1 Topic by asteinmark

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Topic: Monitoring 3D Prints

I have been using a tablet to stream video from my printer to my computer so I can monitor my prints when I'm away. The app I use streams the video feed from my tablet camera across the IP address. My tablet only gives me a forward perspective though and I would like something better. I'm looking for a much smaller camera that I can put inside my printer in the upper front corner that will work independently of a computer. Any suggestions?

P.S. Some helpful information: I'm a college student and don't own my IP adress. I don't need stream privacy and I have been able to stream it across the IP address. I can print my own mount for the camera.

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2 Reply by satman49

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

I use a wireless ip cam. I don't know how much room that you have to mount a cam.As to an IP address you can get one at http://www.dyndns.org

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3 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

satman49 wrote:

I use a wireless ip cam. I don't know how much room that you have to mount a cam.As to an IP address you can get one at http://www.dyndns.org

Can you post a link to the specific cameras? So basically it just streams across the IP address like what I currently use? Have you tried to access it away from your printer on another server?

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4 Reply by TickTock

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

I use a standard webcam and Chrome Remote desktop.  I bring up the webcam software on the desktop beside Repetier-Host and can then see the progress of the print but also tweak the feed and speed if I need.  I also use an IP switch on the power to both the printer and the host computer so from any device anywhere in the connected world, I can turn the system on, load the stl, generate the gcode, and start the print.

5 Reply by satman49

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

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.

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6 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

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.

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7 Reply by jnadke

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

freedns.afraid.org is the best service out there.

And it's free (as in beer).

8 Reply by satman49

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

asteinmark wrote:
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

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9 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

I'm just looking for a camera guys.

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10 Reply by jnadke

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

asteinmark wrote:

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.

11 Reply by Jmtyra

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

jnadke wrote:

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! smile

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12 Reply by TickTock (edited by TickTock 2015-01-30 03:13:18)

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

I use a Logitech C270 (didn't shop around - just happened to have one).  It is small and fits inside the solidoodle enclosure.  I had to open it up so I could adjust the focus and printed this to mount it:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:492347
  Works well enough, but I cannot get the whole bed into focus at once so I do end up tweaking the focus from part to part.

13 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

Doesn't the webcam require a connected computer?

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14 Reply by Jmtyra

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

Short answer, yes, it requires a computer.

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.

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15 Reply by TickTock

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

asteinmark wrote:

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.

16 Reply by Claghorn

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

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).

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17 Reply by jagowilson

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

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. tongue

18 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

jagowilson wrote:
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. tongue

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.

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19 Reply by Jmtyra (edited by Jmtyra 2015-01-31 00:04:20)

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

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.

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20 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

Jmtyra wrote:
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.

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21 Reply by asteinmark

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Re: Monitoring 3D Prints

Hey guys. Quick update here. I ended up buying the Raspberry Pi B+. The reason I waited so long is because I wanted to see how the Pi 2 performed and then decide which I needed. I chose not to get the Pi 2 because it shuts off when exposed to xenon light and I'm not 100% sure my printer doesn't use xenon lights and I may want to take pictures or use xenon light around it in the future.

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?

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Preferred modeling program: Solidworks