Instructions for using Makerspace 3D printers (Work in Progress)

This document assumes that you have Pronterface already installed on your laptop or that you are using the space’s laptop and that printer is already properly calibrated. for calibration see separate document (to be created).

If you need to install Pronterface and/or Skeinforge see Installing Skeinforge and Installing Pronterface.

Makerspace Prusa I2

There is a relatively up to date Pronterface and Skeinforge config that works with the printer here (.pronsolerc and .skeinforge).

• Power up printer
• open Pronterface
• Check the following settings then click 'Connect' button in the top middle (115200 baud, port may change but currently 'COM10')
• Load a file (Gcode or STL, STL takes a long time to slice on the space laptop)
• Preheat bed using "Set" button next to "Bed" (temperature should already be set) 
• Zero X/Y axis
• Updated method: Be sure not to hit the Z home button!
• Hit the 'X' home and 'Y' home buttons.
• Press the 'Ctr' button to centre the print head in the middle of the pint bed.
  
• Old manual method (not needed any more):
  
• Click the "Motors off" button (top left of Pronterface window) 
• Manually (by physically moving the printer) move the bed and extruder so that the extruder is in the centre of the heated bed
• Send the Gcode "G92 X100 Y100" using the Gcode box in Pronterface (bottom right)
• Preheat hot end (similar method to heated bed, press the 'Set' button beside the 'heater' option)
• Zero Z axis
• Roughly over estimate the height of the hot end over the bed (use a ruler if that helps)
  
• Set this as the current height by sending the Gcode "G92 Zmm", where "mm" is the height over the bed (measured in millimetres, in case there was any doubt!)
  
• Ensure there are no blobs of hard filament on the end of the extruder
• If there is wait until the extruder is up to temperature, extrude 5mm then reverse 5mm and pick off the extruded filament (there
  
• Lower the print head until it is a couple of mm above the bed
• Place a sheet of paper between the print head and bed
• Lower the bed by 0.1mm until the print head grips the paper relatively tight, but loose enough to be pulled out without ripping
• Lower the bed by a further 0.1mm (this may not be required depending on the thickness of the paper and how tight the pinch was, you'll just have to try and learn...)
  
• Set Z to zero by sending the Gcode "G92 Z0"
• pull the paper out
  
• Move the Z axis up by 10mm (there should be a hotkey in Pronterface for this)
• Extrude 5mm (using button just above temperature settings)
• Reverse 5mm (using button just above temperature settings)
• pull off any blobs
  
• Move the print head to print height (there should be a hotkey in Pronterface for this)
• Extrude 5mm (using button just above temperature settings)
• Click print (button on top row of Pronterface)
•  WAIT FOR PRINT 
• After print click "Motors Off" and both "Off" buttons next to temperature settings
• Disconnect Pronterface and power off printer
• Print can be removed when bed has cooled 

"Perspex Prusa" I3  - O.35mm nozzle

Power up sequence

• Plug DELL power pack into printer and plug into mains. Power pack LED should be orange.

          (If it is green, switch off printer at rocker switch on power connecter)

• Plug printer into laptop using captive USB cable.  Red power LED should come on printer electronics
• Start Pronterface on laptop
• Click   "Connect" in Pronterface . Side panel should report "printer is online". If an error is reported check connection is selected to correct USB port  in top left of screen and try different baud rates
• Turn on main power using the rocker switch on the power connector. The DELL power pack LED should turn green.
• Previous manual homing inscructions are superceded. This printer can now be homed to X&Y using pronterface buttons. Do not auto home to Z 
• If has not been left at 150mm by previous user, drive Z down CAREFULLY using 10 and 1mm increments and manualy home Z as per the I2 inscructions 
• Rest of intructions same as the I2 

MPORTANT NOTES:

• After use The printer SHOULD always be left parked at Z150 ( i3 only)
• Never unplug stepper motors while they are under power. To be completely safe ensure external power and preferably also USB power is disconnected. If you burn out  a pololu / stepstick driver board by failing to heed this advice you may be asked to pay for a replacement
• Always power up the board electronics from USB before suppling external power for the motor and heating elements
• Never leave the printer running unattended in the space. Heating elements pose a potential fire risk
• Never Home to Z on either Printer using pronterface. Z endstops are present but lie below the level of the print bed and only exist to prevent damage to the head/bed
• Never run GCode which auto-homes to all 3 axis before a print