mbot 3d PLY User manual

2 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
Contents
1 Installing software
1.1 Installing Python....................................................................................................... …. 3
1.2 Installing ReplicatorG............................................................................................... …. 4
2 Pre-print checks
2.1 Power up.......................................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Connect to computer........................................................................................................ 9
2.3 etting up software...........................................................................................................10
3 Setting up model data
3.1 Importing model file into ReplicatorG.............................................................................. 13
3.2 Move, scale, rotate and estimated build time.......................................................... ….. 13
3.3 Generating GCode（licing）.........................................................................................15
4 Test printing (If plastic stop coming out t e nozzle during printing, please read t is c apter)
4.1 Using t e ReplicatorG Control Panel ..............................................................................18
5 Printing
5.1 Printing from computer................................................................................................... 20
5.2 Printing from D card..................................................................................................... 22
5.3 Finished Prints............................................................................................................... 24
5.4 Other Important Printing Information and tips
READ BEFORE PRINTING ANYTHING!!!! ………………………………………………. 25
Two-color (Dual) printing........................................................................................................ 28
T is manual was last updated 24 July 2013

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To get a better printing experience, we suggest you to take time reading this manual.
It is designed to illustrate the procedures from the instalment of software to
operation , and get you up and running as quickly as possible.
1 Installing software
1.1 Installing Python
1) Go to http://www.mbot3d.com/pages/software, and download ReplicatorG and python2.6
IMPORTANT : You MUST use MBots modified ReplicatorG and not t e standard one available
at replicatorG.org
2) For Windows XP, double-click python2.6.5 to install. For Windows 7, run the installer with
administrator rights. (How? Right click on the installer to get the 'Run as Administrator' option.)
3) Keep clicking the “Next” button to finish installing.
NOTE: Use the default installation directory.

4 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
1.2 Installing ReplicatorG
1) Double-click ReplicatorG, and you’ll see the following window.
2) Click the “Next” button. Then on the following window, click the “Install” button.
uggest using the default destination folder.

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3) On the following window click the “next” button
The driver installation wizard will pop up. Click the next button
4) Click the “Install” button on the “Window ecurity” pop-up to install the printer drivers. When another
“Windows security pop-up appears, click “always install the drive(i)”.

6 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
While on the ReplicatorG installer window, click the “Next” button to finish the installation of ReplicatorG
5) Click the “Finish” button to complete driver installation

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6) A short cut icon for ReplicatorG is created on your desktop

8 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
2 Pre-Print Checks
2.1 Power up
1) Ensure the power cable is attached (see the picture below), and then switch on.
2) The LCD screen reads “Heater Error!”, which can be fixed by heating up through software.
Press any button at the right hand and you’ll see the message changes on the LCD, which
means the machine is ok.
By default the firmware assumes there is a Heated Bed. As there is not you get the error.
imply use the LCD screen menu and navigate as follows:
Info and ettings -> General ettings -> Change “Heat Plate” to NO

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2.2 Connect to computer
Make sure your computer is connected to your MBot with the supplied U B cable.

10 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
A) Click GCode -> GCoder Generator, and select “skeinforge(47)-Legacy”.
B) Click Machine -> Machine Type (Driver). If your printer is duel-extruder, select “The MBot Cube
Dual”. If it is a single select “The MBot Cube ingle”
2.3 Setting up software
1. Double-click the desktop icon to run ReplicatorG.
2. Choose extruder nozzle and connection serial port.

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3) Click Machine->Connection ( erial Port) ->COM(Number). If you have only one printer, select
the latest port. If you have more than one printer, please select the port according to your
printer.
If there’s no serial port on the menu, please click Machine->Connection ( erial Port)->Rescan
erial Port. If it doesn’t work, please close ReplicatorG , disconnect the U B cable from your
computer, and wait for 5 seconds. Then connect the U B cable to the computer, run Replica-
torG, and click Machine->Connection ( erial Port)->Rescan erial Port. Wait for 10 seconds, and
you’ll be able to select serial port.
4) Make sure you select the corresponding serial port. Then click the “Connect to Machine” button
(as shown below). Once connected, GCode generator and connection serial port can’t be
changed. If you want to change, please click “Disconnect from Machine” button (at the right
side of the following icon).

12 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
5) When the machine is connected successfully, the message area below toolbar turns green.
Otherwise, red. When the machine is running safely, it turns yellow.
Helpful Hint: When the machine can’t be connected, please check：
• Power is being supplied to the printer.
• Your computer is connected to your MBot with the supplied U B cable.
• Driver is installed successfully.

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3 Setting up model data
3.1 Importing model file into ReplicatorG
1) The machine supports TL, OBJ, Gcode and collada model files. You can use 3D design soft-
ware (such as Rhinoceros, olidworks, ketchup, UG, etc.) to convert file format.
Click “File->Open” to open the model file.
3.2 Move, scale, rotate and estimated build time
1) After opening the model file, you can Position/Move/Scale your model it as follows.
NOTE: When adjusting, please make sure the model is inside the printable area (i.e.the
blue box on the model view window).The bottom of the box (i.e.the blue platform) stands for
the build bed (with blue tape) in your printer.
The model can be zoomed by scrolling the mouse wheel. The view can be rotated by holding
the mouse wheel and moving. There’re five buttons at the lower right corner of the window.
A) View
Default: The build area is facing us.(i.e. The
position of the model in view is exactly the same
as in build bed when Finishing printing .)
XY：Top view
XZ：Front view
YZ：Right view
B) Move
Center：Place the model in the middle of the platform.
If the model can’t be seen after opening the model file, which means it may
be far from the printable area, please click the “Center” button.
Put on Platform: The model is resting on the surface of the platform, not suspended in air
or below the platform. Check it before printing.
X-、X+：Move left or right.
Lock Height: When it’s checked, the height won’t change while holding mouse to move
the model.

