Difference between revisions of "Installing and using software with Gigabot"
(Created page with "==Install software== Gigabot is fully compatible with open source programming tools supported by the RepRap community. We encourage you to become an active participant in thi...") |
(→Install software) |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
Gigabot is fully compatible with open source programming tools supported by the RepRap community. We encourage you to become an active participant in this thriving community! | Gigabot is fully compatible with open source programming tools supported by the RepRap community. We encourage you to become an active participant in this thriving community! | ||
| − | :There are two software programs required for printing with Gigabot. | + | :There are two software programs and one USB to serial driver required for printing with Gigabot. The first software one will translate the solid model into G-code and the second one can be used to feed the G-code to Gigabot. |
| − | ===USB to | + | ===USB to serial driver=== |
The Virtual Communications Port driver talks to your USB port in a way that Gigabot understands. | The Virtual Communications Port driver talks to your USB port in a way that Gigabot understands. | ||
Revision as of 16:06, 29 July 2014
Install software
Gigabot is fully compatible with open source programming tools supported by the RepRap community. We encourage you to become an active participant in this thriving community!
- There are two software programs and one USB to serial driver required for printing with Gigabot. The first software one will translate the solid model into G-code and the second one can be used to feed the G-code to Gigabot.
USB to serial driver
The Virtual Communications Port driver talks to your USB port in a way that Gigabot understands.
- Download and install the VCP driver for your specific operating system.
- Windows version setup executable.
- All operating systems.
- You may need administrator rights, or need to right click and "Run as Administrator".
Slic3r
Slic3r takes a 3D model (usually an .stl file) and turns it into G-code. G-code is the instructions for the 3D printer to create the part. A more detailed understanding of G-code can be found here.
- Download and install Slic3r.
- Read the complete Slic3r manual
- Download Slic3r settings File:Gigabot Slic3r config.ini to your local computer.
- Open Slic3r and go to File -> Preferences -> Mode -> Expert
- Click OK and follow prompt to restart Slic3r
- Once you have restarted Slic3r go to File -> Load Configuration
- Choose the Gigabot_Slic3r_config.ini configuration file you saved earlier
Printrun (Pronterface)
This program is the interface you will use to communicate with Gigabot. Once the 3D model (.stl) has been turned into G-code, it must be feed into the printer. This can be done by loading the G-code file onto a micro SD card and inserting it into Gigabot's Viki controller or feeding it from your computer to Gigabot via Pronterface. More information on Pronterface can be found Here
- Download and install Printrun for Windows or Mac.
- Open Pronterface and go to Settings -> Options
- Under the Printer Settings tab change:
- Baud rate to 250000
- Bed temp for PLA to 65
- Extruder temp for PLA to 195
- X and Y manual feed rate to 6000
- Z manual feed rate to 200
- E manual feed rate to 100
- Width, Depth and Height to 600
- Click OK then restart Pronterface for the changes to take affect
- With Gigabot turned on, plug the USB cable into your computer
- In Pronterface click on the 'Connect' button at the top left of the main screen
- Once connected the dialog box on the right side of the screen should say 'Printer now online'
- On the left side of the screen near the Check Temperature button activate the "Watch" check box
- In the Pronterface control panel click on the +x 10 button to move the print head to the right 10mm
- Note: Calibrate the bed using the below instructions before moving the Z axis
