I just bought a X1C and started printing a few different upgrades for it. I noticed after the Benchy print (Benchy printed perfect) that I started to get a layer shift after the first layer inspection. I researched what could be causing it and decided to turn off the first layer inspection and its been printing great for a week. I then did my first multi-color print and saw a layer shift on my first layer after a color change. I researched more and decided to turn on “Auto Recovery from Step Loss” in printer options on my X1C. That seems to have fixed the issue temporarily but the printer is now rehoming after each color change. I can’t seem to find the root cause of this issue and the shift is in the same direction and amount. Any idea on why a brand new printer is experiencing a step loss only after a color shift and first layer inspection?
What “upgrades” did you print for it? Some PTFE guides and stepper covers are known to cause homing and step loss issues.
I printed the following so far with links to the particular items you mentioned could be affecting it:
-Shifty build plate guide
-Side spool holder
-Anti vibration feet mounts
-AMS desiccant holders
-Z-axis bearing protection
-PTFE cable chain
My only concern with your question would be that I noticed the first layer shift issue on my very first print after Benchy so I’m not sure what cause that step loss.
With the printer powered down, are you able to manually move the head to all 4 corners without issue? The front left is where the filament cutter is activated and the front right is where the machine homes.
I haven’t checked yet, once this print finishes I will check that. To be clear (sorry im new to this printer) but by front left and right do you mean while looking at the printer? So front left would be closest to the door and directly under the display and front right is closest to the door and under the X1C logo?
Correct
it moves in the Y axis easier than in X axis when it is powered off. The movement from side to side (X axis) is a little tight but it still moves pretty easily when powered off.
The printer homes by hitting the front and right corners with reduced motor torque and detecting the motors stalling.
If something stops the head reaching all the way into the front right corner the head will home offset to the left and/or back. When the mis-homed head goes all the way left to cut the filament or all the way back to poop it will hit the travel limits and mostly correct the offset.
You can manually home the head and watch it. If homed correctly you can manually move the head all the way left and back and it will stop before hitting travel limits.
Check there is nothing obstructing head movement to the far right and front. Check the Y axis rod bearings are not sticking out of the carriage. The cable chain clips you fitted are suspect.
Below are two videos of the issue in action. The first video shows the head rehoming after a color change the second shows everything running smoothly when no color change happens. I do have “First Layer Inspection” turned off because it was causing the same issue shown below and I have “Auto-recovery from step loss” enabled so that is why it rehomed after changing color and didn’t layer shift. Trying to figure out why it seems to step loss only when the head travels to the poop shoot.