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BrayChristopher

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Posts posted by BrayChristopher

  1. @nigel: heated chamber is surrounded by a lot of Stratasys patents tough... so dont expect that one... there is a reason for why virtually no printer manufacturers other than stratasys make that.

     

    I wonder how close they can skirt those laws. What if it was designed in such a way that it was just stupidly simple to add on an after market enclosure.

    Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good enclosure designs out there for the UM2.

    Moving the motors to the outside or giving them breathing holes.

    Extending the height of the walls so that you can simply put a piece of plexi on top and on the front. https://ultimaker.com/en/community/view/5663-troublemaker-3d-printer-ultimaker-original-derivative

    That sort of thing. Don't enclose it, just make it REALLY easy for the user finish the job.

  2. Ok, so I am thinking about trying some materials other than PLA. Specifically I am going to try CPE and XT.

    It is my understanding that these materials (like ABS) benefit from warmer ambient temps during the print. And no drafts. Also, slow even cooling after the print is done.

    My plan is to get a BIG plastic bag and just drop it over the entire UM2E.

    http://flashgamer.com/hardware/comments/heated-build-chamber-on-the-cheap

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ziploc-Heavy-Duty-XL-Big-Bags-4-ct/14089250

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0159D8I38?psc=1

    http://www.webstaurantstore.com/24-x-30-kenylon-plastic-oven-bag-10-pack/999PB2430.html

    I do NOT plan on adding a heater. I am hoping that the heat from the build plate and nozzle will be enough.

    Now for the questions.

    Does this plan make any sense?

    Do I need to be worried about over heating the motors? I really don't want to hack the unit and move the motors to the outside.

    Should I poke some holes in the top of the bag to let it "breathe" a little.

    I have the UM2E up on tall feet and I will prop up the bag so that it does enclose the electronics underneath.

    Thanks in advance for your advice.

  3. At least i can confirm that Colorfabb XT (black) was able to survive the last summer without any deformation or visible degration. Continuous outdoors and exposed to the sun since April (and the summer was fairly hot in Europe this year...)

    I recommend to give it a try...

     

    Done and Done. Thanks so much!

  4. I emailed Ultimaker support and their response was:

    "I checked in with Ultimaker's materials specialist and he does not recommend CPE for extensive outdoors use. He says that it is fairly UV sensitive.

    I've attached the MSDS sheets for ABS and PLA. It looks like ABS specifically should not be exposed to sunlight for long periods, so you may have better luck with PLA. PLA is more sensitive to temperature than ABS is, but it looks like it may be less UV reactive."

    I don't know how to attach PDF's.

    Anyway I guess I will have to order some XT.

  5. Yeah I had some success at 215, but I switched back to the ultimaker silver that came with my umo for a print, then the makergeeks wouldn't print again when I tried to switch back. I tried all sorts of temperatures, 220, 225, I think I tried 260 in an attempt to keep it flowing, nothing worked. It would clog every time.

     

    That sucks. I have two more suggestions.

    Have you taken about the print head to look at the condition of your PTFE coupler?

    Have you cleaned off the outside surface of the nozzle? I felt like the MakerGeek filament was sticking to the outside of the nozzle more...

    I assume you are doing Atomic Pulls to clean out the nozzle.

    Good luck

  6. Acetal? What? I didn't even know that was an option for 3D printing!

    Looks like I need to build a chamber! And some kind of vent.....hmm....that might be a challenge.

    Have you used this Acetal filament? I am always worried about filament that says 3mm.

  7. I need to make a "functional" out door part. Unfortunately the part needs to be black.

    Because of the heat sensitivity, I am assuming that PLA is out.

    Does anyone have first hand experience with these materials being used (kept) outdoors year round?

    ABS

    CPE

    XT

    I am not a fan of changing out PTFE couplers, but at least the CPE filament from FBRC8 comes with a spare coupler.

    Thanks in advance for the advice.

    • Like 1
  8. Thanks for the great responses!  Guess I'll put in a couple extra bucks - looks like Ultimaker or Colorfabb is the way to go.  It's a shame that I've already bought 4 rolls of MakerGeeks filament...  I'll just have to keep printing till I'm out, or maybe sell 'em on eBay.

     

    The MakerGeek PLA needs to print at slightly higher temps. I cranked it up to 220c.

    I have had a bunch of failed prints with the Maker Geek PLA, but I have also had some good prints. Blah. At some point in the future I might get itchy and try them again.

    Here is my rant on the subject.

    https://ultimaker.com/en/community/view/17005-makergeek-filament-versus-ultimaker-brand-filament

    After the hassles with the MakerGeek filament, I went back to Ultimaker brand filament.

    After two spools of successful printing...... I was feeling a bit itchy for a deal again, so I am currently trying the PLA filament from 3D Universe.

    I have made two small prints with the red color and they look great. They are completely opaque. I am in the middle of a 9 hour long print using the silver color. Fingers crossed. I hooked the UM2 up to my PC at work and set up the webcam so I could monitor it and kill it if need be..... too bad I forgot to turn the LED's on. Wamp.

    On a side note, one of the reasons I am looking for other filament vendors is just larger spools sizes. With larger spools you will have fewer end-of-spool-dead-ends.

  9. OK, lets talk about Retraction versus Vertical Lift.

    I am using Simplify 3D and it gives me the option to do a Vertical Lift while retracting.

    You guys mentioned that the I2K insulator helps prevent damage to the PTFE Coupler from direct contact with the Hot End Isolator. But during retraction, hot plastic can be pulled up past the I2K and contact the PTFE Coupler directly.

    Retraction is used to help prevent stringing and ozzing, right? Especially when crossing open areas, right?

    So.... Would it be to best to turn off retraction for closed, single body objects? Does retraction have any benefit in these situations?

    When there are voids to cross, would it make sense to set the retraction distance short and add a vertical lift? I think by default the retraction is set to 4mm.

    I am learning a lot. Thank you everyone.

  10. Thanks everyone.

    I will definitely be ordering these parts now.

    One last question for Swordriff. Why not make the whole coupler out Vespel / Tecasint? Would it be too cost prohibitive? Or is difficlut to manufacture that material into the shape needed. Just curious.

    Ok I lied, I have another question. It looks like there is also a IPM Coupler that better suited for printing ABS. Do you guys use the I2K chip with the IPM Coupler or do you use the IPM coupler by itself?

    I would be totally cool with having to change out the couplers when printing different materials.....IF changing out the coupler wasn't a pain.

    Has anybody tried do design a printer head housing that makes changing out the coupler easier? I looked but I couldn't find one. I know that the Olsson design makes changing the tip easier but I don't think it does anything for the coupler? Is this correct?

  11. Does anyone have any first hand experience with the after market parts from GR5 and 3dSolex?

    Specifically I want to know about the following parts.

    - I2K INSULATOR

    - DUPTEF COUPLERS

    - STEEL COUPLER V2

    I recently replaced my PTFE coupler for the first time and it was a raging pain in bum. This is annoying because I have only had the printer for a few months and I haven't printed anything but PLA. One time I did screw up and accidentally cook my PLA at ABS temps (230c). But that was just one time.

    What material is the I2K Insulator made from?

    Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about these?

    Do they actually help prolong the life of the PTFE coupler?

    Do they have any affect on the prints?

    • Like 1
  12. Better feeder. There seem to be several good options out there.

    Sensor that detects if the filament has stopped moving.

    Filament guides with bearings.

    Free spinning spool holder.

    Optional enclosure for ABS.

    Mount the motors outside of the print volume so that enclosing it doesn't pose as much risk to overheating the motors.

    Easy to remove nozzle.

    Better control knob.

    Some way to track how much filament you still have on a spool.

    Filament cleaner/lubricator.

    Auto-OFF feature that will turn off the machine when prints are done and the hot end is cooled off.

    Quick change PTFE Isolator Coupler.

    I can live with out WiFi.

    • Like 1
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