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3DMakerWorld Artifex 2 User Manual

Manual is about: Desktop 3D Printer

Summary of Artifex 2

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    The user manual of artifex 2 desktop 3d printer http://3dmakerworld.Com document date: july 12, 2017 (check website for latest update).

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    Contents contents 1 introduction 4 1.1 key features and sample prints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.2 specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1.3 safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

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    Contents 6.2.2 defining nozzle offsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 6.3 printing with two colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 6.4 printing with dissolvable support materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 6.5 using one extruder . . ...

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    1 introduction 1 introduction the 3dmakerworld artifex 2 is an open source desktop 3d printer. It makes three- dimensional objects out of plastic filaments (pla, abs, pva, hips, and ninjaflex) layer by layer. Based on the design of artifex 3d printer, the artifex 2 adds the flexible filament extrusi...

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    1 introduction figure 1.2: the artifex 2 all metal 3d printers 1.1 key features and sample prints the key features of artifex 2 3d printer include: • flexible material extrusion • single- & dual-head extrusion • lcd controller & sd card reader • large build volume: 952 (single) / 640 (dual) cubic in...

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    1 introduction figure 1.3: recreus sandals (thing:404014) printed by artifex 2 figure 1.4: giant hollow two color world (thing:15658) printed by artifex 2 duo http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 6.

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    1 introduction figure 1.5: yoda bust (thing:14104) printed by artifex 2 figure 1.6: the t-rex skull (thing:308335) printed by artifex 2 1.2 specifications the technical specifications of artifex 2 3d printers are listed in figure 1.7. Http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 7.

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    1 introduction figure 1.7: the technical specifications of artifex 2 http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 8.

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    1 introduction 1.3 safety warning: the 3dmakerworld artifex 2 3d printer generates high temperature and con- tains fast moving mechanical parts which may cause injury or damage. Please follow the guidelines carefully to operate the printer safely. 3d maker world assumes no liability for any loss or ...

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    1 introduction we would also like to address our sincere thanks to our customers of the first generation of artifex 3d printers. All of your feedback and suggestions have made our products even better and more capable. Last, but certainly not the least, our gratitude to all the pioneers, makers and ...

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    2 getting started 2 getting started 2.1 setting up software environment the software set-up in this section is based on a windows operating system. The similar steps applies to set-ups for mac or linux based computers. All the software can be downloaded on our website. 2.1.1 installing electronics d...

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    2 getting started 4. Open the device manager under ”control panel → system and security → system”. Under ”other devices”, you will find the rambo device, right click and select ”update driver software...”. (figure 2.2) figure 2.2: update driver software 5. A window will pop up, asking whether to ”se...

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    2 getting started figure 2.3: select “browse my computer...” 6. In the popped up window, select the folder where you unzipped the archive file. In our case, the location is ”c:\desktop\rambo usbdriver”. Then, click ”next”. (fig- ure 2.4) http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 13.

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    2 getting started figure 2.4: allocate the location of driver file 7. A security window may pop up (figure 2.5). If so, click ”install”. Figure 2.5: confirm software installation 8. After the installation, you will be noticed that ”windows has successfully updated your driver software”. Click ”close...

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    2 getting started figure 2.6: installation completed successfully 9. Now, the rambo electronics will appear under the ”ports (com & lpt)”. Write down the com port which the electronics uses. We will need this information later when setting up the printing software. In our case, it is com3. (figure 2...

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    2 getting started figure 2.7: com port used by the electronics board 2.1.2 uploading firmware (note: all artifex 2 packages, including both fully assembled and kit packages, are now shipped with firmware pre-loaded. The instructions below are provided for users who want to modify and update the firm...

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    2 getting started the rambo electronics used in your artifex 2 3d printer is an arduino-compatible control board. The arduino integrated development environment (ide) software will be installed on your computer to communicate with the printer electronics. The ar- duino ide software runs on windows, ...

