1 Topic by panda666uk (edited by panda666uk 2015-10-09 16:41:12)

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Topic: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Hello All,

I have no 3D Printer knowledge etc but I'm pretty Tech savvy. My son who is 13 is really it to design and engineering etc and uses Solid works to do 3D deigns etc and was using the UP! 3D Printers at his old school. But now he's gone up to a new school they're not as into it as his old school so not as easy accessible to a 3D Printer now.

I did look last year for a 3D Printer for his Xmas present but all too much money. So been looking around for this years Xmas present and ended up looking on eBay and got a CTC 3D Printer for £260 New and in the UK for Delivery. I know its a Chinese rip off of the MakerBot Replicator but read a lot of goods reviews plus some bad ones so I thought for a 1st 3D Printer it would do the Job.

I have a few questions cause when I get it i'll put it away till Xmas because I don't really have the time to get it out while he is at school and set it all up etc.

If all is ok out of the box with nothing broken and I double check all nuts etc are all tight whats the best way to go about updating firmware for it ?

Best free software to run on his Pc to print direct from the Pc to the printer plus controlling the settings and calibration etc ?

Also would he be able to use Solidworks files direct on to the machines software to print off.

Plus best website in the UK to buy parts/upgrades etc ?

Also can you get sides and top covers for it ?

Sorry about the long post lol ! Just want to get clued up by xmas !

Cheers

Andy

2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Some things you need to know.

First it is a clone of the US made Flashforge to be more precise.

Next it uses a proprietary file format called X3G. Not STL like most printers. Your only choices of software are the ones that should come on the SDcard which are ReplicatorG and Printrun. Repg can convert an STL to the X3G format but it uses Skeinforge as the slicer and it is really hard to learn compared to Slicer.

The best software that has full support and does everything out of the box for this printer is not free. It is Simplify3d which will set you back $150 usd but it has built in profiles for the Flashforge which are compatible with this printer.

For firmware there is no updated version of stock. There is a version that is better called Sailfish but the update can be a little tricky. Honestly I got rid of my stock board due to some of the limitations and the proprietary BS.

If solidworks can export to an STL then Repg can convert it to an X3P and send it to the printer.

For parts you will need to find a dealer that sells parts for the Flashforge.   As I said it is a clone of that machine more than it is a clone of the Makerbot. I go here in the US http://unclechucks3dprinterstuff.com/index.htm I don't know where you would go in the UK though.

For covers they sell a kit on ebay for around $100 usd.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

3 Reply by panda666uk

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Many thanks for your reply. Is Simplify3D really worth the amount they charge for it ?.

Cheers

Andy

4 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

panda666uk wrote:

Many thanks for your reply. Is Simplify3D really worth the amount they charge for it ?.

Cheers

Andy


Everyone here that uses it swears by it and I have to agree. The flexibility it gives is amazing and it has been able to print things that other slicers have failed on.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

5 Reply by panda666uk (edited by panda666uk 2015-10-14 21:38:57)

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Whats the best free program to use with solid works to change to X3G then print ? or best to start off using the software on the sd card ? I don't mind paying the money for Simplify3D but want to see how he gets on first before spending the cash !.

Thanks

Andy

6 Reply by panda666uk (edited by panda666uk 2015-10-14 21:43:29)

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Also, if i get to test it while he is at school how long would it take to print one of the test prints on the SD Card ?

Thanks

Andy

7 Reply by n-train

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

I have download Makerware from the Makerbot website. I create files to an SD card and put that into the machine.

Web...........: http://www.n-train.co.uk
Facebook...: http://www.facebook.com/pages/N-Train/
Shop..........: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/N-TrainUK
Shapeways: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/ntrain

n-train's Website

8 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

panda666uk wrote:

Whats the best free program to use with solid works to change to X3G then print ? or best to start off using the software on the sd card ? I don't mind paying the money for Simplify3D but want to see how he gets on first before spending the cash !.

Thanks

Andy


X3G is unique to printers that run on the mightyboard or clones. That being said there is only the software on the SDcard or it's newer versions online that are free and can deal with X3G files. There are no other free programs. So you either deal with what they give you or use Simplify3d. I actually swapped out my mightyboard for an Azteeg X3 Pro so I can use any software and regular common STL files.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

9 Reply by panda666uk (edited by panda666uk 2015-10-14 23:25:24)

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

So for now he should be able to use this then ? and use the test prints on it as well ?.

https://www.makerbot.com/desktop

Thanks again.

