26

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

Have actually printed most of a test cube with it now. I need to get the belt tension springs installed for sure, it missed/skipped a step about 2/3rds of the way thru the cube messing it up, but was going good until that point. wink

Have most of the spaghetti cleaned up now, too.

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

27

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

very different than what I am used to with the SD4, for sure, LOL. but it moves! yay!

I am sure can you elaborate on the differences.
Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

28

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

being a Prusa style, the bed moves in the Y axis, not the Z..
the print head moves in X & Z...not X & Y - a little strange watching it after being used to the SD.

Still have a bunch of tweaking to do, but it is getting there.

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

29

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

Right Makes sense.


Any issues synchronizing the dual Z axis motors ?
Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

30

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

the biggest issue with the dual Z motors is getting the X carriage level, took a little tweaking and measuring from the top frame rail down to get it just right, but so far so good.

On this version (may be the same on other Prusas?), the X assembly rides on a single nut on each side with the weight of the assembly keeping things in place. simply lift the assembly, adjust the nuts, and set the assembly back down over the nuts.

We had more issues with the extruder wanting to jam than anything else (not thrilled with the design of this thing at all - looking into alternatives - will be the first upgrade). Have had it apart several times in the first full day of trying to print anything with it. Turns out the set screw on the drive gear was causing us issues - it was catching on the filament and jamming. Flipping the drive gear so the set screw is closer to the motor made a big difference.

Have been tweaking the vref for the motors - X was getting a bit hot, now have it dialed in to where it is running pretty cool. Y is a huge motor compared to the rest, and has been running nice and cool from the start, but will be tweaking it to run at optimum voltage. Z motors could stand just a little tweaking yet, they dont get hot, but do get lukewarm to the touch...

It is weird, but nothing shows up in the EEPROM screen in RH, so all steps/mm changes have to be done manually with g-code - had to go look up the codes to make adjustments, LOL. then had to dig into the firmware to see what the default steps/mm were set at - needed to tweak the extruder steps a little - it was under-extruding by about 12mm.

Also have some minor backlash issues that need to be sorted out (perimeters and fill not quite meeting on the first layer) - not really sure how to go about that with the way the belts are attached (no adjustment screws, uses the a tension spring?) may need to look into different mounts for the belts, too...

ah the joys of tweaking a new printer. LOL

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

31

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

heartless wrote:

the biggest issue with the dual Z motors is getting the X carriage level, took a little tweaking and measuring from the top frame rail down to get it just right, but so far so good.

On this version (may be the same on other Prusas?), the X assembly rides on a single nut on each side with the weight of the assembly keeping things in place. simply lift the assembly, adjust the nuts, and set the assembly back down over the nuts.

We had more issues with the extruder wanting to jam than anything else (not thrilled with the design of this thing at all - looking into alternatives - will be the first upgrade). Have had it apart several times in the first full day of trying to print anything with it. Turns out the set screw on the drive gear was causing us issues - it was catching on the filament and jamming. Flipping the drive gear so the set screw is closer to the motor made a big difference.

Have been tweaking the vref for the motors - X was getting a bit hot, now have it dialed in to where it is running pretty cool. Y is a huge motor compared to the rest, and has been running nice and cool from the start, but will be tweaking it to run at optimum voltage. Z motors could stand just a little tweaking yet, they dont get hot, but do get lukewarm to the touch...

It is weird, but nothing shows up in the EEPROM screen in RH, so all steps/mm changes have to be done manually with g-code - had to go look up the codes to make adjustments, LOL. then had to dig into the firmware to see what the default steps/mm were set at - needed to tweak the extruder steps a little - it was under-extruding by about 12mm.

Also have some minor backlash issues that need to be sorted out (perimeters and fill not quite meeting on the first layer) - not really sure how to go about that with the way the belts are attached (no adjustment screws, uses the a tension spring?) may need to look into different mounts for the belts, too...

ah the joys of tweaking a new printer. LOL


You can also disconnect the Z motors from the board with power off and just turn the shaft of the motor on the end that needs adjustment. If they are disconnected then the impulses from one motor won't make the other one turn and it won't risk damage to your board.

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.

32

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

I'm going order mine next month, have to much project atm.

33

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

Been crazy busy trying to get the new printer dialed in and ready for a demonstration at the local hobby shop this Saturday (tomorrow!)

just about there, but it took printing out a new extruder assembly to get things working right - the solid, non-adjustable extruder it came with is horrible! experienced more issues with that thing than the solidoodle ever gave. Still not 100% happy with the setup, but it is far better than the stock unit.

The extruder used is: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:650957

so on to pictures... didnt take too many during the building process, but did manage to get a couple...

Frame completed

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa001.jpg

Printing parts on the SD4 in lime green...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa002.jpg

attaching the bearing carriers to the aluminum bed...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa003.jpg

endstops - Z & X...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa005.jpg

Spaghetti junction smile

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa006.jpg

and the completed printer... still had wire management to take care of, but it is complete...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa008.jpg

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

34

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

and the very first print in progress.... used the sample piece of filament they sent with it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa009.jpg

oops... it skipped a step or something... (no belt tension springs installed yet - was in too much of a hurry to have it actually print something! LOL)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa010.jpg

these darn springs were a pain in the backside to install - I think I have it installed right? one installed under the bed as well...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa011.jpg

and last, but not least... the new extruder assembly installed just last night...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/heartless500/3D%20Stuff/2020%20Prusa/2020Prusa012.jpg

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

35

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

We did discover it was printing in mirror image - everything would show correctly in RH, but the actual print was mirrored...

a bit of digging around later, a firmware adjustment and re-flash, move an endstop connector on the board, and it now prints correctly! Yay!

