Flux Delta First Impressions

Now that I got the Flux Delta all set up, lets give it a try. One of my favorite STLs to print with any new printer is called 3DBenchy. Not only is it a cute little boat you can give to a friend, but also tests a variety of things such as dimensional accuracy, overhangs, gaps, and much more as detailed here.

Step 1: Download the STL.
Step 2: Import STL into Flux Studio.
Step 3: Click 'Start'

and now we wait... for 2 hr 12 mins...

or 3 minutes...

Bad Adhesion look like...

Looks like we got a case of bad adhesion... Click 'STOP' (or hold the white Flux button on the front of the printer), and we will adjust a few settings...

Restart and wait for it... or 4 minutes later...

Bad adhesion again...

Another case of bad adhesion... Click 'STOP', adjust a few settings, and do some research...

Restart and another 5 minutes later...

Another case of bad adhesion... Click 'STOP', adjust a few settings, and do some more research...

Restart and another 5 minutes later...

Bad adhesion... STOP, adjust a few settings, do some more research...
Bad adhesion... STOP, adjust a few settings, do some more research...
Bad adhesion... STOP, adjust a few settings, do some more research...
Bad adhesion... STOP, adjust a few settings, do some more research...
Bad adhesion... STOP, adjust a few settings, do some more research...

After many failed attempts, I finally got something to stick (punny :) )! Surface prep for this build consisted of cleaning the build platform with acetone and then randomly and slowly applying glue stick from a few seconds after I clicked "Start" in the Flux Studio until the print head started to move...

It's Working! It's Working!

Here are the settings I changed and what they were set at for this build:

• brim_width = 5
• first_layer_extrusion_width = 140%
• first_layer_height = 0.2
• first_layer_speed = 15
• first_layer_temperature = 220
• raft_layers = 3
• skirt_height = 1
• skirts = 4

and now we actually wait...

15 minutes into 3DBenchy

30 minutes into 3DBenchy

60 minutes into 3DBenchy

90 minutes into 3D Benchy

and wait, what?!?!? It's done!

Flux Delta 3D Benchy Trial 1

Some Stringing, some trouble on overhanging circles, overall good quality!

Stringing through doorways

Back Window stringing and overhang loop

Stringing in front of 3DBenchy

My initial impressions are as follows:

• Documentation: Poor
• There is hardly anything in the manual, I found a post in the forum that helped, but seriously this needs some work.
• Set up: Simple
• Closest thing to a 'unpack,' plug and play printer I have encountered.
• From Set up to Print: Average (luck is involved)
• Due to the precision required and all the variables involved with getting a good print, there is some luck involved after shipping a machine to the other side of the globe. That said, with a little perseverance and patients, I was able to get this printer working in a reasonable amount of time.
• Software: Needs improvement
• Definitely an 'Alpha' version. Issues so far: Can't use camera while printing... Why have it there if you can't remotely monitor the print and view a time lapse of the print afterwards!?!? Once you exit the device manager (to see progress), you can't reconnect to printer? Error/bug? Availability of settings is alright (through the advanced menu); however, I could not set the first layer to print at 230C.
• Hardware: Seems okay... 
• I like the wifi and the USB port; however, not having a display will require that a mobile app be created or the computer application work for remote monitoring. As far as the durability and maintenance of the machine, only time will tell.

Overall, I am happy with my purchase at this time. It is a sexy looking machine that took some work to design and built. After a little tuning and swearing, I was able to print a 'challenging' piece with better than average results. Some fine tuning is required to get the machine to my quality standards, but this worked better than most out of the box! For proof of those 'better results', stayed tuned!


From my research I also came across these posts that were interesting:

• Issues Thus Far
• First Impressions

Here are the next few things I plan to print:

1. Universal Oil Filter
2. SD Card Mountain
3. Lightsaber

My next steps will involve using the scanning and the engraving/drawing options!