Andy

10 Reply by n-train

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

That is what I have been using

Web...........: http://www.n-train.co.uk
Facebook...: http://www.facebook.com/pages/N-Train/
Shop..........: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/N-TrainUK
Shapeways: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/ntrain

n-train's Website

11 Reply by george.pritt

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

I bought the same machine 2 weeks ago. I design using sketchup, which I find very good and downloaded for free - but I think this is for a trial period and then I will have to buy it. The printer came with replicatorg which I was able to download to my pc running windows 10. I import a stl file from sketchup (sketchup doesn't produce stl files but a download patch allows it to) to replicatorg and drive the printer direct from my pc. I have found if you change windows (eg to look at your emails) it freezes the printer. So I decided to print from sd card which needs the makerware software to produce x3g files. My pc would not download this but my notebook (running windows xp) did. Makerware takes an stl file and converts to x3g. I should say I am having big problems with my printer. It crashes everytime during printing now and the display shows gobbledygook. I also found the temperature settings from replicatorg or makerware for the print head and bed were ignored. I have sent a message via ebay to the supplier saying the machine is faulty.

12 Reply by george.pritt

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

I have just run mine again. I tried resetting it to manufacture default settings. It still has a problem. I did notice the print speeds I set in the makerware file were working (I had slowed it down to see if it would help). I should say though that I am impressed with the build quality of the machine and am hopeful of getting a fix to my problem from the supplier.

13 Reply by PeTe520

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

I had the same problem with my CTC then I updated my firmware and downloaded makerware and it was cool sailing from there... go to YouTube and watch the CTC Firmware update it's a long process .... then after that you need to just play around with makerware it works really good people say it's hard to work with but this is my first 3D printer and never used any of these softwares before now I'm printing very good prints for a noob... hit me up if u need help email me [email protected]

14 Reply by carl_m1968 (edited by carl_m1968 2015-12-22 20:23:10)

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Your bet option for these printers aside from swapping the board to something more normal is to install Sailfish firmware. It makes a world of difference in performance and dependability. Google around, there are instructions and links to files for doing so.

I also have a CT'c motherboard, lcd, and keypad with cables for sale. The board has been flashed with Sailfish and is calibrated. If anyone is interested in it for spares PM me with and offer. The market price for such a package would be about $300 new but I will accept reasonable offers.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

15 Reply by panda666uk

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Hi, My lad got his CTC 3D Printer and was a happy lad, All i did was set the levels and did the first test print through makerbot desktop software and came out pretty well. I will update the firmware to sailfish just to see if it speeds it up a little bit !

One question tho ! The motherboard 40mm 24v fan is like a jet engine and being obvisouly always on even if not printing it pretty annoying at the DB's noise its kicking out ? Are there any other fans which I can do a direct swap with to have lower DB's or any printable upgrades I can do to add a different size fan ?

Thanks

16 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

panda666uk wrote:

Hi, My lad got his CTC 3D Printer and was a happy lad, All i did was set the levels and did the first test print through makerbot desktop software and came out pretty well. I will update the firmware to sailfish just to see if it speeds it up a little bit !

One question tho ! The motherboard 40mm 24v fan is like a jet engine and being obvisouly always on even if not printing it pretty annoying at the DB's noise its kicking out ? Are there any other fans which I can do a direct swap with to have lower DB's or any printable upgrades I can do to add a different size fan ?

Thanks


Are you sure it is the motherboard fan? The power supply also has a fan... Mine motherboard is very quite. my power supply fan only comes on once in a while after it has been printing some time. Seems to be thermally controlled. The issue you will have is 24 volt fans are very rare and unless you buy a second supply or step down converter there is no 12 volts on this machine. So you are kind of stuck.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

17 Reply by panda666uk

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

I took the base off it and turned it on and put my finger on the fan to stop it and it was silent so its the fan which is always on and kicking out the noise.