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    2 getting started figure 2.9: the unzipped arduino 1.0.5 files 2. Add library files for lcd controller a library is required to use the lcd controller on artifex 2. The library can be downloaded at: https://bintray.Com/olikraus/u8glib/arduino. After unzipped, the library can be imported in arduino i...

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    2 getting started figure 2.10: unzip the artifex 2 firmware zip file using 7-zip • open the arduino ide software, arduino.Exe. The software interface is shown in figure 2.11. Figure 2.11: the arduino ide software http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 19.

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    2 getting started • click “file → open...” (figure 2.12). Figure 2.12: open files in the arduino ide software • select the file “marlin.Ino” in the unzipped artifex 2 firmware file folder “c:\desktop\artifex2firmware1.0\marlin” (figure 2.13), and click “open”. Fig- ure 2.14 shows the arduino ide wit...

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    2 getting started figure 2.14: the arduino ide with opened artifex 2 firmware files • select “tools → board → arduino mega 2560 or mega adk”. (figure 2.15) figure 2.15: select the board type of artifex 2 electronics • select “tools → serial port → com3”. (figure 2.16) http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 21.

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    2 getting started figure 2.16: select the serial port of artifex 2 electronics • select “file → upload” to upload the artifex 2 firmware to its electronics (fig- ure 2.17). Before uploading, the arduino ide will first compile the firmware files. The progress of compiling and uploading is shown in th...

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    2 getting started figure 2.17: upload the artifex 2 firmware • if the uploading is successful, you will see the message of “done uploading” in the bottom status window (figure 2.18). If the compiling or uploading is not successful, the error message will be shown in the status window as well. Common...

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    2 getting started figure 2.18: firmware uploading done successfully 2.1.3 installing and configuring printing software a printing software provides the user interface to operate your 3d printer. We recommand the repetier-host printing software due to its user-friendly interface and all-in-one featur...

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    2 getting started figure 2.19: the repetier-host interface 3. Configure the repetier-host for your artifex 3d printer. • open the printer settings from “config → printer settings” (figure 2.20). Figure 2.20: open the printer settings • in the window of printer settings (figure 2.21), enter the print...

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    2 getting started figure 2.21: printer settings: connection • configure the settings on the “printer” page (figure 2.22). Depending on your printing materials, the default temperature of extruder and heated bed can be set to either 185c/70c (pla), or 230c/95c (abs). Http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 26.

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    2 getting started figure 2.22: printer settings: printer • configure the settings on the “extruder” page. (figure 2.23) ( note: for artifex 2 all metal, change the extruder diameter to 0.4mm. ) http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 27.

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    2 getting started figure 2.23: printer settings: extruder • configure the settings on the “printer shape” page. (figure 2.24) http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 28.

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    2 getting started figure 2.24: printer settings: printer shape • configure the settings on the “advanced” page. Nothing to change on the page. Just click “ok” and the repetier-host is ready to use with your artifex 3d printer. (figure 2.25) http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 29.

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    2 getting started figure 2.25: printer settings: advanced • click the drop-down arrow next to the “connect” button, and select “artifex 2” (figure 2.26). The repetier-host is now connected with your artifex 3d printer, as confirmed by the message shown on the bottom status bar (figure 2.27). Figure ...

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    2 getting started figure 2.27: the repetier-host connected with artifex 2 3d printer 2.2 setting up printer hardware caution: before powering up your artifex 2 3d printer, check the voltage selection of the power supply unit (psu) on the bottom left of your artifex 2 3d printer, and make sure it mat...

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    2 getting started figure 2.28: voltage selection of psu insert the power cord into the ac input receptacle on the back of your artifex 2 3d printer. Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet, and turn on the power switch next to the ac input receptacle. (figure 2.29) figure 2.29: power connectio...

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    2 getting started 2.2.1 checking mechanical motion (kit package only) the mechanical movement has been checked in a fully assembled artifex 2 3d printer. The process listed in this section is only needed if you are assembling your own artifex 2 3d printer from a kit package, although information pro...

