Windows Driver for Ultimaker

[pjo1976 0]

Hi,

Will there in the future be any direct interaction with Solidworks, thus using a Windows driver so that it recognises when the printer is connected, and also that Solidworks recognises that a printer is available.

I would like to print directly from Solidworks without having to save an STL file, then open up in Cura, just to simplify the process a little.

Regards

Paul

[yellowshark 153]

Simple answer, no idea. More complex answer, Solidworks is design software that can create an STL for 3D printing. It is not the STL file that is printed, the STL file has to be processed before it can be printed. The processing is in two parts, firstly the 3D model has to be sliced into layers which is the model that 3D printers work with and then the sliced model has to be converted into gcode which is the programming language that 3D printers understand.

I guess there is no logical reason why Solidworks could not add this functionality to their software but whether there is a business case for them to consider it, who knows?

[Dim3nsioneer 557]

A standard driver for Marlin driven machines should be sufficient for Ultimaker Originals. For Ultimaker2 there will hardly be a windows driver as the UM2 officially not supports printing via USB or WiFi.

[yellowshark 153]

Really, that is what I would call a retrograde step!

[Dim3nsioneer 557]

Really, that is what I would call a retrograde step!

 

Why? I don't see much sense for Ultimaker to support printing via USB if they don't get it working reliably. Better to lack a feature than to suffer by it IMHO.

But maybe they will bring a Windows driver for RepRap GCODE, I don't know...

[yellowshark 153]

Lol, let me make the same point with different words. Removing the ability to utilise wifi or usb is a retrograde step. Using a stick is inefficient and old technology. My next step when I have the time is to implement remote control software so I do not have to be in the workshop to run the laptop which runs the printer.

[Dim3nsioneer 557]

Sometimes it's not the worst to make a step back, especially if you have an abyss in front of you...

[yellowshark 153]

Yes abysses are tricky things and certainly best avoided 8)