Printrbot offers Upgrade kit for all printrbot simples

Last week Printrbot announced a new makers simple design with GT2 Belts and auto leveling sensor and slightly bigger build volume. I just got my printrbot simple (micro printer) about 6 weeks ago. And was a little disappointed I did not wait. Well well printrbot just added a upgrade ( or cross-grade) kit to the newer design.

The upgrade kit includes New laser cut wood parts. 2 (11'') GT2 Belts, 4 - 624 Bearings, Auto leveling probe, Metal Z coupler, Large Kysan Motor (which will replace the current small Y axis motor) 12 - washers, 4 - M4 12mm screws, 10 - M3 16mm screws, 8- M3 Hex nuts, 40- Zip Ties

It is listed as a $75.00 upgrade however there currently is a sale on the kit at $45.00

Well when I seen this I bought one, $45.00 for a belt upgrade , auto leveling probe and a slightly bigger build volume is worth it. Also I like how the printer board is located under the printer because it was so hard to access on my current frame. 

Here a link to the simple makers upgrade kit. https://printrbot.com/shop/makers-upgrade-kit/

Make of Day; Safety Whistle

I had a request to make a loud safety whistle with my Printrbot simple with the Raspberry color PLA (I have had silver PLA for a week now and everyone just likes requesting this raspberry color PLA.)

I also did shoot some video of this print with my mobile phone, because  I wanted to see how it would do at bridging. The overall quality very good, however there a slight defect at the first bridge section. I notice the fan did not kick on high until after it did the first bridge section. If it did it would be prefect. Here a video (edited down) of the whistle printing.



The whistle works like a charm and is very loud. Print details: material PLA, Layer height 0.2mm, 100mm/ minute 15 minutes print time and $0.04 material cost.

Whistle Download at Thingiverse: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:9206 Design by madkite http://www.thingiverse.com/madkite/designs

Make of the day; Kitbash Fish

It one of those prints where  all the parts move. Its kind of useless to me cause it a toy. I just wanted to see if it did indeed move after printing. and well it does.

I printed it at 0.2mm layer height at 60mm/ minute. Printed with Raspberry PLA plastic. Printed on the printrbot simple (2014) Thingiverse Item : http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:241790 Designed by Quincy http://www.thingiverse.com/Quincy/designs

Printrbot teases a new makers simple design

Friday May 23 on twitter Printrbot tweeted a picture of what may be there next version of the Printrbot makers simple. The same one I have but with a design that look much like there all metal design version.

It looks like it has a auto level sensor for the bed. Also it looks like the fishing line has been left to fishing and not printing. As those look like belts to me.

With this teaser I wondering if these means if you want a the XL upgrade for the current printrbot simple will soon be gone too. Might pick one up just in case.  Would assume this version would see a  price increase over the current $350 model if it includes belts and a leveling sensor.

Edit: Printrbot has now tweeted all printrbot simples makers edition 2014 (Like I have) are on sale $324 and will soon be gone. If you want one like mine for cheap better visit printrbot.com and buy one asap.

Just got info that this new printer is real, and it will have belts! And yes an auto leveling sensor. With a print volume of 100mmx100mmx120mm (hxdxw) that an increase over 100mmx100mmx100mm of the past version. It will cost the same $350 for the kit version (Awesome! wish I would have waited one month so I could of had belts alone. plus the added print volume. The sensor thing is not super huge, cause I already ordered one for my printer for a extra $25)

Why Open Source Matters with 3D Printers

When it comes to 3D printers many things can and do break and need replacing. If your printer is not open source then you either have to pay money to have it fix, or worst the printer was discounted and you have to just mod it to fixed it. Well that is why I picked a open source printer. I already had to print out replacement parts for the Printrbot Simple and having access to the cad file of parts comes in very handy.

Part #22 of the laser cut wood broke not once but twice. The first time Printrbot sent me one, because I could not print without it. The second time I had several 3D printed replacements waiting for that part to fail again.

The printed part actual seems to work better here as the area that broke with the wooden part was to thin. The plastic is much more strong and has not shown any signs of failing.

If your in the market for a 3D printer, consider Open Source for the reason of being able to fix it your self, and maybe even improve it, where it fails.

Many of the none open source printers cost more than the printrbot simple alone just to fix it, with something you could have printed out if it was open source.

Step #1 calibration time

Once finished building a 3D printer and after you connected your printer to the host software and added the settings suggest by Printrbot. The first thing needed is the most important thing, calibration. Every single 3D printer needs calibration to work correctly. While yes you can print a calibration cube, I skip doing this until I calibrate the printer by measuring the printer feed rate, and x and y moves manually. The z axes I do actual really on with the calibration cube.

