Quick Start Software Change Request

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pyronaught
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Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by pyronaught » Sun Jul 31, 2016 8:01 pm

There is a very annoying aspect to using the Quick Start software for setting the z-stop which could be easily fixed with a simple change to the software. As it currently stands, once you run through the setup procedure and do your first test print, if the z-height is slightly off you have to go through the entire height adjustment sequence again. There is also a bug where sometimes the button for saving the new setting is not displayed. Even worse, you have to wait for the printer to cool off before even being able to adjust the z-stop and then it does not start from your previous height setting. What is needed here is just a simple option to bump whatever the current starting height setting is up or down using the buttons like before, only it just offsets what is already there and stores the results. No bed cooling, no starting over from some arbitrarily high position above the plate-- just tweek your existing height up or down and save it. Since it is pretty common to make small changes to the z-stop height to account for different adhesion qualities of different filaments, this is important to have. The current z-height is a known reference when making changes, and having to start over from several mm above the plate loses that reference. With the old z-stop bolt you always made changes based on the current z-stop, but this software method is making this way more difficult than it needs to be. Feeler gauges only get you close to where you need to be-- it's the test print that tells you what you need to do to get the exact right height, and this is only possible if you can make adjustments to the known height that was used on the test print. Unless I'm missing something in the software somewhere, this does not appear to be possible. The starting height procedure assumes you are setting your printer up for the first time, which is only the case ONCE.
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Jules
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Re: Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by Jules » Sun Jul 31, 2016 8:35 pm

I think Josh was planning to put something into the Z-Adjust App. Haven't seen anything but the beta release yet though.

(That was a couple months ago, it might have gotten pushed to the back burner and forgotten.)

Most folks are using the coding changes for quick tweaks, but it would be helpful to have that in the official app. :D

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pyronaught
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Re: Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by pyronaught » Sun Jul 31, 2016 8:59 pm

I did just find the post on how to adjust this using G code macros. I'll probably just do it that way since this method allows you to change it through OctoPrint without needing a computer hooked up.
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pyronaught
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Re: Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by pyronaught » Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:09 pm

Does the startup script use different code for the Rev E? I can't seem to find mention of this anywhere and S3D doesn't have a separate configuration entry for Rev E. With the limit switch being at the bottom and then using a stored parameter to know the Z-height it seems like a g file created for older versions of the M2 might not work for the Rev. E version unless that is handled by the firmware. I hope the firmware deals with it, which would make more sense, since I wouldn't want to have separate versions of each part file for each printer type.
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Jules
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Re: Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by Jules » Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:47 pm

They are different - the profiles. Although the Startup Scripts are similar - purge/wipe/that sort of thing.

Basically I'm careful to completely remove any Z-Offset numbers that I might have loaded into the older machine profiles, although if they are small enough (under 0.1 mm either way) they should just be ignored by the Rev.E firmware.

On your Rev.E machine, make sure to keep the little built-in clips turned parallel to the long edge of the plate. (Otherwise they can hit the nuts on the underside of the X-gantry when you try to print something large.)

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sthone
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Re: Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by sthone » Sun Jul 31, 2016 10:54 pm

Older G-code files work fine on the Rev E machines, but any Z-Offset numbers in those G-codes will still affect Rev E. Machines. (at least in my experience)

Also... There is a simple stand alone program for just setting the Z-height without going through all the other steps, (Original Beta Link) but besides the initial setup after say changing a nozzle it still is easier to use the M206 command to make quick changes.
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pyronaught
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Re: Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by pyronaught » Mon Aug 01, 2016 1:03 am

sthone wrote:Older G-code files work fine on the Rev E machines, but any Z-Offset numbers in those G-codes will still affect Rev E. Machines. (at least in my experience)

Also... There is a simple stand alone program for just setting the Z-height without going through all the other steps, (Original Beta Link) but besides the initial setup after say changing a nozzle it still is easier to use the M206 command to make quick changes.

Yeah, I saw your M206 post and have been using that method with good results. Being able to change it without a computer being plugged in is more important than a nice user interface. I'm wondering what that Z number represents though, the gap actually gets smaller as the number gets larger. Mine ranges between 8 and 10 after leveling through the quick start program. I'm assuming negative numbers must also work, which you might need if you had an extruder that really sticks down far like the Volcano does.
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sthone
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Re: Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by sthone » Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:20 am

The numbers were explained somewhere in this thread by Josh. (I don't have time to look for it right now.)

In a nut shell I think the firmware tells it to move the bed 250mm's (don't quote me on the number) from the bottom home (which is why the end stop in down there now) the M206 number is an offset and added to the 250 to get your individual z height. (so yeah the bigger the number the smaller the gap.) The quick start program basically figures this out for you and plugs it into the firmware. They do it this way so you can use a variety of different beds (like the 1/4" thick MIC6 Plate most of us run.) It's a lot easier if you go from the plate back to glass, ect. as you can just write down the numbers for each bed type. The only time I had to use a negative number was when I was playing with my paste extruder.

Over all I think it's a big improvement and have been converting my other two printers over to Rev E when they have down time.
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pyronaught
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Re: Quick Start Software Change Request

Post by pyronaught » Mon Aug 01, 2016 5:23 am

Leveling is definitely a big improvement, you can nail it the first time every time now. I used to dread having to level the bed with that three screw system they had originally. Being able to adjust the Z-height through software is great too once you figure out the G-code trick for tweaking it on the fly. Initially I was thinking I would have to drag out the laptop and run the program every time I needed to change the z-height, which would have been less than optimal and probably worse than the bolt method.

Looks like I'm 5 months behind everyone else on the z-stop request and it's already been solved.
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.

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