User:Ayapici/enes100/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.
 * 2. Open the “Engineering” folder on the desktop.
 * 3. Click on the program called, “ReplicatorG.”
 * 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.
 * 7. 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.
 * 8. Recognize that “Machine HCC Makerbot ready” should appear in green at the top of the ReplicatorG screen. Also notice that more of the functions at the top of the ReplicatorG screen are available to use.
 * 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.
 * 10. Tighten the screw. The screw is located on the right side of the motor.
 * 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.
 * 4. 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.
 * 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.”
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 5. Click “Generate GCode”
 * 6. In the GCode Generator window, select SF35-cupcake-HBP as a Skeinforge profile.
 * 7. Select or unselect the “Use raft” check box if you want to create a raft.
 * 8. Click Generate GCode at the bottom of the GCode Generator window.
 * 9. You are now ready to print.

Printing

 * 1. Click on the control panel function in the ReplicatorG tool bar.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 4. Now wait for the motor’s current temperature to reach the target temperature.
 * 5. Once the motor is centered and heated, click the “Build” function in the ReplicatorG toolbar.
 * 6. 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.
 * 7. Sit back and watch the MakerBot Cupcake CNC print your object.