Looking for advice, I feel like I got the wrong machine

[palamedes]

A bit of a rant , and a request for advice . I have purchased a XYZPrinting Da Vinci Duo 2.0A because a friend of mine has a "Junior" of the same brand that he uses from time to time and likes it. He never mentioned how tremendously and unconscionably awful the XYZ software is, nor does he seem to have some of the issues I am having.

I'm trying to stay positive but I'm having a lot of troubles. At this point, I have yet to get anything to successfully print other than the initial test print (which is a little goblet/cup type ting about an inch and a half tall). It worked fine, first try and I was excited.. Then, nothing else has successfully printed.

I have tried a lot of different models and things that I found on thingiverse, but so far I have run into a lot of bad runs.

Initially the issue was their software. It was so bad it was impossible to use so I purchased the Simplify3d solution. Well done guys, this is WAY better - I mean it's not even a fair comparison.

Then the issue was sticking to the bed, but I found some painters tape fixed that nicely.

Now the latest issue seems to be the ABS line getting stuck in the cartridge and refusing to feed. I disassembled the cartridge and it appeared to have been installed incorrectly, so I *think* I have that working now. Trying a test print now.

I have tried to print the "Stratux" case (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:964678) many times now using Simplify3D and each time something has gone wrong.

Feed issues (see above - I think I have fixed it?)
Model not being "solid" due to their software sucking (see above - I hope Simplify fixes it)
Failing to transfer the model half way through the upload..
etc.. I can go on..

The latest attempt (not the one I'm running as I type this) the model got half way through the print and it just stopping .. I have no idea why. It just returned to home about half way through the print as if it was done. I had such high hopes for this run too as it seemed like it was good to go.

I'm stymied..

Add to all of the above the completely lack of customer support, and I feel like I'm kinda done and ready to return this machine. I have had it for 72 hours at this point and had no success (other than the demo print which I don't count).

Advice? This seems like this shouldn't be this difficult..

Did I get the wrong machine? What machine should I get?
Is this normal?! I realize this is still a new technology, but dang..

Thoughts?

[CompoundCarl]

Well I pretty much always have initial sticking issues with any new printer. So it's not uncommon to have to try a few different things with a new printer to figure out what works best. I've also run into the occasional filament feed issues with the XYZ machines, but they are usually pretty rare using official XYZ filament and if I make sure to really seat the cartridge firmly (if it's too loose, you may get firmware warnings on the LCD panel that annoyingly stop the print).

It's definitely a good dual extrusion machine for the money, and made much better once you escape the poor XYZ software that came with it. One other tip, if you are still having trouble uploading files, read some previous advice I gave here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4608#p20000

[palamedes]

Thanks for the reply

I have managed to finally get a successful print of the Stratux thing I linked. (Only took a full 24 hours of fiddling and god knows how many yards of abs..hah)

I had to use painters tape and hairspray in order to get the abs to stick. I also slowed the print down which stopped the curling issue I was seeing. I think some of my frustrating is just the natural course of fiddling that is needed to learn how to use this tool.

I do still have a fail to transfer large models issue and the link to the other thread mentioned pretty much what I'm seeing. You suggest to update firmware.

It wont update.

I have tried everything and the XYZ software says its updating, but the printer is doing nothing and after 10 minutes or so a dialog pops up saying there was communication issues with the printer. I have a support ticket in with XYZ but so far I'm just getting canned responses back from them. I'm very disappointed with their customer service, to say the least. Not sure what to do about the firmware thing.

Can you give me a recommended list of things I should do between prints? Or just leave it as it is and keep going until things are broken? heh

Seems like cleaning any debris off the head is a good call, but other than that anything?

Additional: Just to clarify the feed issue problem I was having.. it was binding INSIDE the cartridge. I think the long Y axis runs were pulling cable out, then pushing it back in which caused it to get twisted around some of the prongs inside the cartridge. I opened up the cartridge and ran the line through the holders which I think wasn't correctly done from the factory.. but that's a guess.. so far it hasn't done it again.. *fingers crossed*

[CompoundCarl]

Personally, I would focus on getting that firmware issues fixed first. The earlier XYZ firmwares were really bad, so you DEFINITELY want to get that upgraded. If there's something wrong with the printer or electronics that isn't allowing it to update the firmware, that may also explain your USB communication issues.