Connectivity
-
@deckingman Please believe me, I am. As said I think the Maestro is great and I like just about all of it. This doesn't mean I accept it as perfect or a one stop solution for all needs.
There are things it doesn't have I need, and some of those things as requested were more or less blown off. That's fine. The devs don't want them, and don't feel they are needed. But I do and I do use those features. In the mean time, I have to do things in a way that get done the tasks I am trying to accomplish. Some can be done with Macro. Some require an external controller.
However as said. When the devs are open to constructive criticism, suggestion, and requests, I will be growing a list of things I would like to see added. Capabilities, features, interface, etc. BTW, I was told Duet3 is already under design. I would to contribute "requests and ideas" to that next gen.
@dc42 @deckingman I was able to resolve the USB issue by instructing S3D to disconnect before a reset. Then connect again afterward. This has gone without issue. With this in mind I wonder if there is a command I can add to the Macro that will force a disconnect prior to the reset command, thus removing a step.
-S3D, and Cura do not yet offer a way to SAVE the port like with any other Windows printer (i know, not the same). But as long as S3D is not closed with the port inactive, as of a couple updates back will look to the last good connection to retry before any others.
So if the Macro were to dump the connection a moment before the Reset command, the next time I send an instruction from S3D it will auto reconnect. This isn't a huge thing but it simplifies a few things. If such a command exists.My Wanhao, i3 Mini, is now fully operational. Fully calibrated.
*Ran the file included with the Mini on it's SD card for the CT3D.xyz Benchy. Direct from the Web Interface over night. It is far from perfect but, its a generic slice done by some one else another time, another place. But it is the final test in signing off this machine as being back in full operation.
*I look forward to making all the details available to any one who wants to look at trying out a Duet controller with their i3 Mini.Now moving on to my Folgertech FT-6.
-
If your building an FT-6 consider a proper 1/4 (or thicker) Mic6 or ATP-5 build plate, the stock beds from folgertech are almost useless without glass- I have a FT-5, also I am in the process of bumping the sticks they call Z rods to proper 12mm ones.
I also highly dislike tethered printing, SD card printing is far more reliable, and with the Duet being able to monitor and adjust stuff on the fly with G-code I see no reason not to just put files on the system SD card, With some prints ranging to 2 3 or even 5 days, that is a lot of time for a single hiccup to ruin your efforts.
-
I am aware of the glass sheet issue and it has been my intent to do this but have been unsure how to bind the Glass to the Aluminum without the bonding agent coming loose or burning off.
If your building an FT-6 consider a proper 1/4 (or thicker) Mic6 or ATP-5 build plate, the stock beds from folgertech are almost useless without glass.
The lead screws I have had issues with for Three reasons. The whole Z-Axis drive mechanism seems half baked, and it required changes. With those changes made its is now functional, but due to the lack of accurate mounting holes the bearings brass nuts don't seat square and centered. This makes the rods ride at strange angles. The 4x 8mm rods are fine. But the 2x 8mm ACME screws are not long enough to reach through the guide holes, and I have needed to add flange bearings to catch the rods and stabilize them. But then the bed is unable to rise all the way to the top. So, ya fighting the kit. And this is just a few of several battles in getting the kit to operational.
I have a FT-5, also I am in the process of bumping the sticks they call Z rods to proper 12mm ones.
I agree. However I am not sure the fans understand this. I support the SD card operation. But I do not tweak from there. I will run from a SD card when I think that everything is good and there is no reason for me to be involved. So those big files, no argument in running them from a card, if I am confident it will come out as expected. If not, its going to get run direct.
I also highly dislike tethered printing, SD card printing is far more reliable, and with the Duet being able to monitor and adjust stuff on the fly with G-code I see no reason not to just put files on the system SD card, With some prints ranging to 2 3 or even 5 days, that is a lot of time for a single hiccup to ruin your efforts.
-
@rflulling What do you control from Simplify3D that you can't control from the web interface? I'm genuinely curious, as I don't have S3D.
-
@rflulling I am using 3m MP sheets, I simply put a 2 inch wide strip across two sides. So far so good until my sheet of 1/4 tooling plate comes in. There is a small air gap, but I've had great sucess with hair spray, no problems with bonding or warps.
I like Folgertech, but I see them as a starter kit to add your own parts and ideas. -
What I am missing is a connection for storing g-code files directly from the slicer program (in my case Cura) to the Duet.
Maybe that’s more an issue of windows, cause it’s not possible to mount ftp-recourses as drive without 3-party tools.
There are some freeware tools available to do the job, but I haven’t found one witch fulfils all my requests.
As nowadays it’s more common to use Webdav than FTP, I would prefer a more modern solution. -
@diy-o-sphere Cura has a plugin to upload directly to the Duet. And slic3r PE has it built in.
-
@phaedrux
Thank you, I will try that way.... -
@phaedrux
Great, it works like a charm... -
- I do not have to E-stop or Pause and then Cancel.
- I can just Stop, and raise the heck with two clicks.
-
I can adjust Temp, Rate of extrusion, Speed of movement and execution.
The interface does not offer anything to adjust rates while in progress.Edit: The web interface does offer Speed factor and Extrusion factor, but it is buried, and of course only offers functionality if the file is run from the SD card. I expect to have all the tweaking done before a file is finalized and sen to the SD card. Temp I will assume is adjustable but I am not certain to what level. For now. These tools are, simpler to access and execute from the Controller. -
There are a few more tools I would love to have that neither interface offer. Some, would have me believe it is all perfect and there is nothing that can or should be improved.
