3D Scan/Kinect Makerbot/Howard Community College/Fall2011/501 cupcakes/MakerBot Procedure

Purpose
The purpose of this MakerBot Cupcake CNC procedure is to assist future HCC engineering students with the 3D-Scan project. By completing this procedure, a future team working with the MakerBot will not only understand how to operate it quickly, but also advance to the next step in the project.

Setup

 * 1. Log on to a computer near the MakerBot Cupcake CNC. Setup Procedure Step 1.jpg
 * 2. Open the “Engineering” folder on the desktop. Setup Procedure Step 2.jpg
 * 3. Click on the program called, “ReplicatorG.” SetUp Procedure Step 3.jpg
 * 4. Plugin the power cord to the MakerBot and an outlet.
 * 5. Plugin the serial cord to the MakerBot and the computer you are currently working on.
 * 6. Turn on the MakerBot Cupcake CNC, the power switch is on the bottom left of the back side.
 * For more assistance, view this video: Setting Up the MakerBot Cupcake CNC
 * 7. Using the connect tool in the top Replicator G menu, connect ReplicatorG to the MakerBot. If the connection is not recognized in ReplicatorG you may need to select a different serial port or rescan for other serial ports. This can be done by going to the “Machine” drop down menu on the tool bar in ReplicatorG. Setup Procedure Step 7.1.jpg Setup Procedure Step 7.2.jpg
 * 8. “Machine HCC Makerbot ready” should appear in green at the top of the ReplicatorG screen. And more of the tools at the top of the ReplicatorG screen are available to use. Setup Procedure Step 8.jpg
 * 9. Place the black wire into the MakerBot Cupcake CNC motor. The motor is located in the center of the top side of the MakerBot. Setup Procedure Step 9.jpg
 * 10. Tighten the screw. The screw is located on the right side of the motor. Setup Procedure Step 10.jpg
 * 11. The setup of the MakerBot Cupcake CNC is now complete.

Downloading an STL file

 * 1. Load Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
 * 2. Go to www.thingiverse.com
 * 3. Search something to print using the search bar in the upper right-hand corner. Downloading an STL File Procedure Step 3.jpg
 * 4. In the search results list, click on the link that pertains to the object you wish to print. Do not click on a link that is the image of something.
 * 5. On the object’s page, confirm this is what you want to print by referring to the images on the left.
 * 6. Near the bottom of the page find an STL file to download. NOTE: There may not be any file to download if the STL file for that object has not yet been developed.
 * 7. Click the red download arrow adjacent to the STL file you want to print. Downloading an STL File Procedure Step 7.jpg
 * 8. Refer back to the desktop to confirm the file was downloaded.
 * 9. If the STL file is present, you have successfully downloaded the file, and are ready to print.

Uploading an STL file onto ReplicatorG

 * 1. In ReplicatorG, go to the File drop down menu in the toolbar, select “Open.” Uploading an STL File onto Replicator G Procedure Step 1.jpg
 * 2. In the “Open” window, go to “Desktop” and open the STL file you want to print.
 * 3. The picture of the file should appear on ReplicatorG. To view the model of the object, use the “View”, “Move”, and “Rotate” commands located on the right side of the ReplicatorG window. Uploading an STL File onto Replicator G Procedure Step 3.jpg
 * 4. Scale the model to the size you desire, but make certain the size is consistent with the tolerances of the MakerBot Cupcake CNC. NOTE: MakerBot Cupcake CNC will print up to any size below 10mm x 10mm x 15mm. Uploading an STL File onto Replicator G Procedure Step 4.jpg
 * 5. Click “Generate GCode.” Uploading an STL File onto Replicator G Procedure Step 5.jpg
 * 6. If you made any changes to your model, a "Save model?" window will appear. Click yes if this is the appropriate scale of the model you want to print.


 * 7. In the GCode Generator window, select SF35-cupcake-HBP as a Skeinforge profile. Uploading an STL File onto Replicator G Procedure Step 7.jpg
 * 8. Select or unselect the “Use raft” check box if you want to create a raft. Uploading an STL File onto Replicator G Procedure Step 8.jpg
 * 9. Click Generate GCode at the bottom of the GCode Generator window. Uploading an STL File onto Replicator G Procedure Step 9.1.jpg Uploading an STL File onto Replicator G Procedure Step 9.2.jpg
 * 10. You are now ready to print.

Printing

 * 1. Click on the control panel tool in the ReplicatorG tool bar. Printing Procedure Step 1.jpg
 * 2. In the “Control Panel” window, set the “Target Temperature (C)” to 220.0. This heats the wire to its appropriate melting temperature. This could take a few minutes. Printing Procedure Step 2.jpg
 * 3. Moving the X, Y, and Z jog controls of the Homing feature in the Control Panel Window, center the motor over the work table. Printing Procedure Step 3.1.jpg For more assistance you can view a video using this link:Centering the Work Table under the MakerBot Motor
 * 4. Now wait for the motor’s current temperature to reach the target temperature. Printing Procedure Step 4.jpg
 * 5. Once the motor is centered and heated, click the “Build” tool in the ReplicatorG toolbar. Printing Procedure Step 5.jpg
 * 6. A message will appear stating that the MakerBot will do a test extrusion and the material from the motor will be released. Remove the material from the work table and click the “Yes” option on the "Continue build?" window that appears.
 * For more assistance, view this video: MakerBot Cupcake CNC Test ExtrusionPrinting Procedure Step 6.2.jpg
 * 7. Sit back and watch the MakerBot Cupcake CNC print your object.
 * As an example, here is a video of the MakerBot Cupcake CNC print a wrench:MakerBot Cupcake CNC Printing