What is needed; is printer connected to Repetier-Host and working (working in you can control the printer in the movement of the x,y and z axes. Heat the hot end, manually extruded filament, retrieve printer firmware logs and set printer firmware settings etc.), Blue tape  added to the printing bed. Sharpie, 2.5mm hex wrench, #2 Phillips Screwdriver, pencil, ruler and calipers or micrometer and maybe a calculator.

The Printrbot suggested printer software is Repetier-Host (Note that the Mac OSX Version uses different labels and terms on its UI than Linux and Windows versions do). However there other software you can use. I start calibration with leveling the printer bed. Some of the newer Printrbots use a auto bed leveling sensor witch allows you to skip this step or do things differently. However leveling a print bed is not hard it just takes some patiences.

My Printrbot simple has N-Stops including one for the Z axes. The end stop will need to be adjusted along with the 4 spring loaded screws on the bed plate. A index card works as a good paper weight to test if the bed is level. The paper or card should slide under the nozzle and the bed with slight friction in all four corners and dead center of the print bed to be level. This step takes about (10 to 45 minutes the first time) and 5 to 10 minutes (in future times). I notice that between every 15 to 20 prints the bed may need to be re-leveled, or after transportation. There many videos on youtube on bed leveling with many different kind of printers. The technique is nearly the same for every printer (just note if you have a N-Stop for the Z-Axes you need to adjust the screw for it here).

Extruder Feed calibration.

This might be one of the most important ones to do first, because if it is way off (and being this was a kit, it will be way off) you will not be able to even print the calibration cube because it may clog your nozzle first if it uses to much filament.)

You need to heat the hot-end (extruder) to 196 Temperature and wait till it gets to 196 before you feed. (note the picture is not up to temp yet)

Now while your waiting you can check some settings on the firmware. To do so while within the print-panel tab(on Mac) this is called something different on Windows and Linux versions of the software. But the steps are the same.

Type M501 into the G-Code field and hit send. This will get the current firmware settings for the printrbot. which will be displayed in the console logs at the bottom of the software window.

The line of text your looking for starts with M92 locate this line of text and take note of the last item of that line mine reads out  E590.00 This could be different for you. This is the current firmware the printer is set to extrude at. The E stands for extrude. write down this value it will be needed with our calculation of calibrating the E value or the extruder feed rate.

It looks something like this:

< 1:07:38 PM: echo:  M92 X63.36 Y63.36 Z2272.72 E590.00

The Blue value above is the E Value.

Once your up to heat if you have not add the PLA filament to the extruder and manually feed 10mm. If that spit out some hot plastic then your working. (If it did not you need to trouble shoot the issue. Make sure your heated to temp and also make sure the filament is pushed into the hot end and the tension spring is tighten, keep trying until you can get your color filament to show coming out of the bottom of the print nozzle.You may have to heat up the extruder a bit, but do not go over 205 for the printrbot simple with PLA. Printrbot itself suggest 195-205 Celsius.)

Once your ready to go, Get a ruler and a sharpie (Some use tape but I tell you when I first did this test on this kit, I extruded over the mark. and if I used tape I would had tape jammed in the hot end. and that would have been a major problem, That why I suggest a sharpie.)

You need to measure 100mm up from the from the top of where the filament comes out of the extruder and mark the plastic with the sharpie at 100mm, (Note 50mm can be used if you did not build a kit however Its very likely that with the kit it will extruded over 50mm the first time out, when you tell it to extruded 10mm) (also make sure this is tighter than the image below, A one handed photo with my cell phone did not show the correct way, but you should get the idea.)

Ok once you have your mark and you noted where you measured at, like I measures from the top of the extruder motor. This is important because you remeasures this in a second. Now on the Print Panel of Repeatier host Extruded 10mm of filament. Now measure the amount it actually extruded this value is used in the calculation to do the calibration.

The Calculation is as follows : 

(Old firmware value * Software move) / Actual hardware move = New Firmware value

I use my values as an example but your will likely be different

my old firmware value was 590.0

my Software move was 10 mm

and my actual hardware move was 59.5mm

(590*10)/59.5=99.16

My new firmware value would be 99.16 your likely will be different.

Once you calculate your  value out and have your new firmware value, we can now save it to the printer. To do this Type M92 E (Your value) like my example M92 E99.16 in the same g-code sender. and hit sent. Then type M500 to save this value to the firmware. You can then type M501 again to verify that it saved to the value.

