Home› JGAurora A5S, A1 & A3S-V2› Getting Started & Troubleshooting
Please note: the forum is closed.
No new user registrations are accepted. For more info, please click here.

Issues with A5S

LickaholicLickaholic Posts: 5Member
in Getting Started & Troubleshooting
Hey all, new to forum but read a ton of info on here and everyone seems quite knowledgeable so looking for advice/assistance.

I recently purchased an A5S as my first 3D printer but having some issues with it and so far I haven't got anywhere with support.

Issues I have are; 
1. The bowden tube and cable bundle between extruder and hot end were badly twisted and would catch on the upper gantry and also the angle the bowden tube met the hot end was causing the filament to jam. I resolved this partly by removing the bowden tube and loosely cable tying it to the black cable protector and it hasn't jammed whilst printing but changing filament is still not great.
2. The horizontal gantry that holds the hot end was badly twisted between the 2 z-screws, 1 end was higher than the other and I had to manually wind the screws and level it before it would move with the stepper motors. I have found that both my z screws are bent either from the factory or due to shipping.
3. My x-axis has a really bad grinding noise coming from it whilst printing or even moving the x-axis with the motors. I tried lubricating the x-axis and I removed the cover plate but it made no difference so believe it is a bearing issue.

I sent these issues to JG's support email with photos and a video of the z-axis screws and the noise. So far they have suggested I put the bowden tube back into the black protector, lubricate my x-axis and that my z screws aren't bent they are only vibrating and it is ok. I have emailed them back to say I can resolve the bowden tube/filament issue myself but I believe they should fix the grinding noise and bent screws. I am more than capable myself but the machine is new and was like that when I got it.

Really just wondering if anyone else has had issues with support and if I get nowhere with this latest issue what my options are. Like I said I could fix the issues myself but I don't see why I should replace parts on a new printer.

Overall the printer is brilliant, very easy to use and setup, and the print quality and accuracy after some fine tuning was way above my expectations.

Cheers

Allan

Comments

  • Stephen ToddStephen Todd Posts: 281🌟 Super Member 🌟
    edited April 2020
    Personally, I'd demand a replacement machine - far too many issues to have to fix on a new machine

    JGAurora are clearly trying to fob you off, and I'm not sure they will do anything if you bought directly from them

    If you bought through a retailer such as aliexpress, gearbest, lightinthebox, etc. you may be better asking them for a replacement machine or compensation - Amazon will refund with no questions asked

    If you paid by credit card, you could get the card company to do a chargeback, but you have to be quick
    Post edited by Stephen Todd on
  • LickaholicLickaholic Posts: 5Member
    Thanks for replying.

    I bought directly from them as I am in the UK and they could ship from EU whereas anywhere else I checked never had them in stock or it was coming from China. I also thought buying directly from manufacturer was the best option in terms of support.

    I have sent a second email saying that I am not happy with the x and z axis issues and will see what they say. The printer still works and prints really well but I have made sure not to move the z-axis too high as I am sure the bent rods are going to either cause binding or damage the plastic guides for the horizontal gantry.

    I purposefully paid using my credit card through paypal in case anything went wrong with purchase or delivery, expensive parcels from the EU rarely make it to Scotland in one piece in my experience. As worst case scenario I am hopefully covered if they decide not to do anything.
  • Stephen ToddStephen Todd Posts: 281🌟 Super Member 🌟
    edited April 2020
    Some videos of the printer in motion with audio would be helpful - Simon can give an opinion and can sometimes prod JGAurora if they are not acting honourably

    I would contact your card company and PayPal to let them know you are having problems with the purchase and may be making a claim - don't let the claim time elapse

    PS. Replacing bent rods and faulty bearings is not a quick and easy job - may be more trouble than you are willing to endure
    Post edited by Stephen Todd on
  • giantrobot2001giantrobot2001 Posts: 106🌟 Super Member 🌟
    edited April 2020
    Also the cable to the X motor on the left that runs next to the bed heater cable can get a loop of cable behind the back edge of the bed-  The bed will zoom back there and slam the cable, ripping it right out of the motor.

    I recommend printing chain style cable covers for that side to make sure they run straight front to back.                                                                                                                                                                                     
    I just unpacked another A5S and did the first print.  USB connected to a dedicated little PC and a small monitor.  put the CH340 driver in and install CURA 4.5 configure it as <other> and AS5 is a listed profile - I may have had to set the baud rate to 250000 and it did the rest. 

