Skin
Skin is a script to smooth the surface skin of an object by replacing the perimeter surface with a surface printed at half the carve
height, and replacing the top infill with half width offset infill. It was made with help from James Blackwell.
Skin gives the impression that the object was carved at a much thinner height giving a high-quality finish, but still prints in a relatively short time. The latest process has some similarities with a description at:
http://adventuresin3-dprinting.blogspot.com/2011/05/skinning.html
Bookend / Preface
The start and end alterations files are now added by bookend, instead of preface. Bookend is called just before export which means that the start and end commands will no longer be modified by any of the other tools. If you are using start and end files, you will have to move their name settings from preface to bookend.
Clairvoyance
Clairvoyance is an analyze plugin to open the gcode file with an outside program.
If the 'Gcode Program' is set to webbrowser, the gcode file will be sent to the default browser to be opened. If the 'Gcode Program' is set to a program name, the gcode file will be sent to that program to be opened. A good gcode viewer is Pleasant3D, at:
http://www.pleasantsoftware.com/developer/pleasant3d/index.shtml
Cool
The 'Orbital Outset' feature has been added to cool.
When the orbit cool type is selected, the orbits will be outset around the largest island by 'Orbital Outset' millimeters. If 'Orbital Outset' is negative, the orbits will be inset instead.
Dimension
The 'Retract Within Island' feature has been added to dimension, the default is off.
When selected, retraction will work even when the next thread is within the same island. If it is not selected, retraction will only work when crossing a boundary.
Note, in a recent version of skeinforge this was called Retract When Crossing Boundary or something, with the opposite value of 'Retract Within Island'. So if you're using Dimension, you must set 'Retract Within Island', even if you want the default. Otherwise because dimension would read the profile, it would be set on.
Faster than Light
If neutrinos really can travel faster than the speed of light through the earth, this may be because of the Scharnhorst effect in a solid.
The hypothetical Scharnhorst effect is extremely tiny between two parallel plates. If the plates are closer together, the effect increases. In a solid, it is as if the plates were touching, so the effect is greater still. This effect is unoticeable with light because the electromagnetic index of refraction swamps the Scharnhorst effect. However, neutrinos are not slowed by the electromagnetic index of refraction, so the Scharnhorst effect in a solid for neutrinos is noticeable and could boost their speed slightly above c.
Limit / Speed
The 'Maximum Z Feed Rate' has been moved from limit to speed. If you are using limit, you will have to move the 'Maximum Z Feed Rate' to speed.
The 'Maximum Z Feed Rate' now also defines the speed of a vertical hop, like the infill hop in skin.
Multiply
The 'Reverse Sequence every Odd Layer' option has been added to multiply. Multiply has always reversed the sequence on every odd layer so that the tool would travel less. The problem is that the builds would be made with different amount of time to cool, so some would be too hot and some too cold, which is why the default is off. With the option off, the sequence is the same on every layer.
Printrun / Pronterface
Printrun consists of printcore, pronsole and pronterface, and a small collection of helpful scripts. It is pure Python 3d printing host software:
https://github.com/kliment/Printrun
The contributors page is at:
https://github.com/kliment/Printrun/contributors
* printcore.py is a library that makes writing reprap hosts easy
* pronsole.py is an interactive command-line host software with tabcompletion goodness
* pronterface.py is a graphical host software with the same functionality as pronsole
Skirt
The convex feature has been added to skirt, the default is on.
When selected, the skirt will be convex, going around the model with only convex angles. If convex is not selected, the skirt will hug the model, going into every nook and cranny.
Sprinter Firmware
The leading developers of Sprinter are currently Kliment and caru, though many others contribute with their patches:
https://github.com/kliment/Sprinter
This is a firmware for RAMPS and other reprap single-processor electronics setups. It supports printing from SD card, active heatbed control, and ATmega internal pullups.
Synopsis & Export
Synopsis is an analyze plugin to export the profile from a skeinforge gcode file as a csv or zip file. It is based on Gary Hodgson's code:
http://garyhodgson.com/reprap/2011/06/hacking-skeinforge-export-module/
The related functions to add extensions to the file name are in export and follow below.
When 'Add Descriptive Extension' is selected, key profile values will be added as an extension to the gcode file. For example:
test.04hx06w_03fill_2cx2r_33EL.gcode
When 'Add Profile Extension' is selected, the current profile will be added to the file extension. For example:
test.my_profile_name.gcode
When 'Add Timestamp Extension' is selected, the current date and time is added as an extension in format YYYYmmdd_HHMMSS (so it is sortable if one has many files). For example:
test.my_profile_name.20110613_220113.gcode
Version and Search
The version information has been moved from the main panel to the help panel.
