Non conventional 3D Print challenges (GCode)

[rhklein]

Main benefit with this approach of G-code generation is the control over every vector of your G-code. With conventional slicers you are left with planar cross-sections of the 3D mesh and can't control the extrusion path itself. With fullcontroll.xyz you can edit every point and its properties like speed, extrusion values or non-planar coords.

I've been developing a similar add-on for Blender called nozzleboss. https://github.com/Heinz-Loepmeier/nozzleboss It lets you use Blenders modeling tools to create toolpaths directly and export to G-code. It has an importer as well, that lets you edit existing G-code with Blender, e.g. using sculpt tools to deform G-code paths. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoM8-Xdh9w8

Using Blender is nice here, because you have access to so much modeling tools already and don't need to code to generate G-code (though you could, Blenders python api or geometry nodes is very well suited for that). The add-on uses vertex colors to store meta information on every segment of the G-code, so you can paint on extrusion/speed multipliers or color itself very intuitively. (Different colors in FDM printing are usually done by segmentation of the mesh into different parts, which can be difficult. Though PrusaSlicer introduced multi-material painting recently, so if you are interested check that out.)

[daniel_reetz]

Nozzleboss is a tremendously interesting tool, thank you for creating and sharing it.

Folks,rhklein's work is unique. If you want to see some astonishing 3D printing thinking manifested in strangely beautiful, unearthly objects, check out @nozzleboss on Instagram.

[edgartaor]

Usually you try to avoid overhangs but this experiments makes you realize of the true limits of the 3d printer. I'm gonna try the Pin Support Challenge next weekend.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjVvw5xjt2o/

[hirundo]

PLA gets so much stronger when annealed. Would it be within the spirit of the challenge to print this upside-down so that it can support the sphere, but only after annealing? Or you could anneal the pillar with a small heater as you print it.

[doctoboggan]

I wrote a python library for directly generating GCode when I was working at a university lab that needed more direct control over their very high end 3D printers. You can check it out here:

https://github.com/jminardi/mecode

Its been a few years since I have worked on it but from what I understand the lab members are still using it.

[serf]

please read and understand any third-party gcode before running it on any machine, anywhere.

While I understand the need for it in this case, there are a lot of good reasons why the slicer/cam suite is supposed to be intimately meshed with the machine and environment itself.

[pimlottc]

Can you elaborate on this?

[remram]

So what's FullControl? Modeling software? Control/driver software? I'm not very versed in 3D printing and I can't really understand their "about" text.

[hirundo]

It's a bunch of Visual Basic behind an Excel spreadsheet, that helps you generate gcode directly, rather than via CAD/slicers. That gives a level of control that is awful and wonderful. There are a bunch of youtube short videos with demonstrations.

I'm interested in printing small parts containers very fast ... just open topped boxes ... and am looking forward to trying this with big nozzles.

[antirez]

No Prusa mini support. I hope it will be added soon since this way of printing could be very convenient for certain parts of a model.

[bo0tzz]

My understanding is that the gcode files on there right now are just samples. They are working on a Python tool that will let you generate any gcode (for any machine).