Ultimaker 2 Quality

[crutzi 3]

My experience with an UM2 so far:

I bought my UM2 in May 2015 from the german distributor ELV, as that was the only one i recognized (I wasn't aware of the special status of iGo3D back then).

The printer was working 'ok'. After some days, I discovered a small crack in the top part of the print head, but wasn't sure if that one existed before. Actually, the printer didn't look really new when unboxing, but I trusted ELV and didn't think about it any further. I've just been happy to be the owner of such a cool device, and didn't want to return it.

My print objects where primarily cases for electronic devices, so I needed to print in ABS. To simplify the process, I bought a special plate (Dauerdruckplatte). That one was working very nicely for ABS, but only with a heated bed temperature of 110°C, and only for very small objects. When printing larger objects, they didn't stick to the build plate evenly, no matter how often I calibrated the build plate. Same effect using ABS/Acetone on glas. So after a while, I got frustrated and lost interest.

Later in 2015, i stumbled upon a forum entry, where somebody mentioned similar issues, and found that his glass plate was uneven. While that sounded unlikely, I checked my glas plate, and realized that it was indeed not very even. So, I ordered a new plate, and it made a big difference.

For a while, my UM2 has been creating successful prints, while the crack on the print head slowly grew. When Ultimaker announced the Extruder Upgrade kit, I ordered it. But didn't have the time to install it, until recently, when the original print head fell apart. I didn't worry too much, as the upgrade included a brand new head.

After installing the upgrade kit, it indeed created better results. At first, I've been unable to properly print ABS, as the new UM2+ firmware was limited to 100°C, and ABS didn't stick to the plate anymore. But iGo3D support was incredibly helpful, and after installing the very latest firmware, I've been able to create perfect ABS prints again, on a 110°C hot plate, without warping.

Imho the new feeder also makes a huge difference, especially in regards to retraction. Only problem I got now: After two perfect prints, that looked better than ever before, the Y-axis stopped moving...

I unmounted the Y-axis stepper motor, and confirmed that the axis alone moves nicely. Indeed the Y-axis stepper hardly moved, even if the printer was turned off. In addition, when it moved, it looked like the stepper axis was bent, but it turned out that the hole in the timing pulley was causing that behaviour, as it was not really centered.

So now I ordered a new Y-axis stepper, and a timing pulley replacement, both from iGo3D. Actually, those will be the last spare parts I order, as I'm pretty much fed up with this. Also I start thinking that I might have been better off with one of the chinese clones, considering the abysmal quality of my original Ultimaker2. Not sure if others share a similar experience?

[bob-hepple 59]

Sorry to hear of your problems, I too had a cracked plastic head,, but my problem could of come from trapped wires on the Z axis as when I plugged it inform new !!! the head crashed into the glass.. But enough of that, I feel your pain BUT I honestly think that if you had got a Chinese clone your pain would have been a lot worse, I would take a Philosophical view and where it has hurt you in the wallet now, it will arm you much more for the Future if you think of buying a new Machine. I know that not much comfort, but believe me I have also felt the pain....

[SandervG 1,521]

Hi Crutzi,

Thank you for your post. Sorry to hear about the challenges you have faced.

It seems like you came out on top most of the times.

The small crack in the head does not mean you received a used Ultimaker. We noticed at some point that if you tightened the 4 thumbscrews too tight in the printhead, it could crack the housing. That is one of the reasons why in the upgrade kit it comes with a glass filled housing, for more strength.

If you print ABS a lot, have you considered adding a door or a top to keep most of the heat in? That could benefit warping and delamination.

An ABS slurry (ABS-Acetone) should usually also help a great deal.

I am not entirely following how a pulley with a not centralized hole could make the entire Y-rod stop moving. I can see how it could leave its mark on your prints, but not sabotage the entire rod.

Well, hopefully your new sourced part will cross the last t's and you can continue 3D printing without any worries.

Are you still printing cases most of the time?

[crutzi 3]

Hi @SandervG,

when unboxing the printer, the protective foil on the heated bed was already removed halfway, but there were no scratches on the bed itself, so it was ok. The small crack was discovered later.

For printing ABS, i got the door, top cover and plate from 3dprinterstore24, and it made a big difference indeed. With 110° heated bed and those additions, it printed ABS quite nicely (even larger objects, with the new glass plate and special plate on top).

Not sure though, if the pulley caused the defective stepper motor, or if it broke for other reasons, I just discovered it when searching for the error.

The new parts (motor + pulley) should arrive today, then everything will hopefully work again. I need to print some more electric cases (for electronic blind controls) and holding frames for security cams (replacing the inner stuff in Indexa KA05 fake cameras). But usage is not limited to that, printing kids toys and vases is fun, too

@bob-hepple, thank you! Hopefully the current machine gets working again.

Update: Replacement parts arrived today, it's gonna be a long evening...

Edited September 28, 2016 by Guest

[crutzi 3]

I give up. The pulleys look a bit different, but that won't be an issue imho.

But the replacement stepper I received from iGo3D has a longer axis than the original one, and doesn't fit into the case...

Steppers (right one is new, left old)

Pulleys (left one is new, right one old)

[SandervG 1,521]

@Crutzi, have you contacted customer support with this problem, so they could send you a new / the right stepper motor? Do you have any measurements for me, like how long the shaft is so I can check here too?

Alternatively, I think you should be able to file it down / saw it to the correct size so you can use it, but maybe contacting customer support is an easier route..

[crutzi 3]

Yes @SandervG, I contacted them immediately. They sent me the wrong motor, new one is on its way already... Is the new pulley ok in your opinion? Just asking because it's a little bit different and bigger.

[SandervG 1,521]

It is hard to tell from the photo. It looks as what a pulley should look like.

I think if it fits around your rod, and the diameter of the teethed part is similar that is most important.

[crutzi 3]

Update: The new motor arrived, and this time it seems to be the right one.

I'd install it, and "home head" works. Now proceeding to a first test print...

[crutzi 3]

Just wanted to confirm, the printer is working correctly again, and ABS prints come out nicely!