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WORKING WITH 3D MODELS

Figure 3.5: Saving print settings in Slic3r

3.2.3

Slicing 3D models

On the Slicer page of Repetier-Host interface, select “Artifex PLA” for Print Settings,
Printer Settings, and Filament Settings (Extruder 1) in Slic3r section. (Figure 3.2)

Click the “Slice with Slic3r” button, and a window will pop up showing the slicing
progress (Figure 3.6).

Figure 3.6: Slicing information window

http: // 3dmakerworld. com

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Summary of Contents for Artifex

Page 1: ...The User Manual of Artifex Desktop 3D Printer http 3dmakerworld com Document date January 6 2014 Check website for latest update ...

Page 2: ...tion kit package only 28 2 2 2 Leveling HBP 30 2 2 3 Loading filaments 34 2 3 Printing out your first 3D model 39 3 Working with 3D Models 43 3 1 Getting 3D models 43 3 1 1 Creating your own 3D models 43 3 1 2 Downloading 3D models from online repositories 43 3 2 Generating G code from 3D models 44 3 2 1 Loading 3D models 44 3 2 2 Configuring Slic3r 45 3 2 3 Slicing 3D models 48 4 Printing with AB...

Page 3: ... management vibration reduction filament feeding and compatibility with other features in the extruder and heated build platform HBP The printer uses an MakerGear hot end and its compact extruder design A durable 24v silicone rubber heater is used in the HBP to achieve fast heating up The design of 3DMakerWorld Artifex 3D Printer is open to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAl...

Page 4: ...3 space Layer resolution 0 05mm 0 002in Nozzle diameter 0 35mm 0 014in Print materials 1 75mm PLA and ABS Speed Top print speed Infill or inner perimeter 150mm sec Outer perimeter 100mm sec Top non print speed 300mm sec Acceleration Top print acceleration Infill 3000mm sec Perimeter 1500mm sec Top non print acceleration 3000mm sec Electrical Power requirements 110 220 VAC Electronics RAMBo Hot end...

Page 5: ... safely 3D Maker World assumes no liability for any loss or injury caused by operating the Artifex 3D Printer Provide sufficient clear space around the printer to permit free motion of moving parts including the front back movement of build platform the up down movement of X axis assembly and the rotation of filament spool When the printer is in operation never touch moving parts including belts p...

Page 6: ...3876 The RepRap community for the sharing of various 3D printing knowledge The operation of Artifex 3D Printer is based on an open source software toolchain We want to thank people who have developed the following open source programs Repetier Host the printing user interface Slic3r G code generator included in the Repetier Host Marlin the firmware of 3D printer Arduino used to upload and edit the...

Page 7: ...om a 3D model of your choice either from your own creation or from an online 3D model repository A few 3D modeling tools and online 3D model repositories will be introduced And the main content of Chapter 4 will be focused on the slicing settings of Slic3r Figure 1 2 shows the structure of Chapter 2 and 3 Figure 1 2 Structure of Chapter 2 and 3 Chapter 4 will cover the printing parameter configura...

Page 8: ... Printer uses the RAMBo electronics from Ultimachine No installation is required for Mac and Linux systems The driver file for Windows RAMBo USBdriver zip can be downloaded on our website Follow steps below to install the driver for Windows 1 Download the driver and save it in a folder of your choice In our case we saved the file on the desktop 2 Unzip the compressed file using 7 Zip or other arch...

Page 9: ...em Under Other devices you will find the RAMBo device right click and select Update Driver Software Figure 2 2 Figure 2 2 Update driver software 5 A window will pop up asking whether to Search automatically or Browse my computer Select Browse my computer Figure 2 3 http 3dmakerworld com 9 ...

Page 10: ...gure 2 3 Select Browse my computer 6 In the popped up window select the folder where you unzipped the archive file In our case the location is C Desktop RAMBo USBdriver Then click Next Fig ure 2 4 http 3dmakerworld com 10 ...

Page 11: ...r file 7 A security window may pop up Figure 2 5 If so click Install Figure 2 5 Confirm software installation 8 After the installation you will be noticed that Windows has successfully updated your driver software Click Close Figure 2 6 http 3dmakerworld com 11 ...

Page 12: ...cessfully 9 Now the RAMBo electronics will appear under the Ports COM LPT Write down the COM port which the electronics uses We will need this information later when setting up the printing software In our case it is COM3 Figure 2 7 http 3dmakerworld com 12 ...

