Experimentation: Print Pausing, Part Insertion, Techniques.

[beerdart]

http://wiki.ultimaker.com/CuraPlugin:_Pauseatz

https://github.com/daid/Cura/tree/SteamEngine/plugins

[RobH2]

Excellent. Thanks. I'm glad to see things like "plugins" being offered. I didn't realize those options were available. The best part about all of this is you can learn something new every day.

Edit: There is still one issue I'd like to experiment with and solve. This warning was attached to the Cura plugin: "Always make sure the object is not sticking out above the plane print head moves in, otherwise it may cause damage to your product. ."

I'd like to find a way to stop the print, insert something that does stick up, and then encapsulate it. I wonder of GCode is robust enough to allow you to stay away from an area or to build around an area if you have very, very good measurements? I guess that would not work unless the object that protruded had a lot of curvature, like a marble. Otherwise, the tip of the hotend would bump the object. You'd always have to stay as far away as the physical extrusion tip diameter, at least till you got high enough to bridge and fill over. Then you have a potential non-sticking problem and other issues arise. This is going to be a tricky task for a 3d printer in it's current configuration to perform. I haven't dived in and written much GCode yet. I've inserted a command here and there but have not created any truly custom code to do a lengthy task.

So for now, for RepRappers anyway, pausing is good if you bury the insert and or just want to swap colors.

[3dkarma]

If you plan on inserting something into your print, you'll need to build a cavity for it into your design. You'll only be able to insert something once the print head has reached a point at least as high as the highest point of the inserted part, once it's been inserted. You won't be able to insert something that ends up sitting higher than the layer you're currently printing at or the chances are very high your print head will collide with it.

[RobH2]

You are exactly correct and that's what I see in the current state of things as being a limitation. It would be really nice if you didn't have to bury it and make sure it was at or lower then the next level. I don't doubt someone, somewhere is working on a workaround. That's just one of the features of really high end commercial printers, the ability to insert objects without such limitations. I saw a video of one printer for a project I did where we were animating 3d printing and sintering technologies for Oakridge National Laboratories. They were able to insert all kinds of things into a print and not bury them. I hope that functionality can trickle down to we users on the lower end of that totem pole.

[LambdaFF]

OK, can the admin merge these 2 discussions ? http://3dprintboard.com/showthread.p...xperimentation ?
Thank you.

[RobH2]

That's a great suggestion. I'll let one of the other guys do that but if they don't get to it I'll give it a try. I haven't merged any yet and I'd hate to lose a bunch of posts. I'll keep my eye on it. I'm sure one of the seasoned gurus will take care of it.

[Compro01]

OK, can the admin merge these 2 discussions ? http://3dprintboard.com/showthread.p...xperimentation ?
Thank you.

That's a great suggestion. I'll let one of the other guys do that but if they don't get to it I'll give it a try. I haven't merged any yet and I'd hate to lose a bunch of posts. I'll keep my eye on it. I'm sure one of the seasoned gurus will take care of it.

*arcane gestures and incantations*

All done.

[Davo]

Slic3r has this parameter which may be of use, so that your head never moves outside of your fill area:

--avoid-crossing-perimeters Optimize travel moves so that no perimeters are crossed (default: no)

http://manual.slic3r.org/CommandLineUsage.html

[awerby]

If it is, stand by with a heat gun and keep the thing warm while you've got it paused.

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[RobH2]

Andrew, that's something I've wondered. I haven't changed any filament midstream and was afraid that the print might get too cool during the pause and then not stick well upon return. Is that something to be aware of? If you do pause, do you need to use a heat gun to keep things hot?