The 3D printer thread

[Bmxbry9]

I washed the build plate with dawn last night and added a 3 layer raft to the print and it fixed the stringing/attachment issue

 

[bgaidan]

Arkansas humidity even with the A/C running, there's no avoiding drying PETG if you want functional finished prints. I learned the hard way how hygroscopic PETG is.

I've got a Sunlu and a Cerality dryer, and keep opened spools in a sealed cereal box with a couple desiccant packs in it.

I had my old printer blowing bubbles with some old PETG that the threw in it. That may be what triggered me to buy a drying box.

 

[SMKYTXN]

More mockup parts. This is a low profile pan for a 3RZ. Two buddies are building new rigs with a 3RZ, so the design needs to work for both. Best to print out a test before having the aluminum cut and bent.

 

[Wisconsinite]

My buddy wanted a new cuban link chain. Hahaha/ #gansta

 

[rockmup]

Anyone have one of these ? Issues ?
Thinking about buying one, the only used one I see they want more than new price.

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo 3D Printer

 

[KrustyTJ]

Has anyone had much luck with Qidi’s customer service it’s seems like a game of emails back and forth with nothing getting resolved. My impression so far is not good hope this helps anyone out looking to buy from them.

My co-worker that has been 3d printing for awhile has been trying to help me get this printer working properly he’s not to impressed with the machine it’s a Qidi plus4.

 

[Lee]

Anyone have one of these ? Issues ?
Thinking about buying one, the only used one I see they want more than new price.

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo 3D Printer

If I remember my models correctly the "Combo" includes the AMS. Bambu is like Apple of the 3D printer world. Good product with zealot fanboys as customers, and while they haven't quite succeed yet, their goal is a completely closed ecosystem just like Apple.

The regular X-1 Carbon was on my short list when I got my K1 Max. If the Carbon's build plate was as big as the K1 Max's, and they were within ~$200 of each other I would probably be one of those Bambu zealots today. I went larger build plate and saved ~$450 to deal with fixing Creality's short cuts.

That's a long way to say, it's a good printer.

 

[budget76]

More mockup parts. This is a low profile pan for a 3RZ. Two buddies are building new rigs with a 3RZ, so the design needs to work for both. Best to print out a test before having the aluminum cut and bent.

probably a stupid question but I've only used other peoples models so far. Does the slicer/printer program auto-create the dovetails or are you adding those in CAD yourself after making the full sized part to make it smaller?

Keep telling myself I'm going to learn solidworks/sketchup again since it's been 13 years since I sucked at it in College, but there's no motivation to teach myself at 9:30 at night when I'd have the time

 

[MigGunslinger]

If I remember my models correctly the "Combo" includes the AMS. Bambu is like Apple of the 3D printer world. Good product with zealot fanboys as customers, and while they haven't quite succeed yet, their goal is a completely closed ecosystem just like Apple.

The regular X-1 Carbon was on my short list when I got my K1 Max. If the Carbon's build plate was as big as the K1 Max's, and they were within ~$200 of each other I would probably be one of those Bambu zealots today. I went larger build plate and saved ~$450 to deal with fixing Creality's short cuts.

That's a long way to say, it's a good printer.

I found out after I bought it, that the main issue with Bambu is the cloud and networking service, it's extremely convenient but it also gives a chinese company some access to your network etc. and they apparently make it hard to use without the networking. I can download something at work and have it printing at home in 30 seconds if I have the right filament loaded which is really cool if you can stomach the risks.

The filament ecosystem with the RFID tags just adds convenience as far as I can tell, you can stick any old plastic in the machine, you just have to set it up manually.

I think superfast matt on youtube said it best, Bambu changed the game by making printers for people who want to print things and not just tinker with 3D printers. What has changed since then is that multiple competitors have popped up imitating their printers and making them comparable if not better, cheaper in some cases, and more open source.

Also, there are a lot of regulations coming down about printers and software around 2A stuff, the larger and more ubiquitous the company the more likely that they will comply (at least as far as is technically possible with that ******ation). Some fly by night alibaba chinese company copying bambu stuff using more open source software is less likely to give a ****.

