1 Topic by LR (edited by LR 2015-02-18 22:58:12)

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Topic: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

Hi everybody,

just (finally) got my Workbench after months since the order...
I'm a product designer with 20 years of experience in 3D surface modeling, mostly involved in household appliances.

I've bought the Workbench because of it's large printing surface, so I'll use it for job prototyping and a bit of fun for me/kids.

So...
the printer arrived just today. Package so and so, the device was a bit dirty inside and outside, the glass plate full of fingerprints, heating plate well scratched... not a good start for a 1400 bucks device.

By the way... I'm pragmatic. If it works, I'm done.
Connected it to an old PC, with WIN XP OS. The printer is on, both the drivers and the Repetier software are installed.
Following the (scarce) instructions I've managed to start something but obtained nothing more than switch it on and make it visible on Repetier.
After turning on the heating buttons, the heating procedure has failed. I've waited soooo long and nothing was more than dead cold.
Firstly I've noticed the settings were in the "virtual printer" mode, then changed with "Workbench" but nothing has changed, even if the temperature diagram shows it's heating.
All other parameters were untouched.
The printer board shows a green light so I think everything is working correctly.

No effect with the x/y movement check from the Repetier panel.
The lower fan isn't moving.

Am I inside a "demo" thing or something?

I haven't tried to load a STL, for now, assuming there are more steps to do before this.

The printer was checked for sure before shipping, there's a tiny bit of plastic filament coming out of an extruder, and on the top of both are filament sections going in.

Maybe the problem is the old computer, but the software is running, the printer is connected... maybe trying with a Win 7?

I'm a total 3D printing noob, never had a 3D printer before, and I'm sure that if something is going wrong it's my fault. I'm missing some steps, no doubt.

So if anyone has suggestions ... any kind of advice...

I'll be happy to learn, the problem is there aren't much infos around... a lot of links to the SD website are missing, and no instructions sheet at sight.

Thanks in advance to everybody.

smile

2 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

First thing to check is your device manager to see if it's actually connected to your PC.

Oh, Welcome to the forum.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

wardjr's Website

3 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

you may need to install driver and you need to use the com port .
tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

4 Reply by LR

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

Thanks to both. Will check this firstly.

Thank you.

5 Reply by LR

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

And... how about Cura software with Workbench? Anyone has tested it?

6 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

LR wrote:

And... how about Cura software with Workbench? Anyone has tested it?

If you are going to be asking software questions please share with everyone in the proper section.
Might I suggest posting this in one of the following...
http://www.soliforum.com/forum/16/software-firmware/
http://www.soliforum.com/forum/27/multi … extrusion/

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

wardjr's Website

7 Reply by LR

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

Ok wardjr, thank you.

smile

8 Reply by LR (edited by LR 2015-02-20 11:22:23)

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

Hello again.
Finally I'm with the printer working. Connected with a laptop with WIN7.

I've loosen and re-thighten the Y belts because they were "grinding" during the translation, and now everything is moving smoothly.

Questions:
- is all the tuning that's suggested on the SD website mandatory? I mean the paper sheet calibration of the plate, belt adjusting, extrusor flow settings etc...
- Is there something else I have to do/check, before starting to print the first test sample?
- Is there a preferred sample file just to check if all is going on correctly?
- The 2nd extruder seems to be a little higher than the 1st. Is this normal?

Sorry for the noob questions...

Thanks.

9 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

-

is all the tuning that's suggested on the SD website mandatory? I mean the paper sheet calibration of the plate, belt adjusting, extrusor flow settings etc...

well here is the deal  paper sheet calibration  IMHO absolutely mandatory skip this and you will not likely get a good first layer .  and since all rests on the first layer forget a good print.
Belt adjusting not sure why you would put it off  but if you do and it need sit it will show in the print. I put off tuning the extuder. Was afraid to change the firmware and "Mess something up" but through repeteir very easy just need to do a little math  ratios and proportions.
The first thing you need to whenever you turn the machine on and connect is home the machine. first time out do one axis at a time. One you are confident then you can just hit the home button and do all the together.
As far as test files there are many and you may need to or want to do more than one.

at the very least you will want to do a dimensional test. a 20 mm cube is a popular one

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:533472

cura should work fine  I tend to use slic3er.
tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

10 Reply by walkie20 (edited by walkie20 2015-02-22 02:53:12)

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

I posted what I did to get started on YouTube (Watch the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th videos here to see what I did to get started:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P … P0F7ykZd2b). Just the getting started stuff. I did not post what to do to make the designs calibrated and perfect yet, because I am still trying to see what specifically will help the most. I will try to post any helpful tips as I find or learn them.

BTW, Cura does work, but I am using Repetier. Newest Soliprint (1.1.1) will still not recognize my printer on my Mac. Cura may need some tweaking to get it working 100%... guess that could be in the other forums... doubt it is anywhere for the workbench though.

11 Reply by LR

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

Thanks for your answers, guys. I'll follow your advices.

I've tried some prints in the past days, but a common issue I've encountered is that the plate seems do not going down.

Started with a print at .1, but after a suggestion of a friend I've tried with .3, just for practice.
he said that ABS isn't the best material to learn how to print.

