The Software
Slicing the STL:
I use the Freesteel Slicer to slice the STL in PNG images.
http://www.freesteel.co.uk/wpblog/slicer/
I have an old version MS Office 2003 Standard, that I use to assemble the PNG images into a PPS file to be fed to the macro below.
The Macro:
I have modified the John Watson Macro from http://www.chemshapes.com, since I’m familiar with Mach3.
For instructions on how to use:
http://www.chemshapes.com/?p=388
To download Power Point Viewer 97:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/powerpoint2000/ppview97/2000/WIN98/EN-US/PPView97.exe
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/Softlib/MSLFILES/PPVIEW97.exe
To download MACH3 Demo:
Please download the “Lock-down” versions.
http://www.machsupport.com/downloads.php
To download the macro:
http://www.multiupload.com/1CD6322GEB
The script works with MACH3 Demo (500 line limit)version 3.42.40/42 and FREE PPView97( you can download from Microsoft Links Above) perfectly!
Meaning on the HOST computer you have only the XP License cost.
A few videos of its use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc0pd-WNfqI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kUY6Zc4jA4
Thank You John, again, for the Inspiration!
Hello,
we are making plans to build the 3DLPrint but
http://www.multiupload.com is not working, so we cannot access to the Mach3 macro.
Could it be uploaded again in other server?
thank you.
Hi Daniel,
I have a local copy of the basic macro Here. You can modify it with little effort to suit your needs. I give all the credit to John Watson for making it.
@Printer
Thank you
http://www.marcam.de/cms/infinyslice.126.en.html
this is a program i use and it works
It is actually bought out by Materialise. I also tested the trial version and it failed some pretty basic STL’s slicing.
yes i disable error check stl and it works today the send me price is 1600 eur
1600 is a lot!
Peter
i losing my mind with macros i can get it
i can only move z my ppt can not start
please help
http://www.filefactory.com/file/5dmuhiofnvjj/n/m801_m1s
macro with y tilt
Hi Goldi,
Cannot download the file. Can you upload it someplace else?
Cheers!
i have great program works slc direct
i uninstall infinyslice 1600e from my pc forever
if i put 1920 x 1080 normal setup build size is 76,8×43,2
i need 600dpi or 800dpi
i must setup build (??,?x??,?) and dpi cant getting right?
Hi Goldi,
You heed to calculate the DPI from the resolution of the projector and the actual build size as measured.
As you posted you have a 40 micron resolution meaning one pixel from the projector is 40 micron. Divide the 25.4mm / 0.04mm and you get 635 DPI.
Hope it helps.
Cheers!
Peter
my modification macro works fine i make a fast tilt down and slow up
only i need to put how many slide are every time
numslide = 1000
i put 100000 but is not good have i can remove it you macro dosent work for me
i can not set it to work alwas error
you dont have numslide = 587
i make script button in mach3
print 15micron
print 25micron
print 35micron
every thing work fine only i need to put numslide
please help
it will be great if i can start mp3 wen is finish printing
like run C:finish.mp3 in direcx or some simple solution
I think in VB script there is a limit of the max you can use in the DIM statement. I have tried around 32000 without a problem.
There is a way to get the num slides programmatically and insert it in the script:
NumSlides = oPPTShow.Slides.CountI have setup mach3 to fire with the profile of the settings I’m using. In each profile folder you can have a different macro with the same name and execute it. You only have to press the “RESET” button by hand to start the print job once you start it from the shortcut.
Hope it helps!
Peter
Edited by Peter: WARNING
Please use the following code for command reference only! Do not use it as a ready made solution for all printers, as there are settings individual to Goldi’s printer and it might cause damage to your printer.
Option Explicit'Change the constant values below to suit - make sure your Powerpoint file is .pps
'*****************************************************************
Const ppFileName As String = "C:\Documents and Settings\Goldicnc\My Documents\Presentation1.pps"
Const ZStartPoint As Double = 0.0 'where Z starts from
'*****************************************************************
Dim numSlides As Integer
Dim exposureTime As Integer
Dim ZIncrement As Double
Dim s As Integer
' User inputs for variables
NumSlides = 500
exposureTime = 8000 ' in ms
ZIncrement = .035
Dim objPPT
Dim objPresentation
Set objPPT = CreateObject("PowerPoint.Application")
objPPT.Visible = True ' set to display on top
Set objPresentation = objPPT.Presentations.Open(ppFileName)
Code "G90" 'absolute distance mode
Code "G0 Z" & ZStartPoint 'start Z at wherever
While IsMoving()
sleep 10
Wend
Code "G91" 'incremental distance mode
SetFeedRate(10/60) ' feedrate 5 inches/minute set as appropriate
For s=1 To numSlides
objPresentation.SlideShowWindow.View.GotoSlide (s) 'show the next slide
sleep exposureTime
objPresentation.SlideShowWindow.View.GotoSlide (1) ' show slide 1 blank slide
SetFeedRate(60/60)
Code "G1 X" & -1
SetFeedRate(5/60)
Code "G1 Z" & ZIncrement 'lift Z a couple of tads
Code "G4 P1"
While IsMoving()
sleep 10
Wend
SetFeedRate(10/60)
Code "G1 X" & 1
While IsMoving()
sleep 0
Wend
Sleep 100 ' this value adds a delay before the next slide is displayed
Next
Code "G90" 'back to absolute distance mode
Code "G1 Z" & 50
objPresentation.Close
objPPT.Quit
Setup build area is this for cheap projektor 1024×768
43.33mmx32.52mm build area( 600x600dpi) i think this is best you can get from 1024×768 res
Hi Goldi,
you can go even smaller, but it is pointless with this resolution projector. You will end up with a 21.52mm X 16.26mm build area and less than 20 micron, but hardly enough even for one ring.