 

[Gots_a_sol]

Printed this little guy in TPU on the Voron0. First time I've printed TPU on the small printer and it worked fine. Definitely struggle with it in my big printer (modded SV08)

I had the seam set to random which I think is the source of the random blobs. It was also just the generic TPU settings in Orca, no adjustments made.

Before

After

 

[bgaidan]

I found out after I bought it, that the main issue with Bambu is the cloud and networking service, it's extremely convenient but it also gives a chinese company some access to your network etc. and they apparently make it hard to use without the networking. I can download something at work and have it printing at home in 30 seconds if I have the right filament loaded which is really cool if you can stomach the risks.

Pretty much my take too. It's pretty ****in' sweet to be sitting on the couch or at a bar across town and think of something you want to print, pull it up on your phone and hit go and it's ready when you get home.

The filament ecosystem with the RFID tags just adds convenience as far as I can tell, you can stick any old plastic in the machine, you just have to set it up manually.

Correct. Only Bambuy filament I've run through mine is the sample rolls that came with it and I think 3 or 4 that I bought at the same time because they were cheap. Everything else has been whatever's been on sale from Amazon.

I think superfast matt on youtube said it best, Bambu changed the game by making printers for people who want to print things and not just tinker with 3D printers. What has changed since then is that multiple competitors have popped up imitating their printers and making them comparable if not better, cheaper in some cases, and more open source.

Also, there are a lot of regulations coming down about printers and software around 2A stuff, the larger and more ubiquitous the company the more likely that they will comply (at least as far as is technically possible with that ******ation). Some fly by night alibaba chinese company copying bambu stuff using more open source software is less likely to give a ****.

I think if it comes to it and Bambu starts playing games or complying with the feds, there are enough of them out there that someone will crack it and make some custom firmware that will let you cut it free from the cloud and go local only.

 

[CarterKraft]

Has anyone had much luck with Qidi’s customer service it’s seems like a game of emails back and forth with nothing getting resolved. My impression so far is not good hope this helps anyone out looking to buy from them.

My co-worker that has been 3d printing for awhile has been trying to help me get this printer working properly he’s not to impressed with the machine it’s a Qidi plus4.

What's the problem?

 

[krammit]

Anyone have one of these ? Issues ?
Thinking about buying one, the only used one I see they want more than new price.

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo 3D Printer

Have well over 2000 hours on my X1C with 2 AMS units and it's been bullet proof. I've replaced nozzles for normal wear and tear, but no unplanned downtime.

However, bambu just announced that they've retired the X1 series, so firmware updates are done in 2 more years, and spare parts will be harder to come by.

 

[SMKYTXN]

probably a stupid question but I've only used other peoples models so far. Does the slicer/printer program auto-create the dovetails or are you adding those in CAD yourself after making the full sized part to make it smaller?

Keep telling myself I'm going to learn solidworks/sketchup again since it's been 13 years since I sucked at it in College, but there's no motivation to teach myself at 9:30 at night when I'd have the time

I model the part and confirm everything fits together in model space and then modify the pieces to work on the printer. So the flange on that oil pan was modeled as one piece since it's going to be laser cut eventually. I took that file and added the joints so I could print out the test piece.

Motivation at the end of the day is hard to come by. Have you thought about going through the built in tutorials on solidworks? At least that takes some brainpower out of the operation.

 

[rockmup]

Printed this little guy in TPU on the Voron0. First time I've printed TPU on the small printer and it worked fine. Definitely struggle with it in my big printer (modded SV08)

I had the seam set to random which I think is the source of the random blobs. It was also just the generic TPU settings in Orca, no adjustments made.

Before

After

Fun fact.

That has bothered me my entire life

 

[rockmup]

Have well over 2000 hours on my X1C with 2 AMS units and it's been bullet proof. I've replaced nozzles for normal wear and tear, but no unplanned downtime.

However, bambu just announced that they've retired the X1 series, so firmware updates are done in 2 more years, and spare parts will be harder to come by.

Noted and thanks.

Not a fan of cloud anything but I also yell at the kids on the lawn

If I remember my models correctly the "Combo" includes the AMS. Bambu is like Apple of the 3D printer world. Good product with zealot fanboys as customers, and while they haven't quite succeed yet, their goal is a completely closed ecosystem just like Apple.

