Shutting off power on a failed print?

[gothampixel 10]

Is it ok to cut power on the Ultimaker 2 if and when a print starts to go bad?

I setup a webcam and have the U2 plugged into an outlet that I can remotely shut off. Are there any problems with shutting it down so abruptly?

live feed:

http://dropc.am/p/Xi8IRr

 

[IRobertI 516]

If it's not an emergency (like someone's hand getting stuck) I would just use the Abort option in the menu. That will finish the last few moves left in the buffer, retract a bit of filament, home the head and bed and then turn off the heat. That way you're immediately ready to restart the print after you've cleaned the failed print off the platform.

 

[gothampixel 10]

my question is about when I am not there to hit the abort button. For long prints when I'm not at home I will be watching via a webcam. I have the ability to remotely shut off the power to the machine if something goes wrong. Is that ok?

 

[mnis 11]

Sometimes it is the best solution to steal the machine the power immediately to avoid worse. I had to do it several times already, and it's no big deal to get the machine ready to print again. Because especially for very large objects, takes the abortion extremely long (> 30 seconds), because just the buffer's contents will be executed to the end.

3D printing is a very time-consuming thing, I understand that very well, we want to print in absence. But it is better if there is a person who is able to monitor the printing operation on site anyway. Family members should be instructed in its use, so that they can act in time. Please keep also to the safety of your neighbors and pets. Create a safe working environment.

In addition to the webcam, I suggest you at least to a very good insurance. Recklessness may perhaps be a disaster quickly. Perhaps no one wants to know, but we should not trust any machine, even if a machine appears to be very reliable.

Markus

[Dim3nsioneer 557]

Sometimes it is the best solution to steal the machine the power immediately to avoid worse. I had to do it several times already, and it's no big deal to get the machine ready to print again. Because especially for very large objects, takes the abortion extremely long (> 30 seconds), because just the buffer's contents will be executed to the end.

3D printing is a very time-consuming thing, I understand that very well, we want to print in absence. But it is better if there is a person who is able to monitor the printing operation on site anyway. Family members should be instructed in its use, so that they can act in time. Please keep also to the safety of your neighbors and pets. Create a safe working environment.

In addition to the webcam, I suggest you at least to a very good insurance. Recklessness may perhaps be a disaster quickly. Perhaps no one wants to know, but we should not trust any machine, even if a machine appears to be very reliable.

Markus

 

Question is, where do you draw the line? I guess you're not switching off the fridge everytime you leave the house, are you?

The UM2 has a CE declaration which says that this machine is safe accordingly to the EN ISO 12100 standard.This means it is quite reliable in terms of safety. But: It is certified as a machine, not as a home or household product. This has to be kept in mind.

However, as you mentioned, the user has anyway to follow the directions written in the manual by Ultimaker.

 

[mnis 11]

Sure it's hard to draw the line.

There are already plausible reasons for household appliances, telephone systems, etc.

But how do I explain my assurance that in my absence, eg also entertainment devices, or production machines must run in my household?

My feeling is, that there are devices that you simply should not be a long time unattended. This applies to non-essential household devices, computers and electronic accessories, 3D printers, electronic toys, generally devices with very high energy consumption, etc.

Every man has to estimate what is absolutely necessary. From Outside may be made to a private household barely regulatory influence which is, for sure, basically a good thing. But with the increasing complexity of a machine also increases the security risk. So I see it, anyway.

The core message should be:

Thinking about security and creating a safe working environment.

The "CE" marking is not a test of "seal" much more of an administrative character and not much more than a passport for the European Union (...with the exception of Switzerland). Responsible for this administrative CE-character, is only the product manufacturer. And The CE marking is a prerequisite for the entry (or commissioning) of products, nothing more. (Wikipedia)

It brings us probably not very much, if we now to unleash a fundamental discussion.

So yes, the machine must be able to withstand a sudden elimination of the power supply without damage.

Markus

 

[gr5 2,002]

It's fine to cut power. You won't damage the Ultimaker. This is true for both UM Original and UM 2.

You *will* generate a small blob of filament where it stops printing while it cools down. Not a disaster.

 

[woofy 12]

From a practical point of view, I've done this a number of times now with my remote power switch. There were no ill effects on the um2 at all. The next print started normally each time.