Can you make a direct connection with an Ultimaker 2 on the USB port to print something?
I understand you can throw a firmware update that way.
What I really like to do is connect with my laptop and throw the files to the printer without the card shuffle
Even better, I would like to get the printer under direct control of my own software throwing gcode which then is executed by the UM2
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Yes I believe this is possible. At least according to pinshape.com that provides a printing option called “streaming”. I will try it out this week and let you know if this is still unsolved.
I think this is possible at the moment just connect the printer to your computer and away you go. However usb is not a great way to send information as far as I know their is a high chance the connection cab briefly time out and your print fails. It’s why direct printing with cards is nice 
i can confirm it is possible
i run multiple UIltimaker 2s and I run some of them using a Raspberry PI and Octoprint over USB. works great, did 50 hours prints without interruptions or errors…
I would not use a “normal” PC for that… in that case the SD card certainly has my preference.
for the scenario you are describing i would look into the raspberry pi and octoprint combination. I’ve put some designs on Youmagine so you can easily mount the Raspberry PI on the side of the printer, even with a Touch Screen
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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.
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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
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+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.