    I don't recommend installing any of the software from the factory SD card.  the versions are corrupt or for China or something
    It runs smooth and quiet and is making really good prints every time

    I bought a square trade warranty because I know I don't want to mess with JG in China someday.  If you just bought it, you will still probably be able to get a Square Trade warranty

    Post edited by giantrobot2001 on
  • LickaholicLickaholic Posts: 5Member
    edited April 2020
    I have uploaded the video I sent to their support email, it shows the worst z screw and the noise coming from x axis.
    I have also uploaded the images I sent them of the bowden/cable bundle, I am sure I can sort these easily though so not as bothered by it at the moment.

    I have just had a response from them again and they are clearly fobbing me off. They say that the noise coming from x axis is acceptable and is less than 60dB (not sure how they measure that without having my printer) For the z axis they suggest I "install" my z screw and adjust the coupling, they also sent me stl files for 2 clips that sit on top of either screw and connect to the guides. I have seen these listed somewhere before (Facebook group possibly) and it was said they aren't a good idea, I would need to recheck that though as I can't remember exactly where I saw them.

    @ Stephen Todd, I am capable of fixing the issues but as I told them in my email I don't see it as my place to with it being so new.

    @giantrobot2001, I had seen this issue on a review video and do plan on printing one when I get some black PLA ordered, I someone has also made one for the bowden/cables which would also help one of my current issues.

    Edit: If anyone can confirm for me that the noise may be abnormal and that the z screws don't look right, this is my first printer but I have used other videos of the same model as reference and so any thoughts from owners is appreciated. If so I will email them again and see if they will even send the replacement parts and I will fit them myself.

    Cheers

    Allan


    Post edited by Lickaholic on
  • Stephen ToddStephen Todd Posts: 281🌟 Super Member 🌟
    edited April 2020
    My A3s V1 is far from quiet - but the head moving is far quieter than the bed moving - when printing the bed makes a deep rumbling noise, and the head has a high pitched screech - silicone grease on the smooth rods is the best you can do with the cheap bearings

    Your x-axis is too noisy when travelling from far right side of printer to about the middle of the smooth rods - silicone grease is required on those smooth rods

    Some people cut the A5/A5s bowden tube shorter and let it float freely between the extruder motor and the cold end - no point in cable tying it to the black tubing

    You could place a short length of plastic tube over the bowden coupler on the cold end to hold the bowden tube upright, but I've never seen anybody complaining about the tube bending

    The rods do wobble - usually its the motor couplings not being true, or them being stretched - you can buy new ones cheaply, but they too may be faulty

    Clamping the rods at the top, will cause the rods to wobble in the middle - making things worse when printing

    https://jgmakerforum.com/uploads/editor/sf/zb49cfftznif.gif


    Post edited by Stephen Todd on
  • LickaholicLickaholic Posts: 5Member
    Hi again.

    I have mostly resolved my cable/bowden issue by removing everything from the black protector, taking the twist out of it and then replacing all the wires and bowden tube. It is much better than it was before, I only have an issue when moving the z-axis high but I can resolve that with some more fiddling.

    I thoroughly cleaned the x axis belt and guides then re lubricated everything as per the support email I got, it is slightly quieter than it was before but the grinding noise is still evident. I also took two more videos of my z screws by moving the axis up 50mm and then using the home feature, the left screw has very little movement whereas the right screw is very noticable. I have attached them if anyone is interested in seeing the comparison.

    I have sent one last email to support explaining that I bought machine from them direct so I want it resolved but understanding that shipping to collect and repair or replace is a costly exercise so have instead asked if they will sent me replacement parts and i will repair it myself. I feel I have been quite polite and fair with them which is generally not my normal nature tbh so i will see what they come back with.

    Thanks for your advice so far.

    Allan
  • Stephen ToddStephen Todd Posts: 281🌟 Super Member 🌟
    edited April 2020
    The left screw is perfect, the right screw is wobbling the same amount that my screws do - and I print fine with them wobbling

    The x-axis screeches from far left to center - so it isn't the bearing, or it would screech all the way to the right hand side

    Having watched your videos, I don't really think you have a problem that won't solve itself with greasing all the smooth rods and lead screws and letting the printer wear in

    Only explanations I can think of for bearings screeching on far left to center, but not past center is perhaps the smooth rods are fractionally wider at the right hand side, causing the bearings to be tight in that area - or perhaps the rods are bent? - If the machine badly needed tramming, could that bend the smooth rods?
    Post edited by Stephen Todd on
  • LickaholicLickaholic Posts: 5Member
    I had wondered if the x axis noise was caused by the linear guides being slightly out of sync towards the middle and if that was causing the noise.

    The screw movement looked excessive to me when compared to the left screw, it has been printing very well but I haven't printed anything tall as I was concerned about it causing binding whilst printing but haven't tested it yet.

    JGAurora are not interested in doing anything anyway and have ignored my last email to them, which in my opinion is poor customer service.

    Thanks for your advice anyway.
Sign In or Register to comment.