Zim customized software/hardware quick guide

#1

Links/information to various threads to get your zim running with octopi are below (about halfway down page)…

After poking around the forum and learning a bit more I was able to fill in the gaps of what I needed to do to ditch zeepro software and switch to using octopi.

Turns out you can run the printer a few different ways. The 2 best ways are Directly from slicer software via usb such as Simplify 3d or preferably by using Octopi.

You can run directly via your computer w/ USB with something such as Simplify3d. Simplify3d support graciously sent me a standard printer profile they had on hand for the Zim. Their support is super helpful and friendly. After looking everything over I’m going to go the octoprint route like others since i can still use Simplify3d if I want. I especially like the ability to add custom controls.

Use octoprint running on the PI (Octopi) the 2 ways I need it to use my printer.

  1. Connecting wirelessly over my home network.
  2. Direct Connection to Octopi with a standard ethernet cable and run tethered and eliminate the need for network/router. I will use this when I go up to a cabin for a week where no internet is available. It requires no modification to my octopi setup to function.

I simply boot the pi and note the ipaddress that is shown at command prompt and connect to octoprint with that IP. If I forget to note the address. i just type ifconfig to pull network info from the pi. I have a small 4" hdmi screen I will leave connected to the pi so I shoudln’t need keyboard/etc.

My setup:
-I opted to disconnect the left A10 board in my Zim as it’s unneeded.
-I used a raspberry pi 2 (newest 1gb model) to run octoprint off of. It’s nice and quick. I was not able to get the comfast zim wifi adapter going but I had a different adapter lying around I was able to use. I have the latest octoprint running and working on modifying that. jpods info was most helpful. thank you!
-currently using dedicated power supply for raspberry pi
-small hdmi screen connected to pi to pull ip when connecting to octoprint

  • bulk spool modification
    -using zim usb camera
    -not using zim wifi adapter
    -planning on using V3 filament drive mod.

What I haven’t done is flash a new version of zeepro/marlin created by jpod. I believe this is needed to get the proper temp readngs in octoprint.
Edit:
I just flashed my Zim with jpod’s custom revision of Zeepro/Marlin firmware and it worked fine with no issue.
Details: Mac OS 10.10.4
Arduino IDE 1.6.5-r3
I Followed jpod’s instructions (which are listed below for flashing using the Arduino IDE) and confirmed: After flash and reboot of zim that my second extruder now registers a temp. in Octoprint.
Arudino IDE download: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
jpods (zeepro/marlin modified) firmware: https://github.com/jpodius/marlin-zeepro
^ jpods lates firmware has corrections for printhead pauses during prints due to buffer size issues.

screenshot showing post compile/upload verbose log

Marlin_firmware_Flash.png2118Ă—700 158 KB

temperature fixed in octoprint

Temp_fixed.png1254Ă—1294 271 KB

Info. for custom setup using Octopi:

OctoPi = OctoPrint on Raspberry Pi
Octoprint: http://octoprint.org/
OctoPi tutorial: OctoPi Tutorial for Zim

2 of jpods YouTube videos that are most helpful regarding octoprint setup/customization
Octopi setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa5vwvJ2eY4
Octoprint Custom Controls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR_w7XvdjnU

jpod’s Custom Zeepro/Marlin firmware w/ temp support for octopi; currently 1.1.0.15
https://github.com/jpodius/marlin-zeepro Info on how to flash this custom firmware is in Octopi Tutorial thread.

Opening USB port:
unplug USB: Opening USB port
replacement USB port if needed: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/139

Octopi compatible wifi adapters:
Edimax small usb wifi: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MTTJOY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
USB wifi with antenna from Adafruit: https://www.adafruit.com/products/1030

Simplify3D:

Profile supplied by Simplify3D for Zim (medium settings/200micron)
http://technobly.com/zim/simplify3d_zeepro_dualextruder.fff
Zim print bed: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:999059

Modifications:

Filament drive mod V3 with cartridge Bay: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:740639
Bulk spool holders for Zim: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:620809

Provided by KingMartin
bottom extruder: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:984747
printbed stl for compatible slicer software: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:999059

Replacement Parts:

Custom hotends: Custom hot ends for the Zim
Replacement USB: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/139
Replacement fan duct (original file sliced): http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:987981

Misc useful info/threads:

Octoprint: http://octoprint.org/
good prints: Good prints and settings
opening USB port: Opening USB port

Bed calibartion in Octoprint:

Disable wifi energy management on Octopi:

Custom Zeepro Marlin info by jpod for Octoprint extruder Temp correction: please see main thread: OctoPi Tutorial for Zim

Adding the LED commands for turning on off the LED strips/blue led on printhead.

LED strips
name: LED lights on
command: M1202

Name: LED lights off
command: M1203

Blue LED on printhead
Blue LED on printhead
command: M1200

Blue LED off printