a little bit more experience It’ll be worth all the time I put in it and look for the next table. IF all goes right, I need one table just for milling and a second to do the less common work like laser engraving the boxes of my products and once in a while 3d printing new products. But this one here is the first and last construction kit, that lesson is learned

Table setup, just great


Beginning of 3D printing... looks and sounds like it all is OK


A half hour later... drama



The biggest question, how will the table react to the milling machine, i will try that the day i finally receive my milling machine...
But the laser just works great, it works also much slower than the 3D print, i tried big prints, no jams till now. So i still have hope the spindle will run smooth.

Anyway, i try to pressure people, i realize problems can always occure, but just a little bit of help, or receiving what you pay for is the least i may expect, or don't i?

Now, this explains a part.
It doesn't happen all the time, but i had a feeling the steppermotor at Y2 once in a while doesn't want cooperate simultaneously with Y1.
Here is a nice proof.

Anyone with experience in this type of problems??

Problem =
The cable?
The chip?
The motor?

This goes too far for me, here i lack all knowledge and experience.

See video:

You can check it:
connect Y1 motor to Y2 connector and Y2 motor to Y1 connector. If the problem is still on Y2 motor (at Y1 connector), the motor is defect. If Y1 motor (at Y2 connector) has the problem now, a cable or the electronic is defect.

Hello Andys1957,

Thank you very much for your comment. Problem is solved luckily but it took a lot of time to find it.
I did what you proposed, i was 101% sure this was the source of the problem (cable connection / motor malfunction)
SO, i changed the position of the motors. First tried it without connecting to the rod, well it never blocked, both motors reacting on same time, like they should. Then connected with the rods, again started with perfect performance, after adjusting the table 100% speed. but after a few minutes of playtime again same problem, despite have changed motor from position it was again the same side that blocked!!!

I checked the cables, measured all with multimeter, even the chips, everything was 100% OK.
SO, why the problem on my last video happened is still not explained, but it also doesn't happen anymore so forget this one.

So desperate i became, i went back to strip of the clamp from the Y1-Y2 rods (went back to step D.6)

At step 6: the clamp on rod of Y1 is just smooth, on Y2 is still smooth but slightly remarkable that it was a little bit stiffer than the other side.

I went in detail: the rubber part (nr53 in parts list --> gummy o'ring). This should have a thickness of 2,4mm
But the ones i have are 3,7mm thick. And clearly the screw thread are not exactly the same on both sides, one side just arrives with both parts on perfect position what makes possible to put in the screws without creating too much tension but the other side had a bit more tension, clearly.

I didn't have other type of o'rings, neither longer screws, so i just turned the blocking side almost 180° back, screw holes perfectly matching position, put in the screws (but now they are too short, i hope they keep holding --> change rubber or screws and this is also ok)

Ever since, i did all my print jobs already. With super results.
Soon i hope to do my first milling job, i don't expect any trouble concerning the table anymore. just the possibility that the screws on 1 clamp can fall off. I'm really afraid of this because i really experience screws falling out! but couldn't resist to do print jobs anyway, but soon will put in longer screws, since that looks easier to do.


Thanks again for your time,