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Troubleshooting

AFC Debug Script

A debug script is available to be run that can assist the Armored Turtle support team on their Discord server. To run this script, simply use the following commands on your SBC:

cd ~/AFC-Klipper-Add-On/troubleshooting
./afc-debug.sh

This script will collect some basic information about your system to include Klipper logs, device information, CAN network information, and your AFC configuration. This information will be uploaded to termbin.com, and the resulting link can be used to share this information with the Armored Turtle support team.

Common Issues

TMC 'AFC_stepper lane1' reports error: GSTAT: 00000001 reset=1(Reset)

This may be due to static building up in the system from the PTFE tubing in dry/low humidity environments. Many users have found that running a ground wire from the stepper motor screws to a common GND pin on the AFC-Lite board, resolves this issue. One example way to do this is below:

For each motor:

  • Replace the M3x8 extruder motor mount screw with a M3x12 screw.
  • Crimp a ring connector on a wire. Place a m3 washer over the now extended motor mount screw, followed by the ring terminal, followed by an M3 hex or nyloc nut.

Join the wires from all the motors into a 5 port WAGO 221-415. In the 5th port, run a wire from the WAGO to any spare ground pin on the AFC-Lite board (e.g., the GND pin on RGB2).

LEDs not displaying correct colors

If your leds are not displaying the correct color update the following value under your AFC_led section in ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_Turtle_(n).cfg file.

  • color_order: change to match the color order for you leds. Different color orders are: RGB, RGBW, GRB, GRBW

Filament pulling past extruder during unloads

During unloads if your filament retracts too much and goes past the lanes extruder then decrease your afc_bowden_length value in the [AFC_hub <hub_name] portion of the ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_Turtle_(n).cfg file.

Layer shift when using the cut macro

If you notice a layer shift occurs while using the cut macro, setting a higher stepper current while cutting has shown to help with this. Update and uncomment the following values in ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC_Macro_Vars.cfg file.

  • variable_cut_current_stepper_x - start with ~1.7-1.8A
  • variable_cut_current_stepper_y - start with ~1.7-1.8A

  • Only needed if cutting action is along the z - variable_cut_current_stepper_z

  • Make sure your stepper names are updated for variables: variable_cut_current_stepper_x,

  • variable_cut_current_stepper_y, and variable_cut_current_stepper_z.

General Unreliability

Timer Too Close

AFC can require more resources than some SBCs are able to support with the stock settings. If you are encountering Timer Too Close (TTC) errors, the following may help resolve it:

  • Operate the AFC-Lite in CAN bus mode instead of USB mode. USB bandwidth can be limited, especially when also running cameras on the same bus.
  • Reduce your long_moves_speed or long_moves_accel values in AFC/AFC.cfg from the defaults.
  • Try disabling unnecessary services on the SBC, such as Crowsnest or KlipperScreen and see if that resolves the problem.

Timer too close (TTC) error

If you keep getting TTC errors start by adding the following to ~/printer_data/config/AFC/AFC.cfg file under the [AFC] section.

trsync_update: True

Lost communication with MCU

This usually indicates some sort of cabling or power delivery problem. First, double check that all crimps for the connectors for power and data are secure, even if it "looks" ok it may have a weak connection. Don't spend days troubleshooting problems when you can re-crimp the connectors and test in a half hour.

Powering the SBC via your MCU (e.g., on a Leviathan) may also not provide sufficient power to the device. Rule out this as a cause by running separate power to the device. If you are sharing multiple AC to DC PSUs, ensure that the V- wires are connected together for a common reference voltage.