Technically you can but it is not recommanded (It’s specified somewhere in the manual).
From what i know, there is no official ways of controlling the UM2 from a computer or directly connect it to a computer (except for firmware updates)
Since UM2 is updated frequently, maybe this fonctionnality will be added.
Personnaly, i think the sd card system is way better. I don’t need more cable across my workspace and i don’t want my laptop stuck next to my UM2 when i have large prints that takes 10hours… But whatever floats you boat.
eytan
6
i’m completly with you onb this one!
I searched on the web, and found nothing!
Sorry for we also tried can not direct connection with an Ultimaker 2 on the USB port to print something. Hence, we use just via USB card. Have many pepole this problem?
just wanted to comment here, it is certainly supported but not recommended. some things are arranged through the on-board software (like the filament extrusion before the print, the temp etc.) so driving gcodes will make it harder then it needs to be.
that being said, i really like printing via octoprint because it gives me way better and more insight than it does using the SD Card. i would never use my pc for it, always an embedded device like the raspberry Pi.
1 Like
this is wrong. you can most definitely print directly via USB to a Ultimaker 2 using software like Pronterface.
but then again, perhaps i misread your post?
The lowest ambition level is to write the file over USB to the card which is in the UM2. Then start the job manually on the printer. I do a lot of testing sometimes and i find myself changing cards al the time so this would be nice.
Or upload the file somewhere else in the system and start the print
Does anyone has a link to documentation of the USB
It was taken away from the UM2 because of the lack of reliability of USB from computer (often time out or drop connections) - so unlikely to appear any time soon!
Even though my UMO will do it I wont go near it!
James
take a look at the raspberry pi and octoprint. this will do exactly what you want. it will give you a web interface where you can upload prints to, it will allow you to start and stop prints, monitor them via webcam and give you full reporting…a raspberry pi with webcam, PSU and SD Card is like 50 euros so small investment, loads of fun 
1 Like
+1 for OctoPrint (and a Pi if you have one). I haven’t used it in a while but IIRC you can copy .gcode files onto the SD card while it’s in the printer using this software as well and then start/stop it from the interface on your Pi or computer, (all this can be done over WiFi too), thereby removing the problems associated with printing over USB
I Disagree with you James. it was never taken away since it was never put in
UM2 has always been a “print from SD Card” kind of printer but printing via USB certainly works!
well, nt completely… even if the print file is on the printers SD Card, it will still be controller via Octoprint on the Raspberry Pi… this means that if the power to the RPI goes out, the print stops…
Sorry for I miswirte. we also tried can not direct connection with an Ultimaker 2 on the USB port to print something. Hence, we just via SD card. Have many pepole this problem?
+1548pts for you.
Ultimaker never intended to make their machine work using a USB cable…
It’s not a problem since you’re not supposed to make a direct connection to the machine EXCEPT when updating the firmware.
eytan
19
I tried with the raspberry pi… but i got stuck with the correct image to download… and im really bad with coding, or linux…does some one have a good tutorial simple (for simple human beings)?
google OctoPi its also referenced on the octoprint homepage. it’s basically a ready to go image for the raspberry pi with octoprint on it.
Hi,
Yes you can, Simplify3D allows you to do this. However I tend not to use this feature very much as it means leaving the computer on for the entire print. Also, if it crashes then the print will fail.
Scott
True, but that’s a power issue, if the power to the printer goes out, the print is going to fail anyway 
just make sure the Pi has a sufficient psu.
eytan
23
yeah thanks, I meant that i would apreciate if some one has a good and simple tutorial for using the raspberry pi…
Look for ‘Tom’s guide’ on youtube. Nice tutorial about the raspberry pi and connecting it to the um2.
