RepRap Software

Over the last couple of days, I've installed the RepRap software on my tablet PC. Last time I didn't have much luck, but this time I've sorted out the Arduino issue I had before. The /dev/ttyUSB0 port has restricted permissions - you need to run the Arduino software as root to enable the 'USB' select. I'm not sure if it's a general issue or just on my laptop.

The Skeinforge scripts are a set of Python scripts that slice a model and write G-Code (text code to control a CNC/RepRap). I got them up and running and sliced some example files.

I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but when I slice the example minimug.stl, I get longtidudinal slices (C-shaped) as it tries to build the minimug on it's side. There doesn't seem to be an option to rotate the file in the scripts.

I fired up AOI (Art Of Illusion) and built myself a replacement minimug oriented differently. When I pass it through the skeinforge now, it seems to slice into better slices (circles) as I expected. Here's a few layers:

You can clearly see the raft laid down underneath the object, the base of the shot glass and the circular layers building up. It looks like the walls will be 2 layers thick.

When running the code through ReplicatorG (to pass the code to a simulator or the real RepRap) it appears to draw over the outer circle several times. I have yet to test this out for real...

At least I know the toolchain to build an object, slice it, check the G-code and then attempt to pass it on works...

I'll try to build an object soon.