Notifications
Clear all

MicroUSB Printing  

  RSS
themartyr781
(@themartyr781)
Active Member
MicroUSB Printing

Totally new to the 3D Printing scene. the Mini just arrived two days ago and I'm off. Since the Ethernet support isn't there yet I was wondering if there was a way to print directly to the Mini over the MicroUSB port?

I should mention that I'm using PrusaSlicer software and running the latest 4.0.5 firmware on the printer.

This topic was modified 4 years ago by themartyr781
Posted : 23/04/2020 11:50 pm
towlerg
(@towlerg)
Noble Member
RE: MicroUSB Printing

I haven't used it myself but Pronterface should work via suitable USB cable. Also, I wonder is you can print directly from PrusaSlicer, you can certainty send from PrusaSlicer to Octoprint.

Posted : 24/04/2020 5:57 pm
themartyr781
(@themartyr781)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: MicroUSB Printing

I've heard the word octoprint thrown around. haven't found much solid information on what it is, where to get it, or how to configure it for the Prusa mini.

 

I did find the Pronterface article which doesn't specifically call out microUSB support. though they are sending across COM1 so usb type probably doesn't matter. thanks for the reply!

Posted : 24/04/2020 6:32 pm
Gordon W
(@gordon-w)
Reputable Member
RE: MicroUSB Printing

@themartyr781

https://octoprint.org/ should have all  the information you need.

Posted : 24/04/2020 8:59 pm
MKEMike
(@mkemike)
Eminent Member
RE: MicroUSB Printing

You may also want to check out AstroPrint.  It is basically a fork of OctPrint combined with an online slicer and remote monitoring / control.  All it takes is a Raspberry Pi, and it is free for up to 2 printers.  I found it much easier to set up than OctoPrint.  It also integrates with TinkerCad for a completely free and web-based workflow from design through print.  If you have an iPad, TinkerCad has an app that works great with a mouse (in iOS 13 and above) and makes a quite workable portable solution.

i haven’t figured out how to do a filament change in AstroPrint’s built-in version of Slic3r.  So, I use PrusaSlicer for that and print the Gcode directly to my AstroBox (the Pi itself in AstroPrint), using the OctoPrint integration in PrusaSlicer, when I need to do mid-print color changes.

 

Posted : 25/04/2020 7:21 am
towlerg
(@towlerg)
Noble Member
RE: MicroUSB Printing

@themartyr781

"I did find the Pronterface article which doesn't specifically call out microUSB support. though they are sending across COM1 so usb type probably doesn't matter. thanks for the reply!"

The reference to a COM port in this refers to serial emulation over USB. You connect a USB cable, you may be asked for drivers, then you will see a new COM port magically appear.

Personally I'd go with Octoprint, not only is it more actively developed and has a shed load of plugins. Sure you could buy a Astrobox but why pay $99 fo something you can buy for $30?

The steps to installing Octoprint are well documented but simplified

1. Download and copy OctoPi (a preprepared version of Octoprint and it's OS) to an SD card.

2. Plug the SD card in the Raspberry 4 or 3B+ and apply power.

3. Have a beer while it does it's thing.

4. Run a simple config routine.

5. Plug it in and away you go

 

Posted : 25/04/2020 11:39 am
MKEMike
(@mkemike)
Eminent Member
RE: MicroUSB Printing

You can download a free image for your own Raspberry Pi from the AstroPrint website, that’s what I did.  AstroPrint is being actively developed, but at a slower rate, focused on reliability over feature expansion. As an open source project, OctoPrint has more features and plugins, but as a company with schools and companies as paying customers, AstroPrint “just works”.

Posted : 25/04/2020 1:26 pm
towlerg
(@towlerg)
Noble Member
RE: MicroUSB Printing

I not sure I understand what the difference is between OctoPi and an image of AstroPrint and how one might be easier than the other. As far as I can see the only software available on the AstroPrint web site is in fact a copy of OctoPrint (going by the fact that both are version 0.17). I wonder what the "(4)" means.

Posted : 26/04/2020 12:39 pm
MKEMike
(@mkemike)
Eminent Member
RE: MicroUSB Printing

For the on-site portion installed on the Raspberry Pi, they’re similar.  But, then AstroPrint adds a cloud component to do the slicing, let you monitor your printers offsite, and integrate with Thingiverse, TinkerCad, etc.  since I have two very different printers (a Wanhao i3 and a Prusa Mini, I like that can slice everything in one place, switch profiles,  play with infills, to compare print times, etc. and then send to either printer.  The only time (so far) that I feel I need to use PrusaSlicer is for color changes or embedding weight, magnet, or nut into a print.  And then I just send the gcode directly into the AstroPrint box and it starts printing.  Take a look at this article on AstroPrint's site: https://astroprint.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031546111-What-is-the-difference-between-AstroPrint-and-OctoPrint-AstroPrint-vs-OctoPrint .

Another thing that I like is that all the STL files I’ve printed via AstroPrint in the last 3 years are in my cloud account.  And the gcode, sliced either on AstroPrint or PrusaSlicer is on the AstroPrint box connected to the printer I printed it on.  I also dislike it a little, as bulk deletes are a bit of a pain.

I recently took another look at Octoprint, and it has come a long way in the 3 years since I first tried it when I started 3d printing.  And looking at my prints, I realize that’s I have also.  So now I might be inclined to try it, or just wait for Prusa’s own network printing to come out on the Mini.  Either way, I’d keep AstroPrint on the Wanhao as my kids are used to it.

 

Posted : 26/04/2020 2:06 pm
towlerg
(@towlerg)
Noble Member
RE: MicroUSB Printing

@boriswernerski

I guess it comes down to horses for courses. I don't like/trust the Cloud not from some paranoid thing but simply if you lose your internet connection (which of course is completely outside your control) you have a set of very expensive paper weights BUT thats just me, pretty old school. I do see in your case Astroprint works very well for you

I also have a sneaky suspicion (quite unjustified) about a business model built around an open source project. I know thats what Prusa do but that case the software without all the motors, belts and bearings would be completely useless.

Anyways, I guess with the deprecation of Python 2 sooner or later Astroprint are going to have to refork.

Posted : 27/04/2020 11:27 am
Share: