2nd Edition work in progress...[Updated 14Nov14]

[redoverred]

What software do you use to generate the PDF? (This question is for gene)

[geneb]

I use the PDF generation function within Libre Office Writer.

FYI, the chapter that covers printing the PEEK fan shroud is nearly done. It's all MatterSlice this time. I would have finished it last night, but after programming all day long my brain just wasn't up to it.

g.

[redoverred]

I use the PDF generation function within Libre Office Writer.

Cool, if you are ever interested, LaTeX is very extensible and easy to use for formatting things also. Nice work, BTW, the 2nd edition is great!

[geneb]

I've looked at it. I screamed. I ran.

g.

[teoman]

It is scary at first. But then you do get used to it.

If some one were to port the first chapter to latex I am sure Geneb would have no difficulties continuing.

The end result does look more professional. But there is a slight learning curve. And it does make you curse from time to time. The big question is, is it worth losing a tad bit of hair for a tad bit of professional cosmetics. After all, it is not going to enhance the context of the manual.

[redoverred]

It is scary at first. But then you do get used to it.

If some one were to port the first chapter to latex I am sure Geneb would have no difficulties continuing.

The end result does look more professional. But there is a slight learning curve. And it does make you curse from time to time. The big question is, is it worth losing a tad bit of hair for a tad bit of professional cosmetics. After all, it is not going to enhance the context of the manual.

This is all true. Gene's manual is so good as-is that it makes almost no difference. The only reason I'd say it would be better is to open-source the manual and track changes more easily in something like git, but that's not such a big deal since Gene is quite active and takes suggestions. Maybe if he quit doing it someday it might be nice to turn it into a shared community project with LaTeX, but for now he's doing a great job of it.

[geneb]

LaTeX will NEVER happen until someone crafts a WYSIWYG editor that's at least as good as Libre Office Writer. I have zero time to waste learning obscure formatting and markup syntax.

All the photos for the manual are on the SeeMECNC github, but with the ODT file weighing in at over 185MB, github won't take it. If you want to see the "source" file, just change pdf to odt in the download link.

The upcoming "upgrades & hacks" manual should fit on github with no problems, but it won't use LaTeX either.

g.

[redoverred]

LaTeX will NEVER happen until someone crafts a WYSIWYG editor that's at least as good as Libre Office Writer. I have zero time to waste learning obscure formatting and markup syntax.

All the photos for the manual are on the SeeMECNC github, but with the ODT file weighing in at over 185MB, github won't take it. If you want to see the "source" file, just change pdf to odt in the download link.

The upcoming "upgrades & hacks" manual should fit on github with no problems, but it won't use LaTeX either. :)

g.

bitbucket has a 1GB limit, so maybe try that? Also, LaTeX is already happening in a whole lot of places, it's just that most people won't try it :)

[geneb]

bitbucket has a 1GB limit, so maybe try that? Also, LaTeX is already happening in a whole lot of places, it's just that most people won't try it

That's because it doesn't have a WYSIWYG editor that doesn't suck.


FYI, the finished draft of the manual is now online at the link posted in the top of the thread!

g.

[redoverred]

That's because it doesn't have a WYSIWYG editor that doesn't suck. :)

True, but it isn't intended to. No worries, the manual you make is excellent as-is. Thanks, I'm digging into the MatterControl section now!

[geneb]

You're quite welcome!

Folks, I really need you to dig into this thing and root out any issues! I want to get this sucker nailed to the wall before I start working on the Tips, Tweaks and Upgrades manual.

Thanks for all your efforts, especially you Kitecraft! You were the only one nuts enough to build a machine based on a manual that was in constant flux. The videos were great!

g.

[Nylocke]

I've updated the Tricklaser arms manual. It's just about complete. I just need to add some more captions for the pictures and finish up the final recalibration chapter. If you are doing a new install everything important is there, so feel free to use it.

(link here https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/330 ... sGuide.pdf)

[Kitecraft]

The new MatterControl section doesn't mention if the Bed X & Y size needs to be changed. They are set @ 150 x 150
The original manual using Repetier Host says those value should be changed to 280x280. Does this same thing need to be in the new manual for MatterControl?

