BQ Hephestos V2 3D Printer is Great for Flexible Materials

BQ is well known technology producer from Spain and they have launched their new Hephestos V2 3d printer. It has many powerful features but does not include heated print bed. Reviews show that it is ideal for PLA and elastic filaments due to extruder configuration.

Hephestos V2 Tech Specs:

PRINTING SPEED

• Maximum: 200 mm/s* Subject to materials, profiles and software used.

RESOLUTION

• Very high - 50 microns
• High - 100 microns
• Medium - 200 microns
• Low - 300 microns

DIMENSIONS

• Product without PLA reel: 
• (x)450 x (y)516 x (z)571 mm (static) 
• (x)450 x (y)605 x (z)571 mm (dynamic)
• Product with PLA reel : 
• (x)450 x (y)516 x (z)661 mm (static)
• (x)450 x (y)605 x (z)661 mm (dynamic)
• Enclosure: (x)627 x (y)465 x (z)207 mm
• Printable area: (x)210 x (y)297 x (z)220 mm

MATERIALS

• Filament diameter: 1,75 mm
• PLA, PLA-similar, FilaFlex and other elastomers

EXTRUDER MECHANICS

• Own design extruder with double drive gear traction setting and filament guide to maintain compatibility with flexible or soft filaments.
• 0.4 mm nozzle for 1.75 mm filament
• Finned dissipator with axial fan controlled by firmware (low noise)
• Cooling blower
• Sensor specifically designed for 3D printing (auto-levelling)

GENERAL MECHANICS

• Powder-coated aluminium base and frame
• Hard chromed bars for the Y axis
• Lineal ball bearing for the Y axis
• Recirculating ball bearing guides with flat runner for the X and Z axes
• Cable chain
• Flexible couplings for the screwed rods of the Z axis
• 3-point print bed levelling system with shock absorber
• Rapid system for changing print bed

ELECTRONICS

• Proprietary Mega 3D control unit
• Inductive sensor for automatic calibration
• LCD display with navigation knob 
• Power supply unit: 12V 100W
• Thermistor 100k at the Hot-End
• Cartrige heater: 12V 40W

SOFTWARE

• Marlin-derived firmware
• New features: auto-levelling, manual levelling using inductive sensor exclusively designed for 3D printing, power-saver system
• Improved user interface
• Recommended environment: Cura Software, slic3r, Repetier, Kisslicer
• Files accepted: .gcode
• Compatible operating systems: Windows XP or later, Linux and Mac OS X or later

It will be priced at 849,90 €.

BQ homepage: http://www.bq.com/uk/hephestos-2


Hephestos V2 Reviews, Tests and Building Process 

Here is an excellent review by well known expert Richard Horne (aka. Richrap) where he also shows his excellent results with flexible filaments in various forms of elastomers.





Blog post with more details:

http://richrap.blogspot.hr/2016/01/building-and-using-bq-hephestos-version.html


Here is Richards video about finalized build, how to build it and some upgrades:






Here is Trevor from 3D Print World Aylesbury with his build log and review:

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Glowforge 3D Laser Printer or Laser Cutter and Engraver

Glowforge presents their device which they named "3D Laser Printer". The name itself is somewhat misleading and there are many negative comments about it on this video. It is not an additive manufacturing device but a desktop laser cutter and engraver.

Other than confusing name, the machine itself looks interesting, relatively low in price - USD 1995 on preorder - and comes with model catalog of stuff you can cut or engrave.

Technical specifications:

• 12” x 20” (Glowforge Basic)
• 20” by ∞ (Glowforge Pro)Software
•  Drag-and-drop with live preview
• Trace mode engraves over drawings
• JPG, PNG, TIF, SVG, AI, DXF, PDF, & moreHardware
• Dual cameras: wide angle & macro
• Custom 40W (basic) / 45W (pro) laser
• Optical thickness measurement
• Continuous realtime autofocus
• Detailed specifications: http://glowforge.com/tech-specs/

Here is a longer and detailed video presentation:




General description video:



Glowforge homepage:

http://glowforge.com/

You can see various things that can be lasercut on Glowforge Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/glowforge/

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PETG 3d printing filament

PETG is a 3d printing filament made from PET-G which is Glycol-modified PET, the modification is done by adding a second glycol during polymerization.
The resulting molecular structure is irregular and the resin is clear and amorphous with a glass transition temperature of 88 C (190 F).
Filament made from it gives good combination of toughness, clarity and stiffness

More about PET-G:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_terephthalate


Here are videos from Mihai Oltean showing actual 3d printing with PETG and object properties:








Here are links to his blogposts about his PETG experiences with more details:

http://3d-printizer.com/blog/?p=258

From his experience PETG doesn't stick to blue tape or to cool glass printbed.

Detailed post about testing strength of PLA vs. PETG printed objects:

http://3d-printizer.com/blog/?p=268

Looks like PETG doesn't break but bends at much higher weight loads then PLA which breaks relativity easy.

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Detailed review of Makerfarm Prusa i3v

Here is a very detailed review of new Makerfarm Prusa i3v by well known ZennmasterM (Michael).  The biggest difference between new i3v and older Makerfarm Prusa i3 is linear rail v-slot used to carry the extruder. It is faster and smoother. The printer is priced ad 570 USD.


Makerfarm Prusa i3v product page:

http://www.makerfarm.com/index.php/prusa-8-i3v-kit-v-slot-extrusion.html/

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Slic3r stable version 1.1.6 new features and review by James Bruton

Slic3r stable version 1.1.6 is out. Since last time I looked at it it now has many new options like linear gap fill, per-region settings, modifier meshes, pillars / bridge support material, model cutting etc.

Here is a review by James Bruton (known for his 3d printed costumes such as 3d printed Xenomorph). He
explains functions like improved multi-material print handling and others.




http://slic3r.org/releases/1.1.6

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