The Calculation

(Old firmware value * Software move) / Actual hardware move = New Firmware value)

is used also for the X, Y and Z calibration. However I will not go over the Z calibration because I find the best way to test this is by actually printing out the calibration. cube.

For the Y and X calibration you need the blue painters tape, a pencil and a ruler. I first home all axis then move the z axles up from the bed about 30mm or enough room to fit your ruler under it standing on its side. 

For the Y mark where the nozzle is at the home mark. and measure 50mm back from the front of the print bed. and mark a line. And for the X axis measure right from the home nozzle mark 50mm and make another mark. 

Now you can home the extruder again and move the extruder back 50mm on the y axis. Now measures the how much it moved. This will be the actual hardware move. 

Now type M501 back into the software to receive the M92 firmware settings for the X and Y axis. This is the same as what you did to get the extruder setting. However you need the Y value for the Y calculation and the X value for the X calculation.

I use my settings again just as a example you want to to your own measurements because all printers are different.

(Old firmware value * Software move) / Actual hardware move = New Firmware value)

my old firmware value was 63.63

my Software move was 50 mm

and my actual hardware move was 36mm

(63.63*50)/36=88

My new firmware value would be 88 your likely will be different. Before you save this setting do your x setting now. home the nozzle again and move the printhead over 50mm mark its location now calculate the difference.

I once again use my value as example only (yours will be different most likely)

(Old firmware value * Software move) / Actual hardware move = New Firmware value)

my old firmware value was 63.63

my Software move was 50 mm

and my actual hardware move was 39mm

(63.63*50)/39=81.23

Now you want to save these two new settings to your printers firmware so this time type

M92 X(your value) Y(your value)  like my example( M92 X81.23 Y88 ) and hit send, then follow by M500 to save this to the firmware. Now you can type M501 and check the M92 has all your calibrated steps. If so you can now go and print out a calibration cube to check them and see if the Z axes needs adjusting. If it does you can use the same steps. 

M501 to get current firmware values

M92 the line with the firmware value to get and set. X, Y, Z, E values are part of M92.

M500 to save a setting to the firmware.

These settings should save to the printer even when it is off and unplugged. If its not you may need a new battery on the printer board.

Below is the 5mm Calibration Cube step print I printed out after doing the Manual Calibration. I can report that my z axis actual did not need any calibration and the print was in prefect tolerance just after doing the manuel calibration above, Not bad for a first print ( a month ago) . This might not be the same case for you if not use the same steps to fine tune the setting to the printed cube (as mine pictured below)

5mm Calibration Cube Steps 

Download at Thingiverse for free: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:24238

Tools needed to print with.

To use this printer I found there several tool that are needed. If your considering this printer the printrbot simple, you may want to get some of these tools to better help maintain and use the printer.

1. Blue Painters tape (It does not have to be blue) Painters tape is one of the preferred and simplest printing surfaces to get PLA plastic to stick to. Depending on the brand you get you may also need to sand the surface of the tape with 0.8 grit sand paper. However I discovered a off brand that has awesome sticking with PLA without sanding. Pro Tapes & specialties brand. There tape is often found at hobby shops for use with painting models.

Some people however do not use painters tape they use glass or mirrors with hair spray. What choice you pick is depended on what you prefer. Also your location in the world may also be a factor. I live in north central america where it does not get super hot and is cool to cold most of the year. Your climate may play a factor on what is required to get a print to stick.

2. Wire or micro cutters These are useful for cutting PLA Filament to change colors.

3. Guitar Pick Some of you might be puzzled here by this one, however it is very useful specially on the printrbot simple. This printer extruder motor can overheat which in turn causes the printer to stop feeding filament at a certain point in a print. (usually with bigger prints that takes hours) to adjust for this you need to adjust the POT on the printer-board (a tiny screw) to lower the amount of power to the motor to run it cooler and not fail a print again. Printrbot warns not to use metal screwdriver as this can short-circuit the printrbot and to use plastic like a guitar pick.

Note: You have a 3D printer you can print this out Check out Thingiverse item: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:17874

4. 0.3mm or smaller sewing needle or Guitar string - used to clean out a clog in the printer nozzle.

5. Extra Zip/ Cable Ties - With this printer I found myself needed to make adjustment that needed cutting zip ties, having extra around will save a extra trip to the hardware store later on.

5. Extra 200 lb. Test fishing line - This is not required, however I suggest it as a future consideration in keeping the X and Y drives maintain tight over long extended use. (I not had to change mine yet, but I am sure I will sooner or later.) If your considering the GT2 belt mod skip over this one.

