Z max build Height - Please Help pinpoint the config issue.

[xaberx]

When I built my printrbot I chose to go with larger rods for Z. The problem I am running into is that my Z build height appears to be limited to roughly 6". I have changed the settings in Prontrface to allow for larger build heights however I still cannot print past this point. Is there a setting I can add to my Gcode to extend the Z build height to the proper size?(im using 32" threaded and smooth rods, though I am only planning on going 24" ). I have measured that the top of the X carriage is exactly 8" from the heat bed when it will not go any further. I believe this to be a setting or configuration issue as my wires are long enough and there is nothing stopping the carriage from moving higher. Please help


Thanks in advance.

Xaberx

[artem]

Just double checking, did you change it in Slic3r too?

[plexus]

Likely, no. The firmware control the min and max. here is the section from the Lincomatic's Marlin fork that is used on the Printrboard:

Code: Select all

#define min_software_endstops true //If true, axis won't move to coordinates less than HOME_POS.
#define max_software_endstops true  //If true, axis won't move to coordinates greater than the defined lengths below.
// Travel limits after homing
#define X_MAX_POS 190 //205
#define X_MIN_POS 0
#define Y_MAX_POS 190 //205
#define Y_MIN_POS 0
#define Z_MAX_POS 200
#define Z_MIN_POS 0


I wonder when you buy the Super-Z-Assembly how they get the max Z height higher to use the added mechanical height?

[extent]

M208: set axis max travel

Example: M208 X250 Y210 Z180

The values specified set the software limits for axis travel in the positive direction.

With Marlin firmware, this value can be saved to EEPROM using the M500 command.

[plexus]

M208: set axis max travel
Example: M208 X250 Y210 Z180
The values specified set the software limits for axis travel in the positive direction.
With Marlin firmware, this value can be saved to EEPROM using the M500 command.

Sweet there you go. as long as the M208 values over-ride whats in the firmware you are good to go. i wondered how the super-z-update was managed in the firmware because i doubted PBHQ was going to send a new printrboard. this must be how they do it.

[Mooselake]

M208: set axis max travel
Example: M208 X250 Y210 Z180
The values specified set the software limits for axis travel in the positive direction.
With Marlin firmware, this value can be saved to EEPROM using the M500 command.

Sweet there you go. as long as the M208 values over-ride whats in the firmware you are good to go. i wondered how the super-z-update was managed in the firmware because i doubted PBHQ was going to send a new printrboard. this must be how they do it.

That won't work with Marlin. While the reprap g-code guide on reprap.org lists M208 as set axis max travel, in Marlin M208 has been defined as (copied from the command decode in Marlin_main.cpp, line 1344) as

M208 - set retract recover length S[positive mm surplus to the M207 S*] F[feedrate mm/sec]

AFAIK the only way to change the limits is to recompile (hope I'm wrong...). Maybe Printrbot thought to offer a download of the properly configured firmware somewhere?

Kirk

[scantrontb]

because this will be a very important topic once they get the bugs worked out of the super sized mods done over at PBHQ and released to the public, i copied this topic directly over to the "PBHQ>>General" forum so they can get the full thread and answer directly, we can merge the two threads later on once it's been answered....

[allanonmage]

I bought some longer rods at Lowe's to increase the Z height of my Printrbot LC. Any word on if we need to fiddle with firmware? I don't think I'd mind loading firmware, but compiling it seems hardcore...

[lwalkera]

I made some changes to Marlin to add in M codes to change the soft limits. For those that know how to compile and load firmware you can grab it here: https://github.com/lwalkera/Marlin/tree/limitsaving For others, I'll try to get a hex file up soon.

[allanonmage]

That would be great if you could do that, seems this is starting to be a popular mod. With how easy it is, you can see why.

[allanonmage]

Any chance that this setting or firmware has been made easy to implement? I just raised the height max on my LC and would like to print taller than 6" at some point.

[elkniwt]

Was there any progress on getting a hex file of the modded firmware? I went to some trouble to get an 18-inch(!) X axis on my Printrbot Simple (Beta) and am disappointed to see it only go half way across.

[JonS]

I'm trying to extend the z axis on my Jr and there appears to be a 100mm firmware limit. My understanding is that the Jr has slightly different FW, so lwalkera's mod won't work.

lwalkera would you be willing to create a version for the Jr?

[SilverFingers]

Has anyone got this working with the JR? I just extended my Z axis and it wont let me go further than 100mm

[JonS]

I loaded the universal f/w yesterday and reversed the y-axis with a negative calibration. Everything is working apart from y homing which attempts to move in a positive direction.

[RetireeJay]

I loaded the universal f/w yesterday and reversed the y-axis with a negative calibration. Everything is working apart from y homing which attempts to move in a positive direction.

Yes, there's a bug in the software. Your best bet is to reverse the Y motor rotation by physically changing the wiring or how the plug connects to the Printrboard. Then you will be able to use a positive Y calibration value AND your homing will work correctly.

If you can just turn the plug around, do it. If not, ask for further instructions or see the info in the first post of this thread: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2274

[JonS]

Thanks! Plug reversal time it is then!

Well, that or put a 90° twist in my belt!

[JonS]

Done! I now have 7-inches of z-height!

[allanonmage]

um.... I don't know where this thread went. Did the firmware get updated for the printrbot/LC?

[Nickies08]

Likely, no. The firmware control the min and max. here is the section from the Lincomatic's Marlin fork that is used on the Printrboard:

Code: Select all

#define min_software_endstops true //If true, axis won't move to coordinates less than HOME_POS.
#define max_software_endstops true  //If true, axis won't move to coordinates greater than the defined lengths below.
// Travel limits after homing
#define X_MAX_POS 190 //205
#define X_MIN_POS 0
#define Y_MAX_POS 190 //205
#define Y_MIN_POS 0
#define Z_MAX_POS 200
#define Z_MIN_POS 0


I wonder when you buy the Super-Z-Assembly how they get the max Z height higher to use the added mechanical height?

My original Printrbot Printrboard allowed me to use the full height of my new z axis by only changing the height in my printer settings of Repiter to 450mm. However, I currently have a MakerFarm Printrboard installed which I installed the Marlin Unified V2 Firmware onto. Now I am stuck at a max of 200mm. I went into the firmware and changed my Z max to 450 but after uploading it to the board there is no change. The firmware shows the increase to 450mm, Repiter still shows a max height of 450mm but i can only manually move the z axis to a height of 200mm through Repiter. Is there another component of the firmware that needs to be modified to allow for the height increase?

*Update*
I tried uploading the firmware once again and still no effect. Once my printer hits 200mm Z height, it stops going up