Machine stopping.

[Simplify3D]

We have a pre-release version of 1.0.7 almost complete with a radically different method for USB G-Code transfers. If anyone here is consistently having errors with prints stopping due to dropped communication between Creator and the firmware, please send me a PM with your email address and we'll send you an early copy to test out.

[problemchild]

I am using Creator from a Mac Pro running the current version of Mountain Lion. I am getting intermittent premature halting in Creator 1.0.5, but it seems to be much less frequent than the previous version. After the M2 printer halts unexpectedly, the whole Creator program will not respond to the "helm" and has to be "force closed" from "outside" Creator. There is no pattern that I can discern, e.g., running time.

[problemchild]

This morning I installed Creator 1.0.7. Generally, it has been working well. However, this evening, about 2 hrs into a long print, the M2 halted prematurely. The force skip button didn't work. (I have used it successfully once in 1.0.6.)

As per your instructions, verbose was on and monitoring off. Attached is a text (rtf) file copy of Communications pane. You will notice that there were also two Invalid Extruder messages in this part of the log.

I hope this helps. I'll be happy to supply any other files you may want, e.g., the Gcode, profile, or stl.

[Simplify3D]

I'm not seeing an attachment on my end... Can you try again?

[problemchild]

Attachment for message, was an rtf file and was bounced by the forum. I'm unable to change the extension from my Mac (I'm a Mac newbie and find the paternalism of the Mac's extremely annoying.) I'll switch to the PC and get back to you in a few minutes. Sorry

[problemchild]

The board is not allowing me to post rtf or txt files. The FAQs say that the allowed attachment types are setup by the admin. Tell me what you want to do.


Rich

[Simplify3D]

I think it should be allowed now. And we really only need the last 10 lines of the file or so. You could just copy and paste that portion. I'm also PM'ing you something else to try if this happens again.

[problemchild]

Hi C.. ,

3D print show is over, so I'll be able to get back on reporting Creator issues. There are a few items in the hopper. Regards the halting issue, I am happy to report that I was able to complete 4 long builds, each over 6 hrs. As per suggestion, I copied the gcode files to the SD card, then ran the builds from there. None of these jobs halted before the end. This is a work-around, but not an explanation of the root cause.

Problems exist with the PLA print quality and generated supports. Will post details and photos on appropriate threads.

But related to halting, I'm now seeing frequent pauses on small prints when run from an i7 MacBookPro that is not running anything else. Will investigate further, and report anything definitive.

[Aha]

I've read in a few places this is related to a firmware thing on some marlin or arduino boards (can't remember which but it might allow tracking this down). I have had this problem both in using repetier host from usb and now using the latest version of this software (just started using it this morning). At least on the positive side it doesn't seem to happen from SD, and using this software you can force it to the next line if you are around instead of overloading the buffer to continue a print like I'd been forced to do previously (and killing some prints that way).