Filament Shortage! (Page 1 of 2)

I use a zerocart on my machine under warranty,, buy my filament from MCM for $17 a kilo.. Getting another used machine today to "play" with other firmware..

First - I ordered three cartridges from Amazon - I received one new one and two previously used cartridges!!!  They had extrude feed teeth marks and melted filament. Naturally I returned them.

I picked us some Shaxon filament at Fry's and have been running without problems - using Zerocart  BUT, I did not downgrade the firmware (currently running 1.2.6).  No problem and I can set the filament length to 240m, then change it for the remaining 160m on the spool.  The Zerocart instructions say it will work with all firmware versions but may not have full functionality such as setting filament length to 999m.  I don't care about that and all other functions I need work.

Tip's:
The printer wiggles the Zerocart connection so, if you get a Cartridge error, wiggle the Zerocart and hold it down (or put a weight on it). May need to turn off/on printer.
Unloading error - if extrude temp won't heat, cut the old filament, Load Cartridge and chase the old filament with the new filament as the old one extrudes out - you may need the do the "Try again" option on prompt to ensure the new filament feeds.

I designed some parts and picked up a sealed food container - made a filament box - see photo (if it shows up)...

Looks like a guide for a weight to keep the spool from free spinning.

Exactly - a weight to keep the filament from unraveling.
I attached two motorcycle wheel weights to the top of the flat part (to ensure enough weight) and glued foam-rubber to the bottom of it.
The bucket has a silicone seal in the lid (paid $9 for it).  I put a tray of rice in the bottom for humidity control.

1" dia tube used for axis-rod and sits in two brackets (not very visible and currently held in place with screws I will change...).

Made it yesterday and have thus far printed 70m without problems...

(FYI - I blew away the xyzware/software a good while ago - I use LittleSnitch to stop apps from sending out data but no longer see activity of xyzware since I tossed out).

What Carl just said. I was pretty pissed when XYZ curtly informed me that I was SOL getting a broken part replaced without paying for it.

Cheap clowns.

I use a container similar to that for my acetone vapour smoothing. The lid seal makes sure my place isn't awash in flammable fumes. The fan I use to circulate the vapour is slowly melting, surprisingly the fan case is made out of ABS

I live in a condo unit and I didn't want to risk a fire so I employ the "cold process". It takes more time to smooth my makes but I've haven't blown up yet!

I got a resealable dog food container from pet smart.

http://www.petsmart.ca/supplies-trainin … m%3Dsearch

I originally hung acetone-soaked paper towels from the side and back to help circulate the vapour but I've found that a small, brushless battery fan works well (as long as the fan case is not ABS like mine is).

I use a small metal stand for the parts to sit on so they are elevated off the acetone liquid in the bottom of the container. I usually expose the parts for 30 minutes but I check regularly to make sure they don't get over-exposed.

It's kinda like alchemy, you have to play it by ear and hope for the best.

Here's an example of some chess pieces I made recently: http://www.thingiverse.com/make:125444

Thanks Carl.

Do you have a link to the info on the procedure?

@PseudoShooter - Have a look here   http://www.soliforum.com/topic/10462/da … ory-reset/

I posted a resetter based on the voltivo software and the dimensionbx housing. The software was modified to make it easier to change temperatures and filament lengths.

All that needs to be done when built is to place the refilled cartridge on the resetter and program it from the PC. The bonus is that the software and case are free, and no changes are required to the printer. I have a DaVinci 1.0A and FW is 1.0.1.

There are 2 versions of the software - a basic version allowing factory cartridge settings and resetting temperature with filament length (but only by delving into the code), as well as reading the cartridge.
The second version allows (via a menu on the PC) a factory reset, bed temperature setting, extruder temperature setting, filament length setting and reading the cartridge. The code automatically increments the cartridge serial number. The settings are made using the Arduino IDE's serial monitor.

So far I have not had any problems with it, but as a precaution I have the computer driving the DaVinci off line.

Carl, if you reflash the firmware, you lose the machine hours and they will know you messed with it.. But you are probably right about them honoring a so called "warranty" anyway..
   I bought a used DaVinci from Ebay knowing there would be no warranty,, I think I got it for a good price, it had V1.1.G and showed no machine hours, so I knew it had been re-flashed.. only had a missing bed leveling nut.. but it prints like a champ. I did notice the left hand bushing on the y axis was a tiny bit loose, not sure if it was a defect in the plastic bearing holder or what? But it doesn't seems to affect the overall operation.  The X axis stepper only had 2 screws holding it in. Wonder if that was normal on the earlier models? I decided to use xyzware to do a print last nite and I'm sure I had it blocked from the net, but it did a firmware upgrade on the printer and it printed crappy, so I downgraded it back to G. Really upsets me when it upgraded without my permission.. Now I have it block in my router as well as my computer. I will go to repeatier when I get some time to master it. This is a great community here, and I appreciate everyone that tries to help.. Thank you..

I run Simplify3d so I'm just going to blow away the XYZware and go from there.