Talk about MakerBot (new posts)

ReplicatorG 0018 and Python not working, no gcode generation: Re: ReplicatorG 0018 and Python not working, no gcode generation

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:15:56 +0000

Which file do I highlight in that folder, I have tried a bunch, but when I try to run gcode, it says python interpreter not detected error message? The interpreter is within the python Application folder, right?

ReplicatorG 0018 and Python not working, no gcode generation: Re: ReplicatorG 0018 and Python not working, no gcode generation

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:32:58 +0000

Hi,

Open the preferences panel (using the File>Preferences menu). You should see a "Select python interpreter…" button. Click that button and select the python binary you want to use.

Inconsisten Extrusion: Re: Inconsisten Extrusion

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:30:33 +0000

I hear yah with the HBP, havnt gotten around to soldering mine together yet. Wish I coulda bought it fully assembled. Woulda been good to go.

Build surface confusion: Re: Build surface confusion

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:23:31 +0000

For the Build Surface, you will only need the wood surface with "Build Platform" written on it, the orange acrylic surface, 6 M3 Bolts and Nuts, and your magnets. First thing you should do is determine which way you should insert the magnets into your build platform, the notches inside the piece of wood. You can determine this by placing the magnets over the Y-stage platform and seeing which way causes the magnets to join, you want to have your build platform stick to the Y-stage. Insert the magnets in so that they are sitting flush with the bottom of Build Platform. Add superglue to make sure those magnets stay in place….allow it to dry, and to make sure you didnt put the magnets in backwards, you should try and attach it to the Y-Stage. Next, lay the orange acrylic piece on top of the build platform. With the side with writing on top, insert the 6 bolts and seal with the 6 nuts. and there is your build platform all complete. Make sure the side with the rough surface of the acrylic is the one facing up. Pretty much just make sure all side wit writing are facing up and any writing is read normally, no mirrored/backwards.

Where do the endstop cables plug in?: Re: Where do the endstop cables plug in?

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:23:15 +0000

They get connected to the stepper driver boards (rj-45 / ethernet ports labeled "min" and max"). The x-axis endstops go to the x-axis stepper driver, y-axis endstops to the y-axis stepper driver, and z-axis endstops to the z-axis stepper driver…

Build surface confusion: Re: Build surface confusion

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:19:14 +0000

http://wiki.makerbot.com/cupcake-cnc-10:cupcake-y-stage-assembly

Read that part of the wiki again, and i think by watching the pictures you should see how its supposed to be assembled. The orange acrylic gets screwed on top of the wooden platform.
Makerbot industries was kind enough to give you a spare build platform. Thats why you have two of these wooden platforms and two of the orange acrylic parts (plus some magnets…)
I hope that clears it up for you.

ReplicatorG 0018 and Python not working, no gcode generation: ReplicatorG 0018 and Python not working, no gcode generation

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:15:42 +0000

I am running Mac OSX 10.4.11. I downloaded Python 2.7 for my comp, as ReplicatorG 0018 requires Python 2.5 or higher and it is the compatible release for MAc OSX 10.4.11. But When I go to generate gcode, it says that only Python 2.3.5 is detected. What can I do?

Sketch up: Re: Sketch up

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:14:54 +0000

no idea…this is my first night playing with it.

Sketch up: Re: Sketch up

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:12:20 +0000

How do I get my SketchUp designs into .stl format? It says I need a plug-in but I can't find it anywhere.

Sketch up: Re: Sketch up

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:52:31 +0000

Well, in sketchup an inch will work out to be 1mm on the bot — so design it with that in mind.

You can always resize it later, but it's easier if you start from there. How detailed will depend on the tuning of your bot, and what face you are doing the design on.

Sketch up: Re: Sketch up

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:34:13 +0000

i though i was doing that. ill try it but first ill save this. how detailed can a bot get? im working in 1/8"

Build surface confusion: Build surface confusion

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:16:58 +0000

My kit comes with three separate parts labeled "build platform" (one acrylic, two wood) and another piece of orange acrylic with the same dimensions. I presume I choose one of these four options and put it on the y-stage - is that right? How should I make the choice? Do I need to put magnets in all?

What may seem obvious and trivial to an expert is utterly baffling for a newbie. Please, oh please, will someone fill in the gaps in the build instructions?

George

Sketch up: Re: Sketch up

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:11:42 +0000

Remember that if you're designing in sketchup for a MakerBot, you want to be using solid shapes — don't build a box by making 6 walls — draw a square and then extrude (push / pull) it upward.

It takes a while to get the ideas down.

Sketch up: Sketch up

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:10:03 +0000

I cant get a small are to fill to its not a window. I hope to get my bot on monday and would like to get this printed. Any ideas?

Where do the endstop cables plug in?: Where do the endstop cables plug in?

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:06:49 +0000

Where exactly do I plug in the endstop cables? I can't find any instructions or photo.

plastruder issues: Re: plastruder issues

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:53:34 +0000

I tried glueing it but its down where the slot is that holds the nut so any slight tightening the heater assemlbly down and the thing breaks. the glue cant hold it.

I cant believe theres not a printable one in Thingiverse. I'd email it to my firend and he could print me one from his work! :( oh well.. new one will be here next week.

extruder motor not working: Re: extruder motor not working

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:34:52 +0000

I just rebuilt my extruder motor a while back and it had the same problem. it was stopping in the middle of builds for no apparent reason after months of printing fine. probably a good idea to do this early on (like when you assemble your Makerbot) since it seems they come 'standard' with insignificant lubrication. I'm still ordering a spare to have on hand in case this one gives out again.

Help: Re: Help

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:13:49 +0000

yea, had that problem too.
tightening up x/y axis to eliminate belt slipping.

also getting skeinforge settings so the heater barrel nozzle is not hanging up on what was just printed.

upping the print temperature along with the correct thermistor settings helps.
I still print at a high temp 235c (but not sure what the real temp is) to eliminate any jamming but I've also put sleeved my PTFE insulator with a copper pipe and hose clamps to keep from blowing it out with the higher heater barrel temp. it's not too high cause the abs coming out is looking good and smooth, though there is a little bit more smell (needs a little ventilation) and I don't keep it idling hot, just in gcode when its' printing.

Help: Re: Help

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:10:34 +0000

Has to be a loose belt / snagging nozzle I think.

Help: Re: Help

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:48:33 +0000

Looks like your X axis is slipping.. I'd guess either your X belt needs to be tighter or you're feed rate needs to go up so it's not blobby & catching on previous layers.

As it prints the object, watch your hot end closely.. Does it look like it's catching on the previous layers or does that just happen as it gets higher up? If it's catching, you'll see the bottom of the plastruder twitch a little - normally it shouldn't move at all.

edit: also, I'd drop the Z a bit more when it prints the raft. I usually go for the bottom raft lines being twice as wide as they are tall. Just give the pulley on the top/front/center a bit of a turn towards the 'down' label until it looks right.