REQUEST UM2+ Compatibility mode for UM2+ Connect

[R3DE 0]

The Ultimaker 2+ is a 3D production workhorse in many companies as it provides a reliable, flexible and tunable machine. Production capacity was always easily expanded by adding more machines and copying SD cards. The UM2+ is also GCODE compatible with most other Ultimaker printers so we can have a mix of printers.

 

The introduction of the UM2+ Connect, and discontinuance of the UM2+, disrupts the existing workflow completely. The UM2+C does not print anything for the UM2+. This means reslicing all STL files for the UM2+C. However, Cura doesn't accept UM2+ profiles for the UM2+C so all profiles have to be redeveloped before reslicing over 150 STL objects.

 

Also, since the material profiles are now moved into the sliced objects, when using a new material, or a material from another brand, the designs have to be resliced for the new material. With the UM2+ only a material profile on the printer itself needs to be added. This creates a jungle of files that need to be maintained during design changes. This is an R&D and production nightmare.

 

In addition, the UM2+ allows tuning parameters like temperatatures, flow rate, retract settings etcetera on the fly, seeing what the effect is and working towards optimized settings that can be used in the print or material profile. The UM2+C does nothing like that and shows nothing about the current print job except the remaining time. Settings can not be verified during printing, not even the current material settings.

 

This feature request proposes a UM2+ compatibility mode for the UM2+C. We propose to have the option to switch the printer over to full functional and visual compatibility with the UM2+, including its (text) screen layout (the dancing filenames on the UM2+C are dizzying and make it very time consuming to select a file from a long list). The rotary button can be emulated with some kind of slider on the touch screen.

 

With this UM2+ compatibility mode we can continue our hassle free production process without having to spend a lot of resources on R&D, debugging and changing production procedures.

 

At the very least, we request that the UM2+C can print existing UM2+ GCODE with material profiles stored on the printer.

 

Without this compatibility we have to explore other avenues such as replacing the hardware in the UM2+C with UM2+ hardware, or take our loss on the UM printers and moving to other printers altogether.