The search buttons have been removed from the main panel, but are still on the help panel.
Download
The stable skeinforge version at the time of this writing is at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/files/43_reprap_python_beanshell.zip
The latest stable cached skeinforge is the latest file at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
The unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
There is no longer a subversion version.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Bitcoin
Bitcoin
The bitcoin project, is a an open source way of saving and transferring currency without paying fees. From the bitcoin wiki:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Main_Page
"Bitcoin is a digital currency created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto.
..
It is designed around the idea of using computed solutions to mathematical problems as money, independent of any central issuing authority."
With bitcoin, reprappers could buy printed parts without paying Paypal fees and/or currency exchange fees. Reprappers could also offer printed parts for sale on a bitcoin auction site:
http://www.biddingpond.com/
without paying Ebay fees. The site is small, but you've got to start somewhere.
Dimension
Filament settings have been added to dimension. This is very loosely based on Rob Giseburt's Volumetric 5D plugin:
http://tinkerings.posterous.com/volumetric-5d
The 'Filament Diameter' should simply be set to the measured filament diameter in millimeters.
The tricky setting is the 'Filament Packing Density'. The default is 0.85, this is for ABS.
The default value is so low for ABS because ABS is relatively soft and with a pinch wheel extruder the teeth of the pinch dig in farther, so it sees a smaller effective diameter. With a hard plastic like PLA the teeth of the pinch wheel don't dig in as far, so it sees a larger effective diameter, so feeds faster, so for PLA the value should be around 0.97. This is with Wade's hobbed bolt. The effect is less significant with larger pinch wheels.
Overall, you'll have to find the optimal effective 'Filament Packing Density' by experiment.
License
The license is being changed from the GLP 3 to the more restrictive GNU Affero General Public License:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
The major difference is that the GNU General Public License permits making a modified version and letting the public access it on a server without ever releasing its source code to the public.
The GNU Affero General Public License is designed specifically to ensure that, in such cases, the modified source code becomes available to the community. It requires the operator of a network server to provide the source code of the modified version running there to the users of that server. Therefore, public use of a modified version, on a publicly accessible server, gives the public access to the source code of the modified version.
Object First Layer
The first layer in raft has been changed so that now you can set the first layer infill flow rate & perimeter flow rate independently.
If your 'Object First Layer' flow rate setting is not default, you must update your 'Object First Layer' settings accordingly.
Skirt
Skirt is a script to give the extruder some extra time to begin extruding properly before beginning the object, and to put a baffle around the model in order to keep the extrusion warm.
It is loosely based on Lenbook's outline plugin:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4918
it is also loosely based on the outline that Nophead sometimes uses:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2010/01/hot-metal-and-serendipity.html
and also loosely based on the baffles that Nophead made to keep corners warm:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2010/09/some-corners-like-it-hot.html
If you want only an outline, set 'Layers To' to one. This gives the extruder some extra time to begin extruding properly before beginning your object, and gives you an early verification of where your object will be extruded.
If you also want an insulating skirt around the entire object, set 'Layers To' to a huge number, like 9876554321. This will additionally make an insulating baffle around the object; to prevent moving air from cooling the object, which increases warping, especially in corners.
Thread Sequence
Fill has been changed so that the thread sequence for the first layer is now 'Perimeter > Loops > Infill'. The thread sequence for the second and higher layers is as before.
You do not need to alter any settings because of this change.
The stable cached skeinforge is the latest file at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
the unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
the infrequently updated subversion version is at:
https://reprap.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/reprap/trunk/old_files/miscellaneous/python-beanshell-scripts/
The bitcoin project, is a an open source way of saving and transferring currency without paying fees. From the bitcoin wiki:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Main_Page
"Bitcoin is a digital currency created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto.
..
It is designed around the idea of using computed solutions to mathematical problems as money, independent of any central issuing authority."
With bitcoin, reprappers could buy printed parts without paying Paypal fees and/or currency exchange fees. Reprappers could also offer printed parts for sale on a bitcoin auction site:
http://www.biddingpond.com/
without paying Ebay fees. The site is small, but you've got to start somewhere.
Dimension
Filament settings have been added to dimension. This is very loosely based on Rob Giseburt's Volumetric 5D plugin:
http://tinkerings.posterous.com/volumetric-5d
The 'Filament Diameter' should simply be set to the measured filament diameter in millimeters.
The tricky setting is the 'Filament Packing Density'. The default is 0.85, this is for ABS.
The default value is so low for ABS because ABS is relatively soft and with a pinch wheel extruder the teeth of the pinch dig in farther, so it sees a smaller effective diameter. With a hard plastic like PLA the teeth of the pinch wheel don't dig in as far, so it sees a larger effective diameter, so feeds faster, so for PLA the value should be around 0.97. This is with Wade's hobbed bolt. The effect is less significant with larger pinch wheels.
