Hello Creality community,
I’ve recently modified my Ender 3 V2 following the Enderstruder (converting from the stock Bowden extruder to a syringe extruder system). While the installation went smoothly, I’m encountering issues during the extrusion calibration phase and would appreciate any insights from experienced users.
Current Setup & Modifications Completed
- Ender 3 V2 with all Enderstruder components successfully assembled
- Firmware update of the mainboard completed (using inverted_firmware.bin as specified in the paper)
- Firmware update of the display microcontroller successfully completed
- USB to serial connection working correctly through Pronterface
- Link to the Enderstruder paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246806722400004X
The Problem
I’m currently at the extrusion calibration step, which requires modifying the esteps parameter to adapt to the syringe extruder system. After setting the esteps to the theoretical value of 10240 (as specified in the Enderstruder documentation) and initiating the extrusion process with the recommended parameters (3.0mm @ 1.0mm/min speed), the following issues occur:
- All three stepper motors (X, Y, Z) activate simultaneously
- There is little to no visible movement of any axis
- Only a faint humming/buzzing noise from the motors is audible
- The motors are completely locked during operation (cannot be manually rotated)
- After approximately 3 minutes (the expected duration of the operation), the noise stops and the motors release
- The motors noticeably heat up during this process
Troubleshooting Steps Already Performed
I’ve attempted the following troubleshooting measures without success:
- Physical inspection: Checked for any mechanical obstructions or blockages (none found)
- Manual motion verification: Confirmed all three axes move freely when the printer is powered off
- Hardware check: Disassembled and reassembled the printer to verify correct wiring and connections
- Firmware troubleshooting: Reset to stock firmware, then reflashed the inverted polarity firmware
- Parameter adjustment: Lowered the esteps value to see if the motors were drawing too much current
Technical Details
Current firmware configuration (retrieved via M503 command):
Steps per unit: M92 X80.00 Y80.00 Z400.00 E10240.00
Max feedrates: M203 X500.00 Y500.00 Z5.00 E25.00
Max Acceleration: M201 X500.00 Y500.00 Z100.00 E1000.00
Questions
- Has anyone successfully implemented the Enderstruder modification on an Ender 3 V2?
- Could this be related to the current/voltage settings for the stepper motors?
- Is there a compatibility issue with newer Ender 3 V2 revisions that might require different settings?
- Are there alternative firmware configurations I should consider?
Any help, advice, or direction would be greatly appreciated. I’m happy to provide additional details or perform further diagnostic steps as suggested.
Thank you very much