CuraLE allows you to load Custom Firmware and LulzBot has archives for older firmware.
When you put the units in storage, I assume you archived the software in use at the time. What version of CuraLE were you using then and what firmware is currently loaded in the working printer?
In addition to the latest firmware, the current version of CuraLE also has start (and end) gcode that is compatible with the latest firmware. If you load older firmware, you may need to modify the start gcode to match.
That being said, I also own a TAZ 6 and have used just about every version of CuraLE and firmware that has been released. While there have been occasional glitches, they have been resolved quickly. I’m currently using CuraLE 3.6.31 and the Universal firmware 2.0.9.0.9 without issue (2.0.9.0.8 has a bug that is fixed in 2.0.9.0.9). I have downloaded but have not yet tested 2.0.9.0.10 and 2.0.9.0.11.
When I purchased the Taz 6’s I did so after heavy investigation on the 3D printers that where mostly configured out of the box. Especially after purchasing a Mass Portal which was expensive but in its infancy as far as engineering. The Taz’s worked perfect when delivered and fulfilled there reputation so you can imagine how surprised I am when booting up my units and installing the latest firmware and Cura that they would no longer function properly and the forum be full of people saying they are now very expensive paper weights… Its pretty black and white. Any clue on what is causing it to retract before completing a circle as shown in the image?
Please post an .stl file that I can slice and print because to the best of my knowledge, my TAZ 6 doesn’t exhibit this issue with the latest CuraLE and firmware.
I just saw that I was using 2.0.9.0.8 on “Machine 1” maybe the bug you mentioned is causing the issues. “Machine 2” while printing stopped and displayed a “thermal error E1”. Not sure if this is due to a Cura and firmware mismatch.
To be fair Lulzbot is the best and I see no reason why a machine that worked so well all of a sudden becomes a paper weight. I guess I need to learn a lot more about 3D print settings to calibrate properly after updates. Machine 1 was also having the issue of not printing the complete circle any clues on that?
Note that each version will have the latest firmware versions that would have been available at time of release. So this would let you get back to the older firmware versions if you’re convinced the newer firmware is the issue (and if nothing else, this would help you confirm whether it really is the firmware).
You don’t have to run the older Cura LE … you can install it temporarily, re-flash the firmware, and then update to the newer Cura 3.6.3x version.
Do note, however, that reverting the firmware will mean you’ll lose the bi-linear bed-leveling that was added to the latest version. But if you were getting good bed-leveling performance before then you’ll probably be ok.
Thermal run-away errors are part of the firmware – they aren’t tied to the slicer software.
The feature works by measuring how long it has been running the heater cartridge … vs. the temperature that it is reading at the thermistor. It realizes that, assuming the heater cartridge works, it should have been able to attain a given temperature after heating for a given amount of time.
When it notices that the thermistor isn’t reading enough heat … even though the heater-cartridge has been on for a while then it gets suspicious that something is wrong. If a thermistor is defective (not accurately reading temp) then the hot-end could be WELL ABOVE the requested temp and the thermistor isn’t detecting it. So to avoid burning down the house … it shuts down.
In your case, I think you determined that the hot-end is actually “hot” … and this means you probably need to replace the thermistor on that printer. They do go bad … and they aren’t expensive.
Ironically this part is out of stock. Do you think updating the firmware will fix this issue or is it pretty clear that if it did not have this issue before it most likely has gone bad?
FWIW, I replaced the thermistor on my TAZ6 with the standard hot end that came with the printer. Yes, out of stock however I found and bought one from B&H Photo. Then I found out my tool head had a different thermistor installed. I then bought the correct replacement from E3D. The arrow on the 2nd pic shows where the thermistor gets installed. It fits in an angled hole at the hot end and covered with a small plate with one screw. I bought my TAZ6 from Lulzbot the last week of December 2018.
I’m trying to replace 2.0.9.0.8 which you mention has a bug but Cura does not indicate this firmware is behind and when I do firmware update it only puts 2.0.9.0.8 back on the unit. It must be my luck right now but you can see how if the current firmware has a bug and the fixed firmware is not readily available as a user experiencing many issues i could be getting fatigue with Lulzbot lol.
In CuraLE, you will have to select Custom Firmware to load it and yes, CuraLE will complain that the firmware is out-of-date, ignore it. LulzBot will have to release a new version of CuraLE with this later version of firmware to remove the error.
Okay I’m back to machine 1 since machine 2 has a busted thermistor. I got the new workhorse firmware loaded. When the tool head moved itself to the top I noticed that it looked a little lopsided. Is this supposed to be this way? If not is there an easy way to fix this?
After installing the “Workhorse” firmware I thought it was odd the printer sends the head to top. Now that I have balanced the gantry it seems the printer is not aware of its boundaries. When homing it went off to the right and kept going making a load noise. I shut it off. So I’m clear does this firmware I downloaded above work for the Taz 6? I check my EEPROM steps etc. and all is fine but machine 1 is now glitching. The screen says Print Paused wait for filament change to start before I shut it down because it was about to do the same with the Z axis going up when i tried to start a print.
You mentioned “Workhorse” firmware. Did you install the firmware meant for the TAZ Workhorse on your TAZ 6?
While the TAZ Workhorse does use a RAMBo board, it has too many hardware differences for the firmware to be able to drive the printer. Among them… the the Workhorse uses a belt-driven Z-axis instead of leadscrews.
Yes that for sure was the error I was told to download the firmware at the end of the thread at the link sent. I assumed it was “universal”. I will try to find the right firmware hopefully I didn’t do any damage.
just change to a different profile, say, from standard to high detail, it should pop up the screen as shown. then you decide do keep or discard. Take a screenshot of it so you dont lose it.