Overall, you'll have to find the optimal effective 'Filament Packing Density' by experiment.
License
The license is being changed from the GLP 3 to the more restrictive GNU Affero General Public License:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
The major difference is that the GNU General Public License permits making a modified version and letting the public access it on a server without ever releasing its source code to the public.
The GNU Affero General Public License is designed specifically to ensure that, in such cases, the modified source code becomes available to the community. It requires the operator of a network server to provide the source code of the modified version running there to the users of that server. Therefore, public use of a modified version, on a publicly accessible server, gives the public access to the source code of the modified version.
Object First Layer
The first layer in raft has been changed so that now you can set the first layer infill flow rate & perimeter flow rate independently.
If your 'Object First Layer' flow rate setting is not default, you must update your 'Object First Layer' settings accordingly.
Skirt
Skirt is a script to give the extruder some extra time to begin extruding properly before beginning the object, and to put a baffle around the model in order to keep the extrusion warm.
It is loosely based on Lenbook's outline plugin:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4918
it is also loosely based on the outline that Nophead sometimes uses:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2010/01/hot-metal-and-serendipity.html
and also loosely based on the baffles that Nophead made to keep corners warm:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2010/09/some-corners-like-it-hot.html
If you want only an outline, set 'Layers To' to one. This gives the extruder some extra time to begin extruding properly before beginning your object, and gives you an early verification of where your object will be extruded.
If you also want an insulating skirt around the entire object, set 'Layers To' to a huge number, like 9876554321. This will additionally make an insulating baffle around the object; to prevent moving air from cooling the object, which increases warping, especially in corners.
Thread Sequence
Fill has been changed so that the thread sequence for the first layer is now 'Perimeter > Loops > Infill'. The thread sequence for the second and higher layers is as before.
You do not need to alter any settings because of this change.
The stable cached skeinforge is the latest file at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
the unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
the infrequently updated subversion version is at:
https://reprap.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/reprap/trunk/old_files/miscellaneous/python-beanshell-scripts/
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Gear
Gear
You can now use xml to define a gear. The gear script can generate a spur gear couple, a bevel gear couple, a ring gear couple and a rack & pinion couple.
A helix pattern can be added to each gear type. All the gear types have a clearance and all the teeth can be beveled. A keyway, shaft and lightening holes can be added to all the round gears, and rack holes can be added to the rack. The script can output solid gears or only the gear profiles. Both gears of the couple can be generated or just one.
You can experiment by opening xml files in the models/xml_models/creation/gear folder. To see xml files in the file chooser, make sure that the 'Files of Type' pop up menu is set to either All, All Readable or XML files.
Gear options and examples are described at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Fabmetheus_Creation_Gear
One common gear type is the spur herringbone gear, the slice file for which is at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/fabmetheus_model_creation_gear_spur_herringbone.xml
Bridge
The 'Bridge Thickness Multiplier' has been removed, now all layers are the same thickness.
'Bridge Cool' has been added to the cool tool. If the layer is a bridge layer, then cool will lower the temperature by 'Bridge Cool' degrees Celcius.
Export Replace
Export now deletes any empty lines from a replace operation. So now if you have a line like:
M101
in the replace.csv file, all lines which have only M101 will be deleted. There is no longer a need to replace gcode commands with placeholder commands like M105.
Global Settings
The remaining global setting tools have been changed to profile setting tools. This means that you should check the settings in any global setting tool where you've changed the default settings. The remaining global attribute tools were:
home, lash, unpause, all the analyze tools & all the export plugins.
Granule Extruder
This has nothing to do with skeinforge, but someone made a small granule extruder:
http://web4deb.blogspot.com/2010/12/plastic-extruder-for-growing-media.html
The Web4Deb Extruder is a functional auger based granular extruder that produces perforated HDPE strips for use in aquaponics. A video of the extruder in action is at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anqKC0i0a7Y
More information is on the reprap wiki at:
http://reprap.org/wiki/Web4Deb_extruder
Note, this produces strips rather than round filament. But the die can be changed so someone could add cooled grooved rollers to finally make home built filament for reprap.
Infill Interior Density over Exterior Density
The 'Infill Interior Density over Exterior Density' setting has been removed. It was originally added to prevent the problem of excessive plastic when extruding cones:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2008/08/bearing-fruit.html
However, it led to the problem of incorrect deposition on some other shapes:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2010/12/tip-top-top-layer-tip.html
So the 'Infill Interior Density over Exterior Density' setting has been removed along with a different interior density. To prevent the problem of excessive plastic, the infill algorithm now looks around with a double cone at 45 degrees rather than a pillar. There is no setting to control the new algorithm.
