DeltaMaker -‐ Repetier-‐Host & Slic3r setup and use
– Windows
Introduction
This guide shows the process to download, setup, install and use Repetier Host and Slic3r with aDeltaMaker 3D printer. This document is created with the beginner in mind - more advanced users may usedifferent configurations or settings, however in the case of slicing issues, it is suggested to test with thisconfiguration as it has proved reliable.
Since the DeltaMaker 3D printer has an onboard computer running OctoPrint, you will only useRepetier-Host for its embedded Slic3r functions, not for connecting and controlling the printer.
3D printing software is continually changing (for the better!) - this document was created with screenshotsfrom Repetier-Host-Windows-0.95D.
Download, Install, and Open
Download / install repetier host for Windows from www.repetier.com/downloadDownload the current DeltaMaker Slic3r config - slic3r_config_dm_12_07_2013.ini from:
http://things.deltamaker.com/support/slic3r_config_dm_12_07_2013.ini
Open the repetier-host download (Repetier-Host-Windows-_0.95D.exe) - this will open a window showingRepetier-Host Setup Wizard – click next, then accept the terms and conditions and continue as instructedby the setup wizard.
Open Repetier-Host Windows from your start menu, or from explorer.
Once Repetier-Host is running, you may see a First Steps tutorial open. This document is intended to be aDeltaMaker specific replacement for that tutorial - close it for now, you can always return to it later using theHelp -> First Steps menu option.
You should now have a Repetier-Host window like below:
Overall Configuration
Note: During this process it is very common to have a number of warnings, etc show up in the log at the
bottom of the Repetier-Host main screen - they may or may not match these screenshots.
Configuring Slic3r
Click the Slicer tab on the Repetier-Host main screen.
In the Slic3r section, click Configure button with the gear.
Slic3r will launch, and may be visible on your doc. A few seconds later, a new Slic3r window will appear andmay launch yet another window with the Configuration Assistant. Cancel the assistant, as we will beimporting the configuration file you downloaded earlier.
Once the Configuration Assistant is cancelled, you will be at the standard Slic3r configuration screen.
With the Slic3r window active, choose File -> Load Config from the File menu.
Select the .ini configuration file that you downloaded earlier (from the beginning of this document).
You will return to the Slic3r configuration screen on the Print Settings panel with the .ini filename nowshowing in the top left dropdown.
You must save this config for each of three settings panels (Print Settings, Filament Settings, and PrinterSettings). This IS NOT intuitive, and is a common source of configuration problems.
FOR EACH OF THE 3 SETTINGS PANELS (Print Settings, Filament Settings, and Printer Settings)● You should see the config file (.ini) in the drop down. Click disk icon to save current settings for that
panel - it will create a preset with the same name as the .ini file and show a small window with thatprofile name to be saved. Click ok to save that preset.
Print Settings:
Filament Settings:
Printer Settings:
After saving all three profiles, close the Slic3r window (using the x in top right)
Configuring Repetier-‐Host to use Slic3r profiles
At this point Slic3r has saved profiles, but Repetier-Host must be setup to use those profiles.On the Repetier-Host Slicer tab, you will see Slic3r and the Print Settings, Printer Settings, and FilamentSettings dropdowns are blank.
For each of print settings, printer settings, and filament settings (extruder 1) dropdowns, choose the profilesthat you created when importing the .ini settings file.
Configuring Repetier-‐Host Printer Settings for your DeltaMaker
You now have Slic3r configured and Repetier-Host configured to use the proper Slic3r profiles, but still needto configure Repetier-Host for the DeltaMaker.
Open the Repetier-Host printer settings by clicking on the Printer Settings toolbar button (has 3 gears) or bychoosing Printer -> Printer Settings using the Repetier-Host menu or choose Config -> Printer Settings.
Since we use OctoPrint to connect to the printer, NOT Repetier-Host, we only care about the “printer shape”panel. Select it and change the settings to match the screenshot below.
Click Ok to save the printer settings. When you return to the main Repetier-Host screen, the 3D Viewshould now show a circular print area.
Congratulations, you are ready to slice!
Slicing using Repetier-‐Host and Slic3r
Downloading a 3D model (.stl file)
To test your configuration, please use a known good model. We suggest the Maker Faire Robot onthingiverse.
Locate and download the MAKE_Robot_V6.stl file. This file is the “arms up” robot which does not requiresupport material. It is a good test for print quality, and who doesn’t like little robots?
Loading a 3D model into Repetier-‐Host
Once you’ve downloaded the .stl file, go back to the Repetier-Host screen. Make sure that “3D View” isselected on the left, and “Object Placement” is selected on the right.
Click the “+” button to add an object and choose the downloaded .stl file.The Make Robot will drop onto the build area.
At this point, you can position the object on the bed. Click the icon with the moving truck and the arrows onthe left toolbar, then you can drag the part to your desired location. You can also specify translation valuesin the right panel instead of dragging.
You can use the side toolbar buttons to select other 3D Views, and then use the cursor to change the viewdynamically - this allows you to see all sides of your .stl file model.
Other buttons (not using for this example):● “Copy Object(s)” will create copies if you want to print more than one at a time● “Center Object” should center the object, but doesn’t in this configuration (need to research)● “Auto Position” lays out multiple objects● “Drop Object” will ensure that your part is against the print surface● “Add STL File” and “Remove STL File” allow you add and remove objects - you can print different
objects at the same time!● “Fix Normals” will attempt to correct issues with your model file.● “Object Informations” will give you some basic details about the currently selected object
Slicing the 3D model
Return to the Slicer panel and click “Slice with Slic3r” - this will launch Slic3r. You will see the Slic3r iconbouncing in the dock, and Repetier-Host will have Slic3r messages in the on-screen log. Wait until you seethe log entry that starts with “Done”. At this point, Repetier-Host will automatically show the G-Code Editor
panel.
Inspect the 3d model to make sure there are no obvious errors. You can use all the same left toolbar viewoptions as when inspecting your 3D model. In this view, the blue is showing filament that will be printed, andthe other lines are showing head movement between filament areas.
Saving the g-‐code
Click the floppy disk icon to save the g-code to your computer and the following box will appear. Click Save.
We suggest naming the file something that is short, yet obvious because OctoPrint’s file list does not showmany characters (You can hover over a file in OctoPrint to see the full name)
Uploading g-‐code to the DeltaMaker using OctoPrintOpen your web browser, navigate to http://deltamaker.local, and log-in if required. This guide assumes youalready know how to connect the DeltaMaker to your network and to log-in. Consulting the DeltaMakerGetting Started Guide for more information.
There are two ways to upload g-code to OctoPrint:● Find the saved g-code file from the prior step in Finder, then drag and drop the file from finder to the
center of the OctoPrint screen (easy and fun!)● Press the OctoPrint upload button and then specify the file location.
Now that the file is uploaded to OctoPrint, you are ready to print it as per the instructions in the DeltaMakerGetting Started Guide.