It should not be motor dependent. I would be interested in the results of the effect on the prints that 32 microstepping has IE is there any noticeable advantage, any disadvantages?
There is not necessarily any accuracy to be gained by using microstepping, and it can reduce the motor's effective torque. Personally I have never used 1/32, so can't really comment! Here is an interesting article on microstepping that I was just reading: http://www.ebay.com/gds/Microstepping-V ... 664/g.html
I wasn't planning on using microstepping for the extruder, cos i think there's a lot of 'forgiveness' in terms of how much filament is fed through. For example, if 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32 microstepping on an extruder is the difference between 20mm and 20.0001mm feeding through, I would be confident in saying that it wont make a difference. HOWEVER, I always felt that the movement on my X,Y and Z motors could be smoother. That's where I would keen on using it. So maybe 1/8 or 1/16 might be a better bet? It's one I'm not sure about. I like the idea of smoother, quieter movements on my X Y and Z axis, and considering they're running on NEMA 17s (or possibly 14s), I should have plenty of torque to spare..... i think.
Since very few are using the 1/32 microstepping, I would certainly give it a go if I had a controller that allowed it. The above link on microstepping was very informative and cleared up some misconceptions that I think we all had.
yeah I read through it just after i posted that last message. Definitely leaning towards microstepping the X Y Z axis motors, even to 1/8, but not the extruders. The next upgrade will be looking for a new heatbed. I currently have one that's a print volume of 255 x 205 x 235, but there's a bit of space on the x and y. I'd like to go to AT LEAST that size, but maybe on a PCB one. Not so easy to find!
The size you are looking for is going to be difficult to find. What size are you looking for, if I spot one I could let you know.
I had a little look at that Mk1 300x200 one which would be a possibility. Max size I could go is 300x300. It's not a priority right now, and also, I have to save up a bit cos I've a few big events coming up, but it's on the agenda. I've been making a few little bangles lately, with a view to opening up a little etsy shop. I've already a bunch of friends eager to get ones, but i'm not in any great rush for it right away. It'll be a nice way to fund more upgrades haha! Once I get the dual extruder up and running, It'll be fun to experiment with things like PVA for support, TGlaze with ABS for a mix of opaque and translucent, the list is endless, and it's very exciting!
Here is a 12x12" which is just a tad over what you wanted. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-12-X-12-Sup ... 3a859a889c
yeah I've seen a few of those about. That's definitely on the agenda, but first thing's first, I need an air vent!
A note on micro stepping - it can only help. The holding torque at 1/32nd step is less than the holding torque at 1/16th step, but the holding torque of 2/32 step is the same as the holding torque at 1/16th step - so it can only improve things. Because the E3D has so little back pressure relative to PEEK hotends, often times moire is seen in the print walls. 1/32 stepping of a 0.9deg stepper can be helpful to remove this. Of course, a geared stepper does the same - there is only improvement to be had in direct drive.
Yeah see I'm using a 5:1 geared stepper, so I should be fine for the steppers on the extruder, but on the Axis motors, I'll see how I get on with microstepping. It's easy to adjust on the rumba board, so i guess it's worth a shot. Sure isn't that half of what 3d printing is about!
... one last little update before I get some Z's! So I put on the new springs, seriously good tension right now, VERY happy with those. Printed off the twin-air vent for a bit of a different way of utilizing the two 30x30 fans, and the two screws at the top of the 40x40 fan sticking out are actually going to be part of the connection to the extruder base. It's starting to really come together, but I wont get to do much more on it till early next week. Work is mega busy this week!
Thanks! I think it's coming along nicely. I think most people use something like autodesk inventor for this kind of stuff, so using sketchup was a bit of a pain having to measure every nut and bolt so it fits right, but I'm much more familiar with sketchup from using it in the office every day! To be honest, a dual extruder/upgraded Z axis has been on the agenda for WAAAAY to long, but it's only since I've come out of college and gotten into professional life that I've actually had the time to put into it. Still, it would be nice to get an etsy shop up and sell some creations! ... then build a bigger printer... with more extruders
Right, so this week has had two major delays in progress. Firstly, I've been sick since Saturday, and only today have I started to be back on the mend (not looking forward to the email list in work tomorrow!), and secondly, the two attempts I did manage at getting the extruder base part (the part that actually connects to the linear bearing) were a disaster for the simple reason that I couldn't get the ABS to work right at all. It's my first time printing with ABS, but I couldn't get it to stick to the bed, and the extruder motors were struggling. I'm trying this out with the bed at 70 and the hot end at 230. I'm using a glass bed, but if I get the chance tomorrow, I'm going to pick up some blue tape. I've always used that as a fall back with PLA, and there's a hardware near work. HOWEVER, I also suspect that my temperatures for ABS are a bit off. But everyone seems to have different experiences with ABS and temperatures, so I'm struggling. In anycase, I want to get back on this asap, get it finished, make stuff, sell stuff, and buy a filament extruder. I've a theory on graphite pla I want to test!!!
That design looks plausible,. but if i might be so bold, why not put the motor weight over the rods,. why have them hanging out so far forward,. (will cause droop/sag over time especially if parts of the extruder/y carriage are printed) just spin it around and i think you/v got a good design,.
Your ABS temperatures are okay but your bed should be 90c or higher. I would also try some extra super hold hair spray on the glass to keep the ABS stuck to the glass.
Right, things are going from bad to worse. So for some reason, my heatbed won't get any hotter than 70 degrees. Once it gets above about 2-3mm, it curls, comes away from the bed, and it's a mess. So the one piece that needs a relatively heat-resistant material, can't be printed. so here's my new plan, for the moment, I'm going to print it in PLA so that at the very least I can test how it fits on the bearings. I'm also going to design and print the other upgrade parts (gantry, electronics box and Z motor bracket), cos it'll be ok if they're in PLA for the moment. Once I get a bit of money saved, I'll buy a new, better heatbed asap and get the extruder base done in ABS so I can finally put these new v5 hot ends through their paces. Majorly bummed out, so I'm ordering pizza.
Can you upload some photographs showing the surface of your bed? Also a description of how you are applying the hairspray would be handy. Also, what PSU are you using? If you aren't getting hotter than 70, it could well be that your PSU isn't supplying enough current. If you have the time, measure the resistance of the bed as well.. Hope the pizza helps