Start From Choice
There is now a choice or where to start the layer from in fill. The default is the lower left.
When 'Lower Left' is selected the layer will start from the lower left corner. This is to extrude in round robin fashion so that the first extrusion will be deposited on the coolest part of the last layer. The reason for this is described at:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2010/12/round-robin.html
When 'Nearest' is selected the layer will start from the nearest point to the end of the last layer. This leads to less stringing, but the first extrusion will be deposited on the hottest part of the last layer which leads to melting problems. So this option is deprecated, eventually this option will be removed and the layers will always start from the lower left.
The stable cached skeinforge is the latest file at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
the unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
the infrequently updated subversion version is at:
https://reprap.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/reprap/trunk/old_files/miscellaneous/python-beanshell-scripts/
Enrique
You can now use xml to define a gear. The gear script can generate a spur gear couple, a bevel gear couple, a ring gear couple and a rack & pinion couple.
A helix pattern can be added to each gear type. All the gear types have a clearance and all the teeth can be beveled. A keyway, shaft and lightening holes can be added to all the round gears, and rack holes can be added to the rack. The script can output solid gears or only the gear profiles. Both gears of the couple can be generated or just one.
You can experiment by opening xml files in the models/xml_models/creation/gear folder. To see xml files in the file chooser, make sure that the 'Files of Type' pop up menu is set to either All, All Readable or XML files.
Gear options and examples are described at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Fabmetheus_Creation_Gear
One common gear type is the spur herringbone gear, the slice file for which is at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/fabmetheus_model_creation_gear_spur_herringbone.xml
Bridge
The 'Bridge Thickness Multiplier' has been removed, now all layers are the same thickness.
'Bridge Cool' has been added to the cool tool. If the layer is a bridge layer, then cool will lower the temperature by 'Bridge Cool' degrees Celcius.
Export Replace
Export now deletes any empty lines from a replace operation. So now if you have a line like:
M101
in the replace.csv file, all lines which have only M101 will be deleted. There is no longer a need to replace gcode commands with placeholder commands like M105.
Global Settings
The remaining global setting tools have been changed to profile setting tools. This means that you should check the settings in any global setting tool where you've changed the default settings. The remaining global attribute tools were:
home, lash, unpause, all the analyze tools & all the export plugins.
Granule Extruder
This has nothing to do with skeinforge, but someone made a small granule extruder:
http://web4deb.blogspot.com/2010/12/plastic-extruder-for-growing-media.html
The Web4Deb Extruder is a functional auger based granular extruder that produces perforated HDPE strips for use in aquaponics. A video of the extruder in action is at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anqKC0i0a7Y
More information is on the reprap wiki at:
http://reprap.org/wiki/Web4Deb_extruder
Note, this produces strips rather than round filament. But the die can be changed so someone could add cooled grooved rollers to finally make home built filament for reprap.
Infill Interior Density over Exterior Density
The 'Infill Interior Density over Exterior Density' setting has been removed. It was originally added to prevent the problem of excessive plastic when extruding cones:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2008/08/bearing-fruit.html
However, it led to the problem of incorrect deposition on some other shapes:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2010/12/tip-top-top-layer-tip.html
So the 'Infill Interior Density over Exterior Density' setting has been removed along with a different interior density. To prevent the problem of excessive plastic, the infill algorithm now looks around with a double cone at 45 degrees rather than a pillar. There is no setting to control the new algorithm.
Start From Choice
There is now a choice or where to start the layer from in fill. The default is the lower left.
When 'Lower Left' is selected the layer will start from the lower left corner. This is to extrude in round robin fashion so that the first extrusion will be deposited on the coolest part of the last layer. The reason for this is described at:
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.com/2010/12/round-robin.html
When 'Nearest' is selected the layer will start from the nearest point to the end of the last layer. This leads to less stringing, but the first extrusion will be deposited on the hottest part of the last layer which leads to melting problems. So this option is deprecated, eventually this option will be removed and the layers will always start from the lower left.
The stable cached skeinforge is the latest file at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
the unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
the infrequently updated subversion version is at:
https://reprap.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/reprap/trunk/old_files/miscellaneous/python-beanshell-scripts/
Enrique
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Demozendium
Demozendium
The skeinforge manual has been moved to:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Skeinforge
I'd like to thank Bogdan Kecman:
http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/wiki/index.php?title=User:Bogdan.kecman
http://picasaweb.google.com/bogdan.kecman/RapMan
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bogdan
and in serbian:
http://www.mysql.rs/
http://elco.crsndoo.com/
who made the skeinforge download site and has now finished the new Demozendium wiki:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Demozendium is an open source encyclopedia that gives contributors a fair share. Basically, decisions about this wiki are made democratically, by range voting to select between choices and by median voting to determine quantities. The adsense revenue is shared among the contributors. More information is on the About Demozendium page at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/DEMOZENDIUM:About
The content from the old manual was copied on Thursday, November 18th. So if you made any edits to the old manual since then, please reenter them into the new wiki.
