Printing with low gradient ( < 1% ) using custom g-codes: Does firmware allow 3-dimensional moves during extrusion?
Hi,
I have sort of a newbie question (as I have never 3d printed) but I have programmed toy plotter using G-codes.
I would like to print special part, which will have slope of very low gradient (less then 1%).
That slope needs to be very flat, and I am assuming using slicer to generate it will digitize it to something resembling flat steps with level difference between each step being layer height.
I would like to avoid that. The idea is to use GCode to extrude while the nozzle moves in all 3 dimensions at a time [x and y by 10'of mm), but z by 0.1mm. I am sure nozzle protrudes enough to not hit the print)
I hope this is achievable using Prusa printers. If not, please let me know which printers would support it.
M.
RE: Printing with low gradient ( < 1% ) using custom g-codes: Does firmware allow 3-dimensional moves during extrusion?
You are probably looking for non-planar printing, and I am afraid not many commercially available printers within reach of mere mortal supports it out of the box. It hasn't been high on priority list for manufacturers, in fact Josef Prusa said last year on ERRF if you come up with valid non-edge (no pun intended) use-case, they may take a look into supporting it in Slicer. You can do it with some modifications to existing printers, just need to buy right components, and get slicer that supports it. Check this video for starters and google non-planar printing.
RE: Printing with low gradient ( < 1% ) using custom g-codes: Does firmware allow 3-dimensional moves during extrusion?
yeah its not which printers support what you want to do as they all move the nozzle around in pretty much the same way, its if the SLICING software supports it. Which as Crawlerin said is pretty much a no for all the usual suspects. Gcode is just gcode though so if you can find some software to generate it then the print head will move where you tell it to, theres very little difference between your plotters gcode and a 3d printers.
RE: Printing with low gradient ( < 1% ) using custom g-codes: Does firmware allow 3-dimensional moves during extrusion?
@crawlerin
Thank you for your reply - at least I know the nomenclature of what I am asking for 🙂 (aka "non-planar"). The video is enligtening as well.
Actually I do not need the slicer to support it - I think I will generate my own toolpath.
It would help a lot to get confirmation that the Prusa printer executes the X+Y+smallZ move while extruding.
In fact the statement you mention "in fact Josef Prusa said last year on ERRF if you come up with valid non-edge (no pun intended) use-case, they may take a look into supporting it in Slicer." indirectly confirms that problem is not in the printer.
But getting direct confirmation is always better.
Maybe someone has already tried XYsmallZ moves???
Thanks
Michal
RE: Printing with low gradient ( < 1% ) using custom g-codes: Does firmware allow 3-dimensional moves during extrusion?
GCode is dumb and just does what you tell it to for the most part (move this motor x steps - x is determined by the slicer, where most of the smarts live). Remember, vase mode constantly and slowly increases Z while printing a spiral, so there's no reason you couldn't generate your own code to do this.
RE: Printing with low gradient ( < 1% ) using custom g-codes: Does firmware allow 3-dimensional moves during extrusion?
@vintagepc
That's actually true, yeah you have the vase mode.
RE: Printing with low gradient ( < 1% ) using custom g-codes: Does firmware allow 3-dimensional moves during extrusion?
Remember, vase mode constantly and slowly increases Z while printing a spiral, so there's no reason you couldn't generate your own code to do this.
That's where my lack of experience shows.
Actually my part is essentially very specific spiral.
Thanks everyone - I am assuming PRUSA I3 MK3S can do that.