Cura 3.2.1 Pause at height plugin doesn't work for me

[b-morgan 1]

I'm trying to use the GCode post processing plugin "Pause at height" and either I'm too stupid to figure it out or it isn't working. I have a 25mm tall test print and I select "Pause at height" which opens with 5.0mm as the default height. I close that window and select Save to file and open the GCode file in a text editor. I see at the top ";POSTPROCESSED" but when I look at the ;LAYER before Z5, at Z5, and after Z5 there are no GCode commands added to the file.

 

If I perform the same experiment with "Tweak at Z", it works as expected and there are GCode commands added to the file (to change the selected parameter).

 

Am I doing something wrong? If so, what? If it works for you, please let me know what steps you took.

[ElClipo 1]

I had a similar issue. I discovered that the stop does not occur where it should but rather one or two layers later. For example, mine was set for 3.1mm height but it printed all the way up to 3.3mm before stopping. When I looked at the code it stated that height was 3.3mm but zheight was 3.1mm.

[Wes 0]

having the same issue

[b-morgan 1]

The problem with the PauseAtHeight.py distributed with Ultimaker Cura is that it is off by a few layers from where you expect it to be. I've attached a modified version that corrects that problem and adds a choice between height (in mm) or layer number.

 

You will have to rename the file to remove the .log extension as that was the only way I could get it to upload here. 

(moderator: feel free to rename the file as you approve this post).

 

Edited May 22, 2019 by b-morgan
Attached file was obsolete

[Cosomo 1]

Hi everyone

I have tried this plugin but what happens is:

1) the printer stops and parks well at the specified point

2) you can resume using the menu easily

3) the printer goes perfectly to the next point to restart and starts to move

4) but with no extrusion, so prints nothing

 

 

I have tried with and without temperatures for standby and resume, but the results are the same: no extrusion after restart but follows the right movements.

 

Any idea?

 

Using an Ultimaker 3 Extended with Cura 3.3.1

 

Thanks in davance

 

[Cosomo 1]

One more info:

 

Seems that after M0 command the UM3 retracts some amount of filament. After resume printing UM3 feed some amount of filament but not enough, is clearly less than the one retracted. So after some time the UM3 continues printing but, unfortunately, is not OK.

 

Anybody knows how to solve it?

[b-morgan 1]

@Cosomo When you say "tried this plugin" did you mean the one I posted?

 

This post processing script (its really not a plugin by Ultimaker's definition) has an "Extrude Amount" which, according to its tooltip, is supposed to be used to compensate for the retraction caused by the M0 command. I have no idea what value to use as I don't have an Ultimaker printer ? but you can start large and work your way down to the correct amount (at the expense of some wasted filament).

[Cosomo 1]

I have tried different values for this with no success.

First the M0 command were not working.

Then I decide to substitute de M0 command by a G4 P6000 to, at least, have some time.

This week the UM3 has received a new firmware and then the M0 command has started to work but... now the problem is that the tempertature decreases while M0 command is alive awaiting. Even if I put the two temperatures in the script dialog equal to the working temperature the fact is that goes down during the pause.

Yes, of course, prior to restart the printing temperature reaches the working temp, but the next layer does not bond well with the previous one, so after some layers that pause layer breaks.

 

Anyway, many thanks for your help

 

 

[b-morgan 1]

On 6/21/2018 at 6:04 AM, Cosomo said:

First the M0 command were not working.

Then I decide to substitute de M0 command by a G4 P6000 to, at least, have some time.

This week the UM3 has received a new firmware and then the M0 command has started to work but... now the problem is that the tempertature decreases while M0 command is alive awaiting. Even if I put the two temperatures in the script dialog equal to the working temperature the fact is that goes down during the pause.

Yes, of course, prior to restart the printing temperature reaches the working temp, but the next layer does not bond well with the previous one, so after some layers that pause layer breaks.

 

As I said before, I don't have a UM3 printer so the problems you are having are regrettable, but not something I can fix. The Marlin documentation doesn't say anything about temperatures but the RepRap documentation says all heaters and motors are turned off so M0 is probably not appropriate for this script. G4 is the only other command I can find. Can you break out of it with the LCD?

 

In any case, I've got a newer version that fixes an issue of incorrectly setting absolute extruder unconditionally after a pause. The script now checks for absolute or relative extruder and restores the correct mode. There is also a G4 pause time you can specify after the script is resumed to allow for cleaning the nozzle after extruding the specified amount of filament. This may help your restart issue with the next layer.

 

 

Edit: File removed because it is obsolete. Keep reading for a newer version

 

Edited May 22, 2019 by b-morgan
The file posted is obsolete. Keep reading for a newer version

[marty_gibson70 0]

Did we get a working result?

 

A fix to no extrusion issue after resume printing?

Thanks

[b-morgan 1]

56 minutes ago, marty_gibson70 said:

Did we get a working result?

 

A fix to no extrusion issue after resume printing?

Thanks

The version I posted on June 21, 2018 worked for me at the time. Cura has had multiple updates since then. I'd suggest that you try it and report your results along with enough details about your environment (i.e. printer, firmware, Cura version, etc.) that someone might be able to help.

[marty_gibson70 0]

Thanks b-morgan.

 

Will try your file tomorrow on an stl that failed today.

This was my first attempt using post process and according to threads i found , it sounds like a glitch.

 

Im running...

