Skeinforge for RapMan

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Draft

Some mission critical stuff may be missing since I am just learning. Always check the generated g-code too. - Daniel K. Schneider 11:09, 11 March 2010 (UTC) (I often just change the g-code, i.e. values of M104, M108 and Fxxx values.

Introduction

Skeinforge is a tool chain for printing 3D objects.

The purpose of this entry is to write down the most important parameters and settings for the RapMan V3.1 as installed at TECFA (each Rapman may be a different).

Otherwise, read the "official" Skeinforge article on BFB wiki. However, the BFB entries do not correspond to the organization and parameter names of the latest software version at the time of writing (11:09, 11 March 2010 (UTC)).

First steps

(1) Make sure that your printer is calibrated as it should

  • Flat print bed
  • You can slide about 5 sheets of paper between the print head and the print bed. If the print head (hot end) is too high, forget it ...

(2) Download the latest version

  • Download: Skeinforge
  • Download: Python (if needed)
  • Unzip skeinforge.zip in some simple directory, e.g. c:\soft\
  • Make a shortcut of the *.py file on your desktop if you like (mouse-right drag under windows)


The Interface

Skeinforge is currently in Beta and each of the three Interfaces I have seen over the last month was different :) - Daniel K. Schneider 11:09, 11 March 2010 (UTC)

Here is a screendump of the 2010-03-05 version:

Screen capture of Skeinforge 2010-03-05


Some parameters for Craft

  • Click on the "craft" button to define parameters

Carve

Chamber

Turn off, this is to control bed and chamber temperature. (Now what do they mean by "chamber") ? I know that some people have heatable print beds and working in overheated rooms ....

Clip

Clips the ends of loops to prevent bumps from forming

  • Default: ON

Comb

Moves the extruder around inside holes to prevent stringers in those holes.

  • Default: ON

Cool

For ABS Turn off (to be confirmed, maybe in some situations it would be needed ...)

Dimension

??

Fill

Allows to define how an object should be filled. This is an important parameter section you should adjust to your needs.

  • Default: OFF (put it on for solid objects)
Parameter Explanation Default Comments
Solid Surface Thickness Defines the number of solid layers that are at the bottom, top, plateaus and overhang 3 I use 4
Infill Pattern: Specifies how to fill in empty spaces inside Grid Hexagonal Keep this, it is so pretty

Fillet

Purpose: Rounding of corners

  • Default: OFF

Flow

Can be found under "Speed" since the Feb 2010 version. The flow script sets the flow rate by writing the M108 gcode.

Jitter

Jitter jitters the loop end position to a different place on each layer to prevent the a ridge from forming.

  • Default: ON

Multiply

Print several objects.

Raft

Raft is a script to create a raft, elevate the nozzle and set the temperature. It is very important to get this one right.

  • Base is the first layer and that sticks to the print bed
  • Interface are the other raft layers, typically one or two.
  • The temperature settings for the raft are in temparature. Also checke these !

I like fat rafts and higher temperatures. That makes it stick and I still can get if off easily with a knife.

Parameter Explanation Default Comments
Base Feed Rate Multiplier Speed of the print head with respect to default speed 1 Slow it down a bit or set a higher flow (below)
Base Flow Rate Multiplier Defines the base flow rate multiplier. The greater the 'Base Flow Rate Multiplier', the thicker the base, the lower the 'Base Flow Rate Multiplier', the thinner the base. 1.0 I made mine 1.1
Base Infill Density (ratio) This parameter set the ratio of the base layer fill. Value of 0.1 means that only 10% of the surface will be "covered" and value of 0.9 means that 90% of the surface will be covered. 0.5 I keep that one.
Base Layer Thickness over Layer Thickness This parameter set how much "fatter" the base layer will be compared to normal layer (most important parameter) 2 Again I keep this since I want the base to be twice as fat.
Interface Feed Rate Multiplier As above for the additional raft layers 1.0
Interface Flow Rate Multiplier As above 1.0
Interface Infill Density (ratio) Second (and third) layers of the raft. 0.5 I also keep this

Speed

Speed is a script to set the feed rate (which means head movement speed in mm/s) and flow rate. The resulting thickness of the filament is a combination of the two plus of the temperature.

Parameter Explanation Default Comments
Add Flow Rate Will add g-code On If nothing comes out of nozzle check this.
Feed Rate Defines the speed of the print head 16 millimeters/second seems a bit too much for precision work.
Flow Rate Defines the extrusion rate 210 This may be too little. I often use 350 or 400
Perimeter Feed Rate over Operating Feed Rate (ratio) Slows the print head down when printing "outsides. Can give a higher build quality on the outside at the expense of slower build speed 1 I use 0.8
Perimeter Flow Rate over Operating Flow Rate (ratio) Slows down the flow rate when printer "outsides". In principle, this should match the Perimeter Feed Rate above (else lines will be too fat) 1 I use 0.8
Travail feed rate Defines the speed of the print head when it is off 16 slow down for figures with lots of little pieces, since the printer will go bang, bang, bang.

Temperature

This is mission critical. If you don't get it right:

  • Raft will not stick
  • Filament will not even come out or burn ....

I think that each parameter should be tuned for high quality printing. For lower quality (and that's what I do right now). I use

  • About 238 for raft and support layers with ABS
  • About 247 for all other with ABS
Parameter Explanation Default Comments
Base Temperature Base temperature, i.e. how it starts printing the first layer of the raft 200 This is much too low (ABS in my RapMan likes 238 for the raft...)
Interface Temperature For the second and other layers of the raft. Should be a bit higher than base temp. 200 I also use 238 since temperature change takes time ...
Object First Layer Infill Temperature Temp. for the fill of the first layer. Should be somewhere inbetween interface temperature and the following ones (so it won't glue too much) 200 I use 247 mostly, but should try 243 or something
Object First Layer Perimeter Temperature Outside of first layer. Should be bit higher than the above 220 I use 247, but should try 245
Object Next Layers Temperature All other layers 200 I use 247 or 248, but should try with less sometimes
Support Layers Temperature Usually a bit lower, since adhesion is not need (nobody can see) it and it may be possible to cover greater distances if I understand right 200 I use 247 or 248, but should try with less sometimes

Links

Download
Tutorials, Manuals, etc.
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