Question 1

Can't seem to find it any where but does it have a heated print surface?

Accepted Answer

Yes it does. The surface is glass w a heater and they provide a glue stick to help hold the abs plastic down to minimize the plastic from breaking free and warping (100% better than laying polyamide tape on my old malerbot x2... Which was a pain!).

Question 2

does the product come with a usb cable and power cord?
Also, can you make your own models?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it comes with both.  You need additional software to make your own models-- anything that will output STL format.  There are a number of free options (123D Design is fairly simple, there are some more sophisticated free CAD programs available).

The software that comes with the printer is easy for a novice but is quite limiting-- most users find some way to bypass it.  There are several active boards online with information on how to improve performance using external software to generate g-code, which you can then import into the XYZWare program and send to the printer.  There are a number of simple ways to reduce vibration and improve prints-- several posted to thingiverse.

The most annoying thing is the "closed" software and filament system, and the manufacturer's apparently aggressive approach to this-- several users have reported that the company remotely disabled their printers when the software detected that they had used 3rd party filament (really that they had reset/modified the chip in one of the filament cartridges).  If you're willing to read a bit and put in some effort, it isn't too hard to get around this.

Question 3

how well dose it work?

Accepted Answer

It works decent.  Its one of the most cost effective, and largest platforms that you can get (7" by 7" printing area.)

To be honest one of the most negative things I can say about it is the pain staking process to calibrate the machine.  IF it manages to keep its calibration in shipping, it won't take long for it to fall off.  It is not uncommon for users to spend over a hour attempting to "chase the numbers" to calibrate as they say.  I often have to re-calibrate after EVERY PRINT...

Other common problems are the extruder failing to maintain heat, due to a poor connection quality, and I've already got a minor scratch in my glass printing surface from normal use (letting it cool before removing, making sure to not have a drastic temperature change.).

Customer service was poor, they often missed phone call hard times that I'd given them in e-mail and said they'd call.  I have limited free time so this because the issue over and over.

The slicing software allows very limited controls, and is poor in general in terms of options.  Modding and using additional software is great (Slic3r for example).

All in all, its a cheap printer, with a large printing bed.  It is able to do decent quality prints.  I only outlined the negative things I've discovered.  I've had mine print for roughly 90 hours since ownership, and have had little else in terms of gripes.  Had I the option to buy again, I'd be on the fence honestly.

If you are comfortable with trouble shooting these types of things on your own, and have time to toy with it - sure, grab it.  If you are expecting a fluid plug and play, ease of use - do not get it.

Question 4

Does this come with software and a filament cartridge, or do you need to buy those separately?

Accepted Answer

It comes with the software (XYZware) and  1 filament cartage (600grams, white). You can also get the software from the website. Depending on your intentions, modding? I would hold off on upgrading the software and firmware on the machine. Chances are the first time you run the software it will want to upgrade the firmware on the printer. Do you research before upgrading anything if you plan on modding it in the future. If you don't plan on modding just install the software, upgrade everything and print the sample print. Good little printer.

Question 5

How long is the USB cable?

Accepted Answer

The USB cable is about six feet long. Normally, the maximum allowed for USB is five meters (~16 ft). I extended mine to 25 ft by using a USB over Cat5/5e/6 extension adaptor.

Question 6

Is this something that I can use to print my own 3d models? will I be able to print out sections of larger models and assemble them afterwards to construct the complete piece? (cosplay). I would actually prefer to keep it as simple as possible, but I do want acceptable results.

Accepted Answer

Yes, this printer will do what you're asking about.
It has quite a bit of user support, all you have to do it type into google 'davinci printer mods', tweaks, or hacks, and numerous links will come up.
Volitivo and Soliforum have considerable support postings for the daVinci.

The printer does need a couple of hands-on tweaks to get the best results. One of the primary hardware tweaks is inserting spacers or string wrapped between all of the belt cogs and their E-clip retainers so as to tighten or push the cogs against their roll pins so play, or slop is eliminated. This leads to much better and consistent prints and is a design fail on XYZs part but is easy to fix. Another hardware tweak is to insert spacers between the bronze 'oilite' bearings and their plastic housings, that have play. On mine, the right side lower bearing on the z-axis and the rear bearing on the right side of the y-axis carriage both benefited from spacers tightening them up.

Not so much a hardware tweak as just an improvement for any 3d printer, is purchasing 8" square sheets of Kapton (polyimide) tape (from the big bookstore) to use on the bed surface. The extruded ABS, PLA. or whatever sticks just enough to the Kapton tape and you don't have to use glues, hairspray, or painters tape. It is a huge improvement and lasts and lasts. An inverted can of can-o-air sprayed at the base of finished parts shrinks them by freezing and they pop right off the Kapton.

There are a number of software improvements also, from simply getting around the chipped cartridges to installing completely new firmware, as in 'repetier', which offers far more control over printing parameters and therefore better prints, but is more complicated. It just so happens that XZYprinting built their controller around a common Arduino so new firmware was relatively easy has been created for these daVincis.

For the money, and with some effort on your part, this can be a very good printer.

Question 7

Can I refill the filament cartridges? Or will i have to buy brand new ones constantly?

Accepted Answer

I purchased a couple of cartridges but once I learned how to use the printer better, I did the hack. Saves me a lot of money and I do not see any difference in the quality of the prints. Also I would suggest looking up how to use the slic3r program with this printer, it helps make better prints too.

Question 8

i have no knowledge with drawings on a computer ,what if i have a picture or a sample of the item i want to print how do i go about that?

Accepted Answer

For the daVinci 1.0 you absolutely need know 3D modeling techniques of some manner (through external programs importing the files via a format readable by the daVinci software) or simply download creations that others have made for your own personal printing use.  There are a number of communities where members have uploaded models for free, including daVinci's own site.  The models aren't always quality, but they are freely available in a number of cases.
3D printing is actually creating a physical object from a strand of plastic off of a spool. If you have a physical item to replicate, some of the higher end (and much more expensive) printers feature 3D scanners.  The quality of scans may still require tweaking.  You can also purchase a stand-alone 3D scanner, but those will generally equal or exceed the cost of the daVinci 1.0.
You may be able to contract out work and have someone create models for you to then print. I have not researched that as I have a professional background in 3D modeling and create everything from scratch that I need.

Question 9

After I send the W3 to the printer can I unplug the USB cable after it starts printing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can unplug the USB cable.  We have done it ourselves so we know that it continues to work.  It appears that the whole file is transferred to the unit's micro sd card and the unit then uses the file from there to continue printing.

Question 10

Does the driver for this printer add support material on the fly, or do I have to use CAD software to put it in myself? Can anyone compare this to an Afinia printer for me? I currently am using an Afinia. H479.

Accepted Answer

The printer comes with proprietary software for the printer.  It also uses proprietary filament cartridges.  The printer tracks the filament usage in the the carts, if the software calculates that you don't have enough, it won't let you print.  No, you can't add a new cartridge during a print.  There are workarounds for both the software and carts, but it voids all you warranties by using them.  The software is import and resize, rotate, etc.  No design capabilities.

Questions & Answers