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Help on a K1 Max

I am new to 3D Printing and have a K1 Max. I have only been using the Creality Slicer. I am an operations guy and fairly technical. Just new to 3D Printing.

I believe I have the device installed correctly. I am reviewing the instructions from: https://www.3dchameleon.com/instructions I am now trying to get the filament into slots T1-T4 but it doesn't want to see to go through any of the slots. Is there a trick?

18 comments

18 Comments

Dale Thomas

Feb 11

OK - so I have watched the video. I can't find the 3rd video in the series, I suspect it's not done yet? Can anyone recommend a video that walks me through the final parts of the setup? GCode etc?

Alan

Feb 12

Replying to

I think part of the confusion is that the provided chameleon profile for the K1 has Start, End and Tool Change code sections to change. This video only shows the tool change section. I remember being confused in the begining because of this inconsistency. IDK if you can get away with just using Tool Change gcode section alone, but thats how the instructions make it seem.

Bill

Feb 12

Replying to

Yes, we have some machine specific profiles in the Printables page for those printers. If you are doing it yourself, then the GCode generator handles it... but we mention that you can also use the Start and End to preload and unload if desired. Sorry if that wasn't clear... not sure how to fix it... ideas? (I can't edit the older videos, but I'm in the process of making new Mk4 content for when it's ready.) I really love the idea of having you all help on this forum in this specific instance... it's great!

Bill

Alan

Feb 13

Replying to

Yeah it might be best to just tackle it in the mk4 info then. Maybe just a disclaimer on the printables page.

I was also thinking a more in-depth troubleshooting section could help. Maybe with pics or gifs showing examples of problems and their solutions.

For example one could be chewed up filament. Then the possible solutions are tip shaping or load time too long.

Idk how feasible that is, but it could save support time in the long run.

Alan

Feb 11

K1 Max owner here. The original tension sliders were too close for me. I printed the +2.00 tension version with 0.25 spacing and I am able to freely insert filament now, except for whichever color is being held by the gears. This also removed the extruder skipping issues I was having, due to the reduced friction. let me know if you need any help with the gcode side of things in Prusa slicer. I spent the last 3 weeks tweaking and finally am getting good reliable mult-color prints on my K1 Max.

wjsteele

Feb 12

Replying to

You need to check the tension on the drive gears and make sure the PTFE tubes are not crimped or bent. Also, make sure you have the 2mm spacer on the extruder side of the 3DChameleon... That's important for drive gear alignment.

The tension is adjustable for the 3DChameleon by swapping in different tension tuning sliders if needed.

See here for them: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/0JBXWmRAdxn-3dchameleon-mk3-tension-tuning-sliders

Bill

Edited

Bill

Feb 12

Replying to

This is great... however, one word of caution... the 190 temp isn't low enough for a lot of filaments... specifically lower temperature PLAs and PVAs. The temp settings I included are more conservative and should work on most filaments... so, just be aware of that. With that said, I absolutely love the idea of using the side fan for additional cooling... that's something I'll roll back into the primary profile if you don't mind.

With the Mk4, we will also have the Automatic 3DClippy option that is an add on to the stock electronics which will allow the cooling time to go away completely... as it will cut the filament off (like the Bambu printers) in an automated way. It will work on both the K1 and the K1 Max.

Here's a pic preview of it:

Bill

Alan

Feb 12

Replying to

good to know!! I am only printing 215+ currently but I'll keep that in mind for the future. I'm cool with you adding the cooling fan part to the K1 profile! Glad to contribute a bit Can't wait until the Mk4 release! The sensorless detection of filament position and clippy are going to be game changers

Dale Thomas

Feb 10

Thanks for this explanation Bill I'll take a look at the video I need to see visuals.

Edited

Bill

Feb 10

There are two methods of inserting the filament. One is automatic and one is manual.

The manual method I use is on our Instructions Page and in that PDF. Basically, you're inserting the filament into the tubes that are open. You can also simply rotate through all 4 exruders and let the machine move the filament... insert it into T0... and press for 1 pulse... the 3DChameleon will try to pull it in... if it doesn't go in, as soon as it stops trying, it will move away... from there, you can normally just push in the filament. Do that for all 4 extruders... but be careful... when you go from T0 to T1, it will try to back out T0... so make sure you home it (7 pulses) between each filament so it only loads it.

Check out Chris' Basement video on it, he has a slightly different method and his seems to be the most visual demonstration of it. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq4maecRiSM&pp=ygUcM2QgY2hhbWVsZW9uIGNocmlzJyBiYXNlbWVudA%3D%3D

In either case, once you get it the first time, you'll see how it works and it becomes second nature.

Bill