Installed at the rear of the Da Vinci print bed is a small NTC thermistor. Some experimenting was undertaken to determine the characteristics of the thermistor.
Using substitute resistances, the temperature curve of the print bed thermistor was determined.
The Da Vinci 1.0 has a small NTC thermistor embedded in the extruder. This provides the printer with temperature measurements of the extruder.
After some experimenting, the extruder’s thermistor temperature response curve has been inferred through substituting known values of resistance for the thermistor. All the measured values have been compiled.
The small quick release connector for the extruder heater recently failed. This was discovered half way through a print when the extruder stopped heating.
Initial thoughts were that there was a software bug due to the extruder failing to extrude filament after 12 hours of continuous operation. However, some fiddling with connections revealed that the plug and socket connection was the culprit.
Replacing the stock connector with something more robust is straightforward but the process is a little fiddly.
If you’ve had to calibrate the bed of your Da Vinic 1.0, you will understand how this is a painful process. To make things somewhat easier, consider replacing the stock thumbscrews to something a little more manageable.
Any of your models that have overhanging areas could use some support. The Da Vinci XYZware includes the ability to add supports to your models. These additional areas of printed filament give your models a structure to grow from and can improve print quality.
To improve the quality of models with overhangs, ensure you use supports.
If printing a model that has multiple small pads or islands contacting the print bed, there is a high risk that these will catch the print head and tear off. Once this happens, the print is difficult to recover and you need to being again. No amount of glue seemed to help the latest attempt from tearing the pads from the print bed.
To solve this problem, a raft was used to support the model and finally there was some success.
3D printing allows you to make rapid prototypes or final creations. However, as you’ll soon learn, what you model up is not exactly how your print will turn out. A good example is when printing holes in your project. Due to a variety of factors, the actual printed hole diameter will be different to your 3D model. Printing a standard on your 3D printer will allow you to understand what your machine can actually do.
First in the beginning of several articles, we examine how printed holes will be different and how you can compensate for the difference.
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