port

As I have a lot of time to read the forums and try to get grasp on what the overall build quality and what kind of problems are out there for the current MakiBox A6 I’m going to try to make a list of major and minor problems in the design and solutions for these. I’m only going to write about the major problems.

Now, I would like to point out that I still don’t have this machine around, so what I write here is basically what I can find on the forums and try to piece together the solutions others have pointed out.

Extruder:

• Issue: The original “Zen” drive seem to have issues with the idler wheel prone to cracking and lack of tension adjustment.
• Solution: User “jbarnhardt” on the MakiBox forum and Thingiverse has made a new drive called “FroZen” that will fit perfectly into the machine without any modification.
  • Link to his forum thread here: http://www.makibox.com/forum/message/15215
  • Link to his design here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:252539

Hot End:

• Issue: Several reports on the forum from users with hot ends no longer heating up.
• Solution: Contact support and get it replaced.

USB Port Snaps Off:

• Issue: The USB port was easily damaged on the PrintrBoard.
• Solution: This was fixed with the introduction of the D8 boards.
  • Link to a review of the new board: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPMgpxtDzDE

Motor couplings:

• Issue: Several users on the forum have the problem with the couplings slipping.
• Solution: Replacing the couplings with better ones would be great, but finding a coupling with 5mm/8mm and with an outer diameter of maximum 15mm is impossible. You could however make one yourself if you have access to a machine shop.
  • Other solution 1: Glue the part in place.
  • Other solution 2: Drill through the coupling and putting in a pin to keep it in place.