Page 13: ...re if you need to update the firmware for your Artifex 3D Printer please follow steps listed in this section For an Artifex 3D Printer kit after you install the electronics you need to upload its firmware 1 Download the Arduino software The RAMBo electronics used in your Artifex 3D Printer is an Arduino compatible con trol board The Arduino integrated development environment IDE software will be i...

Page 14: ... it to your computer s Desktop or a location of your choice Unzip the file using 7 Zip or other archive software Figure 2 8 The unzipped files will appear in a folder named arduino 1 0 5 Figure 2 8 Unzip the Arduino zip file using 7 Zip Open the folder and there is a file named arduino exe Figure 2 9 It is the executable program of the Arduino IDE software No further installation is needed http 3d...

Page 15: ...er The Artifex 3D Printer is shipped with a customized Marlin based firmware Download the Artifex firmware from http 3dmakerworld com support downloads save it to your computer s Desktop or a location of your choice Unzip the file using 7 Zip or other archive software Figure 2 10 http 3dmakerworld com 15 ...

Page 16: ...RTED Figure 2 10 Unzip the Artifex firmware zip file using 7 Zip Open the Arduino IDE software arduino exe The software interface is shown in Figure 2 11 Figure 2 11 The Arduino IDE software http 3dmakerworld com 16 ...

Page 17: ...tware Select the file Marlin ino in the unzipped Artifex firmware file folder C Desktop ArtifexFirmware1 0 Marlin Figure 2 13 and click Open Fig ure 2 14 shows the Arduino IDE with opened Artifex firmware files Figure 2 13 The main file of Artifex firmware Marlin ino http 3dmakerworld com 17 ...

Page 18: ...e Arduino IDE with opened Artifex firmware files Select Tools Board Arduino Mega 2560 or Mega ADK Figure 2 15 Figure 2 15 Select the board type of Artifex electronics Select Tools Serial Port COM3 Figure 2 16 http 3dmakerworld com 18 ...

Page 19: ...electronics Select File Upload to upload the Artifex firmware to its electronics Fig ure 2 17 Before uploading the Arduino IDE will first compile the firmware files The progress of compiling and uploading is shown in the bottom status window http 3dmakerworld com 19 ...

Page 20: ... not successful the error message will be shown in the status window as well Common causes of uploading failure include wrong Arduino board type wrong serial port or serial port conflict e g the same serial port is used by your printing software which will be covered later in this section For other error message please refer to the Arduino manual or contact our technical support http 3dmakerworld ...

Page 21: ...r Host printing software due to its user friendly interface and all in one features Repetier Host can work on Windows Mac and Linux systems The following steps are based on the Windows version 0 90C 1 Download the Repetier Host set up file from http www repetier com download 2 Run the set up file to install the Repetier Host software After the installation open the Repetier Host Figure 2 19 http 3...

Page 22: ...from Config Printer Settings Figure 2 20 Figure 2 20 Open the Printer Settings In the window of Printer Settings Figure 2 21 enter the printer name Artifex on the top and configure settings on the Connection page as shown in the figure Make sure the port number matches the serial number used by your Artifex 3D Printer http 3dmakerworld com 22 ...

Page 23: ... Settings Connection Configure the settings on the Printer page Figure 2 22 Depending on your printing materials the default temperature of extruder and heated bed can be set to either 180C 70C PLA or 220C 95C ABS http 3dmakerworld com 23 ...

Page 24: ...2 Printer Settings Printer Configure the settings on the Printer Shape page Figure 2 23 Figure 2 23 Printer Settings Printer Shape Configure the settings on the Advanced page Nothing to change on the page http 3dmakerworld com 24 ...

Page 25: ...ter Figure 2 24 Figure 2 24 Printer Settings Advanced Click the drop down arrow next to the Connect button and select Artifex Figure 2 25 The Repetier Host is now connected with your Artifex 3D Printer as confirmed by the message shown on the bottom status bar Figure 2 26 http 3dmakerworld com 25 ...

Page 26: ...d with Artifex 3D Printer 2 2 Setting up printer hardware Caution Before powering up your Artifex 3D Printer check the voltage selection of the Power Supply Unit PSU on the bottom left of your Artifex 3D Printer and make sure it matches the voltage supply in your area Figure 2 27 http 3dmakerworld com 26 ...

Page 27: ...he power cord into the AC input receptacle on the back of your Artifex 3D Printer Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet and turn on the power switch next to the AC input receptacle Figure 2 28 Figure 2 28 Power connection and switch http 3dmakerworld com 27 ...

