Makerbot replicator +

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone.

Does fusion support Makerbot replicator 3d printer?

I cant found it out in machine list  it's also absent in hsm post library.

[jodom4]

Hey id4zero666,

We're currently putting a lot of work into new additive manufacturing features in F360, but at the moment I'd recommend using a separate slicer. Netfabb has some pretty amazing features, Simplify 3D is great for FFF printing, and Cura can do the job without hurting your pocket book.

[serge.quiblier]

Hello @Anonymous 

We are investigating the support for this printer.

Some tests are currently done internally.

Regards

[Anonymous]

Any update on this? 

[tomGKJVK]

Following

[pendlei]

Makerbot is now supported in the August 2021 release. Yay (I have 2)!

One catch is the post produces a GCODE .nc file and stops short of the .x3g you actually need for your Makerbot.

To fix this you can install the GPX utility from https://github.com/markwal/GPX then add the following code to your own modified version of the makerbot.cps post:

function onTerminate()

{

  var outputPath = getOutputPath().lastIndexOf(".");

  file = getOutputPath().substr(0, outputPath < 0 ? outputPath.length : outputPath) + ".x3g";

  platform = getPlatform();

  if (platform == “WIN32“)

  {

// install the GPX utility from https://github.com/markwal/GPX , replace <path> below with your install path

// this converts .nc to .x3g for Makerbot replicator 2

    execute(“C:\\<path>\\gpx", "-p -m r2 \"" + getOutputPath() + "\" \"" + file + "\"", false, '');

// this line opens up the folder containing the .x3g so you can copy it to your makerbot

    execute(getOutputPath().substring(0,getOutputPath().lastIndexOf("\\")+1),  "" , false, '');

  }

} 

[tomGKJVK]

I'm no expert, but I export a STEP file from Fusion and it Imports and runs well in Makerbot's Print Software.  I can hit .010" tolerances no problem.

[pendlei]

The original question relates to how to use the Fusion Manufacture workspace to setup, slice and print directly to the Makerbot without using intermediate software. Until recently this was not possible.

[c.niven]

Hi, I got the automatic conversion working but if I include the last line:

execute(getOutputPath().substring(0,getOutputPath().lastIndexOf("\\")+1),  "" , false, '');

 I get the following error:

Error: Failed to run application 'C:\Users\ME\AppData\Local\Fusion 360 CAM\nc\'.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Post processing failed.

I can comment out the line and get the script working but having the automatic folder opening would be nice. Any idea what is going wrong?

[pendlei · Accepted solution]

Try using this instead:

execute("explorer.exe", getOutputPath().substring(0,getOutputPath().lastIndexOf("\\")+1), false, '');

[c.niven]

That works perfectly, I see where the issue was now. Thank you!

[c.niven]

So we got the automatic code conversion working but regardless of how we convert the gcode (either manually or through the script) it doesn't print in the correct location. If we import the STL to MakerBot Print and create the x3g file that way it works perfectly.

We're using a MakerBot Replicator 2 and I double checked the settings to make sure that was the printer selected in both Fusion and GPX.

Any idea why this is happening?

[serge.quiblier]

Hello @c.niven 

It more than likely caused by an error in the machine defnition file.

We have values defining the location of the build plate center relative to the machine origin.

There is probably an error in the definition.

I will ask some colleagues about the material used to prove out the post.

Can you copy the machine configuration you are using in a personnal folder, then edit it for checking this:

If you have different values, tell us.

You can test by settings X Y Z center to zero also.

Please give us feedback on what is working, so we can fix these values if needed.

Have a pleasant day.

Regards.

[c.niven]

Bed offset looks fine.

[Sualp.Ozel]

can you test one more time by changing those numbers to 0, 0 , 0 please

[pendlei]

I used these settings and the print is in the right location 

[pendlei]

For completeness, here is the function to add to Makerbot.cps that also works if you have a heated bed:

function onTerminate()
{
  var outputPath = getOutputPath().lastIndexOf(".");
  file = getOutputPath().substr(0, outputPath < 0 ? outputPath.length : outputPath) + ".x3g";
  platform = getPlatform();

  // gpx needs different arguments if there is a heated bed
  bottype = getProperty("heatedBedCommand") == "-1" ? "r2" : "r2h";

  if (platform == "WIN32")
  {
    // this converts .nc to .x3g for Makerbot replicator 2
    // install the GPX utility from https://github.com/markwal/GPX , replace <path> below with your install path
    execute("c:\\<path>\\gpx", "-p -m " + bottype +  " \"" + getOutputPath() + "\" \"" + file + "\"", false, '');
    // this line opens up the folder containing the .x3g so you can copy it to your makerbot
    execute("explorer.exe", getOutputPath().substring(0,getOutputPath().lastIndexOf("\\")+1), false, '');
  }
}

[dylan.edmiston03]

@pendlei I have found the "flashforge creator pro.cps" (that is my machine) and have entered the command that you posted about.  I have no idea where to put it exactly so I just stuck it at the bottom?

Anyway, my post processor is still only posting .gcode after doing that.  Is the .x3g supposed to post to the same location as the .gcode?  Thanks for your help

[ipendle01]

Hi Dylan,

I haven’t looked at this for a while, my workaround may have been superseded by improvements in Fusion (maybe someone else can advise), but the code above should still work.

Yes, it should create the .x3g file in the same place as the .nc file.

Some things to check:

- Windows or Mac? I could only get this to work on Windows

- Do you have gpx installed correctly, test  by running it from the command line

- Do you already have an OnTerminate() function in the .cps file? Search for OnTerminate, if it is already there you will need to modify it rather than add another

Ian