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matterQ
matterQ is a simple 3D print server based on the Raspberry Pi single-board computer, the lprng spooler and the austerusG serial gcode host.
The aim of matterQ is to allow 3D printers work autonomously without needing continuous connections to host computers.
Upon clicking print the entire gcode file is transferred over the network to the matterQ server. Here it is stored leaving no further dependency upon the computer it was printed from.
By using Wi-Fi with a matterQ server the 3D printer can be anywhere such as hidden away in a cupboard or garadge.
Setting up matterQ
What You Will Need
- 1x Raspberry Pi
- 1x SD Card (2GB or larger)
- 1x Wi-Fi Adaptor1) [optional]
Writing the matterQ Image to an SD Card
Simply download the latest image from the downloads page and follow the Raspberry Pi guide to write it to an SD card on your platform.
Configuring matterQ
Configuration can be done from a computer with the imaged SD card plugged into it or from the booted Raspberry Pi. All configuration files exist in the root of the FAT partition on the SD card so that they can be edited on Linux, Windows and Mac machines.
| File | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| matterq.conf | matterQ configuration | The settings here need to be adjusted for the firmware of your 3D printer. The default settings are for Marlin on Ultimaker at baud rate 230400. |
AG_SERIALPORT - Serial port device (probably won't need to change this). |
||
AG_BAUDRATE - Baud rate of the 3D printer firmware. |
||
AG_ACKCOUNT - Delayed ack count of firmware. This is the number of lines of gcode the firmware can buffer. |
||
| wifi.conf | Wi-Fi configuration | ssid - Replace “YOUR_SSID” with the SSID of your access point. |
psk - Replace “YOUR_KEY” with the password for your access point. |
Plugging Everything In
- Plug the newly imaged and configured SD card into the Raspberry Pi.
- Connect the 3D printer Arduino to one of the USB ports.
- Connect the Wi-Fi adaptor to the other USB port or plug in an Ethernet cable.
- Connect power to the Raspberry Pi.
- Switch of the power electronics of the 3D printer.
First Print
The easiest way to print is direct from Cura.
1. You will need to get a special version of Cura that supports LPR.
Check it out from github:
$ git clone https://github.com/greenarrow/Cura.git
Or alternatively download a zip.
2. Load Cura and set the following preferences:
- Communication Settings / Backend: LPR
- LPR Settings / Hostname: [hostname of IP of your matterQ server]
- LPR Settings / Queue: lp
3. Click Print to see the LPR window.
4. Look at job status in the web interface: http://[hostname of IP of your matterQ server]
Credits
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002755QJG/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