To prevent spam, registration in the new wiki is by email to:
perez_enrique yahoo.com
If your contributions online have been seen, you will get an account. If you haven't contributed somewhere before, then include your first article or edit or artwork. When registering, please also indicate if you want a share of revenue and/or you are willing to help administer.
For those who have written tutorials, the updated list which is now at the top of the skeinforge manual:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Skeinforge#Tutorials
please either register and add your tutorial to the wiki directly, or send me an email granting me permission to add it to the wiki.
The new demozendium wiki is meant for anyone to write good articles on any subject and get a fair share. It's starting with skeinforge because it has to start somewhere, but it is not limited to skeinforge or reprap. Please send in your articles and artwork, all contributions are appreciated and rewarded, there are no requirements for notability and with controversial topics multiple viewpoints are accommodated with multiple articles.
Command Line Interface
The command line interface for slicing a file directly has been changed and there are now more options. Programs which call skeinforge from a shell command to slice a file may have to change the command string.
Slicing a file from skeinforge_utilities/skeinforge_craft.py, for example:
python skeinforge_application/skeinforge_utilities/skeinforge_craft.py test.stl
will slice the file and exit. This is the correct option for programs which use skeinforge to only generate a gcode file.
Slicing a file from skeinforge.py, for example:
python skeinforge_application/skeinforge.py test.stl
will slice the file and bring up the skeinforge window and the analyze windows and then skeinforge will wait for user input.
Slicing a file from skeinforge_plugins/craft.py, for example:
python skeinforge_application/skeinforge_plugins/craft.py test.stl
will slice the file and bring up the analyze windows only and then skeinforge will wait for user input.
Note, this does not change the command to bring up the skeinforge dialog without a file name, which is still:
python skeinforge_application/skeinforge.py
Scale Tool
There is a new tool scale which scales the carving to compensate for shrinkage after the extrusion has cooled. This is useful for things like gears which are eventually connected to non extruded components and must mesh precisely. The scale tool is not activated by default, so if you don't want scale you don't have to change anything.
It is best to only change the XY Plane Scale, because that does not affect other variables. If you choose to change the Z Axis Scale, that increases the layer thickness so you must increase the feed rate in speed by the same amount.
Delete Comments in Export
The Delete Comments checkbox in export has been changed to the Delete Comments menu. The new default is 'Delete Crafting Comments', which is similar to the old 'Delete Comments' default, so you don't have to change anything. The new choices are explained below:
Do Not Delete Comments
When selected, export will not delete comments. Crafting comments slow down the processing in many firmware types, which leads to segment pauses.
Delete Crafting Comments
When selected, export will delete the time consuming crafting comments, but leave the initialization comments. Since the crafting comments are deleted, there are no additional segment pauses. The remaining initialization comments provide some useful information for the analyze tools.
Delete All Comments
When selected, export will delete all comments. The comments are not necessary to run a fabricator.
The stable cached skeinforge is the latest file at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
the unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
the infrequently updated subversion version is at:
https://reprap.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/reprap/trunk/old_files/miscellaneous/python-beanshell-scripts/
Enrique
The skeinforge manual has been moved to:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Skeinforge
I'd like to thank Bogdan Kecman:
http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/wiki/index.php?title=User:Bogdan.kecman
http://picasaweb.google.com/bogdan.kecman/RapMan
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bogdan
and in serbian:
http://www.mysql.rs/
http://elco.crsndoo.com/
who made the skeinforge download site and has now finished the new Demozendium wiki:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Demozendium is an open source encyclopedia that gives contributors a fair share. Basically, decisions about this wiki are made democratically, by range voting to select between choices and by median voting to determine quantities. The adsense revenue is shared among the contributors. More information is on the About Demozendium page at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/DEMOZENDIUM:About
The content from the old manual was copied on Thursday, November 18th. So if you made any edits to the old manual since then, please reenter them into the new wiki.
To prevent spam, registration in the new wiki is by email to:
perez_enrique
If your contributions online have been seen, you will get an account. If you haven't contributed somewhere before, then include your first article or edit or artwork. When registering, please also indicate if you want a share of revenue and/or you are willing to help administer.
