Suggestion Before First Print

I can only go on who my particular Cube 3 behaves.  But, Auto Gap, on my machine, seems to leave the print gap too small.  So, right after running print gap, I check the height with the included gapping tool.  If it's too low, I use the manual gapping option to ensure that my gap is not the cause of a clog.So, whether you are starting with a new printer, or a newly released cartridge with the updated filament, it might be wise to check your gap before accepting that auto-gap was truly successful.Remember, my machine was one of the...

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3DFAN: Confirmed New Filament Begins Shipping in Week!

This news was posted as a comment today:3dFan has left a new comment on your post "Thanksgiving Treat: Cubify Clent 2.14 - Cleaner 2...": I just received an email from Cubify in response to my question about cartridge delays. They confirmed that cartridges back ordered will ship in one week!  This is great news!   Thank you 3DFan!Concerning the older filament compounds:I will try to obtain some of the new filament for testing as soon as possible.  It's interesting that the most reliable filament that I have had is the black...

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Cube 3: A Stategy for Easier Printed Part Removal

Jim Ward, in a comment on an earlier blog post pointed out that using a raft might make it easier to remove printed items.  And, he is right.  The crisscross construction of rafts allows for water to penetrate under the piece which dissolves the water soluble CubeStick, making it easier to lift the piece off the print plate.But, then we are faced with the challenge of removing the raft from the item.  And, I have had very little success cleaning the raft off an item completely.In line with Jim's basic premise, that allowing water...

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Thanksgiving Treat: Cubify Clent 2.14 - Cleaner 2 Color Prints

Actually, it has been up for at least a week or so; but, I hadn't had time to download and install it.Among the improvements that 3D Systems has made in the 3rd Generation Cubify Client software is the ability to simply apply the new updates without having to first uninstall the old versions.The new Cubify software now supports both the Cube 3 and the Ekocycle.When installing, be sure to make the right choice about saving your exhisting application data.  I expect most of us do not want to lose our shelf information, etc. and I assume that's...

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1.3mm Hex Driver Source

1.3mm might be very prevalent in the metric world; but, can be hard to come by in the United States.So, I have made an effort to make it as easy as possible for you to locate and buy a 1.3mm Hex Driver.I wa able to find one at Hobby Hanger in Chantilly, VA.  While they do not sell online, you can call them to purchase the MIP9013 that I talk about here.Perhaps the easiest way to order the 1.3mm driver is to go straight to the source.Moore's...

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Waxing Nostalgic Looking for Parallels

One of the benefits of being old is that you can draw on decades of experiences when trying to come up with old circumstances that mirror new circumstances.  At the risk of totally boring  you, I want to go back many years to describe how I feel about the current filament situation.My mind drifts to tires...A a young child, in the 1950's,  I would visit my uncle's home.  In the garage was a marvel to see... a gorgeous Packard. ...

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Tip on Cube 3 WiFi Connection

Whenever I gat an email from a reader that provides solutions based on their own experience and ability to troubleshoot, I am reminded why I love blogging.  It is not only a way to share my own ideas; but, provides a communal connection for all users.I'd heard from some users about intermittent WiFi issues with the Cube3.  But, since I'd not run into the issue, had no explanations.  Fortunately, one of our community not only had the Wifi issue; but, found the solution. Jesus MG had a problem where his PC would not always recognize...

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3D Systems Video - Gap Difference Correction

NOTE:  3D Systems removed the original video and replaced it with an updated version.   The video below is the updated version.3D Systems engineers have produced a video for those of us that have the problem where one print jet is higher than the other.  All it takes is a simple mechanical adjustment requiring only a 1.3mm square end hex wrench in those machines exhibiting the issue.  (Mine did.)We can fix it in the field!  Who knew?  :)The only catch?You may not have a 1.3mm hex key in your toolbox.But, they...

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Cube 3: Rundown of Outstanding Issues to be Resolved

Prior to the 1.08 firmware update, there were some gap issues with early machines due to a difference in height between the right and left printjets.  Any negative effects of this seem to have been resolved by the new ability to calibrate affected machines. It was further corrected in subsequent machines by a new die for creating the printjet housing.  It is my understanding that ALL machines now being released should have perfectly level printjets.  I have no idea what serial number reflects the change; but, since the firmware...

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Find by 3dFan - Calibration Video

A community of users is invaluable.  This was illustrated by the fact that 3dFan, in a comment, pointed to a video produced by 3D Systems that demonstrates how to use a new Calibration Procedure made available in the 1,08b firmware update.The link to the video is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXBm1TEOdnwIt is my understanding that not all Cube3 owners will need to calibrate their printers.  Recently produced printers do not have the issue of having a difference in printjet height.  So, it would be wise to contact support if you...