-
S3D can upload from the controller screen.
-
I prefer to use the upload function of the Web Interface as the network is far faster for moving the files than the USB port is. And much like the config files, I sometimes edit the gcode files to make tiny tweaks after slicing, and after upload, or to double check markup language for errors based on something I have read, or an observed behavior.
-
@rflulling said in Connectivity:
I can adjust Temp, Rate of extrusion, Speed of movement and execution. The interface does not offer anything to adjust rates while in progress.
...but all of that can be done in the web interface.
-
You can even edit your accelerations, stepper current and more while you are printing- essentially anything and everything, just enter the command in the console.
Also baby stepping for that first layer.
I can't go back to a regular board anymore.
-
-
Not messing with the baby step thing. Took a bit to figure out what that was and why it was needed. It's a hardware calibration screen tool, I think poorly arranged in the interface.
-
I set an offset in the Home files, as is literately built in by default. Works great.
-
No idea what you are talking about adjusting Stepper Current. I think this might be a nice tool to have. But it is not in there now on any interface I know. Less you are literally referring to the the global value (XYZ all) effecting Speed Factor slider.
-
Maybe you love being tied to a command line, but I only do this when experimenting with new tricks, or new codes or troubleshooting. Yes I use the command line, but I am not standing around looking for a reason to run code through it, on any interface.
@wyvern said in Connectivity:
You can even edit your accelerations, stepper current and more while you are printing- essentially anything and everything, just enter the command in the console.
-
-
I would take a screen shot, but on the duet control menu you can pull down files such as config.g edit them there or copy and paste in the command line and hit enter, it will load up the new values right there, printing or not- it's stupid easy- I'm not from a coding background, but dabbled a bit with drones and game hacking- I can't tell you what every command does, but I just use a cheat sheet and add descriptions in configuration files.
What I mean by current is the current to steppers, X,Y,Z,E or whatever, Imagine you are getting hot motors, or your extruder is wanting to miss a step or two, you can raise or lower the values without interrupting the print or compiling anything.
Imagine you are noticing some ringing in your print, you COULD slow the print down, but that affects everything, including your move and retract speeds, you could go in to config.g adjust what you need or if you are using adaptive acceleration control, lower or raise the value on any and every axis.
Baby step is a great tool if you goof on the G-code print and need to bump the Z up or down a smidgen, without stopping, re-slicing and trying again.
All I'm saying is the web control is far more useful and advanced than any slicer program I've used or seen- I use cura to do the slicing and use the duet control to adjust, tune, swap filament on the fly.
You may think configuring machine settings while printing is pointless, but it saved my tail on a 3 day long print! my extruder was starting to skip when I swapped filament, extruder temp was fine, so I bumped it up and it finished the job no worries- sure I COULD have bumped up the temp and hope for the best, but I wasn't going to waste 2 days for it to fail.
-
-
@wyvern Thank you Wyvern. I think you have found some tricks that may be useful. Though in no way will cause me to stop everything I am familiar with and jump ship. I am enjoying the Interface as a Bios level interface for monitoring and making changes to the hardware, while the controller for everything else.
However as time goes on and i learn some of the tricks you pointed out I may use the interface more.
However as things are arranged right now, the interface is not as useful to me. But I use it in Parallel to the Controller. Thus it is in no way unused. But as said many times before not a one stop solution to everything and no a solution to every ones needs, certainly not as I use my hardware. Nor do I expect it to be.
As for the stepper current I thought the only way to effect that was at Firmware reset. I would like to see a tool for this, something like the baby step for Z. However like Z baby step I see this as a Machine Configuration tool. Thus for me 99% of it's use would only happen when setting up files for a new machine. I needed this tool when setting up the extruder for the i3 and will need its again on the Ft-6. But since this is not a tool I have, I will live without it. Once settings are in stone, and saved. Most of the interface not needed for monitoring or direct prints, will go without ever having been seen, and likely never again updated.
-
@rflulling The M906 gcode can be sent at anytime to adjust the stepper current of the steppers.
-
@rflulling said in Connectivity:
As for the stepper current I thought the only way to effect that was at Firmware reset. I would like to see a tool for this, something like the baby step for Z. However like Z baby step I see this as a Machine Configuration tool........................................
I'll take one last shot at this, DWC = Duet Web Control. It also happens to include an interface that shows what's going on.
As I said before, you can enter any G or M code at any time. Just go to the "g-code console" page and enter the code. There is no need to do any firmware reset. It is not a "Bios level interface" as you seem to think. The changes you make will be near instantaneous (there is a movement queue that needs to be depleted) so that you can immediately evaluate the effect of the change. These changes are not permanent. Once you have found the right values for your machine, then you enter them into config.g so that they get read in at boot up time.
Of course once you have the machine dialled in, you will rarely need to make any further changes in which case, DWC can be used for more mundane tasks such as monitoring and display of various parameters. Although you might occasionally use things like baby stepping on a per print basis, if for some reason the first layer wasn't going as well as expected.
-
Thank you. I still want an actual interface for this. But, I will make note of this for future use.
@stephen6309 said in Connectivity:
@rflulling The M906 gcode can be sent at anytime to adjust the stepper current of the steppers.