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

36

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

Looks great! Glad your kit didn't give you any trouble.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

37

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

Thanks Baron. It did go together pretty easily (after we found the threaded rods... LOL)

Overall, pretty happy with it for the price. Slowly getting things dialed in, but it isn't doing too badly for only being a week old.
Still have a little backlash to contend with, but not really sure how to fix it with the way the belts are...on the SD4, i would simply adjust tension on the belt with the screws - no screws on this one... hmm

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

38

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

I found the 2020 kit for 279. I am thinking of picking it up to replace my Da Vinci.  I think I am going to put my Da Vinci up for sale for 400. It seems to be working now. Have printed a total of 24 hours now with out the extruder flaking out on me.

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.

39

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

carl - if you do pick one up, I highly recommend the following upgrade parts....

spring loaded extruder: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:650957
Works so much better than the stock solid piece it ships with.

Y axis belt tensioner: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:188958
The low profile version is a perfect fit for the 2020 Prusa i3 - printed one up yesterday and installed - works nice.

still looking for a good X belt tensioning solution, but when I find one (or design one?) I will share.

we also printed up some better thumb wheels for bed leveling...the stock ones are ok, but small - these are bigger and easier to adjust: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:29782

Saturday's demonstration thing went pretty well considering it was such short notice (barely a week). had a few people stop by, ask questions, & check things out. A couple of guys thinking really hard about getting into 3D printing - they had lots of questions. smile

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

40

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

Looks like everything came up milhouse with the printer. I'm tempted now to buy that kit for a friend as a housewarming gift.

Time to update your signature, heartless!

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

41

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

yeah, I guess it is time for an update.. LOL

overall, it is a pretty decent kit for the price, and would be a great 1st kit for someone.

My biggest issue with it is the lack of belt tension adjustment - and one axis has been solved... now to fix the other one! LOL

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

42 (edited by Tin Falcon 2015-06-08 22:55:38)

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

Check out thiniverse  they have tensioners for the I3 x and y a lot of generic stuff as well some cool ideas and a bunch, off the walls.
Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

43

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

I tried printing out a couple of the ones on thingiverse, but they dont fit the Folgertech carriages very well.

the first one I tried was far to narrow - nice idea, but just not right for the 2 flanged bearings the belt rides on.

the second one was ridiculously large - I could fit both of the flanged bearings, and another I had lying around and still had room to spare.

neither of them fit the backside of the carriage right either - Folgertech apparently modified the through hole by putting a  chamfer in the corners, all the tensioners I found had square corners...

so a bit of measuring and modeling later and I have a customized tensioner for the X axis made specifically for the Folgertech carriages, smile fits the two flanged bearings the kit comes with, and an M3 washer on each side perfectly.

as soon as I can figure out how to upload to thingiverse, I will make it available to all

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

44

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

Yay! Sharing is caring!

I keep eyeballing that prusa kit, but damn I do not need another printer. 2 broken printers and one incoming kickstarter is too many as is. Maybe I'll buy the prusa kit as a housewarming gift for a friend.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

45

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

TheBaron wrote:

Yay! Sharing is caring!

I keep eyeballing that prusa kit, but damn I do not need another printer. 2 broken printers and one incoming kickstarter is too many as is. Maybe I'll buy the prusa kit as a housewarming gift for a friend.

Baron - if you are in a giving mood, I wouldn't turn down a kossel kit! LOL

or, you could send one of your broken ones my way.. getting pretty good at fixing/tweaking/upgrading.. LOL

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

46

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

heartless wrote:
TheBaron wrote:

Yay! Sharing is caring!

I keep eyeballing that prusa kit, but damn I do not need another printer. 2 broken printers and one incoming kickstarter is too many as is. Maybe I'll buy the prusa kit as a housewarming gift for a friend.

Baron - if you are in a giving mood, I wouldn't turn down a kossel kit! LOL

or, you could send one of your broken ones my way.. getting pretty good at fixing/tweaking/upgrading.. LOL


Interested in a Da vinci 1.0? It works great. But I want to get a better dual extruder model. Eying a Flashforge Creator right now and need to sell my other two including the Foldgers Kossel and Da Vinci to eat the cost.

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.

47

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

oh so very tempting, Carl - what are you asking for either? (feel free to pm if you want)

will toss the idea out to the other half and see what he says. smile

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

48

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

hmm... ditching the SD3 and the Kossel for a Form1+ is kinda tempting..... and I'll have another FFM when my tiko comes in.....

Nah, I better stick with what I've got for now. I at least want to see how the kossel prints before I release it into the wild!

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

49

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

LOL, well, if you change your mind. wink

and I finally got my belt tensioner to upload! yay!

my first thing published at thingiverse: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:872944

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

50

Re: Who else is getting one of the Folger Tech 2020 i3 Prusas?

it looks good! How does it all compare to your SD4? I know it's like comparing apples to tangerines, particularly with the different hotends, but I'm curious.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)