For those who have written tutorials, the updated list which is now at the top of the skeinforge manual:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Skeinforge#Tutorials
please either register and add your tutorial to the wiki directly, or send me an email granting me permission to add it to the wiki.
The new demozendium wiki is meant for anyone to write good articles on any subject and get a fair share. It's starting with skeinforge because it has to start somewhere, but it is not limited to skeinforge or reprap. Please send in your articles and artwork, all contributions are appreciated and rewarded, there are no requirements for notability and with controversial topics multiple viewpoints are accommodated with multiple articles.
Command Line Interface
The command line interface for slicing a file directly has been changed and there are now more options. Programs which call skeinforge from a shell command to slice a file may have to change the command string.
Slicing a file from skeinforge_utilities/skeinforge_craft.py, for example:
python skeinforge_application/skeinforge_utilities/skeinforge_craft.py test.stl
will slice the file and exit. This is the correct option for programs which use skeinforge to only generate a gcode file.
Slicing a file from skeinforge.py, for example:
python skeinforge_application/skeinforge.py test.stl
will slice the file and bring up the skeinforge window and the analyze windows and then skeinforge will wait for user input.
Slicing a file from skeinforge_plugins/craft.py, for example:
python skeinforge_application/skeinforge_plugins/craft.py test.stl
will slice the file and bring up the analyze windows only and then skeinforge will wait for user input.
Note, this does not change the command to bring up the skeinforge dialog without a file name, which is still:
python skeinforge_application/skeinforge.py
Scale Tool
There is a new tool scale which scales the carving to compensate for shrinkage after the extrusion has cooled. This is useful for things like gears which are eventually connected to non extruded components and must mesh precisely. The scale tool is not activated by default, so if you don't want scale you don't have to change anything.
It is best to only change the XY Plane Scale, because that does not affect other variables. If you choose to change the Z Axis Scale, that increases the layer thickness so you must increase the feed rate in speed by the same amount.
Delete Comments in Export
The Delete Comments checkbox in export has been changed to the Delete Comments menu. The new default is 'Delete Crafting Comments', which is similar to the old 'Delete Comments' default, so you don't have to change anything. The new choices are explained below:
Do Not Delete Comments
When selected, export will not delete comments. Crafting comments slow down the processing in many firmware types, which leads to segment pauses.
Delete Crafting Comments
When selected, export will delete the time consuming crafting comments, but leave the initialization comments. Since the crafting comments are deleted, there are no additional segment pauses. The remaining initialization comments provide some useful information for the analyze tools.
Delete All Comments
When selected, export will delete all comments. The comments are not necessary to run a fabricator.
The stable cached skeinforge is the latest file at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
the unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
the infrequently updated subversion version is at:
https://reprap.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/reprap/trunk/old_files/miscellaneous/python-beanshell-scripts/
Enrique
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Limit and bottom
The stable cached skeinforge is the latest file at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
the unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
the infrequently updated subversion version is at:
https://reprap.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/reprap/trunk/old_files/miscellaneous/python-beanshell-scripts/
Thanks to Erik de Bruijn, who is one of the people working on the ultimaker at:
http://www.ultimaker.com/
many of the skeinforge tools now have layer progress indication.
Maximum Z Feed Rate has been moved from speed to limit, so set the Maximum Z Feed Rate in limit to whatever it was in speed.
Bottom Altitude has been moved from raft to bottom and in bottom it is now called altitude with a default of zero. So if you have Bottom Altitude set to something other than its default of zero, set the Altitude in bottom to whatever Bottom Altitude was in raft.
Skeinview has been renamed skeinlayer and behold has been renamed skeiniso. Any settings in skeinview and behold should be transferred automatically.
Initial Circling has been moved from temperature to raft.
Skeinforge can now read inskcape svg directly, so when using skeinforge to plot svg files:
http://reprap.org/wiki/Plotting
you can now skip the Blender conversion step.
The grid circle infill pattern has been added to fill. Because the circles are separated, the pattern is weak, it only provides support for the top layer threads and some strength in the z direction. The flip side is that this infill does not warp the object, the object will get warped only by the walls. Because this pattern turns the extruder on and off often, it is best to get a stepper motor extruder if you don't already have one.
The problem where alterations, like start.gcode, were sometimes being changed by the tool chain is mostly fixed, so you no longer to need to send some of them through with a replace prefix. If you're not using a replace prefix or haven't heard of one before, ignore this paragraph.
Cheers,
Enrique
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/
the unstable skeinforge is on my website at:
http://members.axion.net/~enrique/reprap_python_beanshell.zip
the infrequently updated subversion version is at:
https://reprap.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/reprap/trunk/old_files/miscellaneous/python-beanshell-scripts/
Thanks to Erik de Bruijn, who is one of the people working on the ultimaker at:
http://www.ultimaker.com/
many of the skeinforge tools now have layer progress indication.
