1 Topic by adam.scho

  • adam.scho
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Topic: Performance improving mods?

So Im planning on purchasing an SD4 shortly. I've been browsing this thread for a while and have seen some really awesome mods but the first thing I will be concerned about after receiving my printer will be build quality. Aside from calibrations and the like, what mods will be essential in my "quest" to get the best possible print quality? I'm planning on glass bed and extruder fan and the SD4 already has an enclosure so what else should be done? I'm not as concerned with aesthetic and ease of use upgrades as much as I am with better final products. Hopefully y'all's responses can help other noobies also!

2 Reply by Rincewind

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Re: Performance improving mods?

adam.scho wrote:

So Im planning on purchasing an SD4 shortly. I've been browsing this thread for a while and have seen some really awesome mods but the first thing I will be concerned about after receiving my printer will be build quality. Aside from calibrations and the like, what mods will be essential in my "quest" to get the best possible print quality? I'm planning on glass bed and extruder fan and the SD4 already has an enclosure so what else should be done? I'm not as concerned with aesthetic and ease of use upgrades as much as I am with better final products. Hopefully y'all's responses can help other noobies also!

Depending on what you receive, you might need some mod against Z Wobble... Solidoodles vary a lot in this aspect.

3 Reply by adam.scho

  • adam.scho
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Re: Performance improving mods?

Thanks, is it just based of off how its assembled by SD? Hopefully i get lucky and they put some quality time into assembling mine so i have less work to do when i get it smile What about stepper motors/drives (idk the difference) or a different carriage? Ive seen these both but cant figure out if they are worth it for the print quality.

4 Reply by Hazer

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Re: Performance improving mods?

adam.scho wrote:

Thanks, is it just based of off how its assembled by SD? Hopefully i get lucky and they put some quality time into assembling mine so i have less work to do when i get it smile What about stepper motors/drives (idk the difference) or a different carriage? Ive seen these both but cant figure out if they are worth it for the print quality.

As far as print quality is concerned, really the only thing you might want to make better is the extruder and the extruder driver. The stock 'doodle has a mow steps/mm with a direct driver extruder gear. This means that with the microstepping you get this wavy extrusion effect, that looks like moire from the side. The way to get rid of that has been replacing the stepper motor to one that has 400 steps/rev, and/or replacing the stepper driver to the DRV8825 which has 32 microstepping vs 16. Bad news is, SD now ships with a printrboard with the drivers built-in. No driver replacement unless you swap out the whole motherboard to a RAMPS or other. As for the extruder, alot of people swear by the E3D. I dont know if there is a distinct quality difference, but it has sure made things easier for alot of people. In one respect, the E3D will broaden what your printer will be capable of in the fact that you will have more tolerance to play with temperatures, etc.

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5 Reply by ronsii (edited by ronsii 2013-12-01 22:32:55)

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Re: Performance improving mods?

Hi Adam, since print quality is foremost I would suggest your first hardware mod be changing the z lead screw with a finer pitch screw as this is the main 'limiting hardware' on quite a few of the SD printers when it comes to print properties... however your printer may have a decent z screw with no noticeable wobble in which case this mod will not be necessary... and since you mentioned aesthetics weren't top on you list then might I suggest going with the SD3 versus the SD4 as it will save you $$$ for the same basic printer and you can throw a case together for a small fraction of the price difference smile leaving you with more $$$ for everything else...

6 Reply by justsomeguy (edited by justsomeguy 2013-12-02 03:42:51)

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Re: Performance improving mods?

Get your printer, calibrate it and start printing.  The printer will tell you which mods to do first.  If you have banding then yes mods to correct that will be a good idea.  If you have trouble getting prints to stick especially in the same spot then maybe you have a warped bed and will want to jump on a glass and hairspray mod or something like that.  If you are trying to print large objects and have warping issues you will want to look at an enclosure.  If none of these are problems for you why would you want to fix them?  No one can tell you now which mods are good for you.  It will depend on your printer and what you try to do with it.  Whatever area you decide to work on first there is likely someone here with a mod to improve it.  This place is awesome.

7 Reply by dpotthast

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Re: Performance improving mods?

Here are the mods that I have done and I am quite happy with my performance right now:

Cable Chain and guard:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:118182
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:104817

Antibacklash nut (if you aren't ready to replace your lead screw):
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:164020

extruder head wobble preventer:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:44572

thumbscrews for bed leveling:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:36878

filament guide:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:85707

belt tension gauge:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38952



These printable mods plus good calibration and you will have great prints.

Be patient, it took me about a month to get to the point where I can print and walk away (or go to sleep)
assured that my print will come out as expected.