Powerspec Ultra 3D Prints are leaning in the -X direction

My Powerspec Ultra printer is leaning in the -X direction. I am very new to 3D printing and have looked all over for an answer to my problem but I cannot find one. I am using Simplify 3D and have tried using the default program that came with the printer (Powerprint) and have tried slic3r and skeinforge slicers in this program and each has leaned like the rest. The bed is level and I know that this is usually an issue of the pulley slipping but with this model the pulleys do not have set screws. Bought the printer new from microcenter and it is about 6 months old. This is a new problem. Any help is appreciated. I have attached an image.
Attachment 10132

Thanks

Looks like the calibration of the X-Axis is not correct in the software or firmware. Essentially, it thinks that 10mm is actually 10.1mm or something like that.

Have you changed any presets or done a factory reset on the printer? This would not appear to be a hardware fault, as the error is too consistent and grows from the start point.

noiseboy72,

Thanks for the help. I haven't changed any preset that I know of. I believe your theory could be correct. Could you tell me how to calibrate the X-axis on my specific printer? Or is this something I need to do in Simplify3D?

Thanks!

What printer are you selecting in the software? I think this one is going to be a Replicator 1 (Dual) as a base, also could use Flashforge Creeator Pro. If I have the right printer!!

wirlybird,

If I go to help>configuration assistant in simplify3D I choose the "Powerspec Ultra" printer. Is this what you are referring to? My printer is a Powerspec Ultra 3D.

Thanks

Yes. Try the Flashforge Dreamer profile in S3D. Check out the forums at S3D and also see this post if it helps.

https://www.3dhubs.com/talk/thread/l...-3d-simplify3d

If it still gives you trouble I would email S3D support and ask them about the profile to use.

wirlybird,

Okay, I will try that. But like I said in my original post I have tried using simplify3D and the software that came with the printer (Powerprint) and both have caused a leaning.

yea, I saw that. Just not really sure what it could be but figuring out which profile is good is a starting point!

wirlybird,

When I click on Flashforge Dreamer in the configuration assistant a profile is not created in my process settings. Any ideas?

Nevermind I have fixed it. I will let you know how my print turns out.

Thanks

Odd. I would try then under help to reset back to all defaults. This can help clean up anything that may have gotten out of wack. Then check for updates and after that run the configuration wiz again and see how it goes.

Okay, I changed the profile to Flashforge Dreamer and my print is still leaning.

Good and not good! We at least can say the profile is probably not the cause. So we look elsewhere.

With the printer turned off, slide the carriages back and forth on both X-axis and Y-Axis to see if anything is sticking. Check for loose belts and pulleys.

jeffmorris,

I have done that and nothing seems like it is sticking (at least enough to oppose the torque of these motors).

I think the firmware in the printer has an incorrect setting for the steps per mm.

Check with another owner as to what this setting should be.

Is the firmware in the printer changed in the simplify3d software?

Looking at it again, it's almost like it's missing a step - or a mm or 2 when reversing.

I am now wondering if it's a mechanical error or maybe a damaged cable.

How about checking if a drive pulley has worked loose on the stepper motor shaft? It only needs a tiny amount of movement to give this error, but it does seem too uniform to be much else.

I think looking at the firmware settings is a good idea. If it did get changed somehow or flashed to the wrong one, that would make some sense. I think we did try different slicers and different profiles and got the same results so I think the slicer is mostly ruled out.

wirlybird,

I recently bought a new printer (the same powerspec ultra 3d) and with the same simplify3d settings as with the old powerspec it prints fine. I am still trying to fix the old as I would like to have two functioning printers. This leads me to think it is more mechanical.

noiseboy72,

I think that you are correct. Like I said in my original post, I don't think the pulley is loose because it isn't fixed by a set screw but is just fitted on the stepper motor shaft by a D shape hole so that it can't slip.

Hey all,

Last week I finally decided to take apart the printer and found that the left extruder fan wasn't turning on at all during the print (I am primarily using the left extruder). I found that the fan was getting caught on the grill(?) of the extruder fan. After fixing this I ran a print and it printed perfectly. I can't explain exactly why this was causing the issue, maybe the fan motor was stealing amperage from the rest of the printer attempting to overcome the torque it was experiencing or maybe the extruder was just getting too hot. Anyway, thanks for all of your help.

Extruder getting to "hot" would definitely be possible.