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General discussions. For specific printers / electronics / fabrication methods / softwares, please see other sections.
Re: Best firmware for RAMPS 1.4 to manually control printer - 7 years ago
I used to use Marlin with my Arduino mega 2560/Ramps 1.4 but it was hard work going through lines and lines of code and typing commands in. I have since changed to Repetier firmware which has an online configuration tool. It couldn't be easier to change settings in the firmware. I also use Repetier Host for the actual printing with Slic3r slicer built in.by dave3d - Reprappers
Heated Build Chamber - Temperature Control - 7 years ago
My latest project has been to build an enclosure for my printer, which is essentially a modified Ordbot Hadron. I have made it out of polycarbonate sheet. Although it is not quite finished, I have done some testing and found it really struggles to heat up sufficiently. I print mostly with ABS and was hoping to reach 50 deg C inside the build chamber, however it struggles. I added a USB fan insiby dave3d - Reprappers
Re: Raspberry scanning with bq ciclop - 7 years ago
I have just built a Ciclop scanner with the Zum scan board/ Arduino but I am running it from a Windows 10 64 bit pc. I uses the Logitec camera. I do have a number Raspberry pi's including a pi 3 but have not tried it. Why do you want to specifically run it from the Pi?by dave3d - 3D Scanners, Book Scanners, and Optics
Re: Black Filament from Hell - 7 years ago
I only print with ABS but I gave up trying to print with black long ago. As mentioned it is a dumping ground for all sorts of waste plastic. Some of it I am sure is not even ABS. You can tell by the smell. It stinks the house out.by dave3d - Printing
Re: Raspberry pi based scanner. - 7 years ago
I have just built a Ciclop scanner which uses an Arduino Uno and a Zum Scan board, but there are versions which use a Raspberry Pi. The usual camera used is a Logitech c270 camera but others can also be used. The Horus scanning software is a free download.by dave3d - 3D Scanners, Book Scanners, and Optics
Re: BQ Ciclop 3D scanner - 7 years ago
I have just built a Ciclop scanner and I am now getting to grips with the calibration. It is very sensitive to the ambient light but I am now getting some pretty detailed scans even if there are holes in them. I found some of the parts difficult to print on my reprap printer and I ended up buying a set of blow moulded parts from Hong Kong on Ebay. Cheating maybe but the end job is good. The scannby dave3d - 3D Scanners, Book Scanners, and Optics
Re: 1.75mm Excelvan Filament - 7 years ago
I ordered a couple of rolls of Excelvan 1.75mm ABS from Amazon UK about 6 to 8 weeks ago (yellow and red) and it was in stock. More recently it was not showing so I ordered Sunlu ABS instead. It prints pretty good and is cheap.by dave3d - General
Re: ABS fumes and best cases to handle them? - 8 years ago
I have got a PEI bed stuck down with 3M tape and there is no smell whatsoever from it. I use it all the time at 110 deg C.by dave3d - Reprappers
Re: ABS fumes and best cases to handle them? - 8 years ago
As I said I print in a spare bedroom at the back of my house. I had a brainwave, my garage/workshop is next to the room and I already have a dust extraction system installed for my wood working machinery. I am going to punch a hole through the wall and fit a socket from a central vacuum cleaning system. They are more commonly used in the US I think. The socket is fairly inconspicuous and it justby dave3d - Reprappers
Re: ABS fumes and best cases to handle them? - 8 years ago
I find there is a big variability in ABS filaments. I print in a spare back bedroom in my house and some filaments have a strong smell and make my eyes sting. There must be nano particles or vapours (maybe the same thing) being given off. Also the hot end and nozzle slowly gets coated with a carbonised black film even where it has no actual physical contact with the filament. This proves I thinkby dave3d - Reprappers
Re: Stainless steel vs brass nozzles - 8 years ago
That is what I thought, that it should be OK with ABS.by dave3d - Reprappers
Stainless steel vs brass nozzles - 8 years ago
I was recently on Amazon buying some new filament and one of the feedback comments was that the particular ABS filament I was buying was too abrasive for brass nozzles, stainless steel was recommended. I must admit this is new to me. All my nozzles are brass and I have never noticed any hole enlarging or any other degradation. I was previously using jheads but now E3D v6 with 0.4mm brass nozzle.by dave3d - Reprappers
Re: Which scanner is good for human faces ? - 8 years ago
I am using a modified Microsoft Xbox 360 with Skanect software. It works well for head/face scans and also full body shots. You could chop or modify the scans to make a mask I think.by dave3d - 3D Scanners, Book Scanners, and Optics
Re: E3D v6 3.0mm Direct get stuck - 8 years ago
I have recently tried several Chinese made E3D V6 hotends. I am using 1.75mm ABS with a 0.4mm nozzle with a Bowden setup. I have found the cooling fan is essential. I wired it so it is on all the time. There are a choice of barrels and I found the PTFE lined ones worked the best for me with ABS at 240 deg C. I used one continuous length of PTFE tube inside. It is about 53mm. I also used a 2mm reaby dave3d - Reprappers
Re: Yes, 3D printers can go on fire. - 8 years ago
I did not know it was possible to make a smoke alarm that small. If it could be developed further so that it sent an alarm signal (via bluetooth maybe) so that it could trip a relay, it would be ideal. I have been operating a full size, hard wired, smoke alarm that trips the mains supply to the printer for nearly 2 years now. So far it has not been used in anger.by dave3d - Safety & Best Practices
Re: Duet board support - 8 years ago
As I stated I have been using Repetier firmware for some time now and I have fine tuned my printer's settings over a period of time (I originally started out with Marlin). The online configuration tool for Repetier is really simple to use. It is analogous to using a GUI rather than a CLI on a computer. I am reluctant to start again.by dave3d - Repetier
Re: Arduino and Ramps woes - 8 years ago
I knew the Duet is based on the same chip as the Arduino Due, which is supported by Repetier firmware, so in my ignorance I assumed the Duet was going to be the same. I have asked Repetier what the latest position is but they have yet to reply. That would be the best of both worlds for me; continuing to use the Repetier online configuration tool and the Duet web interface.by dave3d - RAMPS Electronics
Re: Arduino and Ramps woes - 8 years ago
I welcome all comments, thanks. I say thank god for Chinese manufacturers. I have had some real bargains from Chinese suppliers, not just for 3d printing. The problem is you don't know what you are going to get. It is very competitive and dog eat dog there so manufacturers will use cheap, or cheaper, components to stay in the game. Quality is therefore the big issue. If it was a level playing fiby dave3d - RAMPS Electronics
Duet board support - 8 years ago
What is the latest position regarding firmware support for the Duet board? It is compatible with the Arduino Due. The only reference I can find for it is an old post dated 2014. I have just bought one and would like if possible to continue using my existing firmware settings using the Repetier online configuration tool.by dave3d - Repetier
Re: New print surface material? - 8 years ago
Quoteevenbor have printbite, but cant get mine print to stick. Have tried to adjust hight, and clean with aceton. So went back to buildtak. For me this is overpriced garbage That is not my experience. You don't say what filament you are using or give any details. The only garbage is what you wrote.by dave3d - General
Re: Raspberry pi and Gertbot controller - 8 years ago
OK. Thanks. I have also just received my new RPi 3 and I have loaded Windows 10 IOT to play around with.by dave3d - Repetier
Re: Rapberry pi and Gertbot - 8 years ago
Here is a link with more details of the board: Motor control is taken away from the rpi and done by the onboard chip. It looked suitable when I first read 4 channels but that equates to just 2 stepper motors, so unfortunately 2 boards are required totaling 80 GBP. I presently have an Arduino/Ramps and I am looking round for something better.by dave3d - Controllers
Raspberry pi and Gertbot controller - 8 years ago
I am big lover of the Raspberry pi 2 and there is an even better pi 3 now out. I have just seen an add on controller board for it called a Gertbot. Two can be cascaded together to run 4 stepper motors. I immediately thought of 3d printing. I have not seen a pi running the controller side, only the host software. It uses 64 MHz ARM Cortex-M3 processor. Can Repetier firmware be made to runby dave3d - Repetier
Re: Arduino and Ramps woes - 8 years ago
David J, thanks. You can be as blunt as you want. I want advice. Any suggestions what to look at? I have looked at the Duet but with the LCD it is 170 GBP + VAT & del. I do like the idea of continuing to use Repetier firmware, that I am familiar with. It would be very expensive though if one failed and had to be replaced. I can find my way around a Raspberry pi and have looked at the Gertboby dave3d - RAMPS Electronics
Re: Rapberry pi and Gertbot - 8 years ago
I have just read through the specs again. Yes you are right, 2 stepper motors per board. But they are cascadable up to 4 boards in total, so 2 Gertbot boards would be needed to control 4 stepper motors.by dave3d - Controllers
Rapberry pi and Gertbot - 8 years ago
I already have a Raspberry pi 2 but I don't use it for 3d printing. I run a version of Linux on it. There is however an even faster Raspberry pi 3 out now that I have just ordered. Some talk about being able to run Windows 10 on it in the future. I also notice there is an interface for it called a Gertbot that has four motor channels. I seems this would be suitable as a 3d printer controller.by dave3d - Controllers
Arduino and Ramps woes - 8 years ago
I control my Ordbot printer with an Arduino 2560 Mega and a Ramps 1.4 shield. The electronics has never been truly reliable and I have had to replace the boards and stepper drivers on more than one occasion. The good thing is I can find my way around the firmware - I am using Repetier and the components are dirt cheap, mostly made in China I guess. Now the whole thing has just gone down again afby dave3d - RAMPS Electronics
Re: New print surface material? - 8 years ago
Printbite with adhesive backing already on it would be even better. I bought the expensive recommended 3M tape and it cost me about the same as the Printbite sheet. I stuck mine down on an aluminium Mk3 bed and had problems with bubbles. It is not easy to apply. I also drilled the corners to mount the leveling springs.by dave3d - General