Wish List

[DeanR]

Does anyone now how we can make a wish list that the manufacturer will read? I see a lot of problems which are software related and can be rectified by software changes, however, i cannot see how we can communicate this to the manufacturer and I doubt they read all the forums.

After months of research I decided to purchase 2 of the UP Plus Printers only to be totally disappointed that it cannot do what I have been led to believe it can do. If my Wish List is implemented into the next software upgrade, this will then be a good machine, but currently it is not doing what it is advertised to do.

My Main Wish list (and from what i read, many other customers) is:

Enable models to print Real Solid and not Semi Solid as a minimum. At the moment it prints two very thin walls with a gap in the middle where it should be a solid wall. Also when printing screw bosses, all i get is a cylinder inside a cylinder with a gap in between instead of a solid boss. refer attached photo. This is no good and I cannot test the prototype as it is not strong enough. The documentation I read on this machine states to select "Solid" for functional engineering samples, however this does not work as it cannot print solid.

The problem of not printing top and bottom surfaces as a solid surface also needs to be fixed. It prints solid (although very thin) side walls but does not add a solid surface to the top and bottom of parts where the support material is in contact with it. This leads to a very fragile part as is not indicative of the actual model.

To some extent, I think this product, or at least the software, still has too many bugs that need to be sorted out. My comments are hopefully taken as constructive criticism and not taken in anger.

Anyway, it would be good if there is a way we can relay our wishes back to the supplier.

[Edward]

Hi DeanR,

The “Solid” in the documentation is not enable to print solid model that you requested. Do you mind share what is the wall thickness of your model? You can get better result by changing the layer thickness, as the layer width is related with the layer thickness.

FYI, if the layer thickness is 0.2, layer/line width will be 0.5mm. If the the layer thickness is 0.4, the layer width will be 0.6mm. Each model has at least two walls, so the thinnest wall thickness will be 1mm, when the layer thickness is 0.2mm, and the thinnest wall thickness will be 1.2mm, when the layer thickness is 0.4mm.

So if the walls (=inner + outer) of your model is thinner than 1mm, you can get solid wall whatever layer thickness you select. Or say if the model walls is thinner than the printed layer width of outer wall and inner wall, it will have a solid model. Please see the attached picture explanation.

[Edward]

Here is the fourth picture

[wilsonj]

Actually I often find the gaps useful. By having a gap it is easy access to wick in MEK or Tetra which will chemically weld the part and make it stronger than if it was solid.

Use one of these to apply drops where you need. http://www.hobbymasters.com/A-West-Stai ... ottle.aspx

I recently did this on a bike valve cap I made, and it became so strong I almost couldn't screw it on to tap it. TIP: leave the model for 3 days to fully harden.

[JuliaDee]

Hi DeanR,

The “Solid” in the documentation is not enable to print solid model that you requested. Do you mind share what is the wall thickness of your model? You can get better result by changing the layer thickness, as the layer width is related with the layer thickness.

FYI, if the layer thickness is 0.2, layer/line width will be 0.5mm. If the the layer thickness is 0.4, the layer width will be 0.6mm. Each model has at least two walls, so the thinnest wall thickness will be 1mm, when the layer thickness is 0.2mm, and the thinnest wall thickness will be 1.2mm, when the layer thickness is 0.4mm.

So if the walls (=inner + outer) of your model is thinner than 1mm, you can get solid wall whatever layer thickness you select. Or say if the model walls is thinner than the printed layer width of outer wall and inner wall, it will have a solid model. Please see the attached picture explanation.

Thank you, Edward, this is very useful information!

Julia

[pleppik]

Enable models to print Real Solid and not Semi Solid as a minimum. At the moment it prints two very thin walls with a gap in the middle where it should be a solid wall. Also when printing screw bosses, all i get is a cylinder inside a cylinder with a gap in between instead of a solid boss. refer attached photo. This is no good and I cannot test the prototype as it is not strong enough. The documentation I read on this machine states to select "Solid" for functional engineering samples, however this does not work as it cannot print solid.

In addition to everyone else's comments, let me add that you may be expecting more of the printing technology than it can deliver. Small details and thin-walled objects are not going to print well with any extrusion-based printer, because of the width and precision of the extruded line.

As a rule of thumb, I figure details smaller than 1mm and walls thinner than 2mm are not going to give me good and consistent results.

[DeanR]

Hi Edward,

Thanks for your quick reply and extensive explanation, however I must be a bit simple as i don't fully understand.

The Screw boss walls (as designed) are 1.6mm wall thickness. The printed model measures two thin walls of approx 0.45mm each with no fill in between.
The part in between the 2 screw bosses which shows two thin walls instead of 1 thick wall has a wall thickness of 1mm as designed. The part measures approx 0.45mm, also with no fill in between.

Funny enough though, walls that are designed at 0.5mm actually print properly.

I also notice if I print the part at 90 deg (the screw bosses now at the horizontal) the bosses will print correctly, however, other parts now don't.

If the gaps between the thin walls were filled with "Fill" regardless if Solid or Hollow is selected, it probably would not be so much of a problem.

Thanks to everyone else with your suggestions. Hope there are some more on how to overcome the problem.

The printing of missing surfaces is still a problem as well. I have done a lot of research on "Normals" and making the files water tight etc, but still no success. The model shows in Netfabb that the normals are in the correct direction and that no holes etc. are present, but it still wont print the top and bottom surface, only the inside fill is showing. Such as the top of the screw bosses and all other items showing the thin walls should have a top surface. Any other suggestions on this would also be appreciated.

Thanks again, 1 frustrated user. Dean

[Darryn]

Im having this exact same issue, I honestly thought it was my poor modelling ability that had cause the pillar to have been created as two separate walls with no in-fill... Having only had the machine for less than a week, and my Cad/Cam training being 15years ago, Im blaming myself for most of the mistakes, whereas it seems this is a limitation of the software and maybe a common workaround can be used until a software patch is available.

In my specific model ive got a shaft of 11.2mm dia with a hole up it of 8mm diameter, leaving a 1.6mm wall thickness, what settings can I use to avoid this 2-seperate-walls rather than a solid problem.

[eyUP]

what settings can I use to avoid this 2-seperate-walls rather than a solid problem.

Like Edward says, using 0.2mm layer thickness gives the smallest wall thickness of 0.5mm but I suspect even this won't fill correctly.
In reality you can probably only get a more solid wall by increasing the O.D or decreasing the I.D.

The only thing think could fix this problem is by adding double wall thickness as an option... I thought it was possible with the UP! at one time or am I getting confused with Skeinforge

[DeanR]

Thanks eyUP, the problem is that i cant change the dimensions of my model as these are the dimensions I require. All part of creepage and clearance and mechanical strength as part of the Australian Standards. I will try it with a resolution of 0.4mm and see what happens. Unfortunately, i will have to try this later as my nozzle has now become blocked and will not extrude properly. I have tried cleaning in solvents etc as per the info on the forums but this has not fixed the probelm. I have now ordered a new nozzle so need to wait for it to be delivered. I will let everyone know if the two thin wall problem has been fixed early next week.