Page 28: ...p you gain better understanding of your Artifex 3D printer even you start with a fully assembled Artifex Figure 2 29 shows the X Y Z axis definition of your Artifex 3D Printer The extruder moves along the X and Z axis and the heated build platform HBP moves along the Y axis The extruder s X Y Z position is defined relative to the HBP Figure 2 29 X Y Z axis definition of Artifex 3D Printer Figure 2...

Page 29: ...n the electronics board The red wire of motor cable should face towards the front of printer Figure 2 31 Caution 1 Make sure there is enough distance for the extruder HBP to move freely without bumping onto the frame HBP before sending out a control command 2 Power off the printer and unplug the USB cable before you open the electronics case or flip the connector of any motor cable 3 When opening ...

Page 30: ... nozzle tip will be registered as the origin of that axis Click the Home X icon The extruder will move to the left until it triggers the X axis endstop Click the Home Y icon The HBP will move backwards untill it triggers the Y axis endstop Z axis homing will be tested in the next section when leveling HBP 2 2 2 Leveling HBP A 3D object is formed layer by layer by extruding the melt filament onto t...

Page 31: ...hickness of a piece of thin paper Step 1 Preparation Click the Turn Motor Off button on the Manual Control page of Repetier Host interface Figure 2 30 to turn off power of all motors so you can perform manual operation in the following steps Check if X axis is level with the frame Measure the distance between the X axis rail and the top motor mount on both left and right sides Figure 2 32 If these...

Page 32: ...f X axis and the HBP to the middle of Y axis so the extruder s nozzle tip points towards the center of HBP Use the Z arrow commands to carefully lower the extruder to get it close to the HBP Adjust the Z axis endstop trigger screw in the back of right X end Figure 2 34 so the extruder s nozzle tip almost touches the HBP when the Z axis endstop is triggered You may need to raise and home the Z axis...

Page 33: ... Manually move the extruder to the right front corner of HBP Adjust the right front leveling thumb screw until the feeler gauge or the paper can just slide between the nozzle and the HBP with some resistance Manually move the extruder to the right rear corner of HBP Adjust the right reat leveling thumb screw until the feeler gauge or the paper can just slide between the nozzle and the HBP with som...

Page 34: ... 3 point thumb screws you may feel it is very tight to turn the screws This is normal The Artifex 3D Printer uses quite strong wave springs for bed leveling to prevent the screw to get loose during printing 2 2 3 Loading filaments Step 1 Feeding filament through the filament guide tube Free the end of filament from the filament spool and cut off the bent section used to secure the filament to the ...

Page 35: ...Step 2 Heating up extruder On the Manual Control page of Repetier Host there is an Extruder section Figure 2 38 After the Repetier Host is connected with your Artifex 3D printer the extruder target temperature shows 180 C as we set in Chapter 2 Click the Heat Extruder button to heat up the extruder to the target Figure 2 38 Extruder control commands on Repetier Host interface http 3dmakerworld com...

Page 36: ... information you would like to monitor under the Temperature manu Figure 2 39 Then on the left side of the Repetier Host select the Temperature Curve page to display the temperature information Figure 2 40 Figure 2 39 Top menu for temperature monitoring on Repetier Host interface http 3dmakerworld com 36 ...

Page 37: ... interface Step 3 Extruding filament through the extruder Once the extruder temperature reaches a steady state at the target of 180 C pop up the filament guide tube from the filament drive and gently push the filament into the filament drive Figure 2 41 http 3dmakerworld com 37 ...

Page 38: ...of filament through the filament drive at the speed of 100mm min Continue gently pushing the filament downwards until you feel the pulling from the extruder motor If needed click the command again to extrude out more filament until you see a steady stream of melt filament extruded out of the extruder nozzle Figure 2 42 http 3dmakerworld com 38 ...

Page 39: ...t of instructions to control your Artifex 3D printer to make a 3D model layer by layer Chapter 4 will discuss how to generate the g code from a 3D model file to print out any 3D model of your choice 1 Before your printing clean the print surface using 91 rubbing alcohol Figure 2 43 with a piece of paper towel The 91 rubbing alcohol is available in most local grocery stores http 3dmakerworld com 39...

Page 40: ... your computer s Desktop or a location of your choice 3 On the Repetier Host interface click the Load button on the top menu bar Figure 2 44 Locate the downloaded file CuteOcto PLA gcode and open it Figure 2 44 Loading file from the Repetier Host interface 4 The Repetier Host interface with the loaded file is shown in Figure 2 45 http 3dmakerworld com 40 ...

