How to move the head to a specific location after each layer?

[Dragon2781 0]

Hi there!

 

I just saw this video from 'Make Anything' about making timelapse videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is10iN43UjI

 

I need help finding a way to move the Printhead of my UM3 to a specific location after each layer to physically press the button of a remote shutter.

Is there a way to do that by the 'Post processing > Modify G-code' in Cura?

 

Please help :)

 

[Swissengineer 25]

I have a better idea where you don't change anything on your Gcode

Why don't you print something with two materials or a support, and you add a contact switch on the tab on the right where the printer changes of printcore. You know it will do this every layer.

[Dragon2781 0]

Hi Swissengineer,

 

that would be a 'quick and dirty' solution. I don't want to see a PrimeTower and a second Dummy-object in my timelapse video.

I need a better solution for that. Isn't it possibleto write a script or plugin for that?

Move Head to X= [ ] and Y= [ ] after every layer.

[Swissengineer 25]

You don't have to. Add a small tower of "support material", don't put any material in the feeder. and remove the option for Prime tower. 

your printer will try to print a small thing in the air.

 

For the Gcode I think you could just locate the when the Z axis is moved and add you line, but I'm think this is difficult to achieve versus the solution already implemented....

Or another solution would be same as before but you could edit the Gcode and remove the 2nd printing material part. Your printer will again go the the switch material area.

[Dragon2781 0]

Link 'Make Anything' mentioned in his video, there is a Search and Replace function in the Post Processing Script menu.

I have no idea about Gcode.

Please can somebody tell me what I need to search for (move Z) and what line I have to add (move X and Y to..)?

[Dragon2781 0]

@Swissengineer I tested your method but there is a problem.

After printing the 'Dummy Object' with the empty Nozzle the Printhead comes back to the switch-position and would make an other picture. So I would have two pictures of every layer.... ? It would be very anoying to delete every second picture on the memory card...

Edited September 8, 2018 by Dragon2781

[Adam324 13]

I use Octoprint with the Octolapse plugin (easily installed through GUI).  It uses USB cameras to take pictures and create a video.  It automates moving the head to a specific spot after each layer, takes a picture, and creates a video after the print is done or fails.  Raspberry pi 3+ is around $32, A case and power supply is around $13 including heat sinks.  You need an SD card but most people have a ton of those laying around.  Well worth the investment IMHO.