I bought the MP select mini and have not been able to get the cura software to print to it; tried both direct and exporting a gcode file to a sd card.
from sd card, it heats up, then drips a little media, but doesn’t move.
i used the software they sent with it, then i installed and used the latest version of cura. both with the same results.
i have been able to get the samples to sorta print; they get so far, then start to slide around. still working on that.
so far I just haven’t been able to get cura to create a usable gcode file.
Any thoughts?
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Any chance a pause is being inserted into your gcode from cura? I haven’t had it do that by default, but do happen to have it setup for myself. I pause it before printing so I can purge and clean the extruder. The sliding around the bed is usually having the nozzle a bit high. I used to use the paper test, but now just generally level as it prints the skirt. You can more quickly and easily see the areas that are loose or tight to the bed and adjust accordingly. You’d probably want to use paper to get it mostly even though as you don’t want the nozzle pushing on the bed. Did someone give you any configuration files to go with curator, or is this a fresh install with no changes?
Also, PLA can use a heated or unheated bed whereas ABS requires a heated bed. Just something to be aware of. I have good results with 55 for pla, and 105-110 for ABS.
I use the latest Cura with my mini, It might be your print settings in Cura have a look at this video Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer Beginner's Guide (Part 3) - Tuning the firmware and slicing basics! - YouTube at about 6.15 mins in it walks you through The latest Cura, creating a profile for the mini etc. I never print tethered. I always save to micro sd card, for two reasons really. One I don’t trust my computer not to shut down mid print, and two I like being able to use my computer while I have a 6hr print going.
As for the sliding around that happened to me as well with the stock masking tape surface, after it’s been heated up a few times it got better, but I found printing PLA with a bed temp of 50deg seemed to give me the best results.
Hope some of this helps!
Were you able to print the sample cat file that came on the SD card? If so, copy the initial settings from the gcode (it’s just a text file) and paste it into the new gcode file you are having problems with and see if that makes a difference. (You can also import the settings into Cura from that file.) Finally, take a look at the Facebook group for Mini owners. You’ll find lots and lots of help there. (Not that you won’t find help here, too.)
Had the same problem with 2 MP select minis. Update firmware for both the contoller and UI and make sure you have proper ventilation of the internals, contoller board gets very hot. Once I installed an internal fan blowing on the heatsink and updated firmware printer never “stuck”. One other thing is the power supply, may be a good idea to eplace it at some point, I’ve done all 3 steps and PSU could have been the main cause.
The firmware was bad out of the box? That’s not good quality control; especially on two separate units.
Did they not work at all without updating the firmware, or was this needed after a certain period of usage? I’m hard pressed to believe it wouldn’t print correctly when first opened.
First one printed a half of a cat and got stuck with motors fans and heat still on. Did that a few times and finally printed a cat on a 5th try with stock firmware and no PID tuning. Updated firmware tuned PIDs and still did it 2 times in a month of constant use until LCD went out most likely due to ovearheating of the stepper motor chips. Got a replacement from MP. And on 2nd unit I opened both bottom sides of the frame, installed a fan inside and updated firmware and possibly most importantly replaced the 10amp power supply that came with MP Mini for a PC PSU that I pulled out of an old IBM. Now it is printing pretty much one after another and had no issues with it freezing up. There are some other issues though, but they are adjustable by printing parts from thingiverse.
ok, uh WOW. wasn’t expecting this much response so soon. i appreciate the help.
I haven’t updated the firmware, only installed latest cura software. The settings i used were from monoprice’s manual.
I don’t know if there’s a pause inserted in the gcode, but i’ll take another look.
the two samples on the sd card were of a turtle (i think) and a person/toon. that last one was the one that only got about 3inches tall before it separated from the bed. no cat on the card as an example.
i’ll recheck my settings (from the link below). hopefully with all this help I can find the problem. I will definitely post back results.
Thanks again for the help guys.
I too had crazy problems so far, but I was just amazed that it happened twice. Craziness.
My power connector to the Melzi board fused itself to the board from overheating. I had to clip it and resolder the wire directly to the board to bypass those horrible connectors. I’m waiting for that good 'ol burning electronics smell again, and then a sprint to the printer to cut it off.
Knock on wood, since I reconnected the wire directly, it’s been printing for hundreds of hours since. I probably just caused myself a problem, but whatever. It helped me learn a lot so far. lol
If there is a pause in gcode then your nozzle would raise up and “park”, if it just stops in place it is most likely the printer
Are you using the included version of Cura from the SD card or a newer version?
batcow
14
so i opened my sketchup file in text edit and it popped up all chinese and w/ emojis ?!?!?!?!