The regular X-1 Carbon was on my short list when I got my K1 Max. If the Carbon's build plate was as big as the K1 Max's, and they were within ~$200 of each other I would probably be one of those Bambu zealots today. I went larger build plate and saved ~$450 to deal with fixing Creality's short cuts.

That's a long way to say, it's a good printer.

I had a creality for many years, table size is a big deal to me.
Off to look at the K1 Max

 

[KrustyTJ]

What's the problem?

I’ll try my best to explain this I’m not a tech guy my co-worker is much better been at this awhile.

We have tried a few different slicing software (qidi , cura , orca ) to transfer to the printer . He’s tried the drag and drop download and unzipped. It won’t open the file correctly.

Here’s a few pics of what the screen and slicer shows. I can print what’s stored in the machine but can not put stl files to the machine from thinagverse and other popular websites.

 

[Lee]

Noted and thanks.

Not a fan of cloud anything but I also yell at the kids on the lawn



I had a creality for many years, table size is a big deal to me.
Off to look at the K1 Max

I'm a fan, despite having a terrible experience with a CR-10 V2, I had so many aftermarket parts on that pile of junk about the only thing still Creality was the frame. I had a CR-10 V3 that was a moderate improvement.

The K1 Max is 3 years old now and Creality has a history of just deciding to discontinue a model and ending all support.

I like my K1 Max, I have 2, one at work and one at home, both new enough to have the unicorn extruder nozzles, but if you don't really NEED the extra real estate there are better deals out there.

The reviews are terrible but Creality has an AMS that works natively with the K1 Max now, it's an extra $350 though. Most bad reviews are from folks with pre '25 K1 Maxes requiring extruder upgrades to work with the new AMS.

When you can get the K2 Combo WITH the AMS for $100 cheaper than the K1 Max by itself, you've got to REALLY want that larger print bed.

That Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo looks the business too.

My next FDM printer is going to be a tool changer.

 

[xj42]

I’ll try my best to explain this I’m not a tech guy my co-worker is much better been at this awhile.

We have tried a few different slicing software (qidi , cura , orca ) to transfer to the printer . He’s tried the drag and drop download and unzipped. It won’t open the file correctly.

Here’s a few pics of what the screen and slicer shows. I can print what’s stored in the machine but can not put stl files to the machine from thinagverse and other popular websites.

Are you trying to transfer an .STL directly to the printer? I don't have a Qidi, but I doubt that works.
My original printer wanted just a .gcode file, my second wants a .gcode.3mf. That's a different export option in Orcaslicer rather than the export g-code button.

 

[thezentree]

I use qidislicer for my xplus3 and it’s got a profile for my specific printer. Even if you’re sending gcode or 3mf to your printer, it needs to be tailored to your printer.

 

[KrustyTJ]

Are you trying to transfer an .STL directly to the printer? I don't have a Qidi, but I doubt that works.
My original printer wanted just a .gcode file, my second wants a .gcode.3mf. That's a different export option in Orcaslicer rather than the export g-code button.

Yes they transfer but it doesn’t work if you look at the pics I posted they have .gcode.3mf but not completely transferring is my only guess . The ones with images are installed from the company the ones with out the images are the ones I’ve tried to transfer

 

[andrew_ln65]

Yes they transfer but it doesn’t work if you look at the pics I posted they have .gcode.3mf but not completely transferring is my only guess . The ones with images are installed from the company the ones with out the images are the ones I’ve tried to transfer

You can see the pre installed ones are just .gcode, yours are .gcode.3mf
Try sending an actual .gcode file and they'll probably work.

 

[KrustyTJ]

You can see the pre installed ones are just .gcode, yours are .gcode.3mf
Try sending an actual .gcode file and they'll probably work.

We tried that forgot to mention it going to try using a thumb drive that we know works on his or my neighbors printer with a known good file.

The neighbor maybe able to figure this out he’s a code guy . I’m still having no luck with any tech support from qidi it’s just been crickets since I sent them a video which they requested even before that communication has been slow like days between emails.

 

[bgaidan]

Yes they transfer but it doesn’t work if you look at the pics I posted they have .gcode.3mf but not completely transferring is my only guess . The ones with images are installed from the company the ones with out the images are the ones I’ve tried to transfer

What is generating the gcode.lmf files that are on your flash drive?


