Troubleshooting For Advanced Users¶

Electronics & Setup Troubleshooting¶

My Display Won't Turn On¶

If your display is not showing content after assembling the printer, you may want to verify the order of your EXP1/EXP2 cables matches the assembly manual. Swapping the cables won't damage your printer, but it will result in the controller not knowing the correct "location" of your display and SD card reader.

My Display is All White¶

If your display after assembly is showing a full white screen and nothing else, it's possible your flat flex cable (FFC) between the actual LCD Panel and your display controller isn't properly seated. Follow the display assembly steps in the Assembly Manual and verify that the cable is fully inserted.

Extrusion & Printing Troubleshooting¶

First Layer Height Issues¶

To ensure a consistent and reliable first layer with your Cocoa Press, you'll need to ensure your Z probe is mounted ridigly via the two M3 screws, and that your extruder doesn't wobble during normal operation.

You'll also need to ensure that your printer has probed the print bed for consistently and leveling.

Probe Mesh Area¶

This can be checked in the menu under Menu -> Mesh Leveling -> Probe Mesh.

The printer will take about three minutes and probe the printable area of the bed. If this step collides with anything, you'll want to look into adjusting your extruder height.

Z-Offset¶

If probing completes successfully, you'll need a sheet of plain printer paper to adjust the Z-offset. Using the Menu -> Probe Z Offset. Follow the steps on screen to adjust the spacing between your nozzle and bed for a consistent first layer.

Your paper should slide under the nozzle with a small amount of resistance, but not enough to tear or catch. This will ensure the nozzle can skim the top surface of the silicone baking sheet would damaging it, and keeping the first layer consistent.

Adjusting Extruder Height¶

Your Cocoa Press includes an M5 screw inside the extruder motor assembly that can be used to raise and lower the extruder relative to the extrusion it's mounted to.

First, loosen the four M5 screws on the side holding the printed housing pieces to the extrusion.

Then, Turn the M5 screw in the top left or right to raise or lower the screw.

Once the extruder is in a place where the bed can be raised to a space to trigger the Z-probe *without *colliding with the silicone baking sheet or the bed, re-tighten the four M5 screws on the extruder printed parts.

Then, re-probe your bed mesh and run the Z Adjust Offset wizard again to ensure no data from before the adjustment is present.

Extruded Line is Wobbly¶

If your print has lines or vibrations that appear during fast moves, you may need to tighten the bolt used to latch the extruder's pivot in place.

If this doesn't resolve the issue, you may also want to check the screw in the pivot of the extruder, as well as the button head used to retain the socket head screw listed above when latched.

Chocolate Won't Extrude¶

Use the nozzle unclogger on the nozzle while the chocolate is preheated and then attempt to extrude. This may take several attempts due to how chocolate cools and the amount of force needed to clear the nozzle.

Frame & Mechanical Troubleshooting¶

Extruder Making Clicking Noise¶

It's fairly common for the extruder to skip steps (or make noise where the motor can't deliver enough energy to overcome friction) when loading chocolate. Only use the Load / Unload buttons until it makes this noise and no further until preheating is complete.

It's also possible your cartridge has a clogged nozzle and may need to be fixed using the unclogger in the Cleaning Kit

Bed Looks Slanted¶

If your printer's bed looks slanted when looking at it head on, but the printer can successfully probe the meshing area, use the View Mesh button to inspect the major differences between corners.

The maximum we'd suggest is about 3mm, and if your printer exceeds this, it's highly suggested you re-perform the initial assembly steps in the Assembly Manual where the bed is fastened to the Z motion stage.

Furthering this, you may also need to inspect and potentially re-print the plastic pieces supporting the bed, as warping in this area can signficantly effect the bed leveling.

Wobbly or Loose Frame¶

In the event of major movement or vibration, your printer's fasteners may loosen over time. Tightening these again like done during initial setup should help with this.

Printer Rocks During Printing¶

It's possible the rubber feet on the printer may have become dislodged during printing. Replacing the missing foot or producing a leveling shim may resolve the issue temporarily.

If all rubber feet are present, inspecting that the printed pieces aren't warped and that the frame itself is level and square is a useful mitigation.

In the event of further issues, you'll want to contact support for help via the email hello@cocoapress.com

Environmental Troubleshooting¶

The Printer is reporting MIN_TEMP and not letting me print!¶

In the event your room is below about 10C / 50F, the printer's safety mechanism for thermals may be enabled. Because the Cocoa Cores cannot be safely stored in this temperature, we suggest you warm your environment up, or move your printer to a better controlled environment.