Craftbot FLOW IDEX XL Update - THE PINS WERE BENT!

My Craftbot FLOW IDEX XL has problems, and I think it's best we talk about them, and what's next.

WE got the NEW ONE out of the box:

OH NO!

Craftbot FLOW IDEX XL Live Stream!

Loubie3D Foxy!

This 3D Printer is RIDICULOUSLY Smart - Craftbot FLOW IDEX XL Review by Makers Muse

You can support what we do in many way!

Follow Sean Connelly on Patreon:

Follow David Tobin on Instagram

Some of the following are affiliate links:

--------------------------------
Find Me Socially!
--------------------------------

--------------------------------
Want to send me something?
--------------------------------
3D Printing Nerd
PO Box 55532
Shoreline, WA 98155
USA

FTC Disclaimer: A percentage of sales is made through Affiliate links

[MakersMuse]

I have to say, the comments of people saying they also had problems is really concerning - the problems seem to run way deeper than we were made to believe. I have no doubt they are improving with time, but what happens to the early adopters (who aren't YT'ers and get overnight parts and a full spare machine shipped).

[rachellejanssen]

"I';m not mad, I'm disappointed" ooooh they are gonna feel that!

[peterinpensacola]

Thank goodness you aren't afraid to call them out on the shortcomings. YouTube is FULL of patronizing "reviews" that are not objective at all. This seemed honest. And the reference to Angus' review adds credibility.

[timolindqvist]

We have one of these since 2 months ago. Spent a lot of time to get it commissioned. They clearly have quality control issues, our machine had the set screw for the right extruder filament gear overtightened (hex slot ruined). Also one of the right extruder hot-end hex screws is eating its threads and will need replacement. A few other practical observations:
- Despite the automation, this is not a beginner printer. You need considerable expertise to work through eventual issues. There are apparently only a few users as there is not much help online.
- Overall the machine is built like a tank and you can see quality design touches everywhere. The automatic calibration is a must-have.
- Extruder shroud re-assembly is delicate work. Think of it as attaching the display flex cable of an iPhone. If you misalign the shroud and use any force you will get the results in this video: bent pins and de-soldered guide pins. That is not shipping damage but forced assembly.
- Don't think the nozzle is pre-clogged, there's just some filament left in the feed channel (filament was unloaded cold after factory test?). Just heat the nozzle and use one of the smaller hex keys in the kit to force the filament into the nozzle (after releasing extruder gear pressure)
- When you swap a steel nozzle to print non-toy materials, it will be higher than the brass one. So swap both of them even if you use the right extruder for support. If the nozzle heights differ by more than 0.1? mm you need to move the right extruder manually. It does not work like in their instructions (gravity drop to the bed), you need to actually force push it down to touch the bed.
- We have had nothing than trouble with PVA supports. All PVA we have tried has been flexible enough to get stuck in the filament sensor aperture. Results in terrible clogging that needs extruder disassy to clear. If you release the extruder tension it does not extrude properly. Just use HIPS for support.
- Firmware (latest of course) has weird issues with the whole printer freezing with no apparent reason (just stops and extrudes a biig blob, or makes weird moves and the freezes completely). Suggest power cycling before a longer print.
- The remote UI does not (yet) replicate all the features of the touch screen so you cannot really adjust the print job remotely. And the camera is too low resolution (cheap?)
- Our biggest gripe is the lack of z fine-tuning. The automatic calibration leaves z too high. To get stuff to stick to the bed we currently need to apply a global gcode offset in S3D
- Get spare silicone socks for hot-ends (they break easily when you swap nozzles). Also get spare bed probe pins, the machine eats those whenever you crash the left extruder

[FunkyMess]

I wonder if someone bought this printer, if they'd have the same experience you've had with Craftbot replacing it completely? This is why I struggle with stuff like this, I have had very differenct experiences with custom support than what youtuber/streamers seem to get. For $4000, that is a riduclous price to pay for something that just..doesn't seem to work right. I'd expect that from my $300 QQ-S or $200 Q5...not from a $4, 000 IDEX.

[CaptainKatarn]

This makes my $1800 T-Rex 3 IDEX machine look amazing in comparison. 400x400x700 build plate and I upgraded the extruder to use BMG dual geared drives. The stock extruders worked great in a 24/7 environment for 3 months straight.

[edwinnieves]

Love the shirt! Have one myself. Just got into 3D printing myself. Currently FIGHTING with an Ender 5 Pro. Fix one thing, find 2 more things that need to fix... It sure as hell has been a learning experience. You channel has helped me out A LOT in discovering and fixing these issues. Keep it up!

[crenn]

There is 2 problems here:
The design which lets this problem to occur (the alignment pin shouldn't be able to detach from the solder if other fasteners hold it well in place); I don't fully agree that it's a shipping problem
The fact their replacements had problems already. I suspect that filament in the nozzle is a higher temp material hence why it didn't budge when attempting to extrude; the fact it wasn't removed prior to sending it makes it seem like the replacement was done rapidly for damage control rather than quality control in mind.

[thehappyextruder]

Joel, great update video on this product, I must say I do love all the editing Sean is putting into the videos and up close shots of your troubleshooting ! Thanks you for your Honest reviews and transparency in this experience. Keep up the great work --- Happy Extruding !

[wpherigo]

You are incredibly patient. Here’s to hoping it works great!

[grantdeisig]

Ha ha, Thank you Joel. I would really like this printer, but I want to wait until I can be sure they have all the bugs worked out. Until then, I'll keep rocking my Dreamer. Keep up the good work, and hello to Shawn from another Bay City resident. (Well...munger) lol

[Azzysdesignworks]

Thanks Joel, you saved me hours of frustration. Im glad I found these videos before saying yes to an invoice. They mirror the experiences of the very sparse threads on reddit where people are having issues.

[juhu]

A connection like that should ideally be made with pogo pins and not spring pins

[josephmeier]

I have this printer as well. I’ve had to spend a lot of mo why on spare parts so I’m envious of your experiences getting things replaced for free.

[fused]

Hey Joel, I have 4 of these machines and they are workhorses. First thing use S3D or Ideamaker for your profile, 1000%’better results than Craftware ( I use S3D). I get you have had issues but I just havent had the same experience and there are many that havent had issues. This printer has so much potential hopefully the new one is much better.

[RonFloyd]

Holy cow Joel. You have the patience of Job! I'd have been done long before this point.
Thanks Bud. I hope to make it to your live stream Wednesday.

[PWingert]

Thanks to your video I will be holding off on the machine. I am hoping to see reviews in a year from now indicating there are no issues.

[thewebexpert]

I think I'll stick with my Prusa I3MkIIIS. Those guys are awesome. I've had problems occasionally - but the tech wizards at Prusa have always stepped right up to get me going again. I'm into my 14th month of printing with it, and it's still going strong.

[jim]

Listen. I hear ya. It seems frustrating, but let’s look at the positives here....you don’t need a stylus to use the touch screen....

[supertbom]

I'm sooo glad you posted this. We have the exact problem with the exact machine at work and I thought I was the one that screwed it up, being a newbie. I'm hoping that the solution is just to disable the FMS on the right print head. I'll check out your stream to see how your new machine works out. Our machine did about a dozen prints before having issues on the right side. Please do let us know if the original machine works fine with the FMS disabled on the right side.