Peter
Setup build area is this for high price projector 1920×1080
81.27mmx45.71mm build area( 600x600dpi)
i think that 0.0423 is ok for jewelry printer
best 0.3 like envisiontec led
is there anybody making with led projector for me is ok 1024×768 led and build area 43.33×32.52mm
Hi Goldi,
Yes, the resolution of 0.0423 is OK for jewelry. I have tried it and am happy with the result.
Peter
hello
I wonder how can you get so smooth edges when your images are in png format. I slice my 3d model in freesteel slicer as You said, but my edges are irregular because I see pixels.
Can you tell what to do to have smooth edges?
thanks
Hi Ravel,
I slice with FreeSteel and also run the slices through ImageMagick for Antialiasing if needed.
Cheers!
Peter
Hi Peter,
In the meantime I have made my first prints:
http://www.david-laserscanner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&p=25215#p25215
But now I am looking for a software for slicing which allows to determine the wall thickness. The B9 red resin is too expensive for solid prints. Do you know what I could use? I mean only for slicing, the control of the print process is made by the Arduino.
Walter
Hi Walter Mo,
Nicely Engineered machine! Congrats on the printed objects.
Glad this thing called 3D Printing is finally catching on.. He he!
I use Freesteel for now. It has been solid.
I manipulate the object to be hollow in CAD.
Cheers!
Peter
i have a problem in which there is a time delay between changing the slides and running the stepper.so how to fix this.also i want to know what is the code responsible for repeating the cycle of showing images,tilt mechanism and lifting z axis some more tads.thanks u
for your great informations
Hi Mohamed,
The script has a few options and the command(in milliseconds) “SLEEP XXXX” is what you are looking for. There is a delay of I think one second = 1000.
The code for repeating the cycle is the FOR…NEXT loop. The FOR plays a role of setting the slide number. The commands with X move the Tilt and commands with Z +++++ Z —–
move the Z axis ( for example ) 2 up and 1 down so there is always one layer thickness less than the last position.
Hope it helps.
Cheers!
Peter
@Printer this my email : engineer_khalifa@live.com would u send me a group of pps files of parts in order to test my printer because i dont know how to use freesteel. there is a program that called netfabb studio professional which can save the sliced part with picture extension,but i cant use it because it’s not free :S
thank’s alot for u r information and help
hey i need help please would anyone could send me pps of small sliced parts at engineer_khalifa@live.com
Hi Mohamed,
Check your email.
Cheers!
Peter
thanks alot for u r help
Welcome!
i have a projector 800*600. i dont know what is the distance between the projector and the vat.is it defined by max and min limit or by try and error
??
Hi Mohamed,
It is a bit of trial and error, a bit of minimum focal distance. If it is able to focus from about 30cm, then you can look for ways to adjust the lens or add spacers.
Cheers!
Peter
i live in egypt and i dont know where to buy the resin.so is there any trusted site to buy from it
Hi Mohamed, Check with Fernando from http://www.spotamaterials.com/
Cheers!
Peter
hey printer
.i have a problem that when i removed the color wheel from acer x111 dlp projector and tried to start it up the projector starts up for few seconds and indication led of lamp is blinking and then the hole projector is turned off.
Hi Mohamed,
You can achieve printing without removing the color wheel.
Do not disconnect the color wheel – just move it in the case if there is room out of the light path.
You can also use it for focusing by projecting Red colored grid and focus and adjust keystone/size/image shift/etc.
So if the projector is complaining about it and does not start – put it back in.
Cheers!
Peter
Nice job! I will be building a simular setup and I think will probably convert your macro to Python and use it to display the slideshow and control the stepper motor. That way the software will be cross platform.
Hi Danny,
The macro was originally written by John Watson, I modded it to suit my setup. I’m not much into “cross platform”, but if it works on a 10 year old OS then maybe it really is time I move off Windows? LOL
Cheers!
Peter
hey peter
i have a problem that the tottal part is stick on the surface of vat and i dont know why ?????
please help
Hi Mohamed,
You can use a number of methods to get the resin to stick to the glass more and less to the acrylic.
One is to line the VAT with FEP Teflon Film – works for me.
Another is to pour a flat coating of PDMS on the VAT bottom.
Cheers!
Peter
and it doesnot stick on the parting plate.the parting plate is made of glass and the vat is made of acrylic
i can buy the teflon film from my country or it’s maybe has a different name,so is there any other solution
??
Hi Mohamed,
You could try finding PDMS or check for Florocarbon film.
Cheers!
Peter
do u think that the problem is from zero postioning of parte plate or from the excessive tilting mechanism ?
i can find feb teflon film in my country so do you refer to me any other material to use??
i want to know if this problem occurs because of zero postioning maybe not accurate or beacuse of strong tilt mechanism ??.please help me because i have no time and my project discussion is after 3 days.i tried a transparent thick paper and a slicon to stick it on the vat but it also doesnot work
Other than PDMS, FEP teflon and Fluorocarbon Film, there isn’t anything else I have tested, so I have no idea.
Cheers!
Peter
help me please
.really thanks for your great effort and iam sorry for asking you too many questions 