stl file and first print help

Hello Everyone
I have just finished building my first 3D printer.
MACHINE_TYPE:Mendel
FIRMWARE_NAMEprinter FIRMWARE_URL:http%%3A/github.com/kliment/Sprinter/
GUIronterface
I am using a 0.30 mm nozzle tip.

In regards to the construction I am ready. All my motors and extruders are working fine.they are responding perfectly to gcode commands like

G1 F1500
G1 X90 Y13 Z20 E40 as given in the link
[www.reprap.org]


I have checked the other gcodes too one at a time .they seems to be responding well except M207 to calibrate the z max length. when i position the nozzle near the bed it should home and then calculate the height. however it does not respond.


I am confused here. So do I simply LOAD a .stl file and print?Is this the procedure?I did try a given samply stl file. it doesnt seems to work. Do i need to write the gcodes all by myself?if not how do i generate them and execute them?

can anyone provide me a sample .stl file which i can use to print my first print directly. what should my settings be for this print?
A step wise explanation would be really helpful. Sorry for putting up soo silly questions.
Thanks for putting up with me

You are missing the slicer software, e.g. Slic3r,( slic3r.org) or Cura, or Kisslicer etc.
Basically, you load an STL file into the slicer software and it will generate the G-Code for the printer.

---

_______________________________________
Waitaki 3D Printer

I think you will likely want to go through this guide to calibrating your printer once you have a slicer setup...

[reprap.org]

Wisar

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2014 08:21AM by Wisar.

Thanks a ton waitaki and Wisar for your valuable suggestions.I installed the Slic3r and its running fine. I have also tired to calibrate the machine using the guide provided. Really very helpful...Thanks a lott again

Further to the proceedings...My bed is not heating beyond 80-85degress. Even though i have changed it on the pronterface it still remains the same. However,if i set it to 65 degrees, it does work well. I have a relay which does the switching which it reaches 65degrees.If i set 110 it fails to reach the desired temperature.Is it because of the relay?What shall I do?

In regards to print, I want to create a single layer of print without many layers.Just a simple layer of print to test the machine. The slic3r generated a gcode which i modified to just print a single layer, but it does not seem to be working properly. Please have a look at the G-code and please advice if i need to change the setting. The following are the setting.
Motors off XY 3000mm/min Z 620
Extrude 100mm@400mm/min
Heatbed 230(abs)
Bed 110(abs)---the temp goes to 85 only.

My maximum z offset is 98.6mm. However when i generate the gcode it starts from 98.6 point and goes higher and in the process digs the bed.Please advice..
Thankssss !!





; generated by Slic3r 1.0.1-dev on 2014-03-27 at 10:03:58

; perimeters extrusion width = 0.30mm
; infill extrusion width = 0.37mm
; solid infill extrusion width = 0.37mm
; top infill extrusion width = 0.37mm

G21 ; set units to millimeters
M107 ;Fan off

M104 S230 ; set temperature
G28 ; home all axes
G1 Z5 F1500 ; lift nozzle


G90 ; use absolute coordinates
G92 E0
M82 ; use absolute distances for extrusion
G1 F1800.000 E-40.00000
G92 E0
G1 Z90.00 F1500.000
G1 X49.670 Y57.636 F7800.000
G1 E1.00000 F1800.000
G1 X67.979 Y38.937 E40.59490 F600.000
G1 X69.832 Y37.612 E40.64669
G1 X72.027 Y37.004 E40.69847
G1 X74.298 Y37.186 E40.75025
G1 X77.221 Y38.840 E40.82661
G1 X78.650 Y40.239 E40.87207
G1 X79.975 Y42.092 E40.92385
G1 X80.584 Y44.287 E40.97564
G1 X80.402 Y46.558 E50.02742
G1 X78.748 Y49.482 E50.10379
G1 X60.439 Y68.180 E50.69869
G1 X58.586 Y69.505 E50.75047
G1 X56.391 Y70.114 E50.80225
G1 X54.120 Y69.932 E50.85403
G1 X51.197 Y68.278 E50.93040
G1 X49.768 Y66.879 E50.97586
G1 X48.443 Y65.026 E60.02764
G1 X47.834 Y62.831 E60.07942
G1 X48.016 Y60.560 E60.13120
G1 X49.648 Y57.675 E60.20655
G1 F1800.000 E2.20655
G92 E0
G1 X54.764 Y62.204 F1500.000
G1 E1.00000 F1800.000
G1 X72.653 Y43.934 E40.58127 F600.000
G1 X73.654 Y44.914 E40.61309
G1 X55.764 Y63.184 E50.19436
G1 X54.796 Y62.236 E50.22516
G1 X55.053 Y62.123 F7800.000
M106 S255
M104 S225 ; set temperature
M140 S215 ; set bed temperature
G1 F1800.000 E1.22516

