How to use the stoneflower printer
downloads
Cura
for slicing your 3d model
ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura
pronterface
for conecting to the printer
Cura profiles
import these in cura for instant corect settings
website stoneflower: www.stoneflower3d.com/
What is the stoneflower 3D-printer?
The stoneflower printer is a clay printer. It pushes clay out of the barrel by means of a rotating screw through a plastic tube to the head of the printer, in the head of the printer there is a small screw that pushes the clay out. The stoneflower printer also has an accompanying set for liquid materials (micro printing set). You can fill a doctor's syringe with the material and insert it into the barrel. You then push the syringe together and the material is pushed through a very fine nozzle.
Warnings
From experience:Â
Always secure the barrel clip, otherwise the barrel will fall down.Â
Depending on the thickness of the board, you will have to level your head differently, e.g. always use the same boards so you can adjust the thickness properly. Also make sure that the board is completely flat. It is better to have more than too little play, otherwise your head will drill itself into the board. If necessary, apply a layer of clay to your board to start your print.
Modelling in cad and forwarding to cura
Model your shape in CAD. Draw the figure as a full figure.
If you draw it as a hollow vase and give it a wall thickness of the print head, you will have software problems printing it.Â
That is why in cura, the "vase mode" is used. This means that when you draw a vase, you draw it completely closed. You then make sure in the cura settings that you only print the outer shell. By using the vase mode, the printer will print the vase in a spiral motion.Â
Import the CAD file into cura.Â
To be able to print with the printer, some cura settings need to be adjusted.Â
The g-code, the code the printer uses to create the object, is created in cura and is then read by the software "pronterface" to control the printer. To send this, the printer's USB cable must remain in your computer.
Create printer in cura
Go to the printer settings and click on "add a printer".
Choose the custom FFF printer.Â
Adjust the printer settings and start and end G-code as shown below.
skip this step if you downloaded the files above
Printer settings Printer
X (width) = 480 mm
Y (depth) = 480 mm
Z (height) = 500 mm
Build plate shape: rectangular
G-code flavor: reprap
skip this step if you downloaded the files above
_pn.png)
Printer settings extruder
Printhead Settings:
Xmin = -20
Ymin = -10
Xmax = 10
Ymax = 10
Gantry height = 99999999999
Number of extruders 1
skip this step if you downloaded the files above
G-code in Cura
Start G-code in cura
M92 E67.670000
G21
G90
M82
M107
M302 P1
;G28 X0 Y0
G92 Z0
G1 Z15.0 F3000
G92 E0
G1 F300 E3.0
G92 E0
G1 F3000
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End G-code in cura
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G91
G1 Z+0.5 X-20 Y-20 F3000
G1 X0 Y0
M84
G90
skip this step if you downloaded the files above
Filling the barrel with clay
Make the clay soft, preferably a day in advance. Do this manually as explained in the film: "Softening the clay". Then fill the barrel, pushing the clay into the tube with a spatula. Make sure no air bubbles are created.
Filling the barrel with clay
https://youtu.be/NkDGLtryPPM
https://youtu.be/CyeAMd2WKVY
printing with pronterface
1. Start by connecting with 'Pronterface'
2. Load the file (.gcode) you sliced in cura
3. press print to start the printer
4. Depending on the consistency edit the material flow (use between 100%-140%)
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notes:
make sure the power switch is on
make sure the bed is level before printing
set the nozzle distance by pressing the Z up/down button in pronterfece or on the printer itself
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