Simplify3D User Forum

On almost every print, the printer pauses, and if I'm not present to hit the Force Next button in the control panel, the heat from the extruder tip deforms the geometry of the part. I've searched the internet for this issue, and it seems it's a problem for Windows 10 operating systems. I've tried the suggestions to remedy the problem, with no success.

It seems the software can detect the problem, for under the communication tab a warning is issued, "WARNING: Firmware unresponsive" I would like to see a checkbox, either in options or the machine control panel, that will allow the software to perform an automatic force next, should a situation arise where I'm not present to perform this task manually.

3D printer: Printrbot Simple Metal
Controller: Printrboard, rev F
OS: Windows 10 (x64)

I'm pretty sure that exactly what the settings on the Communication tab of firmware config window already do (go to Tools > Firmware Configuration). You set the "communication timeout" and if the software doesn't receive a response from the printer within that many seconds, it automatically sends the next command. It has saved my prints many times.

I've tried that, but the result is inconsistant. Although I've set the timeout to 5 seconds, sometimes the delay is much longer (half a minute or more), particularly at the begining of the print. It always continues, but sometimes the printed part is damaged where the extruder tip loiters againts the surface.

However, if that's how an automatic "force next" is done, I suppose a checkbox would be of little value.

What is the real solution to this? I'm tired of having to interact with my SD card all the time and wish I could just print from my laptop and not worry that the print wont stop after laying down the first perimeter.

Read Joe's post above. The software already does this automatically and there's several settings you can customize for it