I can only go on who my particular Cube 3 behaves. But, Auto Gap, on my machine, seems to leave the print gap too small. So, right after running print gap, I check the height with the included gapping tool. If it's too low, I use the manual gapping option to ensure that my gap is not the cause of a clog.
So, whether you are starting with a new printer, or a newly released cartridge with the updated filament, it might be wise to check your gap before accepting that auto-gap was truly successful.
Remember, my machine was one of the early releases that uses a shim to align the print jet tips. Later machines have a fixed print jet with no user adjustment. It might be that while my print jets are even, they are evenly misplaced and that auto-gap assumes they protrude to a specification that I have altered too far in or out.
In any case, it doesn't hurt to check the gap when auto gap finishes just to be on the safe side.
I am trying to find whether the auto gap applies to the print housing or to a particular print jet tip. Watching it work, it seems to me that it is setting the proper distance for the housing and assumes the tips are protruding a precise distance. I suspect both print jet tips are even; but, may now protrude too low on my particular machine... requiring the manual refinement.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
3DFAN: Confirmed New Filament Begins Shipping in Week!
This news was posted as a comment today:
This is great news! Thank you 3DFan!
Concerning the older filament compounds:
I will try to obtain some of the new filament for testing as soon as possible. It's interesting that the most reliable filament that I have had is the black PLA. It has never failed.
All the others, at some point, stripped at the center driver gear, indicating to me that many colors of the older compound filament had a softer surface and that for what ever reason the black color may have a harder surface.
Wish List:
I do wish that the printer or Cubify software would report the temperature at the print jet as it is printing. I also wish that we had a "purge" function that allowed us to control both temperature and feed speed from the printer's control display. Hopefully, we will see these in future updates.
I know this run counter to the goal of everything being totally automated. But, in truth, it would provide those who choose to use these features a level of control that ultimately makes life easier, not harder.
3dFan has left a new comment on your post "Thanksgiving Treat: Cubify Clent 2.14 - Cleaner 2...":
I just received an email from Cubify in response to my question about cartridge delays. They confirmed that cartridges back ordered will ship in one week!
This is great news! Thank you 3DFan!
Concerning the older filament compounds:
I will try to obtain some of the new filament for testing as soon as possible. It's interesting that the most reliable filament that I have had is the black PLA. It has never failed.
All the others, at some point, stripped at the center driver gear, indicating to me that many colors of the older compound filament had a softer surface and that for what ever reason the black color may have a harder surface.
Wish List:
I do wish that the printer or Cubify software would report the temperature at the print jet as it is printing. I also wish that we had a "purge" function that allowed us to control both temperature and feed speed from the printer's control display. Hopefully, we will see these in future updates.
I know this run counter to the goal of everything being totally automated. But, in truth, it would provide those who choose to use these features a level of control that ultimately makes life easier, not harder.
Cube 3: A Stategy for Easier Printed Part Removal
Jim Ward, in a comment on an earlier blog post pointed out that using a raft might make it easier to remove printed items. And, he is right. The crisscross construction of rafts allows for water to penetrate under the piece which dissolves the water soluble CubeStick, making it easier to lift the piece off the print plate.
But, then we are faced with the challenge of removing the raft from the item. And, I have had very little success cleaning the raft off an item completely.
In line with Jim's basic premise, that allowing water to dissolve some of the glue under a piece would facilitate removal, I've been using channels cut into the bottom of items to accomplish the same thing.
While he didn't mention it, the second benefit of Jim's observation is that having a raft makes it easier for us to get the palette knife under the item we are trying to remove. To accomplish this without a raft, we can chamfer the bottom edges to give us leverage for a palette knife to pry the item off the plate.
Both systems work. It's just a matter of preference as to which one you use in your own designs. But, when printing downloaded designs, Jim's suggestion of using a raft is the best alternative.
In Moment of Inspiration, the process of creating channels is very easy. Here is a short video that demonstrates an alternative to using a raft to facilitate easier removal.
The ease with which these kinds of operations are done in Moment of Inspiration is just one of the reasons why we chose it for our cadets as they learn to design and print in 3D.
But, then we are faced with the challenge of removing the raft from the item. And, I have had very little success cleaning the raft off an item completely.
