MakerGear Forum

This has happened quite a few times of times. after finishing a print I turn off the printer and close Simplify3D. Most of the time I can just turn it back on reopen Simplfy3D and start my next print. However about 1 out of 5 times, Simplify3D can't open the socket and only rebooting my computer solves the problem. Is there a particular process that may still be running that I should look for and shut down in task manager? Also, possibly related (but I doubt it) I have occasionally had to shift the position of my printer (just an inch or so) while the print is paused. This for some reason causes the firmware to become unresponsive. Any ideas of most likely locations for a weak connection? (USB port and cable test out fine)

Leave printer on and s3d and run next print.

PcS wrote:Leave printer on and s3d and run next print.

That would be an option, except the printer is in my bedroom, and I don't like the noise while I sleep. I do however leave the computer on 24 hours a day, as it is my alarm clock and also runs some automated processes in my home. I should mention that rebooting is not a simple process because of these automated processes many of which are prototypes. I thought at first that there may be com port conflicts between those devices and the printer however I have eliminated that as a possibility by reproducing the problem while those devises are disabled.

Did you try unplugging and replugging the USB?

jsc wrote:Did you try unplugging and replugging the USB?

Yes. That was the first thing I tried. I think there must be some process or service that is holding onto the port after S3D is closed. That is the only thing at this point that makes sense. I just have so much going on that it will be a long process of elimination to determine which process it is. I was hoping someone on here might know.

Try always disconnecting S3D in the communications window before turning off the printer.

jsc wrote:Try always disconnecting S3D in the communications window before turning off the printer.

I was pretty sure that I had had the issue both doing it this way and its reverse, but i wanted to take some time and be sure before I answered. Your suggestion did not, unfortunately, solve the issue. However something happened this morning that I had not previously noticed. I normally run with my sound muted on my PC, but this morning I left it on after listening to a video my daughter sent me. After starting a print, about 5 minutes into the bed warming process I heard the windows alert sound for a USB device unplugging and plugging back in. This of course threw up a red flag so I checked and sure enough I had lost communication. As usual I had to completely reboot to regain communication. As I stated earlier, I have fully checked the cable and USB ports and found no issues so I am now wondering if there might be a likely place within the printers electronics to check for a loose connection. I bought my printer pre-assembled, so I am a bit hesitant to just start poking around in there without first asking advice.

I have a sort of similar issue, but slightly different. I always run prints off of the SD card, so I start the print then "hard disconnect" the computer from the printer (pull the cable from the computer without first performing a "safely remove hardware" or anything). I do this because I have found that pressing the "disconnect" button in S3D often causes the print to stop.

So when I want to reconnect and start the next print, I have the following issue more often than not: If S3D is already open, regardless of whether it had stayed open the whole time the previous print was running, I cannot connect. Usually the correct COM port isn't listed in Machine Control Panel, but I believe also sometimes the correct COM port is listed but the connection attempt fails. So normally, what I do is plug the USB in, THEN start S3D and usually then the printer connects automatically after a few seconds without a problem.

None of this info will probably be helpful to you I suppose, but it's interesting to hear that someone else has a similar issue as me. I had assumed it was just my computer, which has been doing a lot of strange things lately. As you say, you could have a loose wire. You might also try reinstalling the driver if you haven't already though.

I would recommend looking at your power plan settings. A lot of windows computers turn off usb ports to save power. This causes issues. Easiest is to just set plan to high performance mode reboot and test. I have never has an s3d connection issue. The underlying problem is most likely related to your current computer setup. Also do you have another pc to test with ?

PcS wrote:I would recommend looking at your power plan settings. A lot of windows computers turn off usb ports to save power. This causes issues. Easiest is to just set plan to high performance mode reboot and test. I have never has an s3d connection issue. The underlying problem is most likely related to your current computer setup. Also do you have another pc to test with ?

Good suggestion, but my power plan is maxed out for high performance. That is usually one of the first things I do with any PC because I hate waiting for sleeping drives and monitors.

SouthSideofdaSky wrote:I have a sort of similar issue, but slightly different. I always run prints off of the SD card, so I start the print then "hard disconnect" the computer from the printer (pull the cable from the computer without first performing a "safely remove hardware" or anything). I do this because I have found that pressing the "disconnect" button in S3D often causes the print to stop.

So when I want to reconnect and start the next print, I have the following issue more often than not: If S3D is already open, regardless of whether it had stayed open the whole time the previous print was running, I cannot connect. Usually the correct COM port isn't listed in Machine Control Panel, but I believe also sometimes the correct COM port is listed but the connection attempt fails. So normally, what I do is plug the USB in, THEN start S3D and usually then the printer connects automatically after a few seconds without a problem.

None of this info will probably be helpful to you I suppose, but it's interesting to hear that someone else has a similar issue as me. I had assumed it was just my computer, which has been doing a lot of strange things lately. As you say, you could have a loose wire. You might also try reinstalling the driver if you haven't already though.

I originally planned on printing from the SD card, and what you described is the reason I quit doing it. That and the fact that I like the monitoring features of S3D when connected to the PC.