Editing WaterColorBot Troubleshooting
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− | == Computer cannot | + | |
+ | === Computer cannot see WaterColorBot === | ||
Under certain circumstances, your computer may not be able to connect to ("see") the WaterColorBot. | Under certain circumstances, your computer may not be able to connect to ("see") the WaterColorBot. | ||
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In some circumstances, you will get one of these messages on your first attempt to connect, even when everything is seemingly connected correctly; always try again at least once if your computer cannot find the WaterColorBot. | In some circumstances, you will get one of these messages on your first attempt to connect, even when everything is seemingly connected correctly; always try again at least once if your computer cannot find the WaterColorBot. | ||
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If you find that your computer is consistently unable to connect, then you may have a more serious configuration error. Consider posting in our [http://forum.evilmadscientist.com/categories/watercolorbot support forums] for help. | If you find that your computer is consistently unable to connect, then you may have a more serious configuration error. Consider posting in our [http://forum.evilmadscientist.com/categories/watercolorbot support forums] for help. | ||
− | == Motors "cogging" (skipping steps) == | + | |
+ | === Motors "cogging" (skipping steps) === | ||
There are a bunch of different things that need to work correctly for the WaterColorBot to move | There are a bunch of different things that need to work correctly for the WaterColorBot to move | ||
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− | === What to do when cogging happens === | + | ==== What to do when cogging happens ==== |
If the WaterColorBot begins cogging-- for example running into the wall while painting --the first thing that you should do is to stop the plot, so you can see what's going wrong. | If the WaterColorBot begins cogging-- for example running into the wall while painting --the first thing that you should do is to stop the plot, so you can see what's going wrong. | ||
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− | === Possible causes of cogging === | + | ==== Possible causes of cogging ==== |
Cogging happens when the motors want to turn, but are prevented from doing so for some reason. Here are some of the possible reasons that the motors might not be able to turn: | Cogging happens when the motors want to turn, but are prevented from doing so for some reason. Here are some of the possible reasons that the motors might not be able to turn: | ||
− | ==== You drove into a wall ==== | + | ===== You drove into a wall ===== |
That the motors cogs and "skip steps" when the WaterColorBot carriage is driven into one of its side walls is a safety feature. (When industrial robots come to something in their way and ''don't stop'', things can go very wrong.) | That the motors cogs and "skip steps" when the WaterColorBot carriage is driven into one of its side walls is a safety feature. (When industrial robots come to something in their way and ''don't stop'', things can go very wrong.) | ||
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− | ==== There is too much friction ==== | + | ===== There is too much friction ===== |
The motors can only exert a certain amount of force. If that force is insufficient to overcome the friction from the spectra cord and moving the carriage, then the motors will not be able to move. | The motors can only exert a certain amount of force. If that force is insufficient to overcome the friction from the spectra cord and moving the carriage, then the motors will not be able to move. | ||
− | To check the level of friction, raise the brush and turn off the motors, so that you can turn the winches by hand. When you try to turn the winch, it should turn easily, and move the carriage when you do so. If it does not turn easily | + | To check the level of friction, raise the brush and turn off the motors, so that you can turn the winches by hand. When you try to turn the winch, it should turn easily, and move the carriage when you do so. If it does not turn easily, then you need to figure out why. |
The most common cause of high friction is if the two steel rods are not square to the chassis. You can check this by moving the carriage to the home corner, and making sure that all four rod-end sliders line up evenly against their stops. | The most common cause of high friction is if the two steel rods are not square to the chassis. You can check this by moving the carriage to the home corner, and making sure that all four rod-end sliders line up evenly against their stops. | ||
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A second thing to check is to make sure that the Spectra cord is routed through the grooves on the three ball bearings. | A second thing to check is to make sure that the Spectra cord is routed through the grooves on the three ball bearings. | ||
− | Third, make sure that | + | Third, check to make sure that you have not ''over-tightened'' the spectra cord. If you plug the string, and it sounds like any musical instrument other than a string bass, you probably have too much tension. |
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− | + | ===== There is too much slack in the cord ===== | |
− | ==== There is too much slack in the cord ==== | ||
