print head interference on cubeX trio

[dac...@vt.edu]

finally received a seemingly non-damaged working cubeX trio and have unboxed it and set up. read through the blog (MUCH THANKS) and a good portion of this group's postings (AGAIN, THANKS) and feel really great about jumping into this.

i went ahead and used some of the foam from packaging to "enhance" the enclosure until i laser cut some clean acrylic panels to close up the sides and top better if i need it. i am trying to print without this first, so i have a base line.

i have 3 rolls of PLA (r,bl,w) and 3 rolls of ABS (bl, y, m) and have decided to start with PLA for an initial test object of 2" base diameter and 2" height. surface lofts from circular base to 2" long line centered 2" above, to test resolution and density settings.

i cannot get through a base print without the unused print heads hitting the printed material. i have tuned the base plate, tuned the z-gap, and tuned the print head heights several times over, still no good.

attempting to print circular base onto stock plate with magic glue thinly spread on, tacky.

suggestions?

attached image of machine with sweet side wraps.

attached .stl and .stp versions of test file if anyone wants to look at it and try it.

object designed in rhino 5

- chip

[Peter Gregory]

I can't look at the STL until later, but I assume you are making a solid box - it has a top?
If so, are you using points for supports?
I noticed using points, the print heads sometimes leave artifacts when raising up - causing raised filament the non-hated heads will bump over.
Using line supports works better.
Or, re-designing the part with no top is best.

[cubi...@gmail.com]

Not sure why you would cover the sides and such. I'll bet you be taking those off before too long.
Anyway, we also have a Trio, but I do not have the issue your stating. My suggestion is that your print heads are not level. My thinking is if your base is level and the print heads level to the base, there should be no way the non-heated heads should interfere with your print. Your .stl file looked fine to me. What I did is go into the level base screen and find a pin gage that just slides under all the print jets then move the heads around the table and check with same pin gage. This will easily tell you if you heads are level to the base plate.

[Peter Gregory]

I got a chance to look at what you're building.

It looks to me that this build should build without supports.

Are you getting any warping during the print?

If the edges lift up during the build, they can catch the print heads.

Even enclosing the Cubex will not eliminate warping.  A cold bed makes it worse, is it chilly where you print?

What are the build settings?  .025, no raft, no supports?

[maizeand...@gmail.com]

I have had the very same issue, (I think)it seems to me that the #1 jet is level with the plate at all points but the # 3 jet is sitting slightly lower, causing it to drag against the build. Does this sound like the same issue you are having? If so, have you found a solution yet?

[CubeX 3D Printman]

Once the printbed is level, it is important to check and have all jets level to the platform. The platforms are not perfectly straight and you have to move the carriage around a little to find the most even area.

The "CubeX Print Tip replacement" instructions show how to level the print tips. Make sure to have the cubeX unplugged.

I just move the print carriage by hand and turn the z-screw (printbed up or down) by hand when leveling the print jets.

http://cubex3dprinting.blogspot.com/p/repair-replacement-instructions.html

[Bill Dempsey]

I was having the same issue initially when I got my Trio. It's exactly as CubeX 3D Printman said. The nozzles are not level with one another and the bed.
One statement he made needs to be repeated.

* Make sure you unplug the printer before you make the adjustments. *

There are electronic contacts in the area where the print head mounting screws are located. If you accidentally bridge them with a metal screwdriver, you WILL fry something expensive. I don't want to admit how I know this... ;)

-Bill