14 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
C) Rotate
Z+、Z—：Rotate your model by 90 degrees in z.
Flat on Platform: It keeps the model in balance, which is very helpful for inclined models.
Strongly recommend using this function before printing.
Rotate around z-axis: When it’s checked, the model rotates
around z-axis by holding the mouse and moving.
D) Mirror Image
Reverse X: Right mirror image.
Reverse Y: Back mirror image.
Reverse Z: Bottom mirror image.
E) Scale
Input numbers to scale. When the number is less than 1, the model is zoomed in.
When it’s greater than 1, the model is zoomed out.
The options below is to convert model dimension between inch and millimeter.
Click the “Fill the Build Area” button to maximize the model,
which is the maximum print size.
2) Estimate time for printing
Click GCode-> Time Estimate (as shown below).
After about 30 seconds, the estimation is displayed at the bottom of the
window (as shown below). Usually, it takes longer than estimated.

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3.3 Generating GCode（
（（
（Slicing）
））
）
1) Click the “Generate GCode” button at the lower right corner of the window.
Then the following prompt pops up, if the model is adjusted but not saved. Click
“Yes” to save changes. Otherwise, click “No”.
But please click “Cancel” and reopen the sample file, if you’re following our example.
We have to make sure the model size is proper for holding ABS material.
2) After clicking “Generate GCode”, the following window pops up. Red arrows point to our helpful
hints.
et up as shown above. Then click “Default ” tab to set up as shown below.
elect MBot Cube
When checked Rafts and
support will automatically
be created.
Click both these
Fill :0% = hollow,
100% = solid.
Percentages in between
are filled with hexagonal
tructure
Temperatures have to
change for different
filaments.
You can influence where
support material is / isn’t used.
If the model has overhanging
features inside and you are
printing it hollow, select ‘full
support’. If the overhangs are
outside the model select
‘outside’
If there are no overhangs you
can select ‘None’
Layer height = resolution.
0.1 = 100 microns
It is best to start at 0.27
hells = how thick the outer
wall is
Feed rates and travel speeds
see Chapter 5 :Printing

16 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
3) When finishing setting up, click the “Generate Gcode” button and you’ll see the following
window showing progress bars.
4) After GCode is generated, you’ll see the “gcode” tab next to the “model” tab.
5) Click the ”gcode” tab and you’ll see the window as shown on the next page.

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18 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
4 Test Printing
Please test nozzles before your first printing, which is required for first printing only.
4.1 Using the ReplicatorG Control Panel
1) Click the button as shown right to open the control panel.
The control panel pops up.
2) Once the nozzle is at temperature (220° C), load filament as shown below.
Click “Forward” button, and then take the filament and push it. You'll have to use
some force. After a few moments you should feel the motor pulling it in. Then let go.
You’ll see some plastic start to come out the nozzle.
When that happens you may hear the noise like “tah-tah-tah” . Please maintain
pressure on the filament for 25 seconds. Then the noise will disappear. It also works
when changing material.
Press these buttons
only when temperature
reaches 220°c
REVER E : unloads filament
FORWARD : loads filament
Type in target temperature
Usually :230 °c for PLA
210 °c for AB
Tells you the current
Temperature of your left
and right extruders.
ingle extruder cubes
will appear as
“right” extruders
When testing make sure the nozzle is well above the
build plate. You can “disable” stepper motors in an
emergency to stop the head crashing into the bed
Use arrows to “Jog”
the machine
around.
X = Left-Right
Y = Front-Back
Z = Up-Down

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3) If the noise doesn’t disappear:
Click the “Backward” button on the control panel, to pull the filament out. Cut off the
used segment. Input “230” as target temperature and press “Enter” on keyboard.
When current temperature rises to 230° C, click the “Forward” button. Then take the
filament and push it with some force until some plastic comes out the nozzle.
If it still will not load please remove front fan and check that there is nothing block-
ing the filament path and try again.
NOTE fans go on with the voltage info at the back of the fan not facing forward.
Close the control panel if the machine works well.
If plastic stop coming out the nozzle or the noise reappear during printing, please stop printing and
rotate z-axis manually to keep the nozzle from the build bed. Then take the measures described
above .

20 Mbot Manual ~ Cube (PLY or PVC, Single or Dual)
5 Printing
5.1 Printing from computer
1) Clear the blue build bed. Then click the “Print” button (as shown right) at the
upper left corner of the window.
If a prompt pops up warning “You’re moving too fast!”, never mind. Click the “Proceed
anyway” button to keep printing. The machine can handle that.
2) The print head will move to its warming position before starting. This may take 5 or so
minutes if starting from cold. When the nozzle approaches your set temperature plastic
may start to come out the extruder (more with PLA than AB ). This is normal.
3) If a prompt appears “Monitor print temperature: Closed ” at the top
right corner of the window, click File->Preferences.
On the “Preferences” window, check the “Monitor print
temperature” option and then close the pop-up window.