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Topic: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

I posted a writeup of my unpacking and first print on the Solidoodle Press, for those interested.
(Apparently I can't post links, so just do a Google search for "solidoodle press first impressions".)

2 (edited by OneMoreCast 2015-01-13 20:17:13)

Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

You can post links hit globe and chain up top

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

This should help anxious users smile
http://www.blargh.co/2015/01/solidoodle … sions.html

I am very happy people are getting their printers now. I hope to see more results.

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!

4 (edited by jleichty 2015-01-13 20:36:59)

Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

OneMoreCast wrote:

You can post links hit globe and chain up top

Nah I think it's because I'm a new user. I get this message.

Too more links in message. Allowed 0 links. Reduce number of links and post it again.
AZERATE wrote:

This should help anxious users smile

Thanks!

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

BTW...you can post photos via an account at imgur.com. Just copy and paste the BBcode

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

Wth is up w extruder...how do they let something ship with what looks like a ton of melted plastic and use...smh

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

OneMoreCast wrote:

Wth is up w extruder...how do they let something ship with what looks like a ton of melted plastic and use...smh

Yeah, now that you mention it, that looks like way more usage than just a test print. I've submitted a support ticket to get an answer.

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

I would guess the first set of printers that shipped have many test hours on them. At least you can verify that the machine was tested before it left China.

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

Nice videos! I was curious how loud it is printing when the front door is closed? Seems pretty loud from what the camera is picking up but that may be just how the camera is picking it up! Cant wait to get mine hope to keep seeing updates as you start printing more items.

10 (edited by jagowilson 2015-01-14 00:22:28)

Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

jleichty wrote:
OneMoreCast wrote:

Wth is up w extruder...how do they let something ship with what looks like a ton of melted plastic and use...smh

Yeah, now that you mention it, that looks like way more usage than just a test print. I've submitted a support ticket to get an answer.

Your printer needs a bit of calibration. That cube shows a couple of issues, just some over extrusion and moire.

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

I wonder if the mess on the extruder (and the sticky stuff on the print bed) was because they didn't let it cool down enough before putting the packaging in...  Was there any black on the packaging?

Solidoodle Workbench

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

I had no idea they officially released the Soliprint software. Looks like there is still some bugs.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

It looks like the first test print failed to stick and it blobbed on the bottom of the heat block a bunch before someone came back to check it.  ABS doesn't stick very well to bare glass.  If they aren't including glue sticks, there has to be some kind of recommendation somewhere for what to coat the platform with.  Even if they spray it with Aquanet at the factory, it will need to be refreshed eventually.

As for the endstops, it's possible that the switches are bent, or something isn't making contact before the carriage hits the end of the axis.

The breakout PCB for that one endstop in the photo looks homemade.  I guess they save a few cents by not adding solder mask.

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

After spending an evening with my press, I'm overall pretty happy. Things I've noticed:

- I got the terrible grinding sound when the printer attempted to home the print head. This was caused by the cable harness getting caught between the bar the extruder and printer frame, preventing the printer from hitting the X end stop. I shifted the plastic around the wires some to hold it up and it worked... mostly. I'm going to have to figure out a better solution.

- Soliprint isn't THAT bad an interface for a newbie, but it definitely has bugs. I loaded a couple STL's off Thingaverse (A couple calibration shapes) and they worked. I also exported a couple shapes from Sketchup and they loaded fine. The only real issue I had with the software itself was that it had some sort of black smudge along the edge of the print display.

- The printer stopped extruding after 20mm height of a 25mm calibration cube. I eventually noticed the extruder stepper motor was spinning but the extruder gear was not, and that the set screw on the side of the gear was sticking out. It looks like it worked itself out during the print/shipping. I was able to get it turned back in, but need to find a tiny angled allen wrench to tighten it properly.

- Solidoodle doesn't say it, but I'm definitely going to need to get a glue stick or hairspray for the bed. I attempted a raspberry pi case I made in sketchup and the warping was pretty bad by the 5th layer, so much that it knocked the print off the bed. I also had the door open a bit to watch the extruder gear, and top open to watch the cable harness, both of which could be to blame for the issue as well though.

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

Chapin wrote:

After spending an evening with my press, I'm overall pretty happy. Things I've noticed:

- I got the terrible grinding sound when the printer attempted to home the print head. This was caused by the cable harness getting caught between the bar the extruder and printer frame, preventing the printer from hitting the X end stop. I shifted the plastic around the wires some to hold it up and it worked... mostly. I'm going to have to figure out a better solution.

- Soliprint isn't THAT bad an interface for a newbie, but it definitely has bugs. I loaded a couple STL's off Thingaverse (A couple calibration shapes) and they worked. I also exported a couple shapes from Sketchup and they loaded fine. The only real issue I had with the software itself was that it had some sort of black smudge along the edge of the print display.

- The printer stopped extruding after 20mm height of a 25mm calibration cube. I eventually noticed the extruder stepper motor was spinning but the extruder gear was not, and that the set screw on the side of the gear was sticking out. It looks like it worked itself out during the print/shipping. I was able to get it turned back in, but need to find a tiny angled allen wrench to tighten it properly.

- Solidoodle doesn't say it, but I'm definitely going to need to get a glue stick or hairspray for the bed. I attempted a raspberry pi case I made in sketchup and the warping was pretty bad by the 5th layer, so much that it knocked the print off the bed. I also had the door open a bit to watch the extruder gear, and top open to watch the cable harness, both of which could be to blame for the issue as well though.

It would be really nice if you could upload some pictures up on the prints so we can see the print quality smile

16 (edited by n2ri 2015-01-14 18:59:49)

Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

also maybe we need a "WOW" factor rating since Sam promised this and that it would be well worth the wait (6 months verses 6 weeks.  like a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the WOW Im impressed!" as Sam said. cause so far Im seeing more like 0 to 5 with 5 being the 'usual Solidoodle DIY fixes needed" and 0 being 'failed to deliver operating printer even'.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Solidoodle Press: First Impressions

also since Solidoodle has been very secretive on pics etc. can we get a pic of all sides. and is there an exhaust fan on rear like SD3-4 had ports for so at least a charcoal filter can be installed to help with toxic fumes from the ABS since they didnt make the Press able to use less toxic PLA with part cooling fan etc. thought since it was designed for kitchen counters etc in homes and family use it would have been PLA only, not ABS only. heck may as well use a resin 3D printer as it only has toxic odors already present in carpets and particle board construction materials e.g. formaldehyde etc. lol

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs