D3D Operation

Operation

Operation Checklist

• For 120 or 240 operation, there is a switch on the power supply for running either from 120 or 240 house power.
• When the machine is plugged in, make sure that you can hear the extruder fan.

Safety

• If printing ABS or other plastics that emit fumes, use the 3D printer in a well ventilated area or with a fume hood so you are not breathing the fumes.

Troubleshooting

When there is an issue with the printer, one of 4 sources:

• Wiring issue
• Connector issue
• Component issue
• Software issue
• Operator issue

First, is the machine plugged in and is there power in the outlet that the machine is plugged into?

Determining Whether It's a Bad Component or Just Bad Wiring

The most important thing to determine first, assuming that the issue is not an operator issue - is whether the issue is due to a bad connection or a bad component. Since the inner workings of components - and charged electrons inside wires - are both invisible n- the solution to an issue may not be visible immediately.

It is thus important to isolate whether the issue is a component or wiring. To check wiring:

• Reinsert a connecter to make sure it's plugged in
• Check the polarity of a connector - or whether the orientation of the connector is correct
• Observe for any damaged, exposed, or broken wires
• You can replace a wire with another wire from another part of the machine that you know is working and try again. When disconnecting wires, turn the power off
• If the fault is a component - try replacing that component with another one or a spare

Direction of Motion of Axes is Not Correct

• This can be fixed by unplugging stepper motors from the RAMPS controller and reversing them.
• In cases where stepper motors do not move at all or they jump around, the two middle pins may nee to be switched on the connector. In general, the outside wires should match on the RAMPS connector and on the stepper motor, but some stepper motors may require that the inner 2 wires need to be reversed.
• The current wiring convention for typical wiring sets is at D3D Electronics