Maximum Z Feed Rate has been moved from speed to limit, so set the Maximum Z Feed Rate in limit to whatever it was in speed.
Bottom Altitude has been moved from raft to bottom and in bottom it is now called altitude with a default of zero. So if you have Bottom Altitude set to something other than its default of zero, set the Altitude in bottom to whatever Bottom Altitude was in raft.
Skeinview has been renamed skeinlayer and behold has been renamed skeiniso. Any settings in skeinview and behold should be transferred automatically.
Initial Circling has been moved from temperature to raft.
Skeinforge can now read inskcape svg directly, so when using skeinforge to plot svg files:
http://reprap.org/wiki/Plotting
you can now skip the Blender conversion step.
The grid circle infill pattern has been added to fill. Because the circles are separated, the pattern is weak, it only provides support for the top layer threads and some strength in the z direction. The flip side is that this infill does not warp the object, the object will get warped only by the walls. Because this pattern turns the extruder on and off often, it is best to get a stepper motor extruder if you don't already have one.
The problem where alterations, like start.gcode, were sometimes being changed by the tool chain is mostly fixed, so you no longer to need to send some of them through with a replace prefix. If you're not using a replace prefix or haven't heard of one before, ignore this paragraph.
Cheers,
Enrique
Monday, February 15, 2010
Raft split into raft and temperature
I'd like to thank Bogdan Kecman:
http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/wiki/index.php?title=User:Bogdan.kecman
http://picasaweb.google.com/bogdan.kecman/RapMan
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bogdan
and in serbian:
http://www.mysql.rs/
http://elco.crsndoo.com/
for creating and maintaining the skeinforge website, where all the cached versions are, for testing skeinforge, and in general for helping many people.
I'd also like to thank Cliff Biffle, Nick Ames & Rick Pollack for writing up calibration information:
http://makerblock.com/2010/02/makerbot-skeinforge-tuning-and-calibration/
Triffid Hunter, whose blog is at:
http://wooden-mendel.blogspot.com/
has improved send.py:
http://dev.forums.reprap.org/file.php?154,file=1972,filename=send.py
and RepRapArduinoSerialSender.py:
http://dev.forums.reprap.org/file.php?154,file=1973,filename=RepRapArduinoSerialSender.py
These files are also in the miscellaneous/fabricate folder in skeinforge. The scripts can be send commands to the firmware. Please test these out and either send the results to Triifid Hunter or post them in the "patches for send.py and RepRapArduinoSerialSender.py" thread at:
http://dev.forums.reprap.org/read.php?154,35440
The default cool type choice in cool has been changed from Slow Down to Orbit because the DC motor extruders can not operate at slow flow rates accurately. Orbit has the problem of leaving hair around the object and emptying the nozzle, but if the extruder does not work properly at slow flow rates, Slow Down can not be used. Geared stepper motor pinch wheel extruders are the way to go, like the one Wade built, with articles at:
http://objects.reprap.org/wiki/Development:Geared_Nema17_Extruder
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1794
Raft has been split into raft and temperature, and the setting names have been changed, so please reenter your settings in both tools. Otherwise, unfortunately, all your temperature settings will be the defaults.
Chamber used M109 for the bed temperature, then the reprap host used that command for something else, so I changed the bed temperature command to M110. Then the reprap host used M110 for something else, so now I've changed the bed temperature command to M140, so that chamber should be safe from new commands for a long time. The new commands follow below.
M140 Bed Temperature
M141 Chamber Temperature
M142 Holding Force
Clip now has the default option of connecting loops. Because the extra connection means extra filament, the 'Clip over Perimeter Width' ratio should be increased by roughly 50%, the default is now 0.5. Also, since 'Clip over Perimeter Width' is renamed from 'Clip over Extrusion Width', you have to reenter that setting in any case.
The extruder distance format choice has been moved from preface to the new tool dimension.
The stretch algorithm has been changed and stretch now moves the entire line, it no longer breaks up the line. As a side effect of the algorithm change, on average it does not stretch as much as it used to, so the settings should be increased by very roughly 15% to compensate.
Cheers,
Enrique
P.S.
Because a bit of spam is starting to appear in the comments on this blog, I have turned on comment moderation. So when you send in a comment, it will be a while, on average roughly a day, before it appears in the comments.
http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/wiki/index.php?title=User:Bogdan.kecman
http://picasaweb.google.com/bogdan.kecman/RapMan
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bogdan
and in serbian:
http://www.mysql.rs/
http://elco.crsndoo.com/
for creating and maintaining the skeinforge website, where all the cached versions are, for testing skeinforge, and in general for helping many people.