6. Thread Locker Blue - If you built the kit you will need this to add to the gear to the extruder motor. Without it the filament drive gear will fall off due to vibration after several seconds.

7. Spool Holder - If you buy one or built one, you need something to hold the PLA spool of filament. Doing so will make the filament feed better into the hot end. I ended up just buying one myself because it cost less than buying PVC and building one.

8. Sharpie - Helpful for Calibrating the extruder filament feed rate.

9. Measurement tools - A ruler that is flat and measures in mm and calipers or micrometer that have mm measurements. Many people seem to use digital ones, however there not very precise as non digital ones are (keep that in mind).

10. 2.5mm & 1.5mm allen / hex wrenches - All the bolts on this printer are either 2.5 or 1.5mm and some of them need adjustment from time to time.

11. #2 Phillips Screwdriver - is used to tighten or loosen the filament feed tension spring.

Building The Printrbot Simple (2014) Kit

When I decided to get this printer friends and family where very interested in seeing what it was about and just how much work it would take to go from a kit to actual printing with it and the quality it could do. I was asked to keep them informed on how this tool worked. For that reason I tock a time lapse video of me building this printer.

During the build process I discovered both missing and broken parts to this kit. I went to printrbot.com / support and opened a support ticket. I documented with photos the broken parts and within 3 days Printrbot support team sent me new parts to my door by USPS.

I built the kit at a slow pace and I measured every part, because the screws come in several sizes from 3mm to 20mm and you could easy end up using the wrong part for the wrong step if you do not take your time and double check your parts. Since I had to wait for replacement parts I did the build over 3 days but under 7 total hours.

There where some areas that where challenging to. The fan extension wire with male pins was twice as long as the female plug on the fan. I ended using wire cutters and trimming those down to size, which worked. The hot end itself was not aligning with the fan hood, and needed to be pushed all the way to the top by wedging a flathead screw driver in the extruder mount. Another issue I had was the m3 nuts where super tiny and kept falling out before I could screw everything together. I ended using blue painters tape to keep the screws in place and not fall out.

Here is a time lapse video (edited down) of me building the Printrbot simple kit 3D printer.

3D printing with a barebones micro printer kit Intro

I been looking for a small micro size 3d printer since 2012. However I did not want to break the bank getting one. There was a handful of such 3D printers on the market that where micro size and low costing. 

The major issues I came across when decided on which one to get was actual shipping date. There many printer companies willing to take your cash , however there not shipping there product for months if years after. Another concern was many where not made in american. That a big deal to me because I american and I trust american companies more than a company half way across the world, with a machine that may need replacement parts.

The reason I settled on Printrbot is one I know others that use there products and rave about the company and there products. I have actual used there higher end printers before. The printrbot simple is micro size for easy transportation by one person. They are also affordable for a 3D printer, $350 and pack some nice extras like sd-card reader, cooling fan and is open source.

I had heard by many that the printer was not able to do precise tolerances and was flawed in ways from other on the web( I got this printing to actual print at prefect tolerances) I heard a lot of things negative in one way or another, but seen them actual do what they said could not be done. That why I got a printrbot simple kit. I wanted to see just how far I could take a below $400 3D printing kit and just how good of quality prints I could get.

This blog will be me documenting those experiences with this printer. I actual owned this printer for a month now and so far I really impressed with the results special for how little it cost compared to most other printers.

Things however where not all a smooth ride getting to where I am now with it. And I will explain in detail the issues that needed adjustment out of the box. As I think many newer 3D printing curious people get this printer because the cost alone. There is a learning curve and skill set with this printer more so than using a Makerbot or Cube. It is however possible to get quality results with this printer at this cost without any mods. 

Now I did have previous experience with 3D printing. I actual used one back in the 1990's when I was at Milwaukee Tech for CNC programming and control. The machines they had back then cost hundreds of thousands and where not easy to use. There was not a slicer program, you actual had to read a blue print and program the code your self line by line.

Today they have awesome programs that actual take a cad file and generates the machine code for you. The cost and quality is mind blowing to what they once where. Now I never actual went on to work with CNC, as those classes got me more interested in programming computers than operating machines. I find it cool years latter I actual can afford similar equipment that sits on my desktop and is able to make similar stuff that I learned decades before. 

I do consider a 3D printer a tool, and not a toy or appliance. It much like other tools that you would have in your shop, such as lathe, metal bender, table saw or etc. That being said that means this tool like any other tool needs a skill to use it. It needs maintenance to keep it working in tip top performance. 

It is also not the only 3D printer I currently use, but the only one this blog will be about, for now.