Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted · 'print one at a time' help needed

Hi, 

A quick search of recent posts (going back to v4.x) has given me a little info, but not all I need. Hoping for some more clarity on printer actions.

 

For this issue, I'm printing on an old Anycubic Kobra Max. Huge print area that I'd like to utilize for multiple small objects, but want to avoid huge wastes of filament/time if something glitches (like power, with my less than stable utility service). 

 

I've discovered the limitations of gantry height; I can adjust or work around that. But my 1st test prints only a layer thick for testing) saw the print head return to 'home' position after each item was printed. Is this a hard-wired 'feature'? And if so, will the print head stay high enough to avoid previously printed objects during its move to home and to the next object? If not, it will limit print area to the right/aft triangle of the bed. Seems like a large waste of time in any case; it would be much faster for it to just move directly to the next object.

 

Thanks for any insight on a workaround (if needed).

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · 'print one at a time' help needed

    Hi there! Been a while since I printed one at a time. If you could share the Cura project file (.3mf, get it set up then go to File > Save Project) and the gcode generated for your print (where it moves home) that would really help.

     

    But this can almost certainly be worked around: I'm just looking to see if there's an easy way before I go writing a post-processing script for you 😄

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · 'print one at a time' help needed

    Interim followup:

    My earlier 1st attempt was with test objects intentionally taller than the X axis rail ('gantry'?) which gave a 'reduced height' warning in the slicer. They were indeed reduced in height (to near-nothing) and that's when I saw the return-to-home after every object symptom. 

     

    I created new test objects 20 mm high, and got the same 'reduced height' warning in the slicer, but they printed full height. And... the print head did *not* return to home after each object's completion. Apparently I had something wrong in the original object file that was giving the slicer (or the printer) fits.

     

    So, modified questions: Is that 'reduced height' error message just baked in the cake for one at a time printing, as a warning? Or am I still doing something wrong?

    And,

    I've seen references in other threads about changing the gantry height setting to allow taller objects in one at a time mode, and then arranging print order so it's always printing toward the rear. Is there any downside to doing this, as long as print order and clearances are carefully maintained?

     

    Thank you for all your help; tell 'em I said you deserve a raise.

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · 'print one at a time' help needed

    The gantry height is a safety to prevent the print head from crashing into finished prints when in One-at-a-Time mode.  It is specific to One-at-a-Time.

    If you change the gantry height to a larger number, the height of the build volume will go up with it.  It's possible to set the gantry height up to the "Machine Height".

    When a user changes the gantry height like that, they are removing that safety.  That puts the onus on the user to keep the machine from smashing into prints.

    There is a bug in One-at-a-Time that happens when a short model is printed last, and when the Ending Gcode has a parking move coded into it.  That parking move often goes to the back of the build plate and if a taller print happens to be in the way - then too bad and goodbye tall print.

    If you use do-care, think, and make a close inspection of the preview, you can sometimes plan around all of that.  It really depends on:

    • The layout of the parts on the build plate.
    • Their relative height.
    • The print order.
    • Maybe some moves in the Ending Gcode (like the Creality "Present Print" moves).
  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Posted · 'print one at a time' help needed
    3 hours ago, rv7charlie said:

    I've seen references in other threads about changing the gantry height setting to allow taller objects in one at a time mode, and then arranging print order so it's always printing toward the rear. Is there any downside to doing this, as long as print order and clearances are carefully maintained?

    Be grateful you're only trying this now: the ability to set print order in one at a time is a fairly new feature.

     

    1 hour ago, GregValiant said:

    There is a bug in One-at-a-Time that happens when a short model is printed last, and when the Ending Gcode has a parking move coded into it.  That parking move often goes to the back of the build plate and if a taller print happens to be in the way - then too bad and goodbye tall print.

    I wouldn't say that's a "bug" so much as a "design shortcoming". If you're worried about this happening, you can always edit the gcode file manually to add an upwards move before the end gcode. Just something like this:

    G0 Z100 F1800

    Will move it up so the nozzle is 100mm from the plate (assuming you're using absolute co-ordinates; most printers do).

  • Link to post
    Share on other sites

    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now
    • Our picks

      • UltiMaker Cura 5.9 stable released!
        Here comes Cura 5.9 and in this stable release we have lots of material and printer profiles for UltiMaker printers, including the newly released Sketch Sprint. Additionally, scarf seams have been introduced alongside even more print settings and improvements.  Check out the rest of this article to find out the details on all of that and more
          • Like
        • 5 replies
      • Introducing the UltiMaker Factor 4
        We are happy to announce the next evolution in the UltiMaker 3D printer lineup: the UltiMaker Factor 4 industrial-grade 3D printer, designed to take manufacturing to new levels of efficiency and reliability. Factor 4 is an end-to-end 3D printing solution for light industrial applications
          • Heart
          • Thanks
          • Like
        • 7 replies
    ×
    ×
    • Create New...