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    2 getting started figure 2.31: manual control commands for checking x/y/z-axis motion step 1 checking moving directions use the x/y/z arrow commands to test the moving direction of extruder and hbp. If either one moves in a wrong direction along x/y/z-axis, open the electronics case by taking off it...

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    2 getting started figure 2.32: connection of step motor cables (red wire: facing front) step 2 checking homing functions the x/y/z mechanical endstops are installed at the x = 0, y = 0, and z = 0 position, respectively. During homing, whenever the x/y/z endstop is triggered, the motor(s) in that axi...

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    2 getting started achieve successful and high-quality printing, it is very important to set a proper distance between the nozzle tip and the hbp across the entire printing surface at the start of printing. • if the nozzle tip is too far from the hbp, the print will not stick well to the printing sur...

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    2 getting started that the 3-point leveling thumb screws will have enough up/down adjusting room for hbp leveling. Figure 2.34: the bottom of thumb screw being flush with the bottom of hex screw step 2 zeroing z-axis • manually move the extruder to the middle of x-axis and the hbp to the middle of y...

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    2 getting started figure 2.35: z-axis endstrop and the adjustable trigger screw step 3 leveling hbp • manually move the extruder to the middle of hbp left edge. • slide the 0.1mm feeler gauge provided in your artifex 2 package between the nozzle tip and the hbp. • adjust the left leveling thumb scre...

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    2 getting started figure 2.36: position of nozzle tip after hbp leveling note: 1. Do not be confused with the 3-point thumb screws in the middle of y-axis mount plate and the bed tightening screws in the four corners of hbp. (figure 2.37) figure 2.37: hbp thumb screws 2. When adjusting the 3-point t...

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    2 getting started tube (figure 2.38), and push it through the tube until it reaches the filament drive in the front end of filament guide tube. Figure 2.38: feeding filament through the filament guide tube step 2 heating up extruder on the “manual control” page of repetier-host, there is an “extrude...

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    2 getting started figure 2.40: configuration menu of temperature monitoring on repetier-host interface step 3 extruding filament through the extruder • once the extruder temperature reaches a steady state at the target of 185 ◦ c, pop up the filament guide tube from the filament drive, and gently pu...

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    2 getting started figure 2.42: extruded melt filament 2.3 printing out your first 3d model in this section, you will print out a 3d model from a pre-generated g-code file. The g-code file contains a list of instructions to control your artifex 2 3d printer to make a 3d model layer by layer. Chapter ...

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    2 getting started figure 2.43: 91% alcohol for cleaning print surface 2. Download a g-code file, for example “cuteocto pla.Gcode”, from our website, and save it to your computer’s desktop or a location of your choice. 3. On the repetier-host interface, click the “load” button on the top menu bar (fi...

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    2 getting started figure 2.45: the repetier-host interface with loaded g-code 5. Click the “start print” button on the top menu bar (figure 2.46). The printer will follow the instructions in the g-code to initialize its position and heat up the extruder and hbp. Once both the extruder and hbp reach ...

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    2 getting started figure 2.47: printed cute octopus 3d model http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 45.

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    3 slicing 3d models 3 slicing 3d models in this chapter, we will discuss how to generate the g-code for your artifex 2 3d printer from a 3d model of your choice, either downloaded from an online 3d model repository or created by your own. Discussion in this chapter is based on printing with pla fila...

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    3 slicing 3d models 3.2 generating g-code from 3d models after you get a 3d model, you need to slice it into horizontal layers for your artifex 2 3d printer to print it out layer by layer. The instructions which command your artifex 2 3d printer to do the layer-by-layer printing are saved in a g-cod...

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.1: repetier-host with loaded 3d model cuteocto.Stl 3.2.2 slicing 3d models using slic3r • click the “slicer” page next to the “object placement” page on the right side of repetier-host interface. Select “slic3r” in the slicer option (figure 3.2). Http: // 3dmakerworld. C...

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.2: slicer page on the repetier-host interface with slic3r • click the “configuration” button, and a separate window will pop up showing the slic3r program (figure 3.3). Http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 49.

