Loss of Connection Issue

[Cujo31]

Good Afternoon,

I seem to be having an issue of late that I am hoping you guys can help me with...
I am using Simplify3D with my Solidoodle 3 and have had GREAT results with it....
However, I have been having a lot of issues with loss of connection and times. I
sent an e-mail to Ike at support and not received a response... but let me explain...

1. Simplify3D seems to be loosing connection with printer. (Alot)

For instance, today, I had a print that needed 8 hours to print... Simplify did just fine over that time
and the print looked very nice when completed. However, not too long after printing, I got a
M105 error and lost connection with the printer. No jog, no heat, nothing.... just an endless scroll
of M105 errors on the screen.

I tried the following....

1. Disconnect from machine in the control panel and try to reconnect: Attempting connection at \\.\COM4... Error opening selected port.

2. Unplugged USB cable and tried different port: Attempting connection at \\.\COM4... Error opening selected port.

3. Hit reset button on my Solidoodle 3 board and allowed it reset, then try to connect again thru control panel: Attempting connection at \\.\COM4... Error opening selected port.

3. Close Simplify3D software... switch USB connection port.... reset Solidoodle board... Restart Simplify.... Attempting connection at \\.\COM4... Error opening selected port.

4. Completely restart computer and reboot: Connects

Is there a reason for the drops after nearly every print? I shouldn't I have to restart my computer everytime?

What gives Ike? Any clues?

I also sometimes get drops in the middle of prints.... it hangs... says it is trying to reconnect.... but never does....

BTW running Win7

any help is appreciated!

Matt

[JoeJ]

First of all, the Solidoodle I had was plagued with constant issues from the crummy power supply. You can read around, but many other people have had the same issues. A bad or cheap power supply can cause constant communication problems. In fact, I'm shocked you made it through an 8 hour print! With some of the cheap power supplies I have used, I ran into problems around 2 hours in.

So it's very possible the cheap power supply is causing issues. You may also want to try getting a higher quality USB cable, preferably one with a ferrite collar to eliminate electrical noise. Finally, you may also want to try reinstalling the USB drivers on your computer. Sometimes a driver gets corrupted and can also cause problems like you are describing.

Just a few ideas since those all helped me with my old Solidoodle

[BaudR8]

Could you also be a bit more specific with the "M105 error", it would be helpful to know exactly what error it is spitting out at you. I remember before I returned my Solidoodle, it had terrible PID and an extremely low temperature ceiling, setting the temperature to 230 would make it hit the ceiling and spit out a max temp error. When the firmware hits a max temp error, it will disable all functionality (such as jogging and heating) until you "fix" whatever error caused it and restart the printer. I remember having to set my printing temperature for ABS to 220 just so it wwouldnt hit the max temp ceiling.