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Solved Chimera/Cyclops vs dual E3Dv6 Hotends

Discussion in 'General Questions' started by jtn7040, Jul 4, 2015.

  1. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    Which would be a better upgrade if i'm looking to go to dual extrudes? I've currently been following Mike's how to dual bowden set up and building/buying everything i need except the hotends. Would the Chimera/Cyclops be a better upgrade than the V6?
     
  2. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    From a heated end perspective they're identical. At least for the chimera

    The chimera has a few benefits such as:

    Smaller distance between nozzles for more build volume during dual extrusion.
    Ability to swap in a cyclops
    Smaller packaging for easier assembly


    The dual v6 has less benefits but if you use my leveling design it's much easier to calibrate the nozzle heights and it can even be done while a print is running


    To me the cyclops is sale enough but the leveling of the chimera can be difficult for some users
     
  3. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    I'll go ahead and order the chimera/cyclops then thanks! Using simplify 3d will I need to change anything to use it or change between cyclops and chimera? Or does that all have to be done in firmware?

    (Volcano can be used with chimera correct? Everyone that I see uses it uses the v6 didn't know if there was a specific reason or just because no one bought the chimera?)


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  4. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    There are some things you need to change to support the cyclops in the software level. There's also a couple things to change in the firmware as well.

    The volcano does work on the chimera but obviously you'll need two if you want to dual extrude using the volcano
     
  5. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    Mike I can't find any wiring schematics online but are there any hardware changes or other boards that I would need? Or does the Ramps board on the robo support dual extrusion with a heated bed? I've been seeing conflicting information about Ramps boards (not the one specific to the robo just in general )

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  6. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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  7. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    Will it mess anything up if I order a generic comparable stepper driver off amazon? Or should I just try to order one from robo

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  8. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    Na, pretty much any A4988 stepper driver would be fine I figure.
     
  9. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    Wait I have 5 stepper drivers on my robo? It's the auto level r1. Do I still need another one because I don't see a space for it?

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  10. daniel871

    daniel871 Well-Known Member

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    If yours came with 5, all you should have to do is plug in your second extruder motor where the E1 driver is located on the board (and of course verify that the POTs setting is correct, put the proper steps in the firmware, etc.).
     
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  11. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    POTs settings?

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  12. daniel871

    daniel871 Well-Known Member

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  13. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    The stepper drivers have a potentiometer on them you adjust for the current supplied to the stepper. It's not super critical to adjust this but might be necessary if it's under torqued or getting too hot.
     
  14. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    Lol I not sure why that didn't click you were talking about a potentiometer... Guess July 4th is starting to catch up to me. Thanks guys I'll let you know how it all goes when everything arrives from printed solid

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  15. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    Mike can you not have the PLA chilling fans connected if you go dual extruder? I don't see a place to connect it now

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  16. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    You need an additional controller for it. I bought the rrd fan extender to do it. Works pretty well. Just be aware the riorand one on Amazon uses different pins.
     
  17. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    Do you have the link to the one that you got?

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  18. jtn7040

    jtn7040 Active Member

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    Oh sorry I misunderstood you. I was thinking you meant don't buy that one. Is there anything I have to do special since it has different pins?

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  19. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    In pins.h for motherboard 34 it defines the fan pin as number 4, change that to number 6
     

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