Sharing Gcode between printers (MK3S+, Mini+)
Hi, I just got a Mini+ and used some gcode that was sliced for my MK3S+. However, when I print these gcodes on the Mini+ they start printing about 2mm above the bed and at a slight slant, tighter towards the right, but otherwise ok. If possible I would like to share gcode's between the MK3S+ and my Mini+ without needing to re-slice every file. Actually the gcodes were sliced in Cura for my Ender 3 but the same gcodes work great also on my MK3S+, Ender 3 Max, V2 and Pro's. and I had assumed they would on the Mini+ also. I can share more details if needed but I was hoping that someone might have a thought about the root of the problem or can point me in a direction to try. I'm stumped. Thanks for the time.
RE: Sharing Gcode between printers (MK3S+, Mini+)
In general, sharing .gcode files between makes/models of printers seldom gives the expected results.
RE: Sharing Gcode between printers (MK3S+, Mini+)
Thanks for the thoughts. I'm curious why these gcodes have worked between so many models (MK3S+, Ender 3 Max, V2 and Pro's) but met its match with the Mini+. I wonder if there isn't something that I could change if I could find out what setting is causing this result. The effort would be worth it to me to be able to share files.
RE: Sharing Gcode between printers (MK3S+, Mini+)
The simple answer is no. While it may work sometimes, it's in general not something I'd do as each printer has its own characteristics—from physical dimensions to factors such as feed rates, accelation and jerk, all things you can set in the slicer's printer setup. You might get lucky and gcode produced for brand x may work on brand y but I'd think that's the exception not the rule.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: Sharing Gcode between printers (MK3S+, Mini+)
I'm going to pile in here and echo what's already been written. Just because you've gotten lucky with some gcode, that won't always be your result. Just the fact that the I3 is direct drive and the Creality and the Mini are bowden tube can make a big difference in expected print settings. Then the mini is a 180x180 bed where the I3 is 250x220 bed and the Ender 3 max is a 300x300 bed. If you slice one gcode you should use the Mini profile since it has the most volume restriction, but then you're retraction rates are going be 1.5mm where for the I3 0.8mm is recommended and on the Ender 3 it's 5mm. Those are significant differences.
In other words, you won't be getting the best print you can out of your printers, whichever printer you slice for you'll get the best print, the others will suffer.
I've always used Prusa Slicer since my first printer was an I3 and Prusa Slicer not only supports the Mini, but the Ender 3 as well. I also have Octoprint on all my printers, if I'm planning on printing the same model on all my printers I just pull down the profile for that printer, slice it, and send it over. Pulling down the next profile, centering the print, reslicing and sending to Octoprint take about the same amount of time it took me to write this sentence.
It's up to you if you want to pursue universal gcode, but I'd rather maximize my prints for my printers.
Cheers
-Bob
Prusa I3 Mk2 kit upgraded to Mk2.5s, Ender3 with many mods, Prusa Mini kit with Bondtech heat break, Prusa I3 Mk3s+ kit
RE: Sharing Gcode between printers (MK3S+, Mini+)
Very good. Thank you very much for your thoughts.