Revision as of 15:27, 23 July 2014

Host Software

Host software is necessary to control the printer. There are a few printer host applications available, we will focus on Repetier-Host and Pronterface.

A printer host provides an interface from which the printer can be controlled and print jobs can be queued. They frequently include some level of integration with a slicing package and provide a graphical representation of the model loaded into the software. Ultimately, they all provide roughly the same experience with the printer and the one to use comes down to user preference.

Repetier-Host

Install the correct version for your system. Once the software is running, start by setting up the printer - select the Printer Settings button in the tool bar. The settings should be:

Connection tab:

Port depends on the PC. In Windows, check Windows Device manager to be certain. Linux: Click refresh Ports and look for a port with name containing 'USB' followed by a number. Mac OS: TBD.
Baud Rate: 115200
Transfer Protocol: Autodetect
Reset on Connect: DTR high>low
Reset on Emergency: default
Receive Cache Size: default

Printer tab:

Everything default except:

Z-Axis feed Rate: 4800

Extruder tab:

Everything default except:

Number of Extruder: 1
Max. Extruder Temperature: 250

Printer Shape tab:

Printer Type: Rostock Printer (circular print shape)
Home X: 0
Home Y: 0
Home Z: Max
Printable Radius: 126
Printable Height: 250

Pronterface

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT COMPLETE

Install the correct version for your system. Once the software is running, start by setting up the printer - select the Settings tab then select options. The settings should be:

Slicing Software

Slicing is an operation in which a 3-D model described by a stereolithography (.stl) file is "sliced" into thin layers in the z-direction (up). The slices are all stacked together in a g-code (.gcode) file that the printer host and/or firmware understand as commands directing movement of the printer, heating and cooling during printing. Like host software, there are a few alternatives. The MOST team uses Cura most frequently.

Cura

After installing the correct version of Cura for your system, start the program and you will be greeted by the First Run Wizard. Select Other on the second page of the wizard. On the third page, select Deltabot and click Finish on the fourth page.

From the Cura screen, select Machine>Machine settings. Set:

E-steps per 1mm filament to 0
Maximum width (mm) to 252 (the printer diameter)
Maximum depth (mm) to 252 (the printer diameter)
Maximum height (mm) to 250
Extruder count to 1
Heated bed should be unchecked
Leave the rest as they are

The Cura interface exposes a number of settings relevant to slicing models for printing. Hovering the mouse pointer over a parameter will cause a box to pop up explaining what the parameter does. One parameter to set correctly is the nozzle diameter (Advanced tab) which should be set to 0.5mm. Suggested parameter starting points are listed below, those not in the list can be left at their default value:

In the Basic tab

Layer height (mm): 0.25
Shell thickness (mm) 1.4
Bottom/Top thickness (mm): 0.5
Fill density (%): 25
Print speed (mm/s): 70
Printing temperature (C): 210
Filament Diameter (mm): 1.75
Flow (%) 100

In the Advanced tab

Travel speed (mm/s): 250

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 ==Pronterface==
-TBD
+'''PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT COMPLETE'''
+Install the correct version for your system. Once the software is running, start by setting up the printer - select the Settings tab then select options. The settings should be:
 =Slicing Software=

Delta Software:MOST: Difference between revisions