Automate STL>Slice>Print via Ubuntu Terminal

[modernonline 0]

We're doing an art installation. In short, every day, an .stl file will be automatically generated that needs to be sliced and launched for printing on its own. 

 

I tried reading some previous posts and assembling information from bits, but perhaps it is best if all my questions are gathered together:

 

1) Is the Ultimaker model important, and what's the difference? Ideally I would communicate via Wifi but could also set up a Ubuntu-running device and connect via USB. U2 would be my primary option simply because we don't need dual extrusion, but it seems U3 has WiFi enabled features?
 

2) Could somebody indicate a good starting point(s), or maybe some scripts already exist? I imagine a python script for slicing via CuraEngine and then sending via serial?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited January 23, 2020 by modernonline

[geert_2 557]

Probably not the answer you are looking for, but what about making a human part of the art installation? And let him/her do that? Put him/her on a marble base plate, attach a nice brass label similar to those on stone statues, and shine a spotlight on him/her?

 

That "human piece of art" can handle things like parts stuck to the build plate, or parts falling off prematurely, or cleaning a blocked nozzle. An automaton can't, or not that easy.

 

Further, a human seems way more artfull to me than a silly automaton, and probably way more beautiful too (depending on who you choose, how he/she behaves, and how you clothe him/her). I think humans are masterpieces of art, well, at least some of them.

 

[modernonline 0]

@geert_2 Fair point. Actually, the exhibition staff will still be taking the prints off the plate, cleaning the plate, changing the filaments, and so on.

 

If we can't automate properly, of course I will ask them to submit the gcode manually. However, (at least) slicing is really not an option and has to be done automatically.

 

Let's just say that automation is quite a big part of the installation for various reasons. Also, 'failure' of the print as such in this context is an option, hence I'm not so precious about the slicing/gcode being perfect or the printer throwing threads of plastic all over the place.

 

Hope that makes sense 🙂

 

Edited January 24, 2020 by modernonline