About Chimera+ (or clones?)
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Good morning, I'm saving some money to buy an E3D Chimera + to use with my CoreXY based on Duet 2WiFi, I'd think I'll use it with a Bondtech Mini Geared X2 Extruder For Dual Extrusion 3D Printers because I don't want to go back with a bowden system...I know some of yours uses the Chimera and I'd like to have some hints, particullary about a REAL difference between the E3D original device and some clones...the price difference is sometimes huge...I think I'll add two Volcanos hot ends on it....how about it? Some real use experience? The only thing it's giving me some worries is that at now I mount a magnetic filament sensor (wich I found in Australia after a looooooong period of search) and I don't know if the Duet 2WiFi (without expansion) could handle two sensors....
Thanks guys! -
Take a good look at Phaetus Dragon. I am about to get mine ready to roll. Have discarded E3DV6. The highflow version of Dragon is the one to look at to compare to Chimera.
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@tecno said in About Chimera+ (or clones?):
Take a good look at Phaetus Dragon. I am about to get mine ready to roll. Have discarded E3DV6. The highflow version of Dragon is the one to look at to compare to Chimera.
It's a single color/material not dual...
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Oh lord don't do it ....
I used a clone Chimera+, no experience with the 'real' thing but after many a frustration I gave up on it. I don't believe it's a clone vs real issue but more an issue of basic physics.
It is incredibly difficult to get both nozzles to be at the same height. The real thing might be a bit better for this but on the clone you would always get some movement as you tighten the set screws for the nozzles. Now suppose you got both nozzles to the same height ... when you print you get the occasional bumps from things such as lifting the nozzle. Well the other nozzle will run into that bump and cause a printing artefact of some kind unless the second nozzle is also hot in which case you get drooling and other issues.
I ended up using only one nozzle or the other but you'd still have to move the unused nozzle up.
Anyway, it's an interesting concept in theory but does not work in reality. Save yourself some money and a whole bunch of frustration and don't do it.
Some people have had problems with heat creep but as far as I now this was not an issue for me.
As always YMMV. -
I should also mention that ANY concept of two nozzles is (IMHO) a flawed concept. Yes you can run two materials but it won't be a clean print.
I guess it depends on what you consider a 'good' print.I am currently building a corexy tool changer to hopefully end up with acceptable multi material printing.
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@the_dragonlord
I had a standard Chimera setup on a Bowden setup a few years back. I ended up giving up on it because there is no practical way to get the nozzles perfectly level.
Its a good idea in concept but not in reality. You need a system for getting one of the nozzles up and away from the print to prevent it from dragging.
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I have a original e3d Chimera+ in my custom printer. I do agree with the dual fixed nozzle being quite a problem. I've never had a completely clean two color print with it (it can be clean enough but not immaculate). But the worst part is that no matter how good you level both nozzles (it can be done, just quite time consuming) the inactive nozzle will mark the print if you use any kind of bed compensation. I grew very tired of having marks like a single ghosting line in every print.
Now I'm finetunning a toolchanger, and I really think that multihead is the only way to go if you want problemless many-material printing. -
Thank you guys....you have broken my dream
but at least you made it before I waste my money....how about a Cyclope+, would it be better than a Chimera+? I tink it's main limit is that both filaments have to be loaded regardless you print in one or two materials...how about it? -
@the_dragonlord
I had a clone Cyclops and it was leaking like hell. It's because the nozzle and the two heatbrakes are not sealed against something, but only rely on the threads to seal the hotend.
Maybe a new original version has learned from the past, IDK... -
@o_lampe uh strange....but have you experienced leaking on both the heatbreaks? except this have you experienced other issues? (I know the leaking would be enough but maybe this could be a problem due to a malforming of the heating block)
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@the_dragonlord
With the leaking it wasn't possible to build up enough 'chamber pressure' in the nozzle to make 1st layer stick well to the bed.
