As you’ve probably seen before, I’ve got a Colido 3D DIY printer that I’ve used for some of my projects. Prior to today, I was using Repitier-Host as the software for handling the printing, and it worked great. The thing is, I’m big into open source, so I wanted to find an OS alternative. I stumbled across Cura, but I couldn’t figure out how to input my own parameters for the printer, until today.
By default, Cura comes with the option to choose between multiple printers, unfortunately, my do it yourself printer wasn’t one of them. Not to worry, though, they created a feature where you can add a new type of printer. My only problem was, I didn’t know enough about 3D printers to fill in all the details.
So, after some tinkering, I found a setup that works great and produces great prints!
As you can see in the pictures, you will set the fields as follows:
Printer:
- X (width) 200 mm
- Y (depth) 200 mm
- X (height) 170 mm
- Build plate shape rectangular
- Uncheck Origin at center
- Uncheck Heated bed
- G-code flavor Repetier
- X min 20
- Y min 10
- X max 10
- Y max 10
- Gantry height 999999999999 mm ( I think you can adjust this better, but for me it works, because it uses this at the end to go to the stop. )
- Number of extruders 1
Extruder 1:
- Nozzle size 0.35 mm
- Compatible material 1.75 mm
- Nozzle offset x 0 mm
- Nozzle offset y 0 mm
- Cooling fan number 0
- End and start G-Code for the extruder can be left blank.
For the printer Start G-Code, use this:
M104 S195 ; set temperature
G28 ; home all axes
G1 Z5 F200 ; lift nozzle
M109 S195 ; wait for temperature to be reached
G21 ; set units to millimeters
G90 ; use absolute coordinates
M82 ; use absolute distances for extrusion
G92 E0
M106 S155.55
G1 E-3.00000 F2400.00000
G92 E0
And the printer end G-code, use this:
M104 S0 ; turn off temperature
M140 S0 ; set bed target temp
G28 X0 ; home X axis
M84 ; disable motors
G1 Z169 F200;
If you fill in these fields, then hopefully your Colido 3D DIY printer will work great for you too! It’s not the best printer, but for about $100 on Amazon, it’s a great starter kit for understanding and getting started with 3D printing!
Linux – keep it simple.