If there is too much slack in the spectra cord, the cord can get caught under itself at the winches, effectively tying a little knot, and cause the motors to cog. You may need to tighten the cord to correct the issue. | If there is too much slack in the spectra cord, the cord can get caught under itself at the winches, effectively tying a little knot, and cause the motors to cog. You may need to tighten the cord to correct the issue. | ||
− | ==== You are driving too fast ==== | + | |
+ | ===== You are driving too fast ===== | ||
Sometimes, the best solution is to run the WaterColorBot a little slower. In RoboPaint and in Inkscape, there are speed controls that let you set how fast the motors move. Speed values of around 70% are typically a good balance between painting speed and reliability. In RoboPaint RT, you can press the numbers 1 through 9 on your keyboard to control the speed. (The speed value will only be remembered until you quit the program.) | Sometimes, the best solution is to run the WaterColorBot a little slower. In RoboPaint and in Inkscape, there are speed controls that let you set how fast the motors move. Speed values of around 70% are typically a good balance between painting speed and reliability. In RoboPaint RT, you can press the numbers 1 through 9 on your keyboard to control the speed. (The speed value will only be remembered until you quit the program.) | ||
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− | + | == Motors get hot == | |
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Under use, the motors will typically get warm, but they should not get too hot to touch. If they do, your motor current is set too high. Adjust the current setpoint on the EBB. | Under use, the motors will typically get warm, but they should not get too hot to touch. If they do, your motor current is set too high. Adjust the current setpoint on the EBB. | ||
− | + | == Motors make funny noises == | |
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Does it sound like chunk-chunk-chunk? If so, your motors are cogging. Read the section about that earlier. | Does it sound like chunk-chunk-chunk? If so, your motors are cogging. Read the section about that earlier. | ||
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− | + | == Motors are apparently too weak == | |
If all of the following are true: | If all of the following are true: | ||
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Then it is likely that the motor current setpoint is too low. Adjust the current setpoint on the EBB. | Then it is likely that the motor current setpoint is too low. Adjust the current setpoint on the EBB. | ||
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== Servo motor (Brush-lift motor) makes a buzzing noise == | == Servo motor (Brush-lift motor) makes a buzzing noise == | ||
The servo motor can sometimes make a mild buzzing noise. This is usually not harmful, but if it sounds loud and angry, it may be the case that you are operating outside the area that it is comfortable to operate in. In Inkscape and RoboPaint, you can use the preferences to adjust the servo endpoints. If you go higher (or lower) than the servo can move, it will stress the servo motor, and make noise doing so. | The servo motor can sometimes make a mild buzzing noise. This is usually not harmful, but if it sounds loud and angry, it may be the case that you are operating outside the area that it is comfortable to operate in. In Inkscape and RoboPaint, you can use the preferences to adjust the servo endpoints. If you go higher (or lower) than the servo can move, it will stress the servo motor, and make noise doing so. | ||
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Paper tends to warp as it gets wet, particularly with uneven wetting and lower grades of paper. Methods of dealing with this include pre-wetting and stretching paper, as well as holding paper down with tape or in blocks. Watercolor painting is an old art, and people have been solving these problems for hundreds of years; you may want to read up on the subject online or in books. | Paper tends to warp as it gets wet, particularly with uneven wetting and lower grades of paper. Methods of dealing with this include pre-wetting and stretching paper, as well as holding paper down with tape or in blocks. Watercolor painting is an old art, and people have been solving these problems for hundreds of years; you may want to read up on the subject online or in books. | ||
− | One of the most common methods of dealing with warping is to paint on a "wet canvas" (really, wet paper). If doing so, you may prefer to use the PVC plastic spoilboard (available [http://shop.evilmadscientist.com/component/content/article/658 here] | + | One of the most common methods of dealing with warping is to paint on a "wet canvas" (really, wet paper). If doing so, you may prefer to use the PVC plastic spoilboard (available [http://shop.evilmadscientist.com/component/content/article/658 here], rather than the wooden one. |
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== Spare and replacement parts == | == Spare and replacement parts == | ||
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- Brush catches on edge of water dish or paint pans | - Brush catches on edge of water dish or paint pans | ||
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- Brush isn't washing very well | - Brush isn't washing very well | ||
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- Failing to actually dip into the water, to re-wet the brush. | - Failing to actually dip into the water, to re-wet the brush. | ||
− | + | - Allow longer period of time for brush to move up and down | |
− | + | In Robopaint: Settings > Basic Settings > Duration | |
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