In line with Jim's basic premise, that allowing water to dissolve some of the glue under a piece would facilitate removal, I've been using channels cut into the bottom of items to accomplish the same thing.
While he didn't mention it, the second benefit of Jim's observation is that having a raft makes it easier for us to get the palette knife under the item we are trying to remove. To accomplish this without a raft, we can chamfer the bottom edges to give us leverage for a palette knife to pry the item off the plate.
Both systems work. It's just a matter of preference as to which one you use in your own designs. But, when printing downloaded designs, Jim's suggestion of using a raft is the best alternative.
In Moment of Inspiration, the process of creating channels is very easy. Here is a short video that demonstrates an alternative to using a raft to facilitate easier removal.
The ease with which these kinds of operations are done in Moment of Inspiration is just one of the reasons why we chose it for our cadets as they learn to design and print in 3D.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Thanksgiving Treat: Cubify Clent 2.14 - Cleaner 2 Color Prints
Actually, it has been up for at least a week or so; but, I hadn't had time to download and install it.
Among the improvements that 3D Systems has made in the 3rd Generation Cubify Client software is the ability to simply apply the new updates without having to first uninstall the old versions.
The new Cubify software now supports both the Cube 3 and the Ekocycle.
When installing, be sure to make the right choice about saving your exhisting application data. I expect most of us do not want to lose our shelf information, etc. and I assume that's what will happen if one says "No" to that question. I didn't try that for obvious reasons.'
The update can be found on the Cube 3 Activate Page.
You should see significantly cleaner two-color prints with 2.14. I will verify this within a day or two. But, first, I'm off to eat turkey and generally stuff myself into oblivion. :)
Among the improvements that 3D Systems has made in the 3rd Generation Cubify Client software is the ability to simply apply the new updates without having to first uninstall the old versions.
The new Cubify software now supports both the Cube 3 and the Ekocycle.
When installing, be sure to make the right choice about saving your exhisting application data. I expect most of us do not want to lose our shelf information, etc. and I assume that's what will happen if one says "No" to that question. I didn't try that for obvious reasons.'
The update can be found on the Cube 3 Activate Page.
You should see significantly cleaner two-color prints with 2.14. I will verify this within a day or two. But, first, I'm off to eat turkey and generally stuff myself into oblivion. :)
Thursday, November 20, 2014
1.3mm Hex Driver Source
1.3mm might be very prevalent in the metric world; but, can be hard to come by in the United States.
So, I have made an effort to make it as easy as possible for you to locate and buy a 1.3mm Hex Driver.
I wa able to find one at Hobby Hanger in Chantilly, VA. While they do not sell online, you can call them to purchase the MIP9013 that I talk about here.
Perhaps the easiest way to order the 1.3mm driver is to go straight to the source.
Moore's Ideal Products (MIP), located in Covina, California, is a company serving the hobby market. They make a high quality 1.3mm hex driver (Model #9013) that can be purchased in hobby stores or on their website. The cost is $15.00. Here is the product page MIP9013.
MIP tools have the extra benefit of being color coded. I have tested this driver on my own cube3 and it works very well. At first glance, it might seem a bit expensive for a single application. But, it's a lot less hassle to fix the Cube in the field than other options.
Besides, getting to know the MIP site has other benefits.
It was not only great to find a good source for a very rare tool; but, it promises to be a great source for accessories that we can use to enhance our own 3D printing projects. Most of the tools and accessories I have found most useful, have come from a hobby shop or a hobby site. And, if the hex wrench I purchased is any barometer, they deliver first class product. Now that I've seen all they have to offer, I'm thinking of using some of the gear, clutch or differential parts in one of our immersion classes. Sounds like fun! :)
UPDATE - Harbor Freight Driver Set
Eric Albert alerted me to a set of drivers from Harbor Freight that includes a 1.3 hex bit. The price is $6.99.
This is equally good news as Harbor Freight has many local stores.
So, I have made an effort to make it as easy as possible for you to locate and buy a 1.3mm Hex Driver.
I wa able to find one at Hobby Hanger in Chantilly, VA. While they do not sell online, you can call them to purchase the MIP9013 that I talk about here.
Perhaps the easiest way to order the 1.3mm driver is to go straight to the source.
