Clearing clogs is now easier than ever and you WON'T have to open the cartridge!
Most, if not all, new Cube3 cartridges, now shipping, include a door near the hub that can be opened to access the filament while running the "Purge" function.
3D Systems has put together a great PDF document that explains how and why clogs might occur and how to clear those clogs in previous cartridge versions as well as the new cartridges with the access door.
Here is a LINK TO THE DOCUMENT.
Here are two images from the document that help you identify the two different cartridge designs.
I had my first experience with a cartridge needing to be unclogged, and of course it was one that didn't have a window, and was nearly full so tossing it would be a waste of $50. After removing the cover, I cut a window in it the same size as the new ones have so I don't need to open it twice.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I found that the material (ABS) had hardened at the print jet, and wouldn't purge, so I ended up taking apart the print jet also (pry open the head and catch the spring that pops out). Then I broke off the hard tip of the material and squeezed that bit out of the tube, and reassembled it, carefully compressing the spring into the right space. The filament was also broken at the point where the tube meets the top of the cartridge (probably overflexed). So, I carefully held that part straight as I purged the jet and also helped the filament along with pliers through the window I put in.
End result, I'm printing again, and it works like new.
That is great to hear! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love my Cube 3 printer, had many snags, blockages etc and now with the new internal design of the cartridges its great, even the blockages are rare now.
ReplyDeleteA new one!! has anyone come across an error saying minimal value not met?
I am downloading the latest bios version to see if reflashing the cube might help.
Never had this error before so any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Peter
I stumbled across the solution! Update your firmware!
DeleteThanks, Chris!
DeleteHi Tom,
ReplyDeleteI have found that even with the latest Cubify Software v3.34 and Firmware v1.12, the Auto-Gap fails miserably. Almost always leaving the Print Plate way too close to the heads.
The way I have solved this is to perform a Full Reset and use a cut out piece of a Manila Folder as my Calibration Guide. Here are the steps I follow with execellent results:
1. Cut a piece of a Manila Folder, roughly 2" x 6" to use a Z-Gap Tester, instead of the one that comes with the Cube.
2. Power Off Cube
3. Unplug the Cube
4. Leave Cube unplugged for 1 Minute
5. Remove the Print Plate
6. Plug In the Cube
7. Install the Print Plate
8. Run the Auto-Level
9. When Z-Gap completes, Press [Adjust] to adjust manually
10. Lower the print plate with the down-arrow roughly 1mm or more
11. Insert the Manila Folder tester
12. Use arrow up... SLOWLY... and CAREFULLY.. to bring up the print plate.
13. Keep moving the Manila tester while you move the print plate until the you feel VERY SLIGHT pressure on the Manila tester.
In my case, the best Z-GAP has been at around -3.69
FYI, on OUR printer, the typical Auto-GAP comes in at between 4.01mm and 4.03mm.
This makes the difference of 0.32mm... and in 3D printing... this is HUGE!
Please let me know if this helps anyone. I would love to hear about your results.
Best regards,
Jacob
www.3DSysTech.com
www.3Dmagine.com
Ooops... I forgot to mention the last step... to Press the Checkmark to accept the manually adjusted setting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteHello there all. I've made a custom piece for the Cube 3 cartridges and modificated the tubing system. You can download it here if you want :-) http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1902370 Please leave some comment and a like directly on thingiverse if this mod works for you aswell, that would be awesome. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating! Email me so we can discuss this further.
Delete