G28 X0 ; home X axis


; filament used = 369.2mm (2.6cm3)

; avoid_crossing_perimeters = 0
; bed_size = 166,160
; bed_temperature = 215
; bridge_acceleration = 0
; bridge_fan_speed = 100
; bridge_flow_ratio = 1
; bridge_speed = 60
; brim_width = 0
; complete_objects = 0
; cooling = 1
; default_acceleration = 0
; disable_fan_first_layers = 1
; duplicate_distance = 6
; end_gcode = M104 S0 ; turn off temperature\nG28 X0 ; home X axis\nM84 ; disable motors\n
; external_perimeter_speed = 80%
; external_perimeters_first = 1
; extruder_clearance_height = 20
; extruder_clearance_radius = 20
; extruder_offset = 0x0
; extrusion_axis = E
; extrusion_multiplier = 1
; fan_always_on = 0
; fan_below_layer_time = 60
; filament_diameter = 3
; first_layer_acceleration = 0
; first_layer_bed_temperature = 105
; first_layer_extrusion_width = 200%
; first_layer_speed = 30%
; first_layer_temperature = 230
; g0 = 0
; gap_fill_speed = 30
; gcode_arcs = 0
; gcode_comments = 0
; gcode_flavor = reprap
; infill_acceleration = 0
; infill_first = 0
; infill_speed = 60
; layer_gcode =
; max_fan_speed = 100
; min_fan_speed = 35
; min_print_speed = 10
; min_skirt_length = 0
; notes =
; nozzle_diameter = 0.3
; only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters = 1
; ooze_prevention = 0
; output_filename_format = [input_filename_base].gcode
; overhangs = 1
; perimeter_acceleration = 0
; perimeter_speed = 60
; post_process =
; print_center = 81,70
; randomize_start = 0
; resolution = 0
; retract_before_travel = 2
; retract_layer_change = 1
; retract_length = 1
; retract_length_toolchange = 10
; retract_lift = 0
; retract_restart_extra = 0
; retract_restart_extra_toolchange = 0
; retract_speed = 30
; skirt_distance = 6
; skirt_height = 1
; skirts = 1
; slowdown_below_layer_time = 30
; small_perimeter_speed = 40
; solid_infill_speed = 60
; spiral_vase = 0
; standby_temperature_delta = -5
; start_gcode = G28 ; home all axes\nG1 Z5 F5000 ; lift nozzle\n
; start_perimeters_at_concave_points = 0
; start_perimeters_at_non_overhang = 0
; temperature = 225
; threads = 2
; toolchange_gcode =
; top_solid_infill_speed = 50
; travel_speed = 130
; use_firmware_retraction = 0
; use_relative_e_distances = 0
; vibration_limit = 0
; wipe = 0
; z_offset = 98.6

The bed is typically set at Z=0 with positive going upwards. Depending on how you've set up the z endstop(s) you could be homing at the top of the build envelope or homing at the bottom of the envelope, but I'd think your print should start with z=0 or z=0.5. Are you sure that you are using the z offset right?

After homing, try some manual moves and M114 to see if it thinks it is where you think it ought to be.

Also, you could try editing your G1 Z90.00 F1500.000 line to try different Zs. I'd think Z=90 should be 90mm above your bed.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/2014 03:49PM by DaveX.

Repraptech:

If your heated bed won't get higher, you can try a couple of things:

1 - You can try adjusting the voltage on your power supply to 13 or 14V. This may be enough to do the trick.
2 - Get a 12V/30A power supply. I just had to do this, as the heated bed on my Tricolour Mendel wouldn't get past 68C. This is the supply that I picked up. Now my heated bed goes all the way up to 110C. You may also want to print out one of these before you make the switch, as the wiring setup may be reversed from what your current PSU has.

John.

Hello DaveX and John de Michelle...thank u for your support..

