Does anyone know how to reinforce the USB port on a Printrbot printrboard rev f? I had to order my 3rd board in less than a year today. The one pictured fell off mid print. I guess I’m not capable of being gentle enough with the stock port.
These SMD micro-USB sockets are pretty fragile.
Maybe hot glue it down, and/or provide some support on the cable plugged into it.
What you need is this: http://m.miniinthebox.com/en/0-5m-1-5ft-micro-usb-5pin-male-to-usb-b-female-panel-mount-type-cable-50cm-with-screws-free-shipping_p2114390.html
Then mount it to something sturdy. The larger plug is more durable and the connector won’t take the beating.
Hot glue. Smudge some on the back of the connector and on the top metal casing and surrounding PCB.
Interesting ideas. I might do both if I can reposition the board to fit the micro USB entirely inside. Thanks.
@Christopher_Seward But as a rule of thumb try to disconnect the printer side USB as less as possible. These connectors are very fragile.
Note that you could probably salvage this board. By checking the schematic you could solder wires to U9 to a new connector. Should be an easy fix.
If you are planing to put these boards in the garbage let me know 
Don’t use hot glue. Use epoxy & get a smaller USB stick. The vibration is causing it to break. The more mass the faster it will break. You can get USB sticks that barely stick out of the socket.
@Jimmy_Edwards the micro-USB port on the @Printrbot Printrboard is for the USB cable connection to the PC not for a USB stick. Why don’t you recommend hot glue? It is uses in the electronic industry and I have used it on several occasion.
Hot glue and RTV are both soft. They will dampen vibration but the connector will still wiggle. Epoxy will cure solid and stop the vibration.
Hot glue is too malleable. Use epoxy or loctite.
The issue is that the through hole tabs don’t get enough solder and don’t fully reflow to make a good joint. When I got mine the first thing I did was add solder to those tabs and add glue.
Locktite 401 is a super glue used on circuit boards that may also work well.
Isn’t there a set of TTL Rx/Tx pins available in one of the headers?
Also what are you doing with the other boards? Are they replaced?
This failure comes up on printrbottalk from time to time, too. Since printrbot makes them in-house now, it’d probably be a good idea for them to make those joints a lot more robust.
First board was doa and printrbot replaced it free. I wish I could remember what I did with it. The second board is still in the printer. The third board was ordered today. Printrbot sold me one for 1/2 price which made me very happy.
+Andre Courchesne do you know if the schematic is available?
Thanks I just got a new iron/reflow station. I might give it a shot.
Nice good luck. Worth a shot as it’s quite an easy fix as the board should not be damaged otherwise.