The folks at 3D Systems’ Cubify have been hard at work. Several revisions of the client software have been released since the first shipments of the Cube 3, but the most recent one, client 2.14, has improved the print quality tremendously. I was not paying much attention to additive manufacturing things over our Thanksgiving holiday, but I did check out this blog of my friend, Tom Meeks, for any news: cubifyfans.blogspot.com. If you have not visited his site, you should – he has extensive information on the Cube 2 and 3 machines as well as handy training videos and parametric modeling tutorials and much more.
So as soon as I saw the post about the client update, I turned on my computer and the update was performed when I started the old client. Added to my shelf was the “Ekocycle Cube Vase” – a flared and swirled vase model for free. I saw that as a great opportunity to test this out. And sure enough, the print was awesome! I did scale it down a little to use less filament and time (and with new shipments of cartridges perhaps a week away I can’t run out before then!).
The picture above is through a DinoLite digital microscope. These are 200 micron layers in “standard” print mode for the Cube 3. Note they are even and show no blobs or underfill. And the vase? Here it is:
UPDATE: after one more client and firmware update, I tried the two-color vase that failed in my first use of the machine. It now printed PERFECTLY! I’ll get some pictures uploaded but it was easy to get it done, and there were but a few stray filament pieces which did not interfere at all with the print.
Renaissance Engineer 
Wow! Very nice print. I’m going to order one in a week or 2. Thanks for the info and pics!
I’m waiting to see if the new and improved filament cartridges fix all of the issues before I order a cube 3. Have you received any new ones? Let us know how it goes when you do. Thanks!
Doug: absolutely! I’m checking almost every day for news of the shipment. It is more than just an update for me – my original cartridges are at less than 50%.
Doug,
Be cautious and wait is my recommendation. Despite the new firmware and client updates, there are a host of quality issues with the prints. The cartridges are likely a huge factor even when they don’t clog because the extruder slips and then a tiny flaw forms over and over.
Beware print files that are free from cubify because they are designed for perfection and prints can be deceiving when they are basically one solid surface like a vase because it can print each layer going around and around without having to lift the nozzle to print on another area of the build plate. Models that have support structure or other details that requires the nozzle to lift and then set back down like a coffee mug with handle print much differently. The hole through the handle will require the nozzle to lift after it performs a layer for the mug to begin the handle portion in the same layer and that’s where they are still having problems making smooth prints.
All in all the printer hardware is awesome but software and cartridge issues need to be fixed before I would ever repurchase one.
The printer also has problems with infill of certain shapes, the underside of a model that has printed supports is messy and the software doesn’t show where supports are automatically generated on the model to be printed.I hope this all gets fixed soon as I’ve been waiting for a good print since I ordered it in May.
My advise is wait!
Ryan: yes, overall I agree. I have made a number of items not supplied by Cubify, including my own designs, and have had mostly good results. I also do what I can to eliminate or reduce supports – just to reduce print time and materials, if nothing else. Assuming the cartridge issues go away (I understand there is a big effort to make it happen) then the software will sooner or later catch up. Unfortunately, so far it is the same experience I had with the Cube 1 and 2. There is no doubt the printer hardware side is well engineered.
UPDATE: definitely check out Tom Meek’s current test. I think you will see that in fact there is big progress on the filament issue and dual color printing.
http://cubifyfans.blogspot.com/2014/12/2-color-test-results-new-filament.html
Could someone please give me the Ekocycle vase model pictures above? I’ve been looking all over for it!
It’s beautiful and I really want to print it …. If anyone has the model file I’d really appreciate it.
I’ll check to see if I have that one tucked away for safekeeping. If so, I’ll let you know where to download it.
Have you found it yet?
Found a lot of 3D System library files of models they released for the Cube 3, but those libraries didn’t include the vase. I did find somebody that curated Cube demo files on an old blog, and I’ve sent an email asking about the vase. So hang in there, still more searching to do – it was over 6 years ago and my lab and equipment for 3D printing has changed dramatically since then.
Thank you
Ty
I already found it myself. Thanks for your help though!