New Printer

[mikehddd 0]

Hi All,

My first post here... I have just purchased an Ultimaker 2 Extended + and it arrives in a couple of days. My question is are there any articles or can anyone give me some advice on what things I should check on the new machine. I have owned a Makerbot Rep 2 for a couple of years and when it first arrived I found loose bolts, the belts needed tightening and a few things had almost no lubrication. Once I fixed these things it made a huge difference to the print quality.

I picked the UM as it seems a really good quality unit but should I be checking anything on this new machine before I start printing with it. Are they any general maintenance tips anyone can give me to get the most out of this printer. I don't mind having a tinker but don't want to get too crazy changing half the machine like I had to with the Rep 2 to get consistant results.

Can't wait to get the new printer and look forward to getting some great feedback from this forum.

Mike.

[IRobertI 521]

Generally you shouldn't really have to do anything more than follow the initial setup and get the bed levelled.

One thing I could recommend checking is that the rods are held in place properly. Something the vibrations of shipping can cause the set screws of the pulleys to get loose which can cause the rods can slide slightly. I'm talking about the rods along the top edges of the printer. Just grab them and try to push them back and forth, they shouldn't move (or move very very little, less than a mm).

As for maintenance. A drop of oil on those same rods once in a while (NOT the large rods that guide the bed). Very rarely might you need to put some new lube on the z-screw.

The nozzle can and will get clogged. The "Atomic" is a good way to clear that out.

The glass plate needs to be kept clean and/or have a _thin_ layer of glue on it (supplied with the printer).

You might want to skim through some of the stuff here as well: http://support.3dverkstan.se

[mikehddd 0]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the links this is exactly what I was looking for. I am assuming the machine is going to be so much better out of the box than my previous one but it doesn't hurt checking a few things before I start.

Also I have Simplify 3D and I have imported the Ultimaker 2 Extended printing profile which I am hoping is going to work well with the + version printer (currently there is no + version profiles in S3D). Are there many people using S3D with Ultimakers? There is not a lot of info in this forum about it so it might be a bit of trial and error.

Thanks, Mike.

[gr5 2,265]

Not a lot, but a few use S3D. Everyone seems to like S3D. Mostly.

The slicer should have nothing different in configuration for the "plus" printers versus the older versions.

[bob-hepple 59]

Hi

yes I use S3D along with others I Like it, I would urge caution when using your new machine based on my experience which was very bad. On Delivery a wire was Jammed under the Micro switch causing the head to crash into plate. Make sure they are All Clear of Obstructions.

Then Good to Go.

[mikehddd 0]

Hi

yes I use S3D along with others I Like it, I would urge caution when using your new machine based on my experience which was very bad. On Delivery a wire was Jammed under the Micro switch causing the head to crash into plate. Make sure they are All Clear of Obstructions.

Then Good to Go.

 

Hi Bob,

Picked up the printer today and glad to say everything looks fine. I gave it the once over then ran through the startup and did my first print using S3D. It all worked a treat.

The print came out fine but can I ask what startup script you are using in S3D? On my Makerbot the start up script sends the head over off the side of the build plate then wipes the nozzle across the plate at the start of the print and then heads into the brim. Its a very clean start and I never get any filament caught up around the nozzle. I have noticed that the travel of the head does not go outside the build plate on the new printer so this is not an option on the UM2. The default start script for the UM in S3D does a few moves at the front of the build plate but a blob of filament got caught around the nozzle and ended up stuck to the side of my print. It came off easily when the print was finished but I am just curious what you do to avoid this.

Thanks Mike.

[gr5 2,265]

I agree - the "makerbot startup wipe" is fantastic and I *still* don't understand why Cura didn't steal that idea. I usually preheat the printer before I remove the SD card and take it to my computer, by the time I come back the nozzle and bed are usually only 25 seconds from ready so I just wait until it starts and grab the "blob" with my fingers and pull it away as the head moves to the start of the print such that it gets thinner and thinner and is just a whisp of a thread by the time it starts printing.

[bob-hepple 59]

Gr5

I usually wait till the material is purged then I have a wire that I use to wrap said material and then pull it away..

mikehddd

have a look in the software forum under s3d I think my start up script is there if not I post it hear for you its not the best but it has served me well over the last 16 months.