Additive Manufacturing News

 While additive manufacturing is not a new field, 3D printing still remains an evolving and innovative area. New players in this market bring us new products and technologies on a daily basis. Similar to how black and white photography was replaced with color, more 3D printer manufacturers are offering multi-color solutions to their clients.

XYZMaximizer (XYZMaximizer.com), a 3D printing unicorn from California, stands out by offering not just one, but a whole family of three exciting products. What sets them apart is that these products are not just promises and projects, but ready-to-go solutions. We were truly impressed by the quality of the prints they showcased. While the underlying technology is not new, their implementation and design are truly remarkable. It seems like they drew inspiration from the MendelMax design and managed to create a modern version with new features and technologies.

One of their flagship products is the CBR300iDEX 3D printer, which utilizes the IDEX design. It boasts a generous print volume of 12 x 12 x 12 inches or approximately 8 gallons. With its two extruders, it allows for simultaneous printing of two objects or the ability to print in two different colors or materials. The output quality is more than impressive. While a few companies already offer IDEX printers or printers with tool changers, none have truly showcased large-scale multi-color prints. For instance, Bambu Labs uses a filament swapping unit called AMS (Automatic Material System), and Prusa has the MMU (Multi Material Unit), which allows for printing in five colors and produces excellent prints. However, they are limited in terms of the print size and generate a significant amount of waste. Sometimes, the wasted material can be up to ten times more than what is used for the actual model, rendering it economically unsustainable for mass production. With XYZMaximizer printers, you will only use the exact amount of material needed for your project.

XYZMaximizer is not new to the 3D printing market. As a spinoff of AL3DAN Research Lab, they had previously released a single extruder 3D printer called the CBR300. Although it was not available online, it gained popularity among 3D printing farm owners in California.

Another exciting member of their family of 3D printers is the CBR600iDEX, which shares the same design as the CBR300iDEX but offers a jaw-dropping print volume of 24 x 12 x 12 inches (more than 16 gallons). It also features independent dual extruders and all the capabilities of its smaller sibling. With this machine, you can simultaneously print two full-sized parts or create something truly remarkable using two colors.

The last member of the family is the CBR300CoreXZ. It shares the frame and most of the electronic components with its two siblings but is based on the CoreXZ design. Commercial printers with this kind of kinematics are rarely seen, and XYZMaximizer's implementation looks incredibly intriguing. As the most affordable model in the lineup, it is sure to attract a lot of interest among 3D printing enthusiasts and hobbyists.

3D printing technology is becoming an integral part of our lives, and companies like XYZMaximizer, Bambu Labs, Prusa Research, and many others are shaping this technology right before our eyes. Welcome to the 3D printing revolution.

Episode 1 : Salad Mug - DYNAMO DREAM

Sweet Home 3D

Sweet Home 3D features

Discover the main features offered by Sweet Home 3D,
a free interior design application available at http://www.sweethome3d.com.

Tuning NEMA 17 motor driver current

Tuning motor current

A4988 and similar

Per the A4988 datasheet, the calculation for the maximum trip current is:

 I_TripMax= Vref/(8*Rs) 

With Pololus, the sensing resistors are Rs=0.05 ohm, so a Vref of 0.4 should produce a maximum current of 0.4/(8*0.05)=1A. Clockwise increases the current which will make the motor run hotter and counterclockwise reduces it which will cool it down (see forum thread 159081).

As another example, aiming for 50% temperature rise on 1A rated steppers by using max 0.7A, so rearrange it as:

 Vref = I_TripMax * 8 * Rs

or

 Vref = 0.7A * 8 * 0.05 = 0.280V

With a measured Vref of 0.273V, I should expect 0.6825A, and I measured the current through one coil as 0.486A in full step mode, which should be 0.7071 of the full trip current, or I_TripMax= 0.486/0.7071= 0.687A, which seems close enough.

The Vref signal is accessible as the "VREF" pin on the carriers with voltage regulators, as the through-hole via on the carriers without, and also as the wiper on the trim pot itself on both carriers.

example of a v-ref checking, + probe on the turnpot and - on a ground pin

Note 1: for StepStick, the Rs=0.2 ohm, so you'd get 4 times the Vref at the same current.

Note 2: most "Made in China" A4988 Pololu knock-offs have Rs=0.1 ohm.

A4988 Datasheet (PDF) - Allegro MicroSystems:

http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/338780/ALLEGRO/A4988.html

CR-10/CR-10S Z Axis Troubleshooting:

https://www.th3dstudio.com/knowledge-base/cr-10-z-axis-troubleshooting/

INTERMEDIATE 3D PRINTING CLASS

5 Lessons

3550 Enrolled

Intermediate Level

http://www.instructables.com/class/Intermediate-3D-Printing-Class/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email