QiDi tech issues

higonnet · 2016-12-27T12:29:56.000Z

I speak only for myself, but the trouble I had with my qidi double extruder were, in hindsight, due to my inexperience and/or impatience. After about 6 months I’m pretty happy. I have not tried to make two-color prints but have tried prints with support (both pva and hips) with very little success, but I ascribe this to the technology rather than the machine…

wirlybird · 2016-12-27T12:38:23.000Z

What slicer? What material? Temps etc.

Additional QIDI help can be found on facebook group QIDI 3D.

Tech3design · 2016-12-27T13:10:27.000Z

When you say it completely smashes the first does it appear as if one of the nozzles is lower than the other and is dragging into the layer tht was just laid down?

when you level the bed do you feel the resistance under one nozzle is greater than under the other?

reason I ask is because I had a somewhat similar issue in that it appeared my left nozzle was slightly lower than the right nozzle. I ultimately got it to work by leveling the bed to the lower nozzle but it did provide challenges when printing parts where I needed both extruders and was dealing with some very tight tolerances.

Anyway, I Googles as much as I could on how to level the nozzles and during one search stumbled across a Makerbot article showing a simple way to level the nozzles that, while some may scoff, I chose to go that route because it was quick, painless, and effective.

Basically it it was the same principal as using shims. Makerbot’s post used kapton tape because of the heat but I don’t have any so I used tinfoil. Essentially you’re making a shim of several layers of tinfoil that will go between the tool head and the carriage at the spot where one of the two screws secures the tool head to the carriage. I ended up having to use about 5 layers of foil but both nozzles are now level and both first layers come out the same.

There re was a noticeable difference. Even the wipe pillars and ooze shields looked much better (though they’re discarded) the pillar stopped being knocked over, the shield stopped having rips in it. Both stopped having burn marks, etc.

give it it a shot. I’ll see if I can find the post I’m referring to and add it to this reply.

wirlybird · 2016-12-27T14:05:47.000Z

I did the same except used regular printer paper. Just cut little pieces. Worked perfect.

higonnet · 2016-12-27T14:30:55.000Z

Though I was able to make parts with Makerbot and a few with Replicator, shelling out the money for Simplify3D made a big difference in my life.

Tech3design · 2016-12-27T15:39:03.000Z

I haven’t tried dual color prints yet myself either but plowed through the HIPS(left) | ABS(right) as support/primary material the first weekend I got the machine and love the new combination. The HIPS doesn’t bond very well to the ABS making it a cinch to remove. Just peels right off. I’ve tried PVA once and it was fine. Initial layer adhesion was more challenging.

Got an order on on here from someone to print some ABS parts with lots of small venturi and dang if the HIPS support didn’t slide right out. It was amazing. This combo is almost my new favorite. I was using Hatchbox white ABS with GizmoDorks white HIPS.

ChrisX35 · 2016-12-27T15:42:21.000Z

Best advice I have is to print the 20mmx20mm makerbot test cube and watch it print every layer while observing how it is acting. There is endless amounts of free information regarding how a printer should print and what it should look like. Simplify3d has a free cause and effect pdf. file that is very helpful in determining problems and causes. If you use the makerware software be careful because the default settings will not work well on the printer. Using makerware is better than the replicator software when you get it setup right. Here is a link to my Thingiverse designs where you will find .json files for the QIDI (Thingiverse - Digital Designs for Physical Objects). One for PLA and one for ABS. Download the latest version of makerware desktop and follow videos on youtube of how to import .json files into profiles. The files I created work well on my QIDI and should provide any QIDI user with a point to start where your prints are good and just need a little tweaking. When setting up makerware desktop remember to use makerbot dual printer profile only. After having my printer for a year I have managed to achieve prints as good quality as prints from a u-print or dimension printer.

MaceyTech3D · 2016-12-27T15:56:47.000Z

If aligning the nozzles is the issue, then there is another more reliable way than using shims. Using which ever nozzle you determine is lower, just print out this object from einer_design:

thingiverse.com

Dualstrustion nozzle leveling Fixture by einer_designs

Allows you to level your dual nozzles on replicator

Remove your heat block, and screw this fixture into the bottom of it. Then loosen the set screws for each extruder and push them down firmly and re-tighten the set screws. Guaranteed a set of perfectly aligned nozzles.

Another GREAT upgrade to this machine is to consider installing the Sailfish firmware on it. Makes the machine run smoother, faster, and produces better quality prints.

thingiverse.com

Sailfish Firmware by jetty

If you use this firmware, please take the time to click on "I Made One" with a picture of your bot. This firmware took approx 10 months to write and test. Because this isn't something printable, the best appreciation you can show for this work is...

higonnet · 2016-12-27T16:03:12.000Z

I’m puzzled by this.

My QIDI came with sailfish!?

wirlybird · 2016-12-27T16:05:51.000Z

It already has Sailfish. DO NOT update without talking to QIDI first. If I remember correctly, the Sailfish version is modified and people who updated bricked their printers.

wirlybird · 2016-12-27T16:06:04.000Z

Correct.

wirlybird · 2016-12-27T16:07:13.000Z

These blocks are great but sometimes it is the carriage that is slightly off as is the case with mine.

MaceyTech3D · 2016-12-27T16:21:29.000Z

My QIDI is over a year old now, and did not come with Sailfish. I guess they realized the benefit to running Sailfish and have started rolling out their printers with it already installed. That’s great to hear. You can ignore my previous comments about it.

wirlybird · 2016-12-27T17:00:02.000Z

I didn’t realize they didn’t have some time back. I remembered some trying to update it this past spring and running into issues bricking the board. Maybe it wasn’t until early this year they switched then. Good to know and watch for on older ones.

Tech3design · 2016-12-27T17:30:10.000Z

The einer_design thing looks great. Are the set screws accessible on the QIDI by just removing the two screws on the bottom to pull the extruder head off then screw this on the bottom, or is there a little more surgery involved? I had read something about set screws being on the back side but didn’t look. It would be great if one could just remove the head, put this on, loosen the set screws, level the nozzles, tighten the set screws, put the head back on. Done.

wirlybird · 2016-12-27T18:01:18.000Z

Yes, they are on the back.

DirtBikeDan · 2017-01-03T18:56:50.000Z

So turns out that a wire for my motor had broken after checking it with a continuity tester. After replacing the wire my printer works great except for the left extruder. I can easily load filament and it puts out the first line on the platform fine but then stops feeding. The filament is correctly loaded but for some reason it hear a clicking sound and the filament is not fed through. Could it maybe be a jam? I dont think it would be because it works for the first line as I said but then stops.

wirlybird · 2017-01-03T20:57:50.000Z

Sounds like the spacing from bed to nozzle is to small. Re-level and see how it goes. The clicking is the extruder stepper trying to go but can push the filament.

Ashleigh_Scandr · 2017-01-06T01:08:16.000Z

I’m literally having the exact same problem. I tried. contacting support and they were not helpful at all. Have you figured out a fix?

Im also having a problem with installing the MK all Swiss nozzle, the hot end will not come out of the silver block. Does anyone have a fix for that? It’s supposed to slide out easily (and yess I did take out the screw at the back of the sliver block, it’s a tiny black screw)

please help!

DirtBikeDan · 2017-01-06T13:24:45.000Z

I personally have not tried a Mk Swiss nozzle as I just use the stock one. As of yet I have not found a fix for the second extruder which is frustrating because I got this printer for the dual extrusion capability. With your nozzle issues the Swiss nozzle might not have the same threads as the printer does. I have noticed after checking the wire holder bolts that they use an odd form of measurement so that may be the issue.