How to remote control Ultimaker 3?

[CapableQuad 10]

With physical disabilities everyone is different. Mine is an issue of strength, dexterity, finger control and accessibility, also I have difficulty reaching things. I knew that my use of the UM3 would be a challenge for me, but I accept that. We all need to do things that challenge ourselves.

I find operating the push/rotate button quite a challenge. Specifically when turning the rotate I always overshoot, and when pushing to select I frequently turn the rotate wheel slightly and inadvertently select the incorrect menu item. In itself this may not seem much, but after several iterations trying to make one selection, frustration rises.

I don't have any problem reading the menu items on the screen.

A different input method may work, I have a trackball (Kensington with a scroll wheel) that is easy operate, many people with disabilities use trackballs in lieu of a mouse. If I could plug my trackball into the USB and operate the menu, then it would work. I actually thought the best way to solve this, for me, would be through a screen interface such as a tablet or laptop. A menu item or widget in Cura comes to mind. This is what brought me to this topic. If this feature were implemented then the UM3 screen output would likely need to be echoed onto the remote screen.

I understand that Ultimakers are used in many different environments, and such a  solution would likely be an issue where one machine has many users.

 

Since you asked, other challenges are the following.

1. Loading filament in the feeder - issue - not enough strength to operate the lever on the side of the feeder.

2. Lubricating all the parts - issue - I can't reach them.

3. Getting prints to stick to the bed - issue - I am still learning.

 

I don't have any problem printing, and designing new things to print.

 

Sorry this comment  is so far off topic, I apologize in advance to everyone.

 

Thank you for asking me.

 

[Daid 306]

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1. Loading filament in the feeder - issue - not enough strength to operate the lever on the side of the feeder.

Nobody has enough strength for that thing. I always stick a screwdriver under it to open it.

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2. Lubricating all the parts - issue - I can't reach them.

Unless you are in a dusty environment, you don't need to do this very often. My Ultimaker Original ran for 2 years without re-lubricating. But results may vary.

Not much I can do here to help however :(

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3. Getting prints to stick to the bed - issue - I am still learning.

Hardest thing in 3D printing. Getting prints to stick to the bed while you can still take them off.

 

 

But back on the main topic. I'll first put some effort in making sure a trackball works on the UM3. That should be relatively easy to implement.

[CapableQuad 10]

Thank you, I am looking forward to the outcome.

[XYZDesignPro 70]

You might give the WedgeBot a try to resolve the Loading Filimant issue.

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/wedgebot-for-ultimaker2

[CapableQuad 10]

On 1/5/2018 at 9:31 AM, XYZDesignPro said:

You might give the WedgeBot a try to resolve the Loading Filimant issue.

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/wedgebot-for-ultimaker2

Thank you, I will give it a try.

[Daid 306]

Just build the code to accept any USB mouse as alternative to the rotation wheel. The up/down movement of the mouse simulates rotating, the left button simulates clicking. Put it up to review for my fellow developers. With a bit of luck I will have a test version soon.

[CapableQuad 10]

I am looking forward to the results.

An alternative arrangement: since many mice have a scroll wheel, assign the scroll to emulate the turning of the UM3 wheel and mouse click to emulate selection. This would avoid unintended selections caused by inadvertent left right movement of the mouse. This works well with a trackball too.

 

 

 

[nzo 16]

Back when I was running a small PC-based digital recording studio I used a product called ContourDesign ShuttlePro. It is a USB2/3 multi-button/jogwheel controller with assignable functions per programs used. The most popular multimedia editing programs include templates that use the ShuttlePro or you can design your own templates to suit your needs. Buttons can be labelled and many example templates and tutorials exist. There's also a ShuttleXpress, a cheaper pared-down version.

[Daid 306]

Oh, scrollwheel also works with this patch. As the rotation button already acts as a scrollwheel (for that I just had to fix the hot-pluggin)

[CapableQuad 10]

Good to know. I am looking forward to using my trackpad with my UM3.

[CarloK 203]

The new feature has been tested and will be in the next release, most likely named v4.3

[CapableQuad 10]

Thanks, I will be looking for it.

[CapableQuad 10]

I have been testing the v4.2.90.20180112-test firmware and it is working well to control my UM3 with a wireless mouse. I am finding the sensitivity about right for me. The center wheel controls the scroll, and the center button or left hand button controls selection. This works well if you have trouble using the UM3 scroll/select wheel.

Thank you for listening and implementing a good solution.

Edited January 17, 2018 by CapableQuad
missed a word

[Marco_TvM 34]

I'm glad we could help making it easier for people to handle the printer!

Have fun!

[CapableQuad 10]

As a follow up to testing the mouse/trackball. I have found that I make a number of unintentional scrolling of the UM3 wheel when I pick up or set down the mouse. I have found the best use is to not move the mouse to try and make changes, but to use the middle scroll wheel of the the mouse, then tap the left hand mouse button to select. Perhaps turn down the movement sensitivity or turn off the mouse movement option? This may not work for all users however. In the meantime, this simple mod has made my use of the equipment so much easier.

If you would like me to comment on my use of this firmware in a different section then please let me know?

[robinmdh 100]

On 1/20/2018 at 9:53 PM, CapableQuad said:

Perhaps turn down the movement sensitivity or turn off the mouse movement option?

 

would it be possible to just stick some tape to the sensor? I've used a mouse before for only the scroll-wheel and buttons and that is so ridiculously simple that it makes the software option a bit useless?

[CapableQuad 10]

Hi robinmdh,

Yes putting tap over the sensor is a good idea, especially if the mouse is dedicated to the UM3. I am not too worried about the issue, and I don’t want cause undue work for the devs. Using the scroll wheel is great for me, especially when I am round the back of printer trying to feed new filament, no more struggling with the little lever, now I can casually wind the scroll wheel and feed the filament in, it grabs nicely.

 

if a job is worth doing, then it is worth doing well!