I am building my 3rd custom 3D printer, but this is the first one I've done with dual extruders. I got the printer powered up and running for the first time last night, but I have some questions on the behavior of the two extruders and wanted to clarify.
General Info:
I am using a MKS Gen 1.4 Board with DVR8825 stepper drivers.
Not that it matters, but I've got two e3D titan extruders mounted in a Bowden configuration.
I have an endstop setup as a filament runout sensor, I only have one configured at the moment, not two.
When I was going through last night and testing all the axis movements and functionality through the LCD interface, I noticed some odd behavior with the extruders when trying to move them using the "Move Axis" menu.
I have 3 menu options under "Move Axis" relative to the extruders:
Extruder
Extruder 1
Extruder 2
I heated both hot ends up to 200F to ensure I wouldn't run into issues triggering the low temp extrusion. I made sure both were at temp before attempting the test.
If I select Extruder 1 and manually move it, it works just fine. Display shows the distance I've moved as normal.
If I select Extruder 2 I will see the distance that I already moved Extruder 1 displayed on the screen before I start any further movements. I turn the knob and I don't get any movement out of Extruder 2, but the number on the screen changes as I turn the dial as if it were moving. I also don't think I was getting any movmement from Extruder 1.The same thing happens if I start trying to move extruder 2 first, but it starts off at zero.
Finally, if I just try moving Extruder, I think extruder 1 is the one that moves.
I suspect it's behaving like both extruders are acting as one. The fact that the value of extruded length carries over no matter what menu option I choose is leading me to think that. I want to make sure my firmware is configured properly before I start chasing hardware issues.
Now, I'll say that it's possible I have a bad stepper driver. The batch of drivers I ordered had one bad driver in it already that I found on my other custom printer. The driver that was connected to extruder 2 (E1 position on the board) was much hotter than the others when I felt it, and it was set to the same voltage as the others.
I'm using Marlin 1.1.9 with a RepRapDiscount FULL GRAPHIC Smart Controller. I've pasted the first portion of my configuration.h file below through the section on extruders. I don't know if there is somewhere else within the firmware I have to go to adjust the menu functionality, or if it should already be setup to support driving the extruders individually rather than as a combo.
#include
/**
* Marlin 3D Printer Firmware
* Copyright (C) 2016 MarlinFirmware [https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin]
*
* Based on Sprinter and grbl.
* Copyright (C) 2011 Camiel Gubbels / Erik van der Zalm
*
* This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
* it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
* the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
* (at your option) any later version.
*
* This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
* but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
* MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
* GNU General Public License for more details.
*
* You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
* along with this program. If not, see [www.gnu.org].
*
*/
/**
* Configuration.h
*
* Basic settings such as:
*
* - Type of electronics
* - Type of temperature sensor
* - Printer geometry
* - Endstop configuration
* - LCD controller
* - Extra features
*
* Advanced settings can be found in Configuration_adv.h
*
*/
#ifndef CONFIGURATION_H
#define CONFIGURATION_H
#define CONFIGURATION_H_VERSION 010109
//===========================================================================
//============================= Getting Started =============================
//===========================================================================
/**
* Here are some standard links for getting your machine calibrated:
*
* [reprap.org]
* [youtu.be]
* [calculator.josefprusa.cz]
* [reprap.org]
* [www.thingiverse.com]
* [sites.google.com]
* [www.thingiverse.com]
*/
//===========================================================================
//============================= DELTA Printer ===============================
//===========================================================================
// For a Delta printer start with one of the configuration files in the
// example_configurations/delta directory and customize for your machine.
//
//===========================================================================
//============================= SCARA Printer ===============================
//===========================================================================
// For a SCARA printer start with the configuration files in
// example_configurations/SCARA and customize for your machine.
//
//===========================================================================
//============================= HANGPRINTER =================================
//===========================================================================
// For a Hangprinter start with the configuration file in the
// example_configurations/hangprinter directory and customize for your machine.
//
// @section info
// User-specified version info of this build to display in [Pronterface, etc] terminal window during
// startup. Implementation of an idea by Prof Braino to inform user that any changes made to this
// build by the user have been successfully uploaded into firmware.
#define STRING_CONFIG_H_AUTHOR "(none, default config)" // Who made the changes.
#define SHOW_BOOTSCREEN
#define STRING_SPLASH_LINE1 SHORT_BUILD_VERSION // will be shown during bootup in line 1
#define STRING_SPLASH_LINE2 WEBSITE_URL // will be shown during bootup in line 2
/**
* *** VENDORS PLEASE READ ***
*
* Marlin allows you to add a custom boot image for Graphical LCDs.
* With this option Marlin will first show your custom screen followed
* by the standard Marlin logo with version number and web URL.
*
* We encourage you to take advantage of this new feature and we also
* respectfully request that you retain the unmodified Marlin boot screen.
*/
// Enable to show the bitmap in Marlin/_Bootscreen.h on startup.
//#define SHOW_CUSTOM_BOOTSCREEN
// Enable to show the bitmap in Marlin/_Statusscreen.h on the status screen.
//#define CUSTOM_STATUS_SCREEN_IMAGE
// @section machine
/**
* Select the serial port on the board to use for communication with the host.
* This allows the connection of wireless adapters (for instance) to non-default port pins.
* Serial port 0 is always used by the Arduino bootloader regardless of this setting.
*
* :[0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
*/
#define SERIAL_PORT 0
/**
* This setting determines the communication speed of the printer.
