Software, Tutorial

Eazao Ceramic 3D Printer Slicing Software Tutorial

Posted on by Jony
01
Nov

Ⅰ. Software download

1. According to the computer operating system, it is recommended to download the latest version of Cura software: https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura

Ⅱ. Software installation

The following takes Windows, 64 bit operating system, and Ultimaker Cura 4.11.0 version as an example to introduce the installation and use of the software.

1. Find the Cura software installation package under the download path:, and double-click to install it.

2. As shown in the figure above, select “Next >” on the welcome interface, and then select “I Agree” to accept the license agreement.

3. As shown in the figure above, select the default installation path C:Program FileUltimaker Cura 4.11.0 in the “Choose Install location” interface, or select other suitable installation paths in “Browse”, and click “Next >” to enter” After the “Choose Start Menu Folder” interface, continue to click “Next >”.

4. In the “Choose Components” interface, check the default components in the figure above, and click “Install”.

5. Wait for the software and components to be installed. The picture on the right shows that the software installation is complete. (Note: the installation process will pop up a window to install the arduino driver, keep the default installation, follow the prompts)

Ⅲ. Software use

1. Add EAZAO printer
⑴ Run Cura, click Settings> Printer> Add Printer, the Add printer interface appears, select “Add a non-networked printer”.

⑵ Select Custom> Custom FFF printer in the printer list, and modify the Printer name to “Eazao Zero”

⑶ Set the molding space parameters of Eazao Zero according to the frame ① below,

⑷Replace the following code and replace the Start G-code in box ② in the above figure:

G21
G90 ;absolute positioning
M82 ;set extruder to absolute mode
G28 ;Home
G1 Z15.0 F1500 ;move the platform down 15mm
G92 E0
G1 F300 E10
G92 E0
M302
M163 S0 P0.9; Set Mix Factor
M163 S1 P0.1; Set Mix Factor
M164 S0
 
Note: For the use of M163 command, please refer to: https://marlinfw.org/docs/gcode/M163.html.
 
By modifying the mixing ratio, the amount of clay output from the printer can be changed as a whole. S0: S1=0.9:0.1, the ratio The larger the push rod, the less mud output, and the smaller the more clay output. When the ratio is 0.99:0.01, the moving speed of the electric push rod is less than the moving speed of the electric push rod when the ratio is 0.9:0.1. The distribution ratio must meet the condition ( 0.99+0.01=1, 0.9+0.1=1). This ratio is suitable for fine-tuning, and it cannot be changed too much, otherwise the drive or other components will be easily damaged.
 
⑸Replace the following code and replace the End G-code in box ③ in the above figure:
 
G92 E10
G1 E-10 F300
G28 X0 Y0 ;move X Y to min endstops
M82
M84 ;steppers off
 
⑹Refer to the figure below to set the extruder parameters of Eazao Zero. (Note: “Nozzle size” refers to the inner diameter of the extruder used. The dark green extruder that comes with Eazao Zero has an inner diameter of 1.5mm. If you change your own extruder, you need to change this parameter)
 
 
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The second way to add printers will be in the latest version of Cura in the future.
(1) Run Cura, click Settings> Printer> Add Printer, the Add printer interface appears, select “Add a non-networked printer”.
 
     
(2) Drag the vertical scroll bar to find the Eazao brand, select the Eazao Zero printer in the drop-down menu, and click the “Add” button in the lower right corner. There is no need to set the machine parameters later.
 
 
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2. Preferences
⑴ Set software language
Click Preferences> Configure Cura… to enter the General interface as follows, and select the appropriate display language in the Language option.
 
 
⑵ Setting Visibility
The visibility of the slice parameters can be set under the “Settings” option. By checking the relevant parameters, these parameters can be displayed and set during slicing. Here we choose to display “All”.
 
 
⑶ Printer
The printer can be activated (Activate), added (Add), removed (remove), rename (Rename) and other operations on this interface. After activating the printer, you can change the printer’s machine settings (Machine Settings) on the right side.
 
 
⑷ Material
You can select the printing material in this interface. The core parameter is the diameter of the material (Diameter), which should be compatible with the compatible material diameter of the extruder of Eazao Zero.
 
 
It is recommended to use the Import function to import materials applicable to Eazao Zero:
Material files can be downloaded from here: Eazao ceramic 3d printer material.
 