Page 41: ...t up the extruder and HBP Once both the extruder and HBP reach their target temperature the printer will start the print job Figure 2 46 Running print job from the Repetier Host interface 6 After the print job is done you will get your first 3D model printed out from your Artifex 3D model Figure 2 47 Wait until both the extruder and HBP completely cool down before you take off the print off the HB...

Page 42: ...2 GETTING STARTED Figure 2 47 Printed cute octopus 3D model http 3dmakerworld com 42 ...

Page 43: ...D http www openscad org Blender http www blender org SketchUp http www sketchup com FreeCAD http www freecadweb org Tinkercad http www tinkercad com Commercial 3D modeling software SolidWorks http www solidworks com AutoCAD http www autodesk com Alibre now GeomagicR http www alibre com 3 1 2 Downloading 3D models from online repositories You can also download 3D models from online repositories for...

Page 44: ...ill guide you through the process to use Slic3r to generate the G code file from a 3D model of your choice in the Repetier Host interface 3 2 1 Loading 3D models 1 Download the STL file CuteOcto stl for the cute octopus model from our website and save it to your computer s Desktop or a location of your choice 2 On the Repetier Host interface click the Load button on the top menu bar Locate the dow...

Page 45: ...ded 3D model CuteOcto stl 3 2 2 Configuring Slic3r Click the Slicer page next to the Object Placement page on the right side of Repetier Host interface On the top of the Slicer page is the option for the Sli3r slicer program Figure 3 2 http 3dmakerworld com 45 ...

Page 46: ...S Figure 3 2 Slicer page on the Repetier Host interface Click the Configure button in the Slic3r section and a window will pop up showing the Slic3r program Figure 3 3 Figure 3 3 Slic3r program window http 3dmakerworld com 46 ...

Page 47: ...et your specific needs for different models Download a slicing configuration file for example Artifex PLA ini from our website and save it to your computer s Desktop or a location of your choice In the Slic3r program window click File Load ConFigure Figure 3 4 and select the downloaded file Artifex PLA ini Figure 3 4 Loading a configuration file in Slic3r On the Print Settings page click the Save ...

Page 48: ...ge of Repetier Host interface select Artifex PLA for Print Settings Printer Settings and Filament Settings Extruder 1 in Slic3r section Figure 3 2 Click the Slice with Slic3r button and a window will pop up showing the slicing progress Figure 3 6 Figure 3 6 Slicing information window http 3dmakerworld com 48 ...

Page 49: ...he Repetier Host program provides an excellent capability to visualize the generated G code of your 3D models There are three options for visualization Figure 3 2 Show Complete Code Show Shingle Layer and Show Layer Range For example you can preview what the first layer of print will look like Figure 3 8 When configuring your own slicing settings this visualization feature will become very handy t...

Page 50: ...3 WORKING WITH 3D MODELS Figure 3 8 Previewing the first layer of print in Repetier Host http 3dmakerworld com 50 ...

Page 51: ...nting settings Two configurations in Repetier Host need to be changed to work with ABS filaments the printer settings and the slicing settings 4 1 1 The printer settings The printer settings for printing with PLA filaments are shown in Section 2 1 3 For printing with ABS filaments the only difference will be the default extruder and heated bed tem peratures Change the Default Extruder Temperature ...

Page 52: ...ngs Both extruder and bed are set at higher temperatures and cooling is turned off for printing with ABS filaments Printer settings In the Custom G code higher extruder and bed temperature are set before the printing starts 4 2 Preparing print surface After extruded from the nozzle ABS filaments can stick well to warm and clean print tapes Both PET tapes and Kapton tapes can be used for this purpo...

Page 53: ...djustable Z axis zeroing capability which help achieve a leveled build platform with its height fine tuned In our experience such leveled platform together with a clean and heated tape surface is able to let ABS stick well to the print surface without messing with Acetone for ABS juice Please check Section 2 2 2 for how to level the build platform a Place the glass plate on a flat table surface b ...

Page 54: ...Caution Be careful of the sharp edges of scissors or knives 3 Installing glass plate a Carefully place the tape covered glass plate back to the build platform on the top of aluminum heat spreader b Slide printed HBP corners inward to secure the glass plate into the slots of HBP corners c Tight up the thumb screws under the four HBP corners to hold them in place 4 Cleaning print surface A clean sur...

Page 55: ...ld com contacts For updates of software documents and other technical support topics please visit us at http www 3dmakerworld com support Please review the Build Instructions Figure 5 1 if you are building the Artifex 3D Printer from a DIY kit Figure 5 1 The Build Instructions of Artifex 3D Printer Thanks for your purchase of 3DMakerWorld Artifex 3D Printer Enjoy your printing http 3dmakerworld co...

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