*
* 250000 works in most cases, but you might try a lower speed if
* you commonly experience drop-outs during host printing.
* You may try up to 1000000 to speed up SD file transfer.
*
* :[2400, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 250000, 500000, 1000000]
*/
#define BAUDRATE 250000
// Enable the Bluetooth serial interface on AT90USB devices
//#define BLUETOOTH
// The following define selects which electronics board you have.
// Please choose the name from boards.h that matches your setup
#ifndef MOTHERBOARD
#define MOTHERBOARD BOARD_MKS_GEN_13
#endif
// Optional custom name for your RepStrap or other custom machine
// Displayed in the LCD "Ready" message
#define CUSTOM_MACHINE_NAME "Box Printer"
// Define this to set a unique identifier for this printer, (Used by some programs to differentiate between machines)
// You can use an online service to generate a random UUID. (eg [www.uuidgenerator.net])
//#define MACHINE_UUID "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
// @section extruder
// This defines the number of extruders
// :[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
#define EXTRUDERS 2
// Generally expected filament diameter (1.75, 2.85, 3.0, ...). Used for Volumetric, Filament Width Sensor, etc.
#define DEFAULT_NOMINAL_FILAMENT_DIA 1.75
// For Cyclops or any "multi-extruder" that shares a single nozzle.
//#define SINGLENOZZLE
/**
* Průša MK2 Single Nozzle Multi-Material Multiplexer, and variants.
*
* This device allows one stepper driver on a control board to drive
* two to eight stepper motors, one at a time, in a manner suitable
* for extruders.
*
* This option only allows the multiplexer to switch on tool-change.
* Additional options to configure custom E moves are pending.
*/
//#define MK2_MULTIPLEXER
#if ENABLED(MK2_MULTIPLEXER)
// Override the default DIO selector pins here, if needed.
// Some pins files may provide defaults for these pins.
//#define E_MUX0_PIN 40 // Always Required
//#define E_MUX1_PIN 42 // Needed for 3 to 8 steppers
//#define E_MUX2_PIN 44 // Needed for 5 to 8 steppers
#endif
// A dual extruder that uses a single stepper motor
//#define SWITCHING_EXTRUDER
#if ENABLED(SWITCHING_EXTRUDER)
#define SWITCHING_EXTRUDER_SERVO_NR 0
#define SWITCHING_EXTRUDER_SERVO_ANGLES { 0, 90 } // Angles for E0, E1[, E2, E3]
#if EXTRUDERS > 3
#define SWITCHING_EXTRUDER_E23_SERVO_NR 1
#endif
#endif
// A dual-nozzle that uses a servomotor to raise/lower one of the nozzles
//#define SWITCHING_NOZZLE
#if ENABLED(SWITCHING_NOZZLE)
#define SWITCHING_NOZZLE_SERVO_NR 0
#define SWITCHING_NOZZLE_SERVO_ANGLES { 0, 90 } // Angles for E0, E1
//#define HOTEND_OFFSET_Z { 0.0, 0.0 }
#endif
/**
* Two separate X-carriages with extruders that connect to a moving part
* via a magnetic docking mechanism. Requires SOL1_PIN and SOL2_PIN.
*/
//#define PARKING_EXTRUDER
#if ENABLED(PARKING_EXTRUDER)
#define PARKING_EXTRUDER_SOLENOIDS_INVERT // If enabled, the solenoid is NOT magnetized with applied voltage
#define PARKING_EXTRUDER_SOLENOIDS_PINS_ACTIVE LOW // LOW or HIGH pin signal energizes the coil
#define PARKING_EXTRUDER_SOLENOIDS_DELAY 250 // Delay (ms) for magnetic field. No delay if 0 or not defined.
#define PARKING_EXTRUDER_PARKING_X { -78, 184 } // X positions for parking the extruders
#define PARKING_EXTRUDER_GRAB_DISTANCE 1 // mm to move beyond the parking point to grab the extruder
#define PARKING_EXTRUDER_SECURITY_RAISE 5 // Z-raise before parking
#define HOTEND_OFFSET_Z { 0.0, 1.3 } // Z-offsets of the two hotends. The first must be 0.
#endif
/**
* "Mixing Extruder"
* - Adds G-codes M163 and M164 to set and "commit" the current mix factors.
* - Extends the stepping routines to move multiple steppers in proportion to the mix.
* - Optional support for Repetier Firmware's 'M164 S' supporting virtual tools.
* - This implementation supports up to two mixing extruders.
* - Enable DIRECT_MIXING_IN_G1 for M165 and mixing in G1 (from Pia Taubert's reference implementation).
*/
//#define MIXING_EXTRUDER
#if ENABLED(MIXING_EXTRUDER)
#define MIXING_STEPPERS 2 // Number of steppers in your mixing extruder
#define MIXING_VIRTUAL_TOOLS 16 // Use the Virtual Tool method with M163 and M164
//#define DIRECT_MIXING_IN_G1 // Allow ABCDHI mix factors in G1 movement commands
#endif
// Offset of the extruders (uncomment if using more than one and relying on firmware to position when changing).
// The offset has to be X=0, Y=0 for the extruder 0 hotend (default extruder).
// For the other hotends it is their distance from the extruder 0 hotend.
#define HOTEND_OFFSET_X {0.0, 40.00} // (in mm) for each extruder, offset of the hotend on the X axis
#define HOTEND_OFFSET_Y {0.0, 0.00} // (in mm) for each extruder, offset of the hotend on the Y axis
