In order to print with the rotary axis, you need to follow this guide precisely. It will seem cumbersome at first, but will not be difficult after a few tries. Much of this will become automated as the Web Control is further developed.
- Create your model with an internal diameter equal to the mandrel on which you will be printing. Then, create a slit of minimal thickness (0.01mm) in the XY plane, on the -Y side. This should go along the entire length of your part: (* in the Diabase Wizard version 1.0.5 or higher, the slit must be in the -Z direction, which makes more conceptual sense when combining this operation with 4-axis milling)
- Open the Diabase Printing Wizard and select "Rotary" in the Geometry section. On the 3rd screen (see below), add the .STL file from the previous step, and check the "Unwrap STL Files" box. Then click "Process via Simplify3D"
- In Simplify3D, you should see an "unwrapped" version of the original STL. Move the model to the bed so it starts printing at Z=0. Set the Y offset to 0.0. Then process the file as you normally would. Save the Gcode file, close Simplify3D, and proceed with the Wizard.
- Install the Rotary axis on your machine, plug the cable into the front-most sub-D connector, and click "Home All". If you need to make any Y-adjustment to ensure the tools are centered on the shaft, do so now by jogging the Y-axis. After this, the Y-axis will not move again.
- Find the X-axis limits for your particular mechanical configuration by jogging the machine with a tool selected and noting the limits. Type M208 Xaaa:bbb into the box at the top of the Web Controller, where aaa=Xmin in mm and bbb=Xmax in mm. For example, if the end of your mandrel is at X=-180 and the tool just misses the collet at X=80, then type in
M208 X-180:80
- Run the ROTARY AXIS macro (attached below) to configure the rotary axis. *See extra #1 below
- Click Home Z
- Click Auto Bed Compensation (note: if your X-axis limits are inside of the probing mesh, then points may be skipped. This is OK. If you would like to maximize the number of probe points, you will need to edit your mesh settings in the bed.g file - see GCode details for how to do that)
- Begin printing
EXTRA:
- If you plan to mill after printing, then you need to home the axis. You can do so with the HOME ROTARY macro file, AFTER running the ROTARY AXIS macro.
- When you return to normal printing operations, you will need to remeasure the Z-axis. The RECOVER Z macro will do that for you.