pirate3d buccaneer doesn't print well, now it won't calibrate!

[Zoat]

Hello, we have a pirate3d buccaneer, and we have been having problems. Our designs print with some layers printing very good, dense, and other layers that look like they were eaten by acid. These layers are not dense and consistent. They are rough and partially see through. The printer will vary back and forth, with some layers good for approximately 5mm, then it will turn to crap for 3-6mm.



We took off the nozzle, and checked the gear mechanism, then reassembled. Now it won't calibrate at all. The lower plate comes up and rams into the nozzle as the gears are under excess tension.


Any suggestions?


Thank you for your time,


Zack

[curious aardvark]

wow - didn't realise any of those had actually made it into the wild.

Sounds like your z axis and calibration were buggered before you 'fixed it'.

Never having seen one or heard of anyone who had one - can't help.
But if it's auto calibration, then it sounds like the pressure sensor has been displaced, or died, check that you didn't dislodge something when you dismantled the head.