Idex Mirror/Duplication mode setup

gamecrazeddork

Hi Everyone,

I'm kind of pulling my hair out trying to get Mirror/Duplication mode configured on my ratrig vcast. I have a feeling its a similiar setting I'm miss configuring some where in my configuration. Both modes act in a similar way.

When I run Mirror mode it starts with both head going to what looks like 0,0 point, which I have set for the center of the bed. Once they are both there they just sit there colliding with each other like its possibly ignoring the Offset?

When I run Duplication mode both heads gradually move toward the U end stop and once they meet at the end of the gantry on the U side they just sit there colliding.

I've been referencing the link below, but think I may be missing something. All Gcode files are sliced using Idea maker with the bed center set to 0,0.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/ConfiguringMultipleIndependentXcarriagesCartesian#Section_Creating_a_tool_that_uses_more_than_one_carriage_to_print_multiple_copies_of_an_object

I'll post pieces of my config file to see if anyone sees anything that stands out. I'm lost

Config:
; Tools
M563 P0 D0 H1 X0 F0 S"X" ; Tool0 uses Extruder0, Heater1 and Fan0
G10 P0 X0 Y0 Z0 R0 S0 ; Set Tool0 axis offsets and temperatures

M563 P1 D1 H2 X3 F2 S"U" ; Tool1 uses Extruder1, Heater2 and Fan2. X-axis is mapped to U
G10 P1 U0 Y0 Z0 R0 S0 ; Set Tool1 axis offsets and temperatures

; ''' Create a tool that prints 2 copies of the object using both carriages'''
M563 P2 D0:1 H1:2 X0:3 F0:2 S"Duplication" ; tool 2 uses both extruders, hot end heaters and fans, and maps X to both X and U
G10 P2 X0 Y0 U-150 S0 R0 ; set tool offsets and temperatures
M567 P2 E1:1 ; set mix ratio 100% on both extruders

M563 P3 D0:1 H1:2 X0:3 F0:2 S"Mirror" ; tool 2 uses both extruders, hot end heaters and fans, and maps X to both X and U
G10 P3 X21 Y0 U-21 S0 R0 ; set tool offsets and temperatures
M567 P3 E1:1 ; set mix ratio 100% on both extruders

tfree3.g:
; Called upon releasing tool 3
;

M106 S0 ; Disable part cooling on this tool
G91 ; Relative positioning
G1 Z5 F6000 H2 ; Lift Z relative to current position
G1 X-999 U999 F3000 H1 ; Move Y-axis to the endstop and stop (first pass)
G90 ; Absolute positioning
M579 U1 ; Revert U axis direction

tpost3.g:
; Called after activating tool 3

M106 R2 ; restore print cooling fan speed
M116 P2 ; wait for tool 2 heaters to reach operating temperature
M83 ; relative extruder movement
M579 U-1 ; Reverse U Axis direction
M567 P2 E1:1 ; set tool mix ratio
M568 P2 S1 ; turn on mixing
;M703 ; Call Filament config.g

Let me know if there are any other pieces you would like to see. I can post the entire config if requested.

Thank you in advance.

o_lampe

@gamecrazeddork
It's been a while, when I tried this on my IDEX but AFAIR, I had to set new M208 limits in tpre# for X and U, matching the split print area

gamecrazeddork

@o_lampe ok I think I missed setting up a tpre# file because all I have setup are the tpost and tfree files.

I'll have to look into this, is there an easy guide for setting up this file?

Sorry still new to duet.

gamecrazeddork

Ok I think I got it.

Just made a tpre file and did what you said and it seems to be moving correctly.
I think I will need to mess with the offsets in the slicer to match the vcast now.

Thank you for the help!

gamecrazeddork

Ok I may have been wrong I still don't have it working properly.
I seem to be Mirroring the mirror mode?
Would any one know what would cause this off hand?

This is how the items are sliced with the center being (0,0)

Here is a video of what the machine is doing when it goes to print in mirror mode.
https://youtu.be/TNSHtf9nSD0

Here are my most up to date files for reference:
config.g tfree3.g tpost3.g tpre3.g

Please help if you can, all input is much appreciated.

dc42

@gamecrazeddork you haven't set up the correct X and U tool offsets for the duplication and mirror tools. For example, if the print width is 200mm then you need to offset X by 50mm and U by -50mm in the G10 commands for those tools.

gamecrazeddork

@dc42 Thank you that seems to have done the trick so far, set the offset and its off to the races.

Unfortunately I'm having a strange issue with the Duplication mode now. Where both heads home to the center then the X starts printing while the U is frozen in place.

Do you see anything that stands out that would make it do this? I haven't set the offsets for Duplication mode yet, but I'm guessing this wouldn't make the head not move at all?

Config:
M563 P2 D0:1 H1:2 X0:3 F0:2 S"Duplication"
G10 P2 X0 Y0 U0 S0 R0
M567 P2 E1:1

tfree2:
M106 S0
G91
G1 Z5 F6000 H2
G1 X-999 U999 F3000 H1
M579 U1
G90

tpost:
M106 R2
M116 P2
M83
M579 U1
M567 P2 E1:1
M568 P2 S1

tpre:
G91
G1 Z5 F6000 H2
G1 X-999 U999 F3000 H1
G90
M579 U1
M208 S1 X-150 Y-165 U0
M208 S0 X0 Y110 U150 Z380

o_lampe

@gamecrazeddork
I tpre you home X and U before you set the new limits with M208. It should be the other way round or the homing position refers to the old limits.

gamecrazeddork

@o_lampe My mirror mode one is setup the same way and is working the correctly now, is that order really going to make a difference?

I tried switching it around on the duplication mode, but it didn't make any difference.

Still having an issue with U hotend positioning in the center then it doesn't move.

The limits would be the same as mirror mode correct? Just with the direction of the U axis reversed?

dc42

@gamecrazeddork said in Idex Mirror/Duplication mode setup:

Config:
M563 P2 D0:1 H1:2 X0:3 F0:2 S"Duplication"

The combination of not setting offsets in M563 and setting axis limits in the tpre file is probably causing the lack of movement.

gamecrazeddork

Thank you @dc42 @o_lampe following both of your advise I was able to get duplication mode working.

Much appreciated!