Introducing Firmware 2.0, the biggest update of the Epsilon era that brings new features & improved performance for our printers.

Today, we’re excited to unveil a major update for the Epsilon Series firmware that took several months of development and includes all the improvements of our last published firmwares together with new features such as first layer live adjustment, significant duplication and mirror printing improvements, and new mesh mapping & cleaning routines. We’ve also fixed over 50% of reported errors, ensuring a smoother and more reliable printing experience. Let’s jump in and discover all the exciting updates we have ready for you!

Improved duplication and mirror printing

One of the main value propositions of BCN3D Printers is IDEX. This feature allows our customers to print in Duplication and Mirror modes, to double productivity and make more use of the massive build volume. Up until now, when printing in Mirror or Duplication modes,  we’ve always recommended that customers use shims, to compensate for the Z-Offset between the two nozzles. 

With the release of Firmware 2.0, we now offer two clear workflows. If you want the best possible dimensional accuracy, you can install shims to compensate for the Z-offset between each print head. This will guarantee that both parts are identical. However, if you prefer a simpler and less time consuming workflow, you can opt to not install the shims and allow your Epsilon printer to repeat the first layer as many times as necessary to compensate for the Z-offset between the nozzles. This option means that you can print in Mirror and Duplication modes, without having to spend time installing any shims.

First layer live adjustment

The first layer live adjustment, also known as babystepping is a feature that allows to adjust the height of the first layer of your print in real time and will be active only during the first layer, which is a key factor when it comes to ensuring that the first layer of a print is perfect, which is critical for the success of the entire print job.

With the Epsilon Series, this can now be done manually by adjusting the Z-axis offset on the printer’s control panel during the first layer of the print To do so, a new icon will appear on the print screen with buttons to raise and lower the print bed. By including the first layer live adjustment in our printers, you will be able to achieve greater precision and control over the printing process, resulting in higher-quality prints and more successful projects overall.

New mesh mapping routine

Mesh Mapping, is a critical aspect of 3D printing that ensures the proper adhesion of the printed part to the print bed. It is a process of measuring and compensating for any irregularities or imperfections in the print bed surface, which can cause issues such as warping, and poor print quality. 

In essence, mesh mapping involves using a probe to measure the distance between the print bed and the printer’s hotend at multiple points across the bed surface. This data is then used to generate a 3D model of the print bed’s surface, which is then used to compensate for any irregularity in the bed’s level.

Once the mesh map is generated, the printer’s firmware can use this data to adjust the height of the hotend during the printing process. This ensures that the hotend maintains a consistent distance from the print bed, even if the bed surface is not perfectly level or flat. By compensating these imperfections, it helps  improve the overall quality and accuracy of the printed parts, while also reducing the likelihood of print failures and wasted material.

New cleaning routines

The hotend is a key component when it comes to 3D printing, as it is responsible for melting and extruding the filament. Over time, waste can build up on the hotend, affecting its accuracy and the quality of the printed parts. To mitigate these issues, we have developed a new cleaning routine that cleans the hotend and enhances the performance of the sensor readings, as we want to ensure that the printing process is as efficient and reliable as possible. By incorporating this new hotend cleaning routine into our printers, we are enhancing the printing experience and providing you with a more efficient and effective 3D printing process. This innovative routine has been incorporated into the beginning of the printing process, guaranteeing a high quality first layer of printing.

By implementing it at the start of the printing process, we can ensure that the hotend is performing at its optimal level, guaranteeing a smooth and accurate first layer, which is particularly important to achieve consistent, high-quality prints, especially for complex designs.

New welcome wizard assistant

With the new welcome wizard, we hope to improve the user experience for you. By following the step-by-step guidance you can ensure that your Epsilon is configured properly, which will help minimize errors and improve the quality of printed parts. 

The new welcome wizard assistant includes:

• Update screen to download the latest firmware version.
• Registration to cloud for new coming users.
• Build plate leveling screen to tune the printer’s bed.
• Test print screen to ensure an optimal printer configuration.

Other improvements:

Since the last firmware update, we have been able to address and resolve a wide range of potential issues and bugs that appeared during the printing process. In fact, it has been reported that up to 50% of all reported errors have been fixed, in an effort to provide you with the most reliable and user-friendly 3D printing experience possible.

We recently added new stratos profiles, that will enable users to print parts with smoother surfaces, finer details, and better overall quality with less material consumption.

This last February we announced the Open Filament Network (OFN), a platform to collaborate with filament manufacturers by including certified print profiles in our slicer Stratos. Next week we are releasing a new Stratos version and we are including 9 more references in BCN3D’s OFN and 2 new manufacturers, Matterhackers and  Fillamentum. 

 

In conclusion, Firmware 2.0 is the biggest update ever released for the Epsilon Series.  In this step-by-step guide you can check how to install the new firmware. This update will enhance the overall printing experience and ensure greater precision, consistency, and reliability.  We can’t wait to see how Firmware 2.0 will help BCN3D users to continue creating exciting, powerful 3D printed parts.