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.3: slic3r program window slicing settings in slic3r are organized into three sections: print settings, filament set- tings, and printer settings. The detailed explanation of all parameters in these sections is available from the slic3r manual (http://manual.Slic3r.Org/)....

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.4: loading a configuration file in slic3r • on the “print settings” page, click the “save” icon button next to the configuration file name “artifex2 pla.Ini”. A window will pop up for you to enter the name of current print settings (figure 3.5). Here, we just use the sam...

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.6: repetier-host interface at the completion of model slicing • the repetier-host program provides an excellent capability to visualize the generated g-code of your 3d models. Figure 3.7 shows the model from layer 1 to layer 92. When configuring your own slicing settings...

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.7: previewing the model based on the generated g-code 3.2.3 slicing 3d models using curaengine • click the “slicer” page next to the “object placement” page on the right side of repetier-host interface. Select “curaengine” in the slicer option (figure 3.8). Figure 3.8: s...

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    3 slicing 3d models • click the “configuration” button, and a separate page, named “cura”, will be added to the left window next to the “temperature curve” page (figure 3.9), including two configuration sub-pages: print and filament. The “print” configuration files can be downloaded from our website...

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.10: curaengine settings: filament • then, select the print and filament settings on the right window (figure 3.11). Addi- tional options of adhesion type, quality, support type, speed, infill density, enable cooling can be specified for the curaengine slicer. In figure 3...

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.11: specifying curaengine slicing parameters for printing with pla • after setting up the slicing parameters, click “slice with curaengine” button, and after the slicing is completed, the g-code is previewed in repetier-host as shown in figure 3.12. Http: // 3dmakerworld...

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    3 slicing 3d models figure 3.12: previewing g-code generated by curaengine http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 57.

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    4 printing with abs filaments 4 printing with abs filaments printing with abs filaments is very similar to printing with pla filaments. The major differences for printing with abs are: • it requires higher temperature for both extruder and hbp, and • the print surface needs to be covered by print ta...

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    4 printing with abs filaments 4.1.2 the slicing settings for slicing with slic3r, download the configuration file “artifex2 abs.Ini” from our website. Then, follow the steps in sections 3.2.2 to update slicing settings for printing with abs filaments. The main difference from the settings for printi...

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    4 printing with abs filaments after extruded from the nozzle, abs filaments can stick well to warm and clean print tapes. Both pet and kapton tapes can be used for this purpose. Included in the artifex 2 3d printer package are 10 pieces of die-cut kapton tape sheets. These kapton sheets have the sam...

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    5 printing with flexible filaments 5 printing with flexible filaments with a redesigned filament drive, the same extruder in artifex 2 can extrude both flexible and rigid filaments. No tool change is needed when changing between rigid and flexible filaments. The ninjaflex filaments are fully tested ...

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    5 printing with flexible filaments figure 5.1: demo model for printing with ninjaflex figure 5.2: slic3r slicing result for printing with ninjaflex http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 62.

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    5 printing with flexible filaments 5.2 printing ninjaflex with curaengine download the filament configuration file “ninjaflex.Rcf”, and import the file into repetier- host and slice the model following steps in section 3.2.3. In figure 5.3, the default quality of 0.2mm, a slow speed and a 25% infill...

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    5 printing with flexible filaments figure 5.4: curaengine slicing result for printing with ninjaflex http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 64.

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    6 printing with dual extruders 6 printing with dual extruders 6.1 printer settings in repetier-host first, we need to create a printer profile in repetier-host for artifex 2 duo by following the configuration shown in figure 6.1 to figure 6.5. ( note: for artifex 2 all metal, change the extruder dia...

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.2: artifex 2 duo printer settings: printer http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 66.

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.3: artifex 2 duo printer settings: extruder http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 67.

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.4: artifex 2 duo printer settings: printer shape http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 68.

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.5: artifex 2 duo printer settings: advanced 6.2 calibrating dual extruders 6.2.1 leveling two nozzles (not required for assembled package) if you built your artifex 2 duo from a kit package, you need to make sure the two nozzles are leveled before using them f...