But the layers are extremely thin (like a veil) and takes away the previous layer, like the plate isn't moving down. Nothing on the plate to make the first layer stick.

Another problem (I guess) is the temperature. My settings are, as default parameters, 215 for the extruder and 100 for the plate (taht takes ALOT to heat up). Guess that ABS needs more heat.

I'll provide to buy some PLA somewhere. Any suggestions on where to buy at best quality/price (in Europe)?

Thanks again to everybody!

12 Reply by LR

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

Tin Falcon wrote:

-

is all the tuning that's suggested on the SD website mandatory? I mean the paper sheet calibration of the plate, belt adjusting, extrusor flow settings etc...

well here is the deal  paper sheet calibration  IMHO absolutely mandatory skip this and you will not likely get a good first layer .  and since all rests on the first layer forget a good print.
Belt adjusting not sure why you would put it off  but if you do and it need sit it will show in the print. I put off tuning the extuder. Was afraid to change the firmware and "Mess something up" but through repeteir very easy just need to do a little math  ratios and proportions.
The first thing you need to whenever you turn the machine on and connect is home the machine. first time out do one axis at a time. One you are confident then you can just hit the home button and do all the together.
As far as test files there are many and you may need to or want to do more than one.

at the very least you will want to do a dimensional test. a 20 mm cube is a popular one

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:533472

cura should work fine  I tend to use slic3er.
tin

Hi Tin,

which is the best way to home the machine in your opinion? The isntructions I've found are not very clear.
Do I make this every time or just once?

Thanks.

13 Reply by LR

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

walkie20 wrote:

I posted what I did to get started on YouTube (Watch the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th videos here to see what I did to get started:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P … P0F7ykZd2b). Just the getting started stuff. I did not post what to do to make the designs calibrated and perfect yet, because I am still trying to see what specifically will help the most. I will try to post any helpful tips as I find or learn them.

BTW, Cura does work, but I am using Repetier. Newest Soliprint (1.1.1) will still not recognize my printer on my Mac. Cura may need some tweaking to get it working 100%... guess that could be in the other forums... doubt it is anywhere for the workbench though.

I'll take a look, thanks!

I've used Cura due it's easier (fewer and simpler, for a noob) parameter settings.

Tried Pertier once, but the extruder ran on the lower left corner and stuck there, against the plate. I was VERY scared to broke something, so left Pertier for now.

I'm sure it's only a matter of settings, but for now, as I don't know how to proper fill them, I prefer to use a dumb proof software. I don't want to crash anything, as you could imagine.
If there's something simpler than Cura I'll be happy to try it...

14 Reply by walkie20

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

LR wrote:
walkie20 wrote:

I posted what I did to get started on YouTube (Watch the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th videos here to see what I did to get started:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P … P0F7ykZd2b). Just the getting started stuff. I did not post what to do to make the designs calibrated and perfect yet, because I am still trying to see what specifically will help the most. I will try to post any helpful tips as I find or learn them.

BTW, Cura does work, but I am using Repetier. Newest Soliprint (1.1.1) will still not recognize my printer on my Mac. Cura may need some tweaking to get it working 100%... guess that could be in the other forums... doubt it is anywhere for the workbench though.

I'll take a look, thanks!

I've used Cura due it's easier (fewer and simpler, for a noob) parameter settings.

Tried Pertier once, but the extruder ran on the lower left corner and stuck there, against the plate. I was VERY scared to broke something, so left Pertier for now.

I'm sure it's only a matter of settings, but for now, as I don't know how to proper fill them, I prefer to use a dumb proof software. I don't want to crash anything, as you could imagine.
If there's something simpler than Cura I'll be happy to try it...

I don't know if there is something simpler than Cura, but it does work well with the Workbench. I just posted a video of what the Workbench can do with overhang here: http://youtu.be/3olOx1nHuvk

This is the birdfeeder perch 4.0 off of thingaverse http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:359618 which is made to print with no supports. I think it turned out pretty well. I understand your intimidation with Repetier; it is confusing and Cura works really good out of the box. Right now I am still trying to get everything calibrated - both hardware and software. It is challenging when there are so many variables. But when it is fixed and set to work with the Workbench, I REALLY hope soliprint works as well with this high of quality prints!

15 Reply by LR

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

Same with me.

Thanks for sharing.

16 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: Old designer with new printer... (Workbench)

The first thing you need to whenever you turn the machine on and connect is home the machine. first time out do one axis at a time. One you are confident then you can just hit the home button and do all the together.

In the manual control screen Of RH  there is a circular  button fo Jogging  surrounding that is four little Houses marked x,y, and z the 4th has no marking.  Assuming "Home is the extruer to the back right of the machine and bed al the way up  this is home. 200,200,0. so the x house homes x, the y house home the y axis and the z house homes the x axis. the plain unmarked one homes everything at once. And yes home the machine every time you power it on  it takes a few seconds. And when you experience a crash notice I say when  check everything for alignment an adjust anything that moved and home before starting a print.
the first few times I homed one axis at a time once I was confident things were working I just home them all at once.
I have an sd4 I expect on the workbench home is something like 300,300,0.   settings may vary yda yada.
tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura