Upgrade kit available

[reibuehl]

Neotko makes some good points. What if you already have the Olsson block? What if you only need some but not all the parts in the upgrade?

That was exactly what disappointed me in the first place. I do have an Olsson Block and I do not want to block the holes for the second hot end so I do not need the new head.

[chopmeister]

@chopmeister: on the other hand you are a hardcore user of the kind that is used to design your own upgrades (and does so with great success), while many users would consider swapping out a temperature sensor a major undertakning.

While I wouldn't phrase it like that (more like I'm not afraid to drill holes in a brand new machine, and/or frying or breaking stuff if I have a hunch it could work better somehow, hahaha) - you are right. But still, it being a 'noob-proof' kit doesn't justify the price IMHO. And it's a pattern with UM (like their bowden tubes for almost 20 Eur+VAT IIRC, which is insane...) and that I don't like. Their electronics boards were also crazy expensive from the start. Don't get me wrong though, I'm a huge UM fan from the very beginning, but they do mess up here and there, and spare part pricing is definitely on that list.

The part with "we also include new linear rods because you might bend yours while disassembling" is a bit stretched, wouldn't you agree?

[Izzy]

Ok so they have come up with a complete kit, why replaced the complete head and axis?
Have they improved everything in the head?, the bearings, housings, both aluminium plates, heatsink, heat sink fan, cooling fans, ducts, knurled screws, Bowden clip, heat sensor, heater, Olsson block, and a partridge in a pear tree...

My self, if there is no real improvement of the print head over those of us that have the Olsson head upgrade with a 35W heater then what I have is fine.
I'm interested in the improved fans (hopefully I won't have to redesign my ducts), and the geared feeder motor with the geared feeder if it is better than my 'Roberts' modified feeder ( I'm looking to add a hobbed gear) which is working fine.
I'm not worried about the 'levelling card' I like my high tech 'coffee stick and post-its' which work great, my glass clips seem fine.
I'm not concerned about adding the '+' sticker, I reckon I should add a '>' just before the 2.

I can see why they may do it for those that don't tinker with their machine perhaps as much as we do, and I'm sure that Ultimaker will provide the individual pieces in due time hopefully at good prices, let's just keep hold of our horses for the moment I love my UM2 and it's going me fine

[Anders Olsson]

I think it is really nice kit, well done Ultimaker!
Considering the number of parts you get I would say it is not that expensive.
Of course it would be nice to be able to buy parts separately though, if you already have parts of the kit, which I hope it will be at some point.

There have been lots of small changes through the years, which I think is why they decided to provide a complete head.
These are the variations on existing UM2 machines that I can remember right now, there might be more things:
- Original heater block / old Olsson block / new (Ultimaker) Olsson block (mirrored)
- Original temperature sensor / improved mechanical strength and precision temperature sensor
- Original 25W heater / 35W heater.
- Two thicknesses of the lower plastic part of the head. (old version is about 10 mm thicker)
- Two lengths of screws accordingly, and long screws with spacers on some early printers with the thin plastic part.
- Spring / Solid spacer
- PTFE coupler / Glass filled PTFE coupler / TFM-PTFE coupler

And then there is the new fan shroud with the upgrade kit.

So providing a complete new head to avoid dealing with all these variations makes sense from Ultimakers point of view, thinking of how many support issues the alternative could create.
The rods and bearings might be unnecessary one would say, but it is possible that they had quality issues with those that we are not aware of?

[Blizz]

I was hoping there would be an option to update your "motherboard" as well. I know the later UM2s have the option to turn of the fan behind the extruder when not printing. Mine doesn't. Even though my UM2 is 1.5 years old, I find little in that kit that interests me tbh.

[Blizz]

Anyone know why they added new shafts? They seem to be the same thickness as the old ones...

Edit: Answer from Sander on the UM Forum:

The rods are in place because there is a risk of bending the rods when replacing the printhead, there is a risk they were already bent during usage / rough maintenance (Atomic Method?) or maybe they were not lubed frequently. When installing the upgrade you know your Ultimaker 2 (+) will be in excellent shape and will run like never before.

[PeggyB]

the kit is comfortable for all the new unexperienced users, and there must be a lot by now, to support the 'plug and play' behavior, but it is a pity that the experienced users have to wait some more.
Seeing all the troubles with the temp sensor for those who where installing the OB, getting the wires through the black sleeve, etc., it is a smart move to have an all included upgrade. I guess it is 'cheaper' to put all these items in the kit then dealing with support questions/complaints afterwards.

[LePaul]

You should see the comments on their Facebook feed about the pricing. Especially people who already upgraded to the Olsson Block and have multiple printers.

[LePaul]

The install video is paced a little fast to keep up with....but doesn't appear to be a horrible upgrade experience

[Meduza]

It is a pretty nice upgrade experience, they have really tried to make it a easy upgrade that takes less than a hour to complete, even if that means that some people complain about having to pay for too much parts...

@izzy: if you just want a stronger feeder you can go with my geared feeder upgrade: https://www.youmagine.com/designs/belt- ... er-upgrade, and labern's printed fanshroud works just great if you print it in a high-temp material like Taulman BluPrint or maybe the new Colorfabb HT

If you ask me, i really have high hopes for the new TFM coupler with the rigid spacer since hearing about Korneel's printer that has been running for 7500 hours with the TFM without having to change it out once

[reibuehl]

A good upgrade experience is a necessity, not a bonus. For that price anything other than that would be an insult.

[Izzy]

Hi Meduza, cheers for the surgestion and link
I don't push my printers limits so Roberts Feeder is working fine for PLAs and flexi materials, I may just change to a hobbed gear. I was wondering what the main difference with the upgraded one is and if there is much improvement over Roberts great mod easy to change etc.
Korneel's Spring replacement works well if you haven't tried it yet please Do, I've nothing against Labern's fan shroud I just prefer my ducts I also run with Anders I2K spacer so no problems with higher temperatures.

[Meduza]

Izzy: one of the main differences is since the feeder is geared the drive gear is thermally decoupled from the motor axis and does not heat up, wich makes it less grinding-prone and allows for more force applied to the filament trough the new stronger mechanism. If you are not up for pushing limits you can get the same effect with my geared feeder upgrade in a cheaper but slightly bulkier diy format...

I cannot say anything about your fan shrouds since i have not tried them, but of the ones i have tried Laberns was by far the best, most people seem to try to force the air trough way too tight channels and restrict the air flow too much...

[Izzy]

Cheers Meduza, I don't suffer from grinding but will check out the DIY option.
Re my fan ducts, I designed them to have an improved flow and reduce the back pressure, i'v measured over 6 m/s flow rate about 1cm bellow the hot nozzle, and with not requiring any screws at all the total mass of the print head is reduced, do yourself a favour give them a try I'm happy to receive criticism to improve them

[Amedee]

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