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.6: taking off fan assembly on artifex 2 duo with the fan assembly removed, perform the bed leveling process as explained in sec- tion 2.2.2. If the two nozzles are not perfectly leveled, loose the m3×25 shs screws to adjust the position of filament drives to l...

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.7: leveling nozzles by adjusting position of filament drives 6.2.2 defining nozzle offsets on artifex 2 duo, the left extruder is defined as extruder 1, and the right one extruder 2. Ideally, the two extruders are perfectly aligned on the y-axis direction, and...

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    6 printing with dual extruders • download the artifex 2 duo calibration g-code from our website, and load the code into repetier-host as shown in figure 6.9, where the green lines to be printed by extruder 1 and the blue lines by extruder 2. Figure 6.9: loading artifex 2 duo nozzle offsets calibrati...

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.10: defining additional nozzle offsets • then, in repetier-host, go to the “manual control” page, enter the g-code command “m218 t1 x42.7 y-0.3”, and click “send”(figure 6.11). This g-code command will modify the offsets of extruder 2 to x = 42.7mm and y = −0....

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    6 printing with dual extruders 6.3 printing with two colors repetier-host provides good support for printing with two colors. The steps for preparing and printing two-color models are explained as follows: • download the example models from our website, and load them into repetier-host (figure 6.12)...

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.13: selecting the extruder for each color • merge two color models into one group by dragging one color model into the group of another color model (figure 6.14). Figure 6.14: merging two-color models into one object group • the merged two-color model can be o...

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.15: scaling the merged two-color model • then, the model is ready for slicing using the slicer of your choice (figure 6.15). Figure 6.16: slicing the two-color model • after slicing, the generated g-code can be reviewed in repetier-host before sending it to th...

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.17: g-code generated by slic3r curaengine has a nice feature of “create wipe and prime tower” for printing with dual extruders to assist the process of extruder switch. Figure 6.18 shows the 3d preview of g-code generated by curaengine with the wipe and prime ...

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    6 printing with dual extruders 6.4 printing with dissolvable support materials with two extruders, artifex 2 duo can be used to print out difficult models with dissolvable support materials, like hips or pva. The set-up process is similar to what explained in the last section for two-color printing....

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.20: defining print and filament settings for hilbert cube • the preview of generated g-code is shown in figure 6.21. After printed out, the hips support structure can be dissolved in a limonene bath. Figure 6.21: previewing the generated g-code of hilbert cube...

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    6 printing with dual extruders 6.5 using one extruder the artifex 2 duo can also be used as a single extruder 3d printer to print with a single filament spool. In such configuration, the left extruder is the active extruder. First, create a new printer profile “artifex 2 duo single” in repetier-host...

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    6 printing with dual extruders figure 6.23: applying artifex 2 slicing settings to artifex 2 duo for printing with single extruder http: // 3dmakerworld. Com 81.

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    7 printing with lcd controller 7 printing with lcd controller artifex 2 comes with a large 128 x 64 lcd controller with full size sd card reader (fig- ure 7.1). The printer can be operated untethered without being connected to a computer. Figure 7.1: artifex 2 lcd controller the main control screen ...

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    7 printing with lcd controller figure 7.3: artifex 2 lcd controller: prepare menu tree on artifex 2 duo, there are two extruders under the “move axis” menu to assist the filament feeding and retraction of both extruders (figure 7.4). Figure 7.4: artifex 2 duo lcd controller: prepare menu tree the lc...

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    7 printing with lcd controller • printing large jobs: for large printing jobs, the lcd controller can free up your computer for many hours, and reduce the chance that the job gets ruined due to disconnected usb cable, automatic computer update and restart, and other unplanned interruptions. Http: //...

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    8 support 8 support if you experience any difficulty when operating the artifex 2 3d printer, please contact us at: • email: support@3dmakerworld.Com • phone: (913)897-8359 • submit your questions: http://www.3dmakerworld.Com/contacts for updates of software/documents and other technical support top...