DaveX:My endstop for z is at the top.So, when I home, the motor goes to the top reaches the endstop and stops.at that point when I release the command M114 it says

SENDING:M114
X:0.00Y:0.00Z:0.00E:0.00

So I can tell at this point z=0. When I put the z offset as 98.6mm it goes close to the bed and stops.
SENDING:M114
X:0.00Y:0.00Z:98.60E:0.00
Which means Zoffset =98.6 is indeed correct. However, when I generate the gcode it would start from 98.6 and goes higher and digs into the bed before I have to force it to stop.What might be other possible angles to this problem?

John de michelle: Very good point you have mentioned. I did suspect it might be the power supply. However I would not buy the power units. I am thinking of feeding another power line to increase the power. Hopefully that solves the problem. Do you think it might have to do with the thermistor ??Do I have to do anything to it?

My print is not sticking to the bed.So do you guys think simply rising the bed temperature will solve the problem?is there anything else that I need to do?

looking forward to the reponse...thanksss!!

Repraptech,

Honestly, probably not. You can check the voltage going to your heated bed, and see if it's close to 12V. The problem that I ran into was that mine was topping out about 7V, no matter the adjustments that I made. With the new power supply, it's now close to 12V, and the heated bed warms up twice as fast as it did before, although the last few degrees seem to take a bit to get to.

Yes, raising the heated bed temp should help. I did a run attempt last night at 105C, and it didn't stick very well.

John.

Hello There,
Believe me, I'm a newbie and there are no silly questions. Only silly answers...
Anyway, in order to print an .stl you have to first "slice" it. using slic3r or kisslicer.
That is what generates the "GCODE" for your printer. In your slicer program you can set your perameters.
Like how many top and bottom solid layers...what percentage for infil......usually the defaults that come with the slicer
program can work but you might want to 'tweek" the settings. That's another trip. But experimenting is the best teacher.
I'm not sure if this is what you where asking but I hope it helps.
I've attached a small file ... glass plate clip. I've sent the .stl and the "sliced" gcode version. Now realize that I sliced this .stl using
Slic3r with my settings but it should work out fine. Try loading the .gcode and see what happens.
Good luck.
Waynester

Hello John De Michelle and Waynester....Thank you for your reply and support.

John De Michelle: I think you are right I should simply get a new power source and that would save me sometime. You said raising the temperature to 105 didnt help.what could be the ideal temperature then? 110 or more...i wont be able to test it until the power supply arrives..fingures crossed..

Waynester: Rightly said there. Being new to this area is quite challenging as both hardware and software sides needs to be dealt with. You gave a perfect explanation to my answer. I did figure it out sometime back, but if there were more clear instructions like yours before it would have been much easier as a newbie..
I have downloaded your stl n gcode...i did try to run it....however the motor speeds seems to be a miss match.
May I ask you few other simple questions please
1. What is the ideal extruder and reverse speed....i have used 135mm@400mm/min....what is your settings?This is only a random settings
2. what is the Motor off XY settings?I have used
Motors off XY 3296mm/min Z 620
this is just a random number. what should be the ideal settings?

Guys...as I have mentioned before about this problem i have no idea what or how to solve it.....let me reiterate it..

I have a Mendel machine type where the home for Z axis is at the top. So when I home my Z, it would go to the top and reach the endstop and ofcourse stop.at this point z=0. I have measured that my height of Z axis is about 98.6. When I release the command G0 Z98.6 the nozzle would be just above the bed at the right distance. so at this point z=98.6
When I feed this information into the slic3r, it generates the Gcode. HOWEVER the problem the slic3r would generate a Gcode which would have a Z starting from 98.6 and go onwards say 99.6,100.6,101.6 etc depending on the layer depth. This causes the nozzle to dig into the bed.How can i make the nozzle to start from 98.6 and go other way i.e 98.6,97.6,95.6 etc with each progressive layer...Hope I have been able to iterate the problem faced here.Please give me your valuable suggestions..any suggestions...thank you
Cheerss!!

Have you inverted your Z direction in your firmware?


This is for Marlin which has a comment that it should be set to false for a mendel machine.

#define INVERT_Z_DIR true // for Mendel set to false, for Orca set to true

check your firmware for this value

Convention is that Z=0 when the nozzle is touching the bed, and goes up from there until the far end of travel (98.6mm? on your printer). You need to either set a Z offset in firmware (if Sprinter supports it) so that 98.6mm is at the top, or move your endstop switch to the bottom and make your Z motor(s) turn backwards either in firmware or by swapping the wires around. Don't try to compensate for the printer problem by slicing backwards.....