⑸ Configuration file
In this interface, you can select a configuration file. The Eazao Zero ceramic 3D printer does not use the default configuration file provided by Cura. You need to customize the configuration file or import the Eazao Zero configuration file. In the figure below, there are two types of custom configuration files. The EAZAO_Zero_fill file is suitable for printing models that require internal filling, and the EAZAO_Zero_vase file is suitable for printing models with hollow interiors such as vases.
 
 
You can choose the Import function in the upper right corner of the figure above to import EAZAO configuration files:
The configuration file can be downloaded from here: Eazao ceramic 3d printer configuration files.
 
3. Import model file slices
⑴ Click “File”> “Open File (s)…” to select the model that needs to be sliced. Cura supports models in the STL/OBJ/AMF format.
 
 
⑵ Adjust the size and position of the model on the left menu bar.
 
 
Left mouse button: click to select the model
Right mouse button: click on the menu bar, right click and hold and slide the mouse to rotate the angle of view
Mouse wheel: zoom in and zoom out
Move: adjust the position of the model on the printing platform
Scale: There are two modes of “Snap Scaling” and “Uniform Scaling” to adjust the zoom in or out of the model
Rotate: Rotate by 90 degrees on the XYZ axis, and also have the functions of “Reset”, “Lay flat” and “Select face to align to the build plate”
Mirror: The model can be mirrored in three directions, XYZ
 
The remaining two functions are not commonly used, so I won’t introduce them. If you are interested, you can try it yourself.
 
⑶The meaning and function of the slice parameters of common configuration files on the right:
 
There are many slice parameters in the configuration file on the right side of Cura, and the functions are very rich. The following only introduces some relevant parameters and recommended settings. More functions need to be explored slowly.
Taking Quality-Layer Height as an example, after the mouse stays on the relevant parameter options for a while, the corresponding setting prompt will pop up automatically, this is of great help to understanding the meaning and function of each parameter.
①Quality:
  • Layer Height: The height of each layer printed. The smaller the print surface is finer, but the slower it is. The recommended parameter range is 0.5-2mm, however, a suitable size nozzle is required. It is recommended that the layer height be within the range of 1/3 to 2/3 of the inner diameter of the nozzle. Eazao Zero printer uses 1.5mm nozzle by default, and the recommended layer height is in the range of 0.5-1mm.
  • Line Width:Width of a single line. Generally, the width of each line should correspond to the width of the nozzle. However, slightly reducing this value could produce better print.The recommended line width of Eazao Zero printer is 1.5mm.

②Wall:

  • Wall Thickness:The thickness of the wall in the horizontal direction.This value divided by the wall line width defines the number of the walls.
    Wall line count: The number of walls. When calculated by the wall thickness this value is rounded to a whole number. In general, the default is one wall. To prevent the hollow model from collapsing inside the printing, it can be set to two or more walls.
  • Compensate wall overlaps: Compensate the flow of the printing part where there is already a wall. It is enabled by default.
  • Print thin walls: Print pieces of the model which are horizontally thinner than the nozzle size.When the thickness of the wall is smaller than the inner diameter of the nozzle in the model, if this function is not enabled, the part will be blank and the printing path will not be displayed.
  • Z seam alignment: Starting point of each path in a layer. In general, use user-specified or shortest mode. when aligning these near a user specified location,the seam is easiest to remove.when taking the shortest path the print will be quicker .

③Top/Bottom

  • Top layers: The number of top layers. To print a model with a top opening, such as a vase, set it to 0; to print a solid model, set it to 2 or more.
  • Bottom layers: Number of bottom layers. Regardless of the model, in order to better adhere to the printing platform, it is recommended to print 2 layers of bottom. When the layer height is relatively small, the number of bottom layers can be increased appropriately .
  • Top/Bottom pattern: The pattern of the top/bottom layers. The bottom/top filling pattern has lines, concentric circles and zigzag lines to choose from, the default is lines.

④Infill

  • Infill density: In general, the model that does not need internal filling is set to 0, and the solid model is printed, considering the printing time and model strength, and the filling density is set to 20-30%.
  • Infill line distance: Distance between the printed infill lines. This setting is calculated from the filling density and the width of the filling line. Therefore, the filling line distance and filling density can be set to one.
  • Connect infill lines: Enabled by default, this setting allows a better connection between the infill line and the outer wall.
  • Infill pattern:Filling patterns include straight lines, grids, concentric circles, etc. You can choose a suitable filling pattern according to the model.

