1 Topic by Trevor.James

  • Trevor.James
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Topic: Adding stand alone print capability

Hello all.

Long story short, I got a Solidoodle 3 back in pre-order.  So I have had it for 2 1/2 years.  For the most part, I have been printing with it overnight just hooked up to my laptop.  However, I have recently started using it more and would like to have it running during the day.  The problem is I need my laptop during the day.  So I am looking for some way to turn my solidoodle 3 into a stand alone printer so I don't have to hook it up to a laptop.

I am not looking for anything fancy, just a USB port/SD card reader/wifi connection so I can upload the G-code and a 'start' button.  I don't need a screen, or menus, or anything like that.

I browsed around and found a couple people basically built small computers with Arduinos or some other stuff, but that looked to be a several day project.  I don't want to turn this into a project, I already have several projects going.
Alternatively, I could just buy a cheap refurbed computer and use that.  I.E. something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 4EK28V6826

However, a full laptop (even an old one) seems overkill for this, I am willing to bet that somebody out there sells a simple little G code reader that is less complex and costly.

So, have you seen anything like that, and if so, link please?

2 Reply by Kronikabuse

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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

get a raspberry pi with octopi

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

3 Reply by accusedmonk

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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

Kronikabuse wrote:

get a raspberry pi with octopi

+1 to this.  It's exactly what you want for $35 plus a Wi-Fi adapter to go with it.  It's basically plug and play, maybe two hours of your time tops to get back printing with it.  Then you also can control they printer wirelessly with phone, pc, or tablet.

Bowden SD3, Rumba, E3D hotend, Mk5 with RtRyder changes, Direct drive Y axis and bearings, GT2 pulleys and braided fishing line, Lawsy linear bearing conversion, M3 Z screw.

4 Reply by Kronikabuse

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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

swear it takes longer to write the octopi image to the sd card than it is to start printing with it

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

5 Reply by mdrVB6 (edited by mdrVB6 2015-05-14 11:47:54)

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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

Another alternative to an octoprint setup is to just take an old android tablet, download the g-code printr app, hook up to your board, and go.  It's basically plug and play.  However, you are limited by the battery life of the tablet, but that should be longer than a day if you turn off wifi and all other apps.  And you get a nice big touch screen.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

6 Reply by pirvan

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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

Since you have an early SD3 (like I do), you have the original Sanguinlolu controller. There are many LCD controllers available for the Sang, and they they all cost between $35 and $50.  All these controller support either a full size SD card, or a MicroSD card.

Installation is not hard, however, you will need to flash new firmware with LCD support.  Most likely, you'll also have to replace your ATMEGA64 chip with an ATMEGA128.  THere's not enough room in the ATMEGA64 to fit the additional firmware code for the LCD controller.

When you look for one of those controllers, make sure they include the Sanguino adapter.

One of the nicer controllers available is the Viki Panucatt, but it's usually more expensive.  I just did a search on eBay and there's a guy selling used ones for dirt cheap, you might want to pick one up from him:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Viki-LCD-Panuca … 25a6562d78

Good luck

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

7 Reply by grob

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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

Yup, integrated LCD and android tablets also work well. But for roughly the same money as either option, octoprint + raspberry pi is streets ahead IMO. I agree with Kronik, it's a case of image SD card --> plug everything in --> printing. Definitely not a project!

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi

8 Reply by TheBaron

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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

Octoprint also lets you hook up a camera using either an IP camera or the Raspberry Pi Camera and stream it via network or web. You can then check in on your printer from anywhere and get a visual status on the print as well as the ability to pause, etc.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

9 Reply by grob

  • grob
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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

I just installed a VPN server on mine, so now I get secure access to it from the internet, including the camera. smile
A couple of safety measures away from printing and running errands at the same time / warming up before getting home from work (disclaimer: unattended printing is a source of fires, please be aware and understand the risks).

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi

10 Reply by TheBaron

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Re: Adding stand alone print capability

grob wrote:

(disclaimer: unattended printing is a source of fires, please be aware and understand the risks).

What phrase is it that kids are using these days? Ah, yes.

YOLO!

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)