I'd also like to thank Cliff Biffle, Nick Ames & Rick Pollack for writing up calibration information:
http://makerblock.com/2010/02/makerbot-skeinforge-tuning-and-calibration/
Triffid Hunter, whose blog is at:
http://wooden-mendel.blogspot.com/
has improved send.py:
http://dev.forums.reprap.org/file.php?154,file=1972,filename=send.py
and RepRapArduinoSerialSender.py:
http://dev.forums.reprap.org/file.php?154,file=1973,filename=RepRapArduinoSerialSender.py
These files are also in the miscellaneous/fabricate folder in skeinforge. The scripts can be send commands to the firmware. Please test these out and either send the results to Triifid Hunter or post them in the "patches for send.py and RepRapArduinoSerialSender.py" thread at:
http://dev.forums.reprap.org/read.php?154,35440
The default cool type choice in cool has been changed from Slow Down to Orbit because the DC motor extruders can not operate at slow flow rates accurately. Orbit has the problem of leaving hair around the object and emptying the nozzle, but if the extruder does not work properly at slow flow rates, Slow Down can not be used. Geared stepper motor pinch wheel extruders are the way to go, like the one Wade built, with articles at:
http://objects.reprap.org/wiki/Development:Geared_Nema17_Extruder
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1794
Raft has been split into raft and temperature, and the setting names have been changed, so please reenter your settings in both tools. Otherwise, unfortunately, all your temperature settings will be the defaults.
Chamber used M109 for the bed temperature, then the reprap host used that command for something else, so I changed the bed temperature command to M110. Then the reprap host used M110 for something else, so now I've changed the bed temperature command to M140, so that chamber should be safe from new commands for a long time. The new commands follow below.
M140 Bed Temperature
M141 Chamber Temperature
M142 Holding Force
Clip now has the default option of connecting loops. Because the extra connection means extra filament, the 'Clip over Perimeter Width' ratio should be increased by roughly 50%, the default is now 0.5. Also, since 'Clip over Perimeter Width' is renamed from 'Clip over Extrusion Width', you have to reenter that setting in any case.
The extruder distance format choice has been moved from preface to the new tool dimension.
The stretch algorithm has been changed and stretch now moves the entire line, it no longer breaks up the line. As a side effect of the algorithm change, on average it does not stretch as much as it used to, so the settings should be increased by very roughly 15% to compensate.
Cheers,
Enrique
P.S.
Because a bit of spam is starting to appear in the comments on this blog, I have turned on comment moderation. So when you send in a comment, it will be a while, on average roughly a day, before it appears in the comments.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Separate manual pages
It is useful to have separate pages on the wiki for each tool so that the menu on the tool can have a link to a wiki page, as well as a link to the local documentation. The model is chamber, which has been moved from the contents page to its own page at:
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Skeinforge_Chamber
It is called Skeinforge_Chamber rather than just Chamber to avoid possible future name collisions with the rest of the wiki. It has a Previous, Next & Contents group on the top and bottom of the page to aid navigation through the skeinforge manual. The previous link points to the previous tool in the manual, which for chamber is currently carve, the next link points to the next tool, clip. The contents link point to the skeinforge contents page.
On the contents page, there is a link to chamber. To display the link as 'Chamber' while going to 'Skeinforge_Chamber', the wiki link is:
==== [[Skeinforge_Chamber|Chamber]] ====
Otherwise, the chamber page follows the format of the contents page, with a heading for each setting.
When adding new tool pages, please add it as a separate page using the chamber page as a model. For people who want to help develop the manual, please move existing pages to their own separate page, using the chamber model. Before each release, I will update the tools which have a separate manual page to add a manual page link to their help menus.
Cheers,
Enrique
http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/wiki/index.php/Skeinforge_Chamber
It is called Skeinforge_Chamber rather than just Chamber to avoid possible future name collisions with the rest of the wiki. It has a Previous, Next & Contents group on the top and bottom of the page to aid navigation through the skeinforge manual. The previous link points to the previous tool in the manual, which for chamber is currently carve, the next link points to the next tool, clip. The contents link point to the skeinforge contents page.
On the contents page, there is a link to chamber. To display the link as 'Chamber' while going to 'Skeinforge_Chamber', the wiki link is:
==== [[Skeinforge_Chamber|Chamber]] ====
Otherwise, the chamber page follows the format of the contents page, with a heading for each setting.
When adding new tool pages, please add it as a separate page using the chamber page as a model. For people who want to help develop the manual, please move existing pages to their own separate page, using the chamber model. Before each release, I will update the tools which have a separate manual page to add a manual page link to their help menus.
Cheers,
Enrique
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)