Moore's Ideal Products (MIP), located in Covina, California, is a company serving the hobby market. They make a high quality 1.3mm hex driver (Model #9013) that can be purchased in hobby stores or on their website. The cost is $15.00. Here is the product page MIP9013.
MIP tools have the extra benefit of being color coded. I have tested this driver on my own cube3 and it works very well. At first glance, it might seem a bit expensive for a single application. But, it's a lot less hassle to fix the Cube in the field than other options.
Besides, getting to know the MIP site has other benefits.
It was not only great to find a good source for a very rare tool; but, it promises to be a great source for accessories that we can use to enhance our own 3D printing projects. Most of the tools and accessories I have found most useful, have come from a hobby shop or a hobby site. And, if the hex wrench I purchased is any barometer, they deliver first class product. Now that I've seen all they have to offer, I'm thinking of using some of the gear, clutch or differential parts in one of our immersion classes. Sounds like fun! :)
UPDATE - Harbor Freight Driver Set
Eric Albert alerted me to a set of drivers from Harbor Freight that includes a 1.3 hex bit. The price is $6.99.
This is equally good news as Harbor Freight has many local stores.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Waxing Nostalgic Looking for Parallels
One of the benefits of being old is that you can draw on decades of experiences when trying to come up with old circumstances that mirror new circumstances. At the risk of totally boring you, I want to go back many years to describe how I feel about the current filament situation.
My mind drifts to tires...
A a young child, in the 1950's, I would visit my uncle's home. In the garage was a marvel to see... a gorgeous Packard. It was an imposing beast of a car
.
Every feature that you see in the image above, of a similar Packard, was pristine and beautiful... right down to the most riveting ornament ever attached to the hood of a car.
It looked SO-O-O-O fast.
How I longed to go for a ride in that car!
Looking back, underneath that beautiful exterior there must have also been some age related engine problems. But, at the time, the big issue standing between me and a glorious ride in that magnificent beast was four flat tires.
No matter how beautiful that car was, it couldn't get me very far on four flat tires.
Fast forward to 1969. My brother-in-law purchased a Ford Torino with the 428 cu in (7.0 L) "Cobra-Jet" engine with "Ram Induction". While not nearly as beautiful as the Packard, it was an amazingly fast car. It may be hard to imagine; but, there was a time when you might not see another car on I-495 or I-95 for miles. It was the perfect place to see what that Torino could do. Being young and dumb, whenever he would loan it to me, I would wheel up the ramp and, opening up that 428 Cobra Jet engine, ROAR onto I-95, hitting 110mph in seconds. Top speed was supposedly greater than that; but, even I wasn't dumb enough to push it beyond 110.
Now, there was a reason why that stretch of I-95 was a good place to open up that engine. It was straight and long. The Torino Cobra Jet had an archilles heel. It didn't take corners all that well. And, that was because the tires of the day were bias ply. They were not as stiff as today's radial tires. So, if you wanted to go fast, you had better be going straight, The other issue was that while it could go VERY fast. It didn't like to stop all that well. That is because the old drum brakes in the back weren't sufficient to stop it well. A car that could do well over 110mph on a straight road was reduced to a crawl on tight country roads with a lot of turns.
While these memories, for you, might not have any connection to the situation we find ourselves in with the Cube 3, in my mind they do. Even if that Packar's engine were perfect, the tires would hve still meant frustration for me. And, had the Torino had the benefits of radial tires and full disc brakes it would have been an even more awesome driving experience. Granted, that experience would have probably been short-lived since I probably would have died in a blaze of 429 glory. Remember, I did say young and dumb. :)
I don't know how soon it will be. But, in the near future, the clogging issues will be a memory of the past. But, like the flat tires on a beautifully crafted Packard, we will be frustrated as we see such a fine machine not being able to reach its full potential for just a little while longer. We have a tire issue, not a car issue. Find the right tires and we're off to the races.
My mind drifts to tires...
A a young child, in the 1950's, I would visit my uncle's home. In the garage was a marvel to see... a gorgeous Packard. It was an imposing beast of a car
Every feature that you see in the image above, of a similar Packard, was pristine and beautiful... right down to the most riveting ornament ever attached to the hood of a car.