⑤Material

  • Printing Temperature: Since the Eazao Zero printer prints ceramic materials and does not require heating, the default setting is 0℃.
    Printing Temperature Initial layer: Since the Eazao Zero printer prints ceramic materials and does not require heating, the default setting is 0℃.

⑥Speed

  • Print Speed: The size of the printing speed affects the printing time and the fine effect of printing. Slow printing speed will make the printing better fit, but the printing time will be extended accordingly. Comprehensive printing effect and printing time, the recommended printing speed of Eazao Zero printer is 15-25mm/s.
  • Wall Speed: The default speed is 15-25mm/s.)
  • Infill Speed: The speed of printing and filling, the default speed is 15-25mm/s.
  • Travel Speed: The speed at which the idling is carried out. The travel speed can be slightly faster than the printing speed, reducing printing time.
  • Initial Layer Speed: The printing speed of the starting layer should be slightly slower than the printing speed, so that the starting layer and the printing platform fit more closely.

⑦Travel

  • Enable Retraction: Retract the filament when the nozzle moving over the non-printed area. In general, it is not enabled by default. When printing non-continuous geometric models, in order to improve the printing effect, the retract function will be enabled.
  • Avoid Printed Parts When Traveling: The nozzle avoids already printed part when traveling.
  • Retraction Distance: The length of the material retracted during a retraction move.
  • Z Hop When Retracted: Prevent the nozzle from hitting the print during travel move. Z Hop When Retracted function can be enabled only after the retraction function is enabled.

⑧Support

  • Generate Support: Generate structures to support parts of the model which have overhangs.Generally, if you use ceramic materials to print large models or generate thin and tall supports, it is not recommended to use supports. Manual supports may be better.

⑨Mesh Fixes
⑩Special Mode

  • Print Sequence: When you need to print multiple models on the printing platform at the same time, you can choose “All at Once” mode or “One at a Time” mode.It has no effect on the printing of one model, and the default is the “All at Once” mode
  • Surface Model: The normal print mode only prints enclosed volumes. The surface print mode only print the outer surface with no infill and no top/bottom skin.
  • Spiralize Outer Contours: Spiral printing realizes smooth Z movement of the outer edge, eliminating the Z seam, but only one layer of the outer wall can be printed after it is enabled. The model of the printing vase is the most suitable for enabling this function .

Ⅳ. Model slicing

After the parameter configuration is completed, click the Slice button at the bottom right of the interface to slice the model

Ⅴ. Slice model preview

After the slicing is completed, click “Preview” in the picture to enter the preview interface.

View type is divided into Layer view and X-Ray view. Selecting the layered view can clearly see the changes that have been seen in the slice model.

Color scheme is divided into material color, routing type, speed, etc., which can be viewed as needed. The default is material color. The above figure shows the type of wiring. Different color lines can display the category to which the part belongs, and the parameters can be adjusted in a targeted manner.

The two most commonly used parts are the progress bars on the bottom and the right. You can drag the progress bars to view the print path of the print head on the XY plane and the layer distribution of the print path in the Z axis direction.
The estimated printing time is displayed at the bottom right, which is basically in line with the actual printing time.

Ⅵ. Model printing

⑴Online printing

  • Use the USB cable to connect the Eazao Zero printer to the computer, turn on the power of the Eazao Zero,
  • Start Cura, follow steps 4 and 5 above, import the model file and slice it, click “Print via USB” at the bottom right after completion, it will automatically connect to the printer and start printing.

Note: ①The computer may need to install the driver CH340, the driver download and installation address: https://www.eazao.com/downloads/
②When the computer enters the sleep state during online printing, the printing process will be interrupted. Please confirm the power status of the computer before printing.

The picture below shows the online printing interface

⑵Offline printing

  • Click the Save to Disk button, select the output slice file path, file name, and file type as .gcode.
  • Copy the slice file to the SD card, the SD card format is FAT32, and the capacity should not exceed 8G.
  • Insert the SD card into the printer’s SD card slot, select the Print button on the touch screen, find the file to be printed, and click Confirm to print.

Jony

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