Installing and using software with Gigabot
Contents
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.
- 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 on the RepRap wiki.
- 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
Simplify3D
- Here is the configuration file for using Simplify with Gigabot. Click on the following link, and in the new window right click on the link :at the top of the page and choose "save link as" this will download the file to your computer. Open Simplify3D. From the main Simplify3D :screen click on "Edit process settings" on the lower right, a new window will open and then click on "Import" and navigate to the .fff :settings file you downloaded from our Wiki. File:Gigabot Simplify3D config.fff
- A great place to start is the simplify 3d website: http://www.simplify3d.com/support/
- Helpful tutorials: http://www.simplify3d.com/support/tutorials/
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
Connecting to Gigabot
- Turn on Gigabot
- Plug the USB cable into your computer
- Open Pronterface and 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
Testing the X, Y, and Z limit switches
- 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 Calibrating your Gigabot instructions before moving the Z axis