18 Reply by panda666uk (edited by panda666uk 2015-12-29 21:47:13)

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

I emailed the supplier but may just get another 40mm 24V fan like the below ones.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291554512720

19 Reply by panda666uk

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Hi, anyone know what would cause the right extruder to stop heating up ? Thanks.

20 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

panda666uk wrote:

Hi, anyone know what would cause the right extruder to stop heating up ? Thanks.


Any error codes?

If you use a hair dryer to heat the nozzle does the thermocouple show a temp change on the LCD?

Have you checked to see if voltage is present when it should be heating? This would need to measure at the board where the heater plugs in at since you can't get to any point to measure it at on the head.

While looking at the board it the heating LED coming on for that heater?

Will it heat using the preheat setting from the menu?

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

21 Reply by panda666uk (edited by panda666uk 2016-01-19 17:29:37)

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

carl_m1968 wrote:
panda666uk wrote:

Hi, anyone know what would cause the right extruder to stop heating up ? Thanks.


Any error codes?

If you use a hair dryer to heat the nozzle does the thermocouple show a temp change on the LCD?

Have you checked to see if voltage is present when it should be heating? This would need to measure at the board where the heater plugs in at since you can't get to any point to measure it at on the head.

While looking at the board it the heating LED coming on for that heater?

Will it heat using the preheat setting from the menu?


Hi, Thanks for your reply. I've checked now with the printer on its side and get the following.

When I turn it on, I see the following red LED’s 5v, 24v and 3.3 and overheat led next to the R91

Hair dryer on the nozzle/s and the temp goes up on screen.

When I preheat on the Left extruder FET3 green LED comes on and when the temperature rises FET4 comes on.

When I preheat on the Right extruder FET1 green LED Comes on and that’s it and the temperature doesn’t go up and no other lights comes on. I would presume if it was working then FET2 would go green ?!.

No Error Codes.

What do you think ?

Thanks

Andy

22 Reply by carl_m1968 (edited by carl_m1968 2016-01-19 19:26:09)

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

panda666uk wrote:
carl_m1968 wrote:
panda666uk wrote:

Hi, anyone know what would cause the right extruder to stop heating up ? Thanks.


Any error codes?

If you use a hair dryer to heat the nozzle does the thermocouple show a temp change on the LCD?

Have you checked to see if voltage is present when it should be heating? This would need to measure at the board where the heater plugs in at since you can't get to any point to measure it at on the head.

While looking at the board it the heating LED coming on for that heater?

Will it heat using the preheat setting from the menu?


Hi, Thanks for your reply. I've checked now with the printer on its side and get the following.

When I turn it on, I see the following red LED’s 5v, 24v and 3.3 and overheat led next to the R91

Hair dryer on the nozzle/s and the temp goes up on screen.

When I preheat on the Left extruder FET3 green LED comes on and when the temperature rises FET4 comes on.

When I preheat on the Right extruder FET1 green LED Comes on and that’s it and the temperature doesn’t go up and no other lights comes on. I would presume if it was working then FET2 would go green ?!.

No Error Codes.

What do you think ?

Thanks

Andy


Sounds like a bad board.. Some of them are known to have your issue. It was one of my reasons for swapping to a different controller. That and I wanted to be fully open source.

I am sure that's not what you want to hear. But you have options. You can try to RMA it with whom you purchased it. I also still have my controller from mine when I swapped. It was working when removed although it was flashed to Sailfish firmware which needs a special version of ReplicatorG. If you are interested in mine you can make me an offer. It will include the drivers, the keypad and LCD and cable to said keypad and LCD. Another option is to buy an new board from here..

http://unclechucks3dprinterstuff.com/index.htm

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

23 Reply by panda666uk

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Many Thanks, I'll email them and see what they come back with. In the mean time is it possible to print off the left one or another work around ?.

Thanks

24 Reply by panda666uk (edited by panda666uk 2016-01-19 21:50:03)

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Mmmm I didn't realise there was a reset button on the back so did a reset and did a preheat and it worked ! but then tried to load my filament and it stopped heating up did a preheat again and not working !

so I then did a restore default on the menu and now it doesn't show left and right extruder it just says  Extruder and Platform !!!

Thanks

25 Reply by panda666uk

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Re: CTC 3D Printer noob questions :)

Found option to add dual extruders on menu but still right one not heating up !