Also,
Page 218: Normally it will read 100%, but if you've changed the speed control from Repetier-Host,
Page 236: This is the same as sending G28 to the printer or clicking the “Home All” icon in Repetier-Host.
Page 257: You should be able to see the fan running as soon as you hit the Heat Extruder button in Repetier-Host.


Cheers

[geneb]

I've got the Repetier-Host mentions fixed, thanks for catching those.

Embarrassing as it is, where's the setting to change the bed size? (the correct values should have been cooked into the SeeMeCNC build of MC)

tnx!

g.

[Kitecraft]

On the 'Printer' tab, General settings.
It's actually stored in the STANDARD.slice file in the Quality directory. bed_size = 150,150

Cheers

[geneb]

v1.2 was dropped today and I found the setting while stumbling around the new version.

The terminal window is missing the filter checkbox for the moment, so it's unusable for pid auto-tuning.

g.

[add1ct3dd]

I'll use this place to find my errors, assume that's the way to do it?

Page 49 - it says to install screws into each of the 6 lower nuts - there's only 4 lower nuts at this point (front support panel isn't on yet).

[geneb]

Yep, thanks!

g.

[add1ct3dd]

Not found anything else so far, up to page 86 at the moment

Can't do anything with high temp silicone though as that arrives tomorrow but getting other stuff done ready

Awesome guide so far, so thank you for providing this, and the kit too!

Loving the build. So much smoother than my other printer so far (touch wood).

[redoverred]

v1.2 was dropped today and I found the setting while stumbling around the new version.

The terminal window is missing the filter checkbox for the moment, so it's unusable for pid auto-tuning.

g.

I may sound like a broken record here, but I seriously think you should eliminate the PID sections from the manual and replace it with dead-time control. I have had so much good luck with dead-time control and it literally takes about 5 minutes to setup correctly versus 60-90 minutes for PID.

[add1ct3dd]

Page 117 - arrows are pointing to wrong holes - should be the holes below

Page 122 - list of items for assembly states #6-32 1" Pan Head Screws - after a bit of confusion I finally realised it's the 2" ones

I've had to leave some stuff out so far which I'll go back to as the Silicone isn't here yet, so everything but that is done for the bed, hotend is not done. Therefore cannot put bed on, and level the metal rods, but progressing on anyway

[geneb]

v1.2 was dropped today and I found the setting while stumbling around the new version.

The terminal window is missing the filter checkbox for the moment, so it's unusable for pid auto-tuning.

g.

I may sound like a broken record here, but I seriously think you should eliminate the PID sections from the manual and replace it with dead-time control. I have had so much good luck with dead-time control and it literally takes about 5 minutes to setup correctly versus 60-90 minutes for PID.

If it takes 60-90 minutes to do an auto-tune on your machine, you're doing it wrong.

g.

[geneb]

Page 117 - arrows are pointing to wrong holes - should be the holes below

Actually, they're pointing at the exact holes they're supposed to. Keep in mind that the arrows are pointing to the holes that the pins fit into.

Page 122 - list of items for assembly states #6-32 1" Pan Head Screws - after a bit of confusion I finally realised it's the 2" ones

Fixed. Good catch!

g.

[redoverred]

If it takes 60-90 minutes to do an auto-tune on your machine, you're doing it wrong. :)

Well, when I enter the PID tune command the bed/extruder heats up and it takes at least an hour to complete both. Either way, dead-time is far superior as it takes almost zero time to set up properly and will give similar, if not superior, results. Dead-time control is basically idiot proof, too, and can respond to changes better than PID when there is a temperature disturbance.

[add1ct3dd]

Page 117 - arrows are pointing to wrong holes - should be the holes below

Actually, they're pointing at the exact holes they're supposed to. Keep in mind that the arrows are pointing to the holes that the pins fit into.

Page 122 - list of items for assembly states #6-32 1" Pan Head Screws - after a bit of confusion I finally realised it's the 2" ones

Fixed. Good catch!

g.

True, though I didn't understand the instructions worded as they were as I was focused on the holes they go into - which are the same distance apart

It's the ones below that screw the other side of the bearing holder that have to be smaller/bigger, though I didn't actually notice that when I was focused on the top ones :} (didn't notice until I couldn't work out why one of them wouldn't pair up )