Vandal Forge Printer Software

The goal of this project is to improve the software used for 3D Metal Printing by updating the graphical user interface (GUI), changing the software to produce custom print commands required by the metal printer, and creating documentation for future teams.

=Problem Definition=

Background
Current printing software is not customized for a 3D metal printer. Print instructions created by default slicer software contains extra unused commands and does not provide custom commands needed to run a 3D Metal printer. OctoPrint, the interface between the print instructions and the printer, was originally designed for plastic printers and does not have the necessary features for metal printing. The Mark I 3D Metal Printer requires a custom print instructions file. Currently users must manually modify the printer instructions file that is created by the Slicer software.

Mark I Printer

Printing Process



 * 1) Slic3r Program slices up a 3D model (the STL file) into many layers and creates GCODE printing instructions for each Layer
 * 2) OctoPrint takes the GCode instructions provided by Slicer and sends the instructions to the actual 3D Metal Printer. OctoPrint can adjust print instructions during a print.
 * 3) The Printer prints an object based on the original 3D model.

=Deliverables=

Objectives
To improve the quality of the VandalForge Software while extending usability to allow further customization for future project endeavors.

Goals for Slicing Software
 * Easy to use
 * Integrates with OctoPrint
 * Modify the GCode output for immediate use with Forgeware
 * Can remove horizontal shells, infill, and interaction
 * Modify Slic3r with the ability to store temperature data from an active
 * Add additional options for heat and temperature control
 * Add Real time slicing

Goals for Hosting Software
 * Have convenient GUI for ease of use
 * Updates with print info in real time
 * Remove the plastic printer exclusive options from GUI
 * Add functionality using a regular and infrared camera
 * Add a real time temperature display of the active print

Alternatives
=Results=

Schedule
Fall 2017
 * Gather Specifications and Research Software
 * Research OctoPrint Host Software
 * Customize GCode File output via Slic3r Software
 * Design Review

Spring 2018
 * Make Modifications to OctoPrint Software
 * Custom GCode commands
 * GCode file analyzer
 * Preview of print path via OctoPrint
 * Add Mark II commands to OctoPrint UI
 * Integrate with the Mark I Metal Printer
 * Add Features specific for the Mark II Metal Printer
 * Documentation

Future
 * New Print Path Algorithm
 * Print temperature readout on 3D model in OctoPrint

=Team Information=

Contact Info
 * Jonathan Buch: buch4710@vandals.uidaho.edu
 * Tim Clemans: clem8649@vandals.uidaho.edu
 * Michael Madsen: mads2998@vandals.uidaho.edu
 * James Young: youn5393@vandals.uidaho.edu

=Document Archive= Schedule Meeting Minutes (TODO: link to ME shared drive)

Presentations
 * Design Review
 * VandalForge Project Status Report (Design Review 2)
 * Expo Technical Presentation

Expo Poster