51

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

solidoodlesupport wrote:
Brad wrote:

I don't think they sent out any units for beta testing.

No, though there is an unrelated (and exciting) beta tester program on the horizon. Which I am administering myself. So talk to me about it smile

We decided not to beta test the 4 because it was so similar to the 3. We also had a tight timeline to work on. One other issue that was holding us back on beta testing is the ethical issues behind paying for beta products. Essentially, the machines are a little too expensive to give them away for beta testing, and even loaning them out can rack up bills (as the shipping is quite expensive as well.)

We didn't want to ask anyone to pay to beta test, or even pay for the shipping back / forth.

Instead, we shall focus on making adjustments to the product as issues are discovered.

You know before releasing the solidoodle 4 you should of invested in the small amount of money to release a couple units to some beta testers such as lawsy, adrian, 2n2r5 just to name a few as it would of been a lot cheaper then investing in a mechanical/electrical engineer to work out the kinks in your product.

If it wasn't for them and this community, your product would've had more returns and worse reviews then those given by make magazine.

Companies that succeed are those who strive to better their product
not pretty it up to enter in the "consumer market".

Honestly very poor business strategy and company integrity.

Hopefully your company learns from the bad reviews from make and people here
to better your product in the future before it's to late.

Powder coated steel enclosure, 1/4" Surface grounded hardened aluminum plate, MK2A Heat bed, .200 Polished fused quartz plate, Machined quick change hot bed mount, E3D hot end, Ramps 1.4, DRV8825 stepper motor drivers

52

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

I'm still confident in Solidoodle becasue from what i can see, they always deliver a great product no matter what. Granted, they do so things differently than large companies but it makes sense considering they are a start up. Just my look on it smile

53

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

There was no reason to beta test the SD4 its just a  SD3 with a cover. It looks nice but I am sorta happy with my 3.

54

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

Hey SD tech guys

Did you guys do any temperature measurements on the electronics? Personally I heat my half ass enclosed chamber to about 60C. Even without the heater inside the bed heats up the chamber. Have you guys measured things like the stepper motor drivers to see what temperature they are getting?

Also is there a difference between the SD3 and SD4 motherboard?

55

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

Ok just got my sd4 last night.  Still trying to
Figure out which profile in Repetier to use. 

Is it the sd3 or the solidoodle 8x8?

Pleased to see the extruder is metal and
Not the acrylic puzzle.

56

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

Can you post a picture of your extruder please?

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

57

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

Sorry, I don't know how to add a picture

58

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

Maybe that will work for a picture

59

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

You need to have a few more posts before you can add a picture.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

60

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

kb7vms wrote:

Ok just got my sd4 last night.  Still trying to
Figure out which profile in Repetier to use. 

Is it the sd3 or the solidoodle 8x8?

Pleased to see the extruder is metal and
Not the acrylic puzzle.

Either profile should work.... as for as I know the electronics are the same, someone will correct me if this is different smile

61

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

This may not be unique to SD4 ,
But after I home to right rear corner
When I manually move print head around
It shows x= 205 and Y= 200 when I'm
In the middle of the print bed.  It's like it
Only moves only in the left front quarter.
I set Repetier to solidoodle 3 since there
Wasn't an Solidoodle 4 Option.  Help!!

62

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

steps-per-mm are correct in EEPROM ?

63

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

I think so.  x=88 y=88 z=2268 e=138.   Is there someplace that the offsets are programmed?

64

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

is the far right back position 0,0 or 200,205?   when i home it goes to the far right back position and the DROs read zero.
Also head moves right on +X and left on -X.

65

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

I use the Solidoodle 8x8 profile on my SD4.

66

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

Solidoodle 4 arrived today without the acrylic jigsaw. It is the new extruder that is shown in the ces photos. Very easy to change filament and it appears the hotend will screw right off without taking things apart. There are heat sinks and fans on the extruder stepper motor and the extruder itself. Very well made. The LEDs in the cabinet are nice and bright. The side panels come off with 2 screws on the top and the bottom hooks into groves. There are no zip ties holding them on.

67

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

gtennefoss wrote:

Solidoodle 4 arrived today without the acrylic jigsaw. It is the new extruder that is shown in the ces photos. Very easy to change filament and it appears the hotend will screw right off without taking things apart. There are heat sinks and fans on the extruder stepper motor and the extruder itself. Very well made. The LEDs in the cabinet are nice and bright. The side panels come off with 2 screws on the top and the bottom hooks into groves. There are no zip ties holding them on.

Neat! Do you have a link to the ces photos? BTW at my workplace we recently bought a Makerbot Replicator 2X and, even though the design is very very similar to the SD, it is interesting to see the more polished (and, of course, expensive) solutions the Makerbot has.

68

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

New hot end too? Can you post some photos?

SD3, E3D hotend,linear bearing on x/y axis',pillow block bearing on y conneting rod, ball bearngs on front y axis, fan on y stepper motor.

69 (edited by renee 2014-02-06 15:27:02)

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

This is the inside of my recently delivered SD4. Illuminated with the internal lighting. Overall I think the Solidoodle team is doing a great job improving their build quality.

I only wish for a fan for bridging PLA and a cable guide for the carriage wiring *hint hint*

Sorry it's an attachment.. I'm not allowed to link a photo .. s10.postimg.org/oq2mig3i1/IMG_0188.jpg

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70

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

Does it look like there is any way to adjust the tension on the spring?  If not, you could get one that doesn't grip tight enough because someone at the factory cut the spring a little too short and there would be no way to compensate.

71

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

The spring is very rigid and thankfully not cut too short. There is a lot of tension on there. I guess if you wanted more or less you could change the spring very easily.

72

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

I'm a bit jealous of the new extruder setup. I like the steel/aluminum? hot end holder with what looks like a pressure adjustment screw for keeping the hot end locked into the block. 

I might just need to break down and actually get to work on my mill machining one out.

73

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

I had my spool get caught on something the other night. The spring is tight enough where the filament broke near the spool and not pull back out of the extruder. I have run this about 18 hours a day since last Monday and I have had no issues with the extruder what so ever. The wide spool holder needs locks to prevent the spool from drifting left or right and getting filament wrapped around the shaft. I am going to just drill a couple holes for clevis pins.

74

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

My SD4 doesn't look anything like that.  It's clear acrylic, with the fan on the back.  Hmmmm.

75

Re: Introducing the Solidoodle 4

Looks like the extruder design was released after the SD4 build began, they kept putting old extruders on the new machines for a while and you got an old one.

If they're sensible and this is just a revision to the assembly then it may mean they're interchangeable... Does anyone know if there's any difference in the stock carriage between the two, or is is entirely in the extruder?

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi