Building Betsy. A RMv2 build log

[Kitecraft]

Episode 6: The final bits of the build.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYDyyjgxIDs[/youtube]

[Kitecraft]

Episode 7: Playing with my not-quite-finished printer

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlu9_TEbCKI[/youtube]

[Kitecraft]

Edit a post. Think I have the answer I needed.

[DercTora]

Very nice video build log.
Bit of advice, placing comp components ON a anti static bag is a big no no. The outside of the bag has conductive or semi-conductive outer layer. It looks like every thing is fine though.

[barry99705]

Very nice video build log.
Bit of advice, placing comp components ON a anti static bag is a big no no. The outside of the bag has conductive or semi-conductive outer layer. It looks like every thing is fine though.

As long as it's not powered up, and doesn't have a battery, it's not going to hurt anything.

[Kitecraft]

I'll be posting two more videos soon.

But, my first print failed. Due to my own failure to verify my order was shipped correctly, I failed to notice that the 'ABS' silver I ordered arrived as PLA.
I started printing the fan shroud, but it stopped feeding filament about 1/4 way through. When I tried to remove the filament, it was very stuck in the hot-end. I finally pulled it out after removing the Bowden tube from the EZStruder.
But now I can't get any new filament to feed in. I think there's a blockage in the hot-end now. So, I guess I have to take it apart.

[Kitecraft]

Well, the PTC connector had a full on blockage inside it. Tried to drill it out and pulled out a giant plug of plastic. Also destroyed the connector.

Which size of connector is this? The store lists both 4mm and 6mm, and I don't know which one I need.

Thanks.

[guanu]

4mm fitting
http://seemecnc.com/collections/parts-a ... tc-fitting

Guanu

[Kitecraft]

Episode 8: Final calibrations

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irmWR1LWkYk[/youtube]

[Kitecraft]

Episode 9: First print and a big surprise. I failed to verify my order was shipped correct and did not notice the 'ABS' silver I ordered was shipped as PLA. I'm guessing that printing PLA with ABS settings is what caused this destructive failure.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UET5BVjMfu0[/youtube]

[geneb]

What got you was running that PLA at ABS temps with no PEEK fan. The heat from the heater block eventually worked its way into the PEEK section and heated THAT up. Once that happens, PLA will tend to swell inside the PTFE tube in the PEEK section. After a couple of retract cycles, it will jam tight inside that area.

Here's how you clear a PLA jam:

1. Stop the machine. Let it cool down back to ambient temperature.
2. With the machine cold and powered off, remove the press-fit connector from the hot end - as you pull the fitting away from the hot end, you should be drawing filament down through the EZStruder. You want a couple of inches of bare filament between the end of the push fit connector and the top of the hot end.
3. Heat the hot end up again and keep an eye on the temperature. When it hits about 150C, jerk the filament out of the hot end. You'll end up with a PLA plug that looks something like this: (ok, someone is going to have to pony up a photo of a PLA jam. I can't find one...)
4. Cut off the bad bit of filament and put the push fit connector back on to the hot end.
5. Don't do that again.

g.

[Kitecraft]

Thanks for the advice!
Except for one thing (the one non-laser cut tabs on the upper vert. supports), every actual 'problem' has been my own mistake.

Overall, it's been a very good kit. And I've built a lot of stuff from ships to planes to my own robots. I really am impressed with it's build quality and ease-of-assembly due to well thought out slot nuts, blind nuts (sugestion: always glue your blind nuts), and build sequence. T-Slot rails are always a great solution as well.
If I had to pick one thing to improve upon, it would probably be that I wasn't entirely fond of the Upper tower supports.
And only a nut would sleeve everything.

Cheers.

[Kitecraft]

Episode 10 of my build log is being made right now. It'll be posted in the morning (after the race).

Spoiler alert!
The word fantastic is uttered more than once.

[Eaglezsoar]

KiteCraft you should be awarded the best looking Avatar prize.

[Kitecraft]

The Kitten of Doom has his eye on you! lol

Episode 10: 2nd first print

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y_0kdpY7GI[/youtube]

[Kitecraft]

Episode 11: The layer fan shroud. The final bits of my build are complete.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VTaWMLu6Aw[/youtube]

Time to Print The Planet!

[Kitecraft]

The first 50 hours!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZBQBeotDaA[/youtube]

[Eaglezsoar]

Great videos, are you sure you don't want to be a Hollywood Director.

[Kitecraft]

I think I've hit the point where I'm very happy now
I think the printing is coming out very nice.
Any tips or advice would be appreciated though!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2rmnBCRcc[/youtube]

Cheers