XYZ Printing DaVinci 1.0 $499 7.8" cubed (Page 3 of 6)

Good idea. Just hold off for now, I've been told that my replacement xyz will be here on Monday, when it comes I will test the new code and make sure it works (which it should).

F3

Hmmm....   Bottom layer should be just the Z-axis calibration happening correctly with good adhesion. My prints come out fine as long as I use the glue stick. You might try Z-axis calibration again.

On the top layers, I have found more perimeters works better for shallow curves near the top. In one of my prints with a rounded top 2 perimeters left gaps while 3 perimeters filled in the gaps. So, try increasing your shells in XYZware and zoom in to inspect the top fill before printing.

-- ggunners

Thanks for the quick feedback, I will certainly run the bed calibration. For my own clarification has I'm learning all this, I always use the glue stick and I've never had issues with models sticking. The raft always prints right on the bed but the first layer is always thin and has holes.

In slic3r you can tell it to print the first layer at say 3mm and the rest at say 1mm. I've ordered an SD Card extension purely for the fact I want to have more control and generate g-code in Slic3r  and copy directly to the printers SD Card.

I put in a feature request to XYZ Printing to allow the import of G-Code in their software and just forward (upload) verbatim to the printer.

Not sure if it will ever get implemented, but you could start with the simplistic  supplied software and move on to more complete solution later.

harry

Here are a few things I have found with my first week with this printer.  It does and can take standard g-code. The specs I have found list nozzle diameter as .4 but the slicer settings used by xyzware are .5  . 

Using SLIC3R I have gone from OK prints to fabulous prints.  I do this by taking model and slicing it and exporting gcode.  Opening that gcode file in a proper editor(text editing) and changing the file header to be more xyz like. I didn't always have to change the header but sometimes it gives printer error, so I just always do it as a matter of course.  Next I do a base64 encode on the entire file and save it as a .3w extension. Open xyzware and import said file and print.

If you are going to order an audrino for the cart hack just order the uno to be safe. radioshack also has small perf boards that can be cut to the cart hole size for a quick and easy cart re-flash set-up.

Oliver Fueckert at voltivo dot com/ has been the key driving force behind this and the base 64 encoding.  He has also snooped the serial coms between the machine and has provided me with a listing of the as yet known commands and syntax. I really believe it will not be long till this machine is fully hacked.

They are using a closed version of Repietier and some version of slic3r.

For what it's worth I got some black IC3d filament of of amazon and I was amazed how much better it was with stock xyzware slicing, and SO SO SO much better after using my own slicer settings and such. 

When I get some pla I will try it with different temps on bed and head.

I will try and get some you-tube vids done to help people do all of this if there is a demand.

Josh J
kzairsoft at gmail dot com if you need a more personal assistance.

On a side note I will be digging into the electronics today or tomorrow.

Thanks for the info, I will try the base 64 encoded g-code and let you know, I have something printing for the next 5 hours, but I will test after that. When I looked at the 3w file it was a binary file not base 64 encoded text.

thanks
harry

Well, you've all convinced me. DaVinci arrives on Tuesday.

I'm looking forward to the hacks to open it up, but even out of the box it doesn't sound too bad at all, especially when you consider the price.

Ok, after a lot of tinkering I finally got a slic3r exported gcode file to run on the Da Vinci.

Would it be worth starting a new thread to discuss slic3r (gcode) settings?

Talking mainly about the optimum printer settings such as bed and extruder heat setting etc.

It does look like the cartridge filament use is control by the gcode and not by hardware. Screwing with stop the usage going down but you lose the estimated time to print.

This would be a good discussion point, can we null out the filament use counter but still maintain visual indication of time left. Although I had a 4 hour print yesterday using the xyz software that actually took over 11 hours so is this realistic anyway.

Harry

LOL, no not really, its more a time management thing, I kept holding off going bed last night until the OUYA case I was printing finished. The time estimate was off by 7 hours, I just have to have more faith and trust the machine. I supposed I have more faith in the machine than I do in the filament. I've had a couple of jams where the filament is wound on to its self, I've had to de-spool a couple of turns and re-spool a few times.

It would be nice in the sense of the "Holy Grail" but not a show stopper by any means.

I tried a couple of spool holders from thingverse but none seemed sturdy enough. I'm taking an autocad course over at lynda.com to learn some cad skill so I can conceive some of my own ideas. In the meantime I  cheated and order http://printrbot.com/shop/spool-rack/ from print bot they also have a dolly type spool holder http://printrbot.com/shop/spool-coaster/ both are just 10$.

harry

Anyone else interested, Bed, Bath and Beyond sells an 8 inch lazy susan (Trivet) for 10$. You can lay the spool on its side and it turns quite well, need to design and print filament guide.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/p … 1013639060

harry

Anyone tried Transparent filament and gotten it to work? Was able to fool it to get it loaded but when I go to print it says no filament.

And is anyone else running into needing to, or seemingly needing to, recalibrate the print bed every 4-5 prints? They might also be happening after each software revision.

Could you share your slic3r config files for say .300, .200 and .100. Along with the printer config and filament config? -- ggunners