Instrucciones de impresion

Sí, esta página está en inglés... Perdón, la escribí por inercia, cuando pueda la traduzco!

Downloading ReplicatorG

The main software that we are going to use is ReplicatorG, so let's download it! You don't have to install it: just download the proper package and extract it in a nice place (e.g. home folder).

Starting and configuring ReplicatorG

Note: This works for Ubuntu, test it in Windows!

To start it, go to the folder you have just created and execute the file "replicatorg" Nice, uh? But we have to do a configuration in a file before continuing:

Setting the maximum Z parameter

By default, and to avoid problems, the extruder is not allowed to approach the build surface, because it doesn't know at which distance it is, so we must tell it that in a file. Go to the replicatorg folder, and navigate to:

.../replicatorg-0024/skein_engines/skeinforge-35/skeinforge_application/prefs/SF35-Thingomatic-HBP-Stepstruder/alterations

There you will find a file named start.gcode. Open it. Go to line 14, you'll see something like this:

G92 Z80 ( ---=== Set Z axis maximum ===--- )

Change it to:

G92 Z123.3 ( ---=== Set Z axis maximum ===--- )

Save and close.

Back to ReplicatorG

Connect the USB cable of the printer to your computer.

In the main window, select:

Machine>Driver>Thingomatic w/HBP and Stepstruder MK6

Now select your serial port:

Machine>Serial Port> YourSerialPort

And last:

GCode>Choose GCode generator>Skeinforge35

Talking to MADRE

Press the Connect icon (the plug). If everything went fine, the previously red panel should have turned green. Now, test the connection using the control panel (The four arrows icon). Try to move the platform to the left / right, but be careful not to reach any limit!!!

Now, believe me and put 220ºC in the Extruder temperature box, and 120 in the Platform temperature box: You will see why later!

Printing!

If you are here is because you have something to print. And that thing should be an .STL file. Open it with ReplicatorG: you should see the 3D model in the display area. To make it printable, use the Center and Put on platform commands that are under Move.

Now, our model should be sliced and compiled. This is done using the Generate GCode button. Select the correct profile: SF35-Thingomatic HBP Stepstruder, and UNselect Use Raft. Now, Generate.... It will take its time!

Once done: hit the Print icon!... But be careful!!

The first movements of the printer are the most dangerous ones. Once you push that icon, the platform and extruder will go to the 3 endstops in X, Y and Z. Then it will go to the corner with the red rubber wiper.

BE CAREFUL: DURING THE NEXT STEPS, YOU SHOULD BE WITH ONE HAND IN THE MAIN ON/OFF PLUG OF THE PRINTER (NEAR THE CABLE). REALLY, ALL OF US DO IT. THIS IS SERIOUS!

There, it will wait until everything is heated to the right temperature (If you set it previously to 220 and 120ºC, this step should be short). Then, after extruding plastic for some seconds, the extruder will start printing the first layer. THE NOZZLE SHOULD BE 0.5MM OVER THE SURFACE, BUT THE METAL SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE PLATFORM. IT THIS HAPPENS, TURN THE PRINTER OFF QUICK!

Stay watching the printer making its first layer: it's critical. After that, keep an eye on it and see if enough filament can feed the extruder.

Good luck!