Cura 4.0

Repetier host platform

Pc direct - no SD card 

A Tevo Terantula with

Marlin bugfix1.0

Edited May 17, 2019 by marty_gibson70
Mispelt

[marty_gibson70 0]

Gday b-morgan

 

I put your .py file into cura and did a restart..

It wouldnt show the file in the post process list.

What am i doing wrong?

I did rename it with only the .py extension.

 

And left full name of file.. i couldnt see it.

Help!

Edited May 19, 2019 by marty_gibson70

[b-morgan 1]

I have attached a newer file in a .zip this time. This file needs to be placed in (assuming the default installation location):

C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 4.0\plugins\PostProcessingPlugin\scripts

You will see all the other scripts if you are in the right place.

 

I have also attached (in a .zip) the Gcode file for a 3DBenchy generated on my system using Cura 4.0, Tevo Terantula, with pauses at layer 10, layer 20, and height 3.3mm (approximately layer 30). There are lots of parameters to be set with this version of the script and the defaults should do something sensible but you will have to experiment.

 

Edit: Deleted attached files as they were obsolete. Keep reading for newer version. These instructions are still valid.

 

Edited May 22, 2019 by b-morgan
Attached files were obsolete

[marty_gibson70 0]

Btw...im using a tevo terantula printer..

Marlin firmware (bugfix1.0)

And slice using reprap flavour.

 

Will this M0 you mention be a problem?

Ive downloaded the .py file by b.morgan here.

Yet to try it.

Suggestions.

[b-morgan 1]

1 hour ago, marty_gibson70 said:

Will this M0 you mention be a problem?

It would be almost impossible to write this script so that it worked with every printer out there. Experience has shown that the M0 command defined by Marlin is not always implemented in every printer's firmware. This script is provided in source form so if M0 doesn't work in your printer's firmware, feel free to edit the source. You can substitute a G4 S600 for a 10 minute pause instead (adjust the S value to suit).

[marty_gibson70 0]

B-MORGAN

thanks for the support here.

 

yep - the file locations are as you mention for a standard install.

 

On your first file with the .log extension , I placed this in the scripts folder and renamed it with just a .py extension as you stated to do.

I loaded Cura and the post processing didnt show the added file (which i left as PauseAtHeightorLayer.py) which would have been obvious in the scripts dropdown.

Why would it not show?

 

I am going to try your new file (.zip) and see how we go.

Is there a filename length to consider?

 

Not sure why it didnt show.. Any thoughts appreciated.

[marty_gibson70 0]

B-morgan..

 

Well.your new layer code you sent works a treat. (Layer3 file)

Just printing a 2 colour file i made in TinkerCad and it pauses perfectly!

 

I manually change filament at this point.

 

The only issue i had was during pause and it says "do it" , it turned my hotend off and continued to print with no extrusion due to heater being off.

I saved it by quickly turning the heater on as it only had lost 10degrees..

But it knew heater was off.

 

Maybe this was a standby setting i had , but a heater off warning and an extended pause until rectified would be nice. (A visual warning or alarm beep)

 

Its only by fluke i noticed the heater got turned off.

If i left it it would be printing with no extrusion.

 

Apart from this glitch which i believe was my fault in a setting , it works perfect.

Thankyou.

Marty

 

Ps.. btw the beep flag ticked works fine.

Its a great alert to give a heads up!

 

 

[b-morgan 1]

I believe M0 turns off the heater on some printers and if so, then the code needs a bit more work.

 

Edited May 22, 2019 by b-morgan
New version not ready yet.

[b-morgan 1]

Here's an updated version with only one M0 pause and heaters turned on after the user resumes. I added another input option for resume bed temperature, default of 0 will use the previous value (same as resume nozzle temperature).

 

I bumped the version number so put this file in the previously posted location and delete the old version.

PauseAtHeightorLayer4.zip

[Merls 0]

Hello, I'm new at this tipe of things so I don't really know what I'm doing... but could anyone help me with this problem?

 

1) the printer stops and parks well at the specified point

2) you can resume using the menu

3) the printer goes perfectly to the next point to restart and starts to move

4) but with no extrusion, so it prints nothing

5) when you pause and ask to extrude a bit it does, but when you resume there is still no fillament extruding

 

Im using Ultimaker Cura V 4.3.0

A BeeveryCreative B2X300 printer

A SD-card 

 

I opened the cura file in txt. and this is what it is written in the "pause at height" part:

;TYPE:CUSTOM
;added code by post processing
;script: PauseAtHeight.py
;current layer: 54
M83 ; switch to relative E values for any needed retraction
G1 F300 Z22.9 ; move up a millimeter to get out of the way
G1 F9000 X190 Y190
M104 S0 ; standby temperature
M0 ; Do the actual pause
M109 S200 ; resume temperature
G1 F9000 X-8.032 Y-8.282
G1 F300 Z21.9 ; move back down to resume height
G1 F9000
M82 ; switch back to absolute E values
G92 E366.06703
;LAYER:54

[b-morgan 1]

This appears to be the original PauseAtHeight.py which is known to have problems. A newer version is posted earlier in this thread.

 

With this version, we need to see a few lines before the ;TYPE:CUSTOM to see what the E value was before the pause. Do you have any documentation on what firmware (and version) is in this printer?

 

Since there is no retraction, theoretically you could remove the M83 and the M82 lines. No standby temperature was specified so the value of zero is used. Probably not a good choice as it lets the nozzle cool too much.