It looked SO-O-O-O fast.
How I longed to go for a ride in that car!
Looking back, underneath that beautiful exterior there must have also been some age related engine problems. But, at the time, the big issue standing between me and a glorious ride in that magnificent beast was four flat tires.
No matter how beautiful that car was, it couldn't get me very far on four flat tires.
Fast forward to 1969. My brother-in-law purchased a Ford Torino with the 428 cu in (7.0 L) "Cobra-Jet" engine with "Ram Induction". While not nearly as beautiful as the Packard, it was an amazingly fast car. It may be hard to imagine; but, there was a time when you might not see another car on I-495 or I-95 for miles. It was the perfect place to see what that Torino could do. Being young and dumb, whenever he would loan it to me, I would wheel up the ramp and, opening up that 428 Cobra Jet engine, ROAR onto I-95, hitting 110mph in seconds. Top speed was supposedly greater than that; but, even I wasn't dumb enough to push it beyond 110.
Now, there was a reason why that stretch of I-95 was a good place to open up that engine. It was straight and long. The Torino Cobra Jet had an archilles heel. It didn't take corners all that well. And, that was because the tires of the day were bias ply. They were not as stiff as today's radial tires. So, if you wanted to go fast, you had better be going straight, The other issue was that while it could go VERY fast. It didn't like to stop all that well. That is because the old drum brakes in the back weren't sufficient to stop it well. A car that could do well over 110mph on a straight road was reduced to a crawl on tight country roads with a lot of turns.
While these memories, for you, might not have any connection to the situation we find ourselves in with the Cube 3, in my mind they do. Even if that Packar's engine were perfect, the tires would hve still meant frustration for me. And, had the Torino had the benefits of radial tires and full disc brakes it would have been an even more awesome driving experience. Granted, that experience would have probably been short-lived since I probably would have died in a blaze of 429 glory. Remember, I did say young and dumb. :)
I don't know how soon it will be. But, in the near future, the clogging issues will be a memory of the past. But, like the flat tires on a beautifully crafted Packard, we will be frustrated as we see such a fine machine not being able to reach its full potential for just a little while longer. We have a tire issue, not a car issue. Find the right tires and we're off to the races.
Tip on Cube 3 WiFi Connection
Whenever I gat an email from a reader that provides solutions based on their own experience and ability to troubleshoot, I am reminded why I love blogging. It is not only a way to share my own ideas; but, provides a communal connection for all users.
I'd heard from some users about intermittent WiFi issues with the Cube3. But, since I'd not run into the issue, had no explanations. Fortunately, one of our community not only had the Wifi issue; but, found the solution.
Jesus MG had a problem where his PC would not always recognize his Cube 3 printer. He solved the problem by giving administrator permissions to Cubify.exe.
Jesus MG writes...
It doesn't matter where we are in the world, we can provide solutions to fellow users anywhere else around the world.
But, being helpful isn't limited to providing solutions. Sharing challenges is equally helpful. People writing to me about the issues they find, helps me assess how widespread a problem might be throughout the user base. By pooling our experiences and observations with filament issues we might be able to better narrow down the causes... heating, stripping, STL design, etc..
Every communication (except the dreaded SPAM) helps! :)
I'd heard from some users about intermittent WiFi issues with the Cube3. But, since I'd not run into the issue, had no explanations. Fortunately, one of our community not only had the Wifi issue; but, found the solution.
Jesus MG had a problem where his PC would not always recognize his Cube 3 printer. He solved the problem by giving administrator permissions to Cubify.exe.
Jesus MG writes...
The internet is wonderful.
- Go to: “C:\ Program Files( x86)\3D Systems\Cubify\ Cubify.exe “
- Click right button> Properties > Compatibility> Run program as administrator
- Now it seems that there are no problems.
It doesn't matter where we are in the world, we can provide solutions to fellow users anywhere else around the world.
But, being helpful isn't limited to providing solutions. Sharing challenges is equally helpful. People writing to me about the issues they find, helps me assess how widespread a problem might be throughout the user base. By pooling our experiences and observations with filament issues we might be able to better narrow down the causes... heating, stripping, STL design, etc..
Every communication (except the dreaded SPAM) helps! :)
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