new to 3d printing, hardware required

fcwilt · 14 Nov 2018, 08:10

@irondesk40 said in new to 3d printing, hardware required:

new to 3d printing and looking at using the duet3d controller. max travel switches on each axis, home switches, etc. any advice and recommendations on the parts to order to connect to the Duet would be helpful. Thanks

Have you already got a printer that you are thinking of upgrading with a Duet?

Frederick

deckingman · 14 Nov 2018, 08:31

@irondesk40 As @Phaedrux has said, you need to elaborate a bit more on what type of printer you intend to build. But on the subject of switches, for X and Y simple on/off micro switches are best IMO. You can use stall detection and do sensor less homing but it will never be as reliable or accurate as a simple switch. For homing Z, most people use some sort of probe and there are a number of options to choose from. Each has their own pros and cons (and fan base) so you won't get a definitive "use this" or "use that" answer.

For axes maxima, you don't really need switches. What happens is that before you can start a print, the firmware needs to know where the print head is in relation to the build plate. This process is called homing and usually involves moving to (or close to) the axes minima and stopping when a switch triggers. Usually the switch is set to the axis minimum but it doesn't have to be - it can be set some small distance away as long as the offset is known. You set the axes minima and maxima in your configuration file so once the printer has been homed, from that point on, the firmware will "know" where the print head is in relation to the build plate in X Y and Z and it will not allow movement below the minima or above the maxima. Current firmware will not allow movement command before axes have been homed.

So, it is very difficult to sent the print head beyond the axes maxima. First you have to override the default setting to allow movement prior to homing, then you have to do something stupid like command the print head to move beyond the physical limits. Having said all that, I do have switches on all my axes maxima (because I occasionally do stupid things). These are simple micro-switches, the same as my axes minima, wired in series as normally closed and connected to a spare end stop connector on the Duet. If any switch is triggered, it will activate an emergency stop.

irondesk40 · 14 Nov 2018, 18:43

Thanks for info. actually looking a x,y,z type table and instead of a small filament extruder looking at mounting a hose from a external floor mount ball screw type extruder. The extrusion nozzle from this will be mounted instead of a filament type. use a 3d printer control board such as the Duet and connect it to external stepper amplifier/controllers such as those made by automation direct or Yamaha. 3d control board used so that 3D files created by use can be loaded into a slicer type program and converted to gcode and downloaded into the 3d printer control board and the x,y,z motors move so that the extrusion material from the floor mounted extruder can be applied on a material in a pattern defined by the 3d file. New to 3d control boards, to me at the moment the tricky part is just knowing the ins and outs . Min and Max travel switches, external driver breakout board to control external stepper drives. not sure about a z probe, need to read more. use the web control software from a PC to set up and start printing or can you use the display i have seen referred to as Panel Due. If you use the display is it necessary to use the PC? Would prefer to be able to just use display similiar to a makerbot 3d printer we have. Thanks for any input.

dc42 · 14 Nov 2018, 21:30

There is a whole section on choosing compatible hardware at https://duet3d.dozuki.com/#Section_Choosing_components_to_work_with_your_Duet_electronics.

You can use the web interface to control the printer from a PC, tablet or smartphone, or even all 3 at once. You don't need the display. If you want you can get the display and print from an SD card inserted into the slot; but you'll probably realise how antiquated that approach is when you see how easy it is to upload GCode files from a PC to the built-in SD card using the web interface, or in some cases direct from the slicer.

irondesk40 · 15 Nov 2018, 13:51

thanks to everyone....

irondesk40 · 15 Nov 2018, 13:55

Thanks. The bed will be a aluminum plate..
Which Z Probe would everyone recommend that has used the Duet

Phaedrux · 15 Nov 2018, 17:05

There are lots of options for probes. Here's a helpful breakdown.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Choosing_a_Z_probe

Danal · 15 Nov 2018, 17:24

If you've never built a printer before, I'd HIGHLY recommend:

Get a kit
Build it stock
Retrofit a Duet
Build the printer you want.

Assuming a relatively inexpensive kit, this path will absolutely save you money in the long run... just from avoiding ordering things you don't end up using, or similar, when you do build your full custom.

There are many kits, etc. If you want a very detailed example, read these blog posts:

http://danalspub.com/2018/07/anycubic-kossel-linear-plus-to-duet3d-part-1/

Danal · 15 Nov 2018, 17:30

@irondesk40 said in new to 3d printing, hardware required:

Thanks. The bed will be a aluminum plate..
Which Z Probe would everyone recommend that has used the Duet

Before I answer, personally, I believe a Z-Probe is a MUST on a Delta, and is not needed at all on Cartesian.

On a Delta, absolutely the Duet Smart Effector.

irondesk40 · 26 Nov 2018, 20:26

Thanks for replys. if you do not connect a Z probe is there a way to tell it the max travel. If i remember correctly i read somewhere that you manually would turn on the Z motor and move it to the maximun distance and then enter that value. Is this correct?