My Bed is Not Reaching the Set Temperature on my Leapfrog Creatr 3D Printer?

Modified on: Fri, 29 Apr, 2016 at 10:55 AM

Hello and thank you for choosing the Leapfrog Creatr for your printing needs.

The solution applies to the: Leapfrog Creatr Single and Dual extruder and also the Creatr XL.

If your bed does not reach the temperature value you have set in the g-code there are a few steps you need to check:

1. First, please check if the bed thermistor is reading the ambient room temperature before you try to heat the bed up. Your 3D slicing software should display two temperature readings: the current temperature and the set temperature. The current temperature reading should never read "0"; it should at least be reading ambient room temperature.

- if the thermistor is reading the ambient room temperature then it means it is working properly(you can compare the reading of the bed thermistor to the reading from the left and right extruder thermistors);

- if the thermistor does not read the ambient room temperature then it means that either the thermistor is not connected to the correct motherboard connection spot, or it has malfunctioned. To check the motherboard, you can use the layout found in the following link:

The Layout for the Creatr Series Motherboard

2. If the thermistor is reading temperature properly, please check the following:

- use a voltmeter to measure the output from the PSU (power supply unit) and see if it is between 23V and 24V. If the voltage is okay, the next step would be to turn on the heated bed and the hot ends and measure the voltage output again. If the value drops underneath 20 V then there is a consumer which is drawing out to much voltage.

- If the voltmeter is reading 24 V, this means that your PSU is working properly, therefore the wires of the bed need to be checked for proper contact on the board. To do this open the interior cover-plate to gain access to the board and see if the wires are properly connected.

- You should also check the connectors underneath the bed support and make sure they are connected all the way through.

- If you follow all the mentioned steps and you still encounter temperature issues, then the way to fix this issue is to replace the heated bed.

The reason why the bed will not reach the desired temperature is because the resistor of the bed is unable to deliver enough power.

After following these steps, please open a support ticket and describe what you found doing these tests. If you have found something damaged, an incorrect voltage, or a thermistor not working, please make a short video of you performing the test (showing where you place the diodes for the voltmeter, showing the damage, or showing the thermistor reading in the 3D slicing software and the connection on the motherboard).

Any file(s) larger than 15MB will need to be uploaded to a file sharing website (there are several free site on the internet), and the download link be added in the ticket that you create.

Thank you for reading the solution. For any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact our Leapfrog Support Team.

We wish you happy printing!

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Part 1 of 3: Unpacking your Creatr

In this clip, you will be guided through the unpacking of a brand new Creatr. The unboxing along with the location of tie wraps which need to be removed are shown, as well as the process of a connecting the cables to the printer and computer.

Part 2 of 3: Software and configuration

In this clip, we will show you how to install the required software. The first step is to download and install the Arduino software to make it possible for your computer to connect with the printer. The next step is to download and install the Repetier Host Leapfrog software or that controlls your 3D printer. We have tried to make this as simple as possible and also provided direct downloading links per operating system.

SIMPLIFY 3D SOFTWARE
If you are using the new Simplify 3D software you can follow all the steps except for the Repetier-Host Leapfrog installation and using explanation. Simply download the software via the purchase link and before first use a pop-up will appear showing you the Simplify 3D Quick start guide. You can also download the Quick start guide or access it from the software via help –> Quick start guide. The quick start guide will briefly explain the functions of the software so that you can start your first print.

Please select you operating system and follow the descriptions in the movie.

Operating systemWindows

The first step is to download and install the Arduino software to make it possible for your computer to connect with the printer. The next step is to download and install the newest version of the Repetier Host Leapfrog software as shown in the clip. This software allows you to convert your 3D software file [STL for example] to a printable file [G-Code] and allows you to control your printer. The Repetier Host Leapfrog software contains standard Creatr Print Profiles. Just select the extruder, the filament material as well as the color and Repetier will automatically select the ideal print temperature providing you the best print quality possible. There is also a Leapfrog support button implemented in the software. A Mac version will be available soon.

If you have followed the installation procedure, but you can’t control your Leapfrog Creatr and the “6 commands waiting” message in Repetier-Host Leapfrog won’t disappear, you have to install the 2.8.28 drivers. Please see Solution can’t connect 6 commands waiting in Repetier-Host Leapfrog how to do so.

For a more thorough description of Slic3s settings please check this guide!

Windows 8
To install the Arduino drivers on a computer with Windows 8 follow these steps after downloading the Arduino software.

- Save unsaved work and write the instructions down
[your computer will reboot into startup options screen]
- Press the Windows Key and the ‘R’ key simultaneously
- Copy the command inside the brackets
–>[ shutdown.exe /r /o /f /t 00 ] – Select ‘Troubleshoot’
- Select ‘Advanced options’
- Select ‘Startup Settings’
- Select ‘Disable Driver Signature Enforcement’
- Install driver as usual via device manager

Mac

In this clip, we will explain you how you can generate a STL file using Sketchup. We show you what to download and how to export your design in STL.

Part 3 of 3: Making your first print!

In this final clip, the process of creating your first print will be explained. This starts with removing the callibration print that is already on the print bed. How to insert the filament and operate the Repetier Host Leapfrog software is also shown, which should culminate in your first 3D Print on the Creatr!

Google sketchupHow to export STL files from Sketchup

The first step is to download and install the Arduino software to make it possible for your computer to connect with the printer. You will then need to in stall this driver for OSX to recognize the hardware.

The next step is to download the Repetier software as shown in the clip. This software allows you to convert your 3D software file [STL for example] to a printable file [G-Code] and allows you to control your printer. We have developed standard print profiles for the Creatr. Please follow the instructions below to install the print profiles for Mac [not yet included in the video]:

- Download This file
- Go to your Home Folder on Mac and select “Go to Folder” from the Go Menu en type “Library/Application Support/Slic3r/” - Unzip the file you just downloaded and dump the contents in the Slic3r folder, it will replace your existing settings. If you want to keep your current settings as well, take the contents from each folder and put this in the same folder in the Home/Libaray/App../Slic3r folder.

Download instructions by Deepak Dinesh Mehta For a more thorough description of Slic3s settings please check this guide!

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