Anyway, I am having a problem. The Pi can't find my college's network, thus I can't connect via WiFi. I'm considering buying an ethernet cable but I'm not sure that will fix the problem. Will I need a router? Or is there a way to get the Pi recognize the campus network?

wardjr wrote:

Why couldn't we mount a laser on the y axis pointed across the x axis set at a height just below the nozzle.  If the laser stops being blocked (by the print) and can reach the other side for an entire layer it would trigger a pause and whatever other actions we want.

That's definitely possible. The FilaWinder works on a similar principle with a laser and an Arduino board that measures the location of the shadow (cast by the filament blocking part of the laser beam), thus controlling the speed of the spool.

That would provide essentially the same functionality but would defeat all the fun of watching things print.

Why couldn't we mount a laser on the y axis pointed across the x axis set at a height just below the nozzle.  If the laser stops being blocked (by the print) and can reach the other side for an entire layer it would trigger a pause and whatever other actions we want.

That's definitely possible. The FilaWinder works on a similar principle with a laser and an Arduino board that measures the location of the shadow (cast by the filament blocking part of the laser beam), thus controlling the speed of the spool.

Claghorn wrote:

I keep hoping one of the android printer driver programs will add software to look at the bed using the tablet/phone camera and compare the current physical results to the interpreted virtual results so it could pause and alert you when they became too different :-).

(I'm not saying it would be easy, mind you, but it does seem possible - the biggest problem is taking the print head into account when doing the comparison).

I know a few computer vision geeks who would probably go nuts to implement this. Too bad they don't have printers.

Why couldn't we mount a laser on the y axis pointed across the x axis set at a height just below the nozzle.  If the laser stops being blocked (by the print) and can reach the other side for an entire layer it would trigger a pause and whatever other actions we want.

I keep hoping one of the android printer driver programs will add software to look at the bed using the tablet/phone camera and compare the current physical results to the interpreted virtual results so it could pause and alert you when they became too different :-).

(I'm not saying it would be easy, mind you, but it does seem possible - the biggest problem is taking the print head into account when doing the comparison).

I know a few computer vision geeks who would probably go nuts to implement this. Too bad they don't have printers.

(I'm not saying it would be easy, mind you, but it does seem possible - the biggest problem is taking the print head into account when doing the comparison).

Doesn't the webcam require a connected computer?

Yes.  Sorry, I keep forgetting that many print stand-alone.  An old PC collecting dust found new life as a 3d printer server for me so the webcam was ideal.

Long answer, not necessarily. You could use a Rasberry Pi to 'host' the camera. (Or just get the RPi separate camera module and be done). Also, depending on your tablet make/model, there could be speciality apps to make use of a USB OTG cable.

The most important thing is a camera with a wide-angle lens.

This. Definitely make sure you get at least 90~100 degrees viewing angle. Preferably 120+ if you can.

I would provide some links but my account doesn't allow pasting links currently.

Let us know what you end up with. Pictures!

I'm just looking for a camera guys.

I can't insert links so use the Rocketfish Camera from Amazon.

The most important thing is a camera with a wide-angle lens.

If you mount inside the printer, the camera will be fairly close to the part and your field of view will be small.

There's also a mount for the Rocketfish camera.

satman49 wrote:

There are a variety of choices on Amazon. DYNDNS.ORG  basically gives you the ability to have a "static " IP, even is your IP changes.

Their service is extremely expensive and I'm just looking for a camera right now.

Dyndns is free too just like the other one they offer a paid service too

And it's free (as in beer).