Z-Probe
This guide outlines the procedure for troubleshooting the Z-probe on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V2. Ensuring the Z-probe functions correctly is critical for accurate bed leveling, first-layer adhesion, and overall print quality. This process involves verifying the signal path, checking the relay operation, and testing the continuity of the wiring harness using a diagnostic macro and multimeter.
Before you begin - safety and risk
Read the Safety - Before You Begin article to understand the hazards involved in working on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 - including electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical risks. All procedures in this wiki are provided as recommendations only. By choosing to follow any procedure, you do so at your own risk.
This procedure involves working with the printer's electronics. Ensure you take appropriate safety precautions to avoid short circuits or electrical shock. Do not perform these tests with wet hands or on wet surfaces.
Required Tools and Materials
- Flexible insulated wire (approximately 1 meter, stripped at both ends)
- Multimeter with continuity and diode test modes
- Ferrules or soldering iron (optional, for tinning multi-strand wire ends)
- Replacement relay, diode, or probe sensor (if necessary)
- Test Probe V2 macro file: Download Test Probe V2
Z-Probe Diagnostics Procedure
- Download the diagnostic macro. Click the link in Required Tools and Materials to download the Test Probe V2.g file to your computer.
- Open the Web Interface. Navigate to the printer's Web Interface (Duet Web Control) in your browser.
- Navigate to Macros. Click on the Macros tab in the sidebar.
- Upload the macro file. Click the Upload Macro File button (usually located at the top or bottom of the file list). Select the Test Probe V2.g file you just downloaded and confirm the upload. The file should now appear in your Macros list.
- Run the Test Probe V2 macro. Locate and run the Test Probe V2 macro from the Macros menu in the Web Interface.
- Start the relay click test. The macro will display "Step 1: Relay Click Test". Click OK to start the test.
- Listen for the relay clicking. The relay (located at the back of the printer, top of the main boards) will toggle every second for up to 2 minutes. Listen carefully for a clicking sound.
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Stop the test early if needed. You can stop the relay click test early by pressing the X or U endstop on the printer.
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Confirm the relay click result. A dialog will appear: "Did you hear the relay clicking?" Select Yes to proceed to the next step. If you select No, the macro will abort with an error - the relay may need to be replaced.
- Start the continuity test. The macro will display "Step 2 & 3: Continuity Test". Click OK to activate the test mode.
- Prepare the test wire. Take a flexible insulated wire approximately 1 meter long, stripped at both ends. If using multi-strand wire, use ferrules or tin the ends with solder for better contact.
- Test ground to relay continuity. Touch one end of the wire to the GND terminal on the Duex power connector. Touch the other end to the right terminal with the nut on the probe relay.
- Observe the LED feedback. If the connection is good, a green light will illuminate inside the chamber, and the LED next to the E6 STOP connector on the Duex board will turn on. If there is no reaction, check the wiring to the relay. If cables are intact, replace the relay.
- Test wire to sensor continuity. Ensure the macro is still running in test mode. Touch the end of the wire to the probe sensor.
- Observe the sensor feedback. If the connection is good, a green light will illuminate inside the chamber, and the LED next to the E6 STOP connector on the Duex board will turn on. If there is no reaction, check the wiring from the relay's nut terminal to the probe sensor, verify the connector is properly seated, or replace the probe sensor.
- Exit the macro if tests are complete. Press the X or U endstop on the printer to exit the testing macro. If all tests passed, the Z-probe is functioning correctly. If issues were identified, proceed to multimeter tests.
If no issue was identified during the previous tests and you wish to continue testing with a multimeter, do not stop the macro execution. The relay must remain energized for the multimeter tests.
- Disconnect the E6 STOP connector. Locate and disconnect the E6 STOP connector from the Duex board.
- Set multimeter to diode test mode. Configure your multimeter to diode test mode.
- Test the diode (red wire). Connect the multimeter's red probe to the red wire on the E6 STOP connector. Connect the black probe to the left terminal with the nut on the probe relay.
- Check diode reading. The multimeter should indicate that the diode is functioning. If the multimeter shows no reading, the diode must be replaced. If possible, test the diode separately after removing it from the relay. If the diode is confirmed operational, replace the relay.
- Test reverse polarity. Reverse the polarity of the multimeter probes (red to terminal, black to wire). In this direction, the diode should not conduct current.
- Set multimeter to continuity mode. Configure your multimeter to continuity mode.
- Test black wire continuity. Connect one probe to the black wire of the E6 STOP connector. Connect the other probe to the right terminal with the nut on the probe relay.
- Check continuity reading. The multimeter should emit a beep and show continuity. If no reading is detected, the relay must be replaced.
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Reconnect the E6 STOP connector. After completing all tests, reconnect the E6 STOP connector to the Duex board.
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Test Z-probe operation. Run a Z-probe self-test from the Web Interface macros to verify the probe is functioning correctly after diagnostics.
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Troubleshooting
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