D3D Lulzbot Cura
Contents
Download
- For Linux - Lulzbot Cura Appimage
About
Official software for 3D printing for the Open Source Ecology 3D printer is Cura - but specifically, the Lulzbot Cura Edition, which is optimized for Linux.
Since OSE uses Linux, Lulzbot Cura is the best choice for OSE. Lulzbot Cura comes preloaded on the OSE Linux distribution.
Otherwise, you are in the slow lane with Cura if using the Ultimaker Cura original - which has not been optimized for Linux. You can still use Ultimaker Cura, but your user experience will not be as good. For example, it takes a long time to shift objects on your print bed, which is frustrating if you are in production.
OSE Lulzbot Cura allows for ready setup of machines other than Lulzbot and Lulzbot Mini. As such, it is useful to use Lulzbot Cura for OSE's D3D 3D Printer.
What is the difference between OSE Lulzbot Cura and Lulzbot Cura? OSE uses the stock Lulzbot Cura out of the box - except that we use OSE printer profiles, which are different than those used by Lulzbot Cura, which is set up for Luzbot 3D printers out of the box. Thus, when using Lulzbot Cura - either type the profile in the user interface, or load printer profiles (.ini files) for the specific D3D 3D printer that you are using. The version of Cura with OSE printer profiles is called OSE Lulzbot Cura.
OSE Lulzbot Cura
OSE Lulzbot Cura is Lulzbot Cura with OSE configuration files.
By going to Expert-> Switch to Full Settings - you can set nozzle size and various parameters. Once all configuration has been input, you can save the profile as a configuration (.ini) file by going to File->Save Profile.
You can also load saved cofiguration (.ini) files by going to File->Open Profile.
To configure a new machine (bed size) go to the menu - Machine-> Add New Machine - you can add a profile for the D3D Original - 8" print bed.
Different Places to Configure a Printer
- Machine Settings in Lulzbot Cura: You select bed size, nozzle size, and presence of heated bed in Machine Settings.
- Note that presence of heated bed is found only in the Machine->Machine Settings in Cura - it is not switchable anywhere else in Lulzbot Cura or in firmware. Config.ini file also does not save the presence of heated bed.
- Configuration File (.ini) in Lulzbot Cura: Saves many printing parameters such as nozzle size, print speed, infill %, raft, support, etc. Machine settings are generally not saved in the configuration file.
- Printing profile for a given printer/nozzle/extruder is saved in the configuration file
- Marlin Firmware: parameters related to the controller electronics and motion, as well as printer geometry - are saved in firmware.
Notes
- Note that if we are using different D3D printers with different settings - such as different extruders with different steps/mm - one way to accomplish different settings is with a configuration file if we do not want to re-upload the firmware.
- Firmware should be as generic as possible to accommodate different machines - and all possible parameters should be saved in configuration file if they can be saved there instead of the firmware. Thus, our policy is to Keep Marlin the Most Printer Agnostic so that all OSE 3D printers can be run using the same Marlin version. We've yet to see if this is possible for all the official versions of D3D.
- The configuration file saves the start and end g-codes - through which many settings can be passed. But make sure that there are no parameter conflicts between configuration.h and start/end g-codes in the configuration file. The Start G-Code will overwrite Marlin settings. Also, settings can be saved permanently in EEPROM via the control LCD screen.
- Speed can be modified via the LCD in realtime any time during a print. Speed settings may be modified in a G-Code file.
- G-code files can be modified manually via a text editor - to provide features not generated automatically in a slicer or another g-code generator utility.
- LCD Screen - input values and save them
Configuration Profile - Files
Configuration (.ini) file for D3D Lulzbot Cura:
File:D3DOriginal config.ini - D3D Original, 16" frame, 8" print bed, 0.5 mm nozzle. This works for all bed sizes, as bed size is defined in Marlin, not in the initialization file.
Calibration
Motion
From Triffid Hunter's Calibration Guide:
Start with D3D BOM - the pulleys are 20 tooth?
Yes, and the magic number is 80 steps/mm for x, y, and z.
Extruder
Doing a 100 mm extrusion in Pronterface yielded 4.6 times that length! The Extruder steps/mm are 4.6 too high. Reduce them accordingly. Go to D3D Marlin. The April 27, 2017 version has E steps/mm = 500. That number was pulled out of ass. It should be 109, which is consistent with this MK8 extruder discussion.
Override can be done using M92 E109. I can try that in the Startup Gcode within Lulzbot Cura, but first can set M92 E109 temporarily in Pronterface.
Doing the test, I got 109 mm extruded, so it is really M92 E100. Is that by design of the MK8 extruder or coincidence? Exactly 100 steps per 100 mm of filament pushed?
OSE Marlin can remain as is - but the File:D3DOriginal config.ini is changed to override the Extruder Steps/mm that is set in Marlin.
Versions:
- Titan Aero Extruder - official steps number is 425.
- Prusa i3 MK2- official number of steps is 161.3
- MK8 - official number of steps was 100?
Links
- 3D Printer Genealogy
- Cura - general Cura information, not specific to OSE or Lulzbot