Repraptech,

Yes, 110C should be good for ABS. I've been getting good sticking with ABS on kapton tape at that temperature.

John.

First of all Thank you guys for keeping the topic in motion...CHeersssss to eci22 , vreihen and John de Michele

eci22: I have not inverted the Z direction yet. few things i want to know before i can do that. Is there any way to access the firmware which is installed in the microcontroller??The microcontroller that i am using had a preinstalled firmware(Sprinter).
I downloaded the firmware from [github.com] and I can see it in the configuration.h file where I can change the direction of Z.
SO another set of question arises,
Do i have to change the direction and upload the firmware again???
Do I have to upload the firmware everytime i make changes??

Vreihen: Continuing with the discussion from above, the options given by you does sound very tempting for me to try it and invert the endstop or the motor direction. However, Changing the endstop would mean i have to change the homing direction too. let me check if changing the direction of z helps..

john de michelle: hello again, hopefully the power supply arrives today.at the same time i am thinking of changing the thermistor settings in the firmware to see if that increases the temperature of the bed.Would you be able to help me with the following questions please

1. What is the ideal extruder and reverse speed....i have used 135mm@400mm/min....what is your settings?
2. what is the Motor off XY settings?I have used
Motors off XY 3296mm/min Z 620. what should be the ideal settings?


Thanks guyss...CHeersss!!!!!

Quote
repraptech
First of all Thank you guys for keeping the topic in motion...CHeersssss to eci22 , vreihen and John de Michele

eci22: I have not inverted the Z direction yet. few things i want to know before i can do that. Is there any way to access the firmware which is installed in the microcontroller??The microcontroller that i am using had a preinstalled firmware(Sprinter).

Do i have to change the direction and upload the firmware again???
Do I have to upload the firmware everytime i make changes??

You cannot 'download' config.h from your arduino. It's converted into binary before its uploaded, unless you want to experiment with reverse engineering the hex file but it certainly is not easy.

What you can do is view and set different configuration values by using various Gcode commands. Pronterface also prints the most common config values when it first connects.

The answer to both of your other questions is yes.

Looking at sprinter you have


//-----------------------------------------------------------------------
// Inverting axis direction
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------

const bool INVERT_Z_DIR = true;

//-----------------------------------------------------------------------
//// ENDSTOP SETTINGS:
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------
// Sets direction of endstops when homing; 1=MAX, -1=MIN
#define Z_HOME_DIR -1

Now if you were to invert your Z direction your z axis would move in the opposite direction than it is at the moment, the problem you have is that currently when you home, your z axis is moving in the right direction. In that case Z_HOME_DIR seems to me like it would need to change in order for your homing direction to be reversed after z direction has been reversed. That's just my understanding of the problem excuse me if I've misunderstood.

Hello eci22

Sorry for the late reply....Thank u for your VALUABLE tip...indeed by changing the firmware i was able to invert the direction of the z axis.However I changed my firmware from Marlin to sprinter...everything seems to be up and running except the extruder...Initially it was working perfectly.however last couple of days the filament is not extruding properly.i am thinking of switching to pla instead of abs....

John de Michele: My power supply arrived sometime back...however when I plugged it in, it didnt have much effect. It did rise the temperature of the bed by couple of degrees but not much difference. However, I managed to change the thermistorbed setting to 200k it shoot up my temperature..bingo!!!
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
#define THERMISTORBED 2
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


>>Also can anyone advice me how to connect my fan for the extruder. I have no clue how to connect the fan to the PCB and the connection.Should I connect it directly to the power supply.there is an option on the slic3r for the fan...surely there has to be a way to control it.connecting directly to the power supply would start the fan however i wont be able to control it

...please advice...thankss

Hello GUys....found this interesting work for connecting the fan to the extruder...


[www.instructables.com]

CHeerss!!

Quote
repraptech
John de Michele: My power supply arrived sometime back...however when I plugged it in, it didnt have much effect. It did rise the temperature of the bed by couple of degrees but not much difference. However, I managed to change the thermistorbed setting to 200k it shoot up my temperature..bingo!!!
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
#define THERMISTORBED 2
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I ended up having to turn the voltage up a bit on mine, but now I can reliably get my bed up to 110C in a reasonable amount of time. I'm not sure what my settings are at, as I'm still tweaking my machine.

John.