The general workflow should be:
-Start with a 3d file, either drawn yourself or downloaded.
-Load in to slicer, select whatever settings or options you want for the model/filament
-Slice/and export to flash drive (or send straight to printer if your slicer/printer support it)
-Stick flash drive in printer and select file to print, or select to copy to printer's memory
-Hit go button


If you're using a slicer, it sounds like you don't have the right printer selected for the export or some other setting is wrong that's causing it to spit out .gcode.3mf files instead of just .gcode. There's a chance you could just change the file name and delete the .3mf and it'd work, but I'm not sure what the file extension actually indicates.

 

[bgaidan]

OK....after some quick reading, .3mf is a "project file" that contains a bunch of metadata, including the gcode alongside other printer instructions, model previews, etc. They're apparently pretty specific to each pinter model.

.gcode is just the raw set of instructions telling the printer how to move and where to squirt plastic.


I can't find any reference where you should have a .code.3mf file. It should be one extension or the other.

I suspect this is just user error in how you're exporting from your slicer.

 

[KrustyTJ]

What is generating the gcode.lmf files that are on your flash drive?

Getting a new thumb drive to eliminate It being a slicer or my computer issue on my end after the get a winch and bumper done today on a buddy jeep I’ll get with my neighbor on the printer . I have to be honest this is more time consuming than I expected last weekend was a lift install on my wife’s wrangler .

I did get a email from qidi this morning it’s a link to there slicer software I’m guessing it’s the same one I’ve installed twice so far thinking it was my issue then my co worker tried orca and cura no luck same outcome.

I figured my co-worker would find the issue this week but we are just trying stuff on our lunch break maybe my neighbor can give it a go I did fix he’s atv a few weeks ago. It’s definitely not in my wheelhouse. I’ll update later if I get it resolved tonight.

Thanks for the input guys

 

[Sceep]

Buddy picked up a Wilton Bullet vice that had spent a few decades outside for cheap AF a few weeks ago. He thrashed the end cap getting it off to rebuild it all so I got a little printer and paint arts and crafty for him.



34% NSFW

ETA: ****... I should just print the jewelry too instead of giving him good stuff.

Like a glove! His wife does not approve. Dunno why she is outtah the kitchen....

 

[CarterKraft]

Getting a new thumb drive to eliminate It being a slicer or my computer issue on my end after the get a winch and bumper done today on a buddy jeep I’ll get with my neighbor on the printer . I have to be honest this is more time consuming than I expected last weekend was a lift install on my wife’s wrangler .

I did get a email from qidi this morning it’s a link to there slicer software I’m guessing it’s the same one I’ve installed twice so far thinking it was my issue then my co worker tried orca and cura no luck same outcome.

I figured my co-worker would find the issue this week but we are just trying stuff on our lunch break maybe my neighbor can give it a go I did fix he’s atv a few weeks ago. It’s definitely not in my wheelhouse. I’ll update later if I get it resolved tonight.

Thanks for the input guys

Any of those slicer options should be able to send directly to the printer, and start the job, never have to touch the printer.

Does that work, been tried?

 

[KrustyTJ]

Any of those slicer options should be able to send directly to the printer, and start the job, never have to touch the printer.

Does that work, been tried?

No my neighbor came over Saturday and tried getting it to print from the computer he checked some setting and said it should work.

He did get me a file put on a thumb drive and it printed just fine. It also looked the same as the factory installed prints on the printers screen and could watch it print in qidi slicer.

He’s thinking it’s my computer which I also suspect. He also mentioned the machine not having enough storage that I didn’t understand so I have started printing the vent spacer that goes on top and might delete those to see if that helps.

I may see if the wife’s laptop is available or maybe he could try his laptop if he has time next weekend. It’s kinda been a time suck as we are trying to get some jeeps ready for our UP trip.

I did download the qidi studio but it seems similar to qidi slicer and it’s not making any difference that was recommended from qidi’s support email I received last Saturday. I have some small interior parts I’d like to make so getting this working as it should would be great definitely a learning curve so far for me .

Any input appreciated thanks for following up

 

[PAToyota]

Bambu Lab X2D: Buy Bambu Lab X2D: Budget Dual Extruder 3D Printer for Easy Support Removal

Basically an X-series H2D for half the price. Smaller print volume and limits to filaments, though.