Tuesday, September 7, 2010

RepRap: RepRap host, or Skeinforge...

With my Darwin RepStrap printer I first attempted to use the RepRap host to generate my GCode before deciding to go with Skeinforge. With my new Mendel I took the same path. First, before pulling out Skeinforge, I spent a few days playing around with the RepRap host. First, I have to say that I was impressed with all of the improvements. The prints are quiet, and really pleasant to listen to. The default settings also use some interesting concepts, like homing the axes before each layer, and building up a wall to catch the first bit of filament before starting the next layer. It's also really easy to lay out multiple parts and position them before generating the GCode. You can even easily rotate parts, which is a very nice feature! However, the quality of the generated GCode is still not comparable to Skienforge.

Here are some pictures of a Mendel bar clamp, first printed using the RepRap host, and then using skeinforge.




Here are the parts side by side. The one on the right is using Skeinforge.



I still don't have my settings perfect, but Skeinforge is where I will be spending my time.

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