James | May 9, 2020

Defective Filament Sensor

I need to return the module for repair. Please tell me what this process is. The filament sensor is intermittently detecting the presents of filament when there isn't any. As a result, when loading filament, the Da Vinci goes from quick load the slow like it normally does at the end of the load process just prior to the filament coming out of the nozzle. This ultimately causes the printer to return the following message, "Check Filament out from nozzle" when the filament is only half way down the Bowden tube.

Bruce, Your repair fixed the load problem as the load and unloads since receiving the unit have performed properly. The Sock around the hot end still sages a bit, but tying a small silicone rubber band around it fixes the problem.

Thanks for your input on PETG printing. It's improved my results.

Response from 3D by BD LLC | May 11, 2020

James,

Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry you are having trouble with the hot end cartridge, and I will message you directly with info on returning the cartridge for immediate repair.

The filament sensor is the trickiest part of this device. To work properly all the pieces have to be in exactly the right position, and that is harder to achieve with the precision of the parts I can produce than one might think. It is the one facet of my design that I feel could really use an overhaul.

Luckily, for myself and many of my customers the filament sensor is not a big concern. When loading filament I almost always manually push the filament all the way to the hot end; thus, negating the need for the printer to load filament at the faster rate to get it through the Bowden tube. As many daVinci Pro users have discovered, then filament sensor on the PCB has no effect during printing operations. So, it is only used during filament loading operations.

Even so, I strive to make sure the sensor works on every cartridge. So, I will arrange for you to mail the cartridge back to me so I can fix the sensor for you.

Again, thank you for your feedback, and I will do my best to remedy this situation to your satisfaction.

- Bruce

Stephen | Jan. 18, 2020

Great product and speedy delivery! My prints look great!

I am new to 3D printing and purchased the Da Vinci Pro because I wanted an enclosed unit so I could work with different plastic. What I didn't realize was the shortcomings of the Di Vinci Pro hot end to do abrasives without damaging the tip and the lack of a hardened tip from the vendor. After a tone of YouTube videos I came across one on the plans Bruce put out to make a hot end with the E3D V6. I decided I didn't know enough just yet to build the hot end myself so I just purchased one from Bruce a week ago. I have been extremely pleased with my entire purchasing experience of this product. I received it within a few date of my purchase. The documentation inside the box was fantastic and I was able to get the new hot end installed in a matter of minutes. The build quality is great and it fits in the holder like a glove. After to required adjustments, my first couple of prints look fantastic. Great job Bruce!

Response from 3D by BD LLC | Jan. 19, 2020

Stephen, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It will help anyone else who may be looking for an alternative hot end for their da Vinci 1.0 Pro model printer. I am glad to hear you had no issues getting the new hot end installed and adjustments made to get printing quickly -- that is exactly the experience I hope for each of my customers. -Bruce

Jae | Jan. 11, 2020

This is one of the best investments have made in my printer.

I have done nylon and Cheetah Flex, my PLA is coming out MUCH smoother. 5 Stars, Well earned. Back to the Design Dungeon!!!

Response from 3D by BD LLC | Jan. 11, 2020

Hi Jae, It is great to hear about your success using the new hot end module. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with everyone. I am glad your prints are coming out so well. Happy Printing! -Bruce

Bobby | April 4, 2019

My DaVInci Pro has a new lease on life!

This mod is fantastic! You can really appreciate and tell someone is 110% behind their product from they kind of documentation they send along with it. The documentation sent is a very professional, well formatted and a detailed little pamphlet.
Communication after sale, is priceless, and he helped me avoid a possibly unnecessary expense as I was interested in further optimizing my printer, by quickly responding to an issue unrelated to his modification.
The printed part, with the E3Dv6 Lite in it, is tight, well made, and slots into the carriage holder that XYZ uses perfectly, absolutely zero issues.
Thanks for an excellent product and first time Tindie purchase for me!

Response from 3D by BD LLC | May 30, 2019

Thank you for your feedback, Bobby. I am glad you found the documentation helpful; I tried to provide enough information to get customers up and running -- and hopefully avoid some of the pitfalls I ran into when first using the E3D V6 hot end.

Trek | April 4, 2019

Great product

The drop in cartridge is truly that.my print quality has improved and i can now print with abrasive materials that i could not before. The shipping was super fast and Bruce was super quick to get back to me with answers to any questions i had.

Response from 3D by BD LLC | May 30, 2019

Trek, Thank you for your feedback. I'm glad the new hot end is working well for you.

Patrick | March 20, 2019

Great product...now I can finally print carbon fiber!