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A Perfect Example of Dangerous SPAM Comments

No sooner had I written my article about my deleting comments that I deemed to contain SPAM, than an apparent spammer added a comment to that very article that is a perfect example of why it is dangerous to trust links in comments unless I endorse that link in my reply to the comment.Here is the comment.  Notice how carefully they must have read the original content?  LOL!Velocity Labels has left a new comment on your post "SPAM and Comment...

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SPAM and Comment Policy Explanation

I have been blogging long enough to spot a comment pretending to praise the writing; but, is actually nothing more than a ploy designed to cover the real goal of dropping a SPAM link having nothing to do with 3D printing.  I have deleted hundreds of them, if not thousands.  I've lost count.Spammers, I moderate theses forums as closely and as timely as I can and delete those comments that contain links.  While there may be a few exceptions where I check a link and it seems helpful enough to the readers of this blog that I leave it;...

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Cosmetic Issue - Bits & Pieces of Filament on the Print Table

I noticed that when I printed two objects of different colors, little bits and pieces of filament would end up on the print table.  This puzzled me because I knew that the Cube 3 had two wipers that should have taken care of that problem.  So, I decided to investigate and send the Cubify engineers my observations.As some of you know, I often use the tools I learned as a science teacher in my analytical efforts.  But, I also have a video production background that also comes in handy from time-to-time.  And, that is what I turned...

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Firmware Updates for Cube3's NOT on WiFi.

I never connected my 1st or 2nd generation Cubes via WiFi.  And, while I now have my personal 3rd Generation Cube connected via WiFi, I do NOT expect to be able to connect via WiFi in our Youth Challenge classroomsAt the time of this writing, those operating their Cube3 printers without being connected via WiFi, must contact Cubify Support to have the firmware files and documentation sent to you via email. My most recent update was over WiFi.  But, my first firmware update was applied using a USB drive.  The printer is capable...

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Everybody is a Newbie at Some Point

On of the reasons why I invite comments to this blog is that I realize that not everyone has the same experience with the Cubify products that I have and not everyone has the same realistic expectations for 3D scanners and printers that experienced users have.Even though our paths are similar, we can be in very different places along that path.Based on the emails and comments that I get, it's safe to say that experience and realistic expectations go hand in hand.I was reading the blog of one person that is new to 3D printing and they mentioned...

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Cube3 Firmware Update is Already Available

IMPORTANT NOTE:  When the firmware update is complete you will be asked something like "Press the Button to Restart".  In my experience, a single button press does not automatically restart the printer.  It turns the printer off.  I then seem to have to press and HOLD the button again to accomplish the restart.  I will check this with Cube Support on Monday.No sooner than I had uploaded my last post, than I saw that a new firmware update was available for the Cube3.   The latest firmware version, at this time,...

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The Best Way to Serve All Cube3 Users and 3D Systems

As a software producer for decades, I was always amazed when I would be sitting with a client when an error message popped up on the screen and they explained, "Oh. That's nothing.  It does it all the time and I just ignore it."What???  Are you kidding me???  Why would you DO that!Every time I would tell them that I WANTED to know IMMEDIATELY when an error message popped up.As the developer, I knew what not to do.  So, my own testing could never fully replicate the experience of users that did not know exactly what not to do.In...

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I Went Where Wise Angels Fear to Tread - Inside the Cube 3 Cartridge

Many years ago, in the early 1970's, as video production suddenly blossomed, I bought a used Mercedes 280SEL just before the almost instantly huge price differences between American and German cars put the Mercedes out of my reach. (Back then the price gap was about two-to-one.)Used to working on my own cars, I was astounded by the difference between American cars of the time with what I saw when I first took the oil cover off the Mercedes engine to fine tune the valve adjustment.Back then, there was simply NO comparison in terms of precision and...

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Cube 3 and ABS - Video

I created a video to demonstrate that it is possible to print ABS with the Cube 3 with the proper CubeStick application.  One of the things I fail to point out in the video is the special nature of the new print table that seems to act like a heat sink.  After printing the piece in the video I was surprised that the print table was as warm as it was.  It didn't get as hot as that of the 1st generation Cube; but, definitely was warmer that I'd experienced with the Cube 2 print table.I could be wrong; but, I do not think the table...

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CubeStick for the 3rd Generation Cube 2D Printer - Let it Dry

I am still learning the differences between previous Cube printers and the new Cube 3.Among those things is the way I apply and use the new CubeStick glue used with both the Cube 3 and the CubePro.  As I write this, I am printing an ABS object on a print table having glue that was purposely allowed to dry for more than an hour or more.  That would have been unthinkable to me with previous Cube printers.  Yet, it is holding perfectly.Now, I'm told that 3D Systems actually suggested that the Cube 2 glue should have also been left to...

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