I had been waiting for months for Bruce to get these back in stock. I ordered one immediately. The documentation was great but I am a novice when it comes to these things and it didn't include some things that Bruce filled me in on and said he would now include that in the documentation. I didn't know that you are supposed to slightly tighten the nozzle, heat it up and then tighten it completely. That is something that is on the e3d website. It was pretty hard to get it into the cartridge holder but once I did, there was absolutely no play at all. I did have a slight problem with the Bowden tube which Bruce explained to me. No problems since then. I replaced the supplied nozzle with the e3d hardened steel nozzle (black) and my prints are smooth and perfect! Thanks so much to Bruce for offering a complete kit that works perfect. XYZ said they would never make a hardened steel cartridge for the 1.0 Pro even though it can print finer detail than the junior models. They are more interested in selling cheaper models and leaving their loyal "Pro" customers out in the cold! Bruce changed all of that with a very simple, changeable cartridge so you can go back and forth for different types of prints!

Response from 3D by BD LLC | March 20, 2019

Patrick,

Thank you for the review. I always appreciate the feedback, and I am glad other customers can learn from your experience.

I wanted to point out that the nozzle that comes installed in the cartridge is pre-tightened -- I do this before I do test prints to ensure the cartridge is performing properly. The instructions about tightening the nozzle at temperature only apply if you are changing the nozzle or have had to remove the nozzle for some reason.

I'm glad you are happy with your hot end cartridge and the ability to print the carbon fiber filament with a hardened nozzle that won't wear out as fast as brass.

Best Regards,
Bruce

Alexander | July 5, 2018

Daniele | May 2, 2018

Tom | March 26, 2018

Bert | Feb. 13, 2018

Works well. Happy with the product

I am quite happy with this product. It was made well, and designed well. It came with very clear instructions that made installation easy. It has worked flawlessly for several dozen hours since installation.

Response from 3D by BD LLC | March 1, 2018

Bert, Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. I am very happy to hear the hot end cartridge is working well for you and that you found the instructions clear and installation easy.

Brandon | Dec. 16, 2017

Well crafted - Very responsive

I purchased the assembled version, and it was well worth the money! The only problem was that when I received it, I didn't read any real documentation other than what Bruce sent for installing it. After a few weeks I tried replacing my nozzle and broke it. Bruce was kind enough to send documentation about the e3d v6 hot end and there is where I learned more about it.

If you buy this from Bruce and you are new to 3D printing. Take the time and learn about the hotends before you start tinkering with it. This will save you money buying extra parts.

Like I said, this is well worth the money and works great out of the box. The installation instructions were very clear and had no issues installing it.

Response from 3D by BD LLC | March 1, 2018

Brandon, Sorry for not replying to this review sooner, but thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback and advice. It helps me, and hopefully it will also help any future buyers. In fact, in light of your feedback I have begun including a card with the cartridges that directs buyers to E3D's hot end documentation so they can familiarize themselves with it. Again, thank you.

Daniel | Sept. 11, 2017

This Hot End Blows the OEM Away!!

This is a wonderful hot end and is far superior to the OEM in every way. I was starting to regret purchasing the Da Vinci Pro 1.0 3 in 1 since the hot end is proprietary and the nozzle cannot even be replaced when needed. Bruce’s design is a very snug fit and does require some patience to install holding the wires just right to drop in place. The shipment arrived in less than five (5) days and was up and running in less than an hour. The shipment also included the Z-Axis stop extension and a spare 0.4mm nozzle much to my surprise.

I only wish the documentation was a bit more detailed on how to hold the wires for inserting into the carriage. Trial and error finally rendered the correct location. Once in the correct location there is virtually no movement in any direction. One other important item is the proper amount of slack needed on the thermocouple wires to ensure the routing stays out of the hot end notch when inserting. Another important note is to not remove the OEM insulator from the hot end before installing. It is tempting since the fit is tight, but it will never go back on entirely once fully inserted.

Now I am using Simply3D software with the new hot end and it is amazing; so much more control and better success printing. Bruce, you have a great product and have no hesitation recommending your hot end design.

Response from 3D by BD LLC | Sept. 19, 2017

Daniel, Thank you for your review and feedback. I am glad you are having great success with the new cartridge. I appreciate the feedback on the documentation; I will have to look into possibly including more detail on how to properly insert the cartridge into the printer. Regarding the blue silicone "sock" on the heater block: yeah, I also need to put into the documentation that if you want to use that sock you need to have it in place before inserting the cartridge. Trying to put the "sock" on once the cartridge is installed is impossible (at least in my experience thus far). Again, thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback; it is greatly appreciated. -Bruce

Ciara | Sept. 10, 2017

Excellent product

My old hot end had been jamming and there were electronics issues. This replacement installed exactly as per the instructions. The electronics worked perfectly with my Da Vinci pro. The casing was a snug fit so no wiggle or misalignment while feeding in the filament. Very happy with this purchase.

Response from 3D by BD LLC | Sept. 19, 2017

Ciara, I am glad the cartridge is working out for you. I appreciate you taking the time to be my first product reviewer. I've received lots of positive feedback, but you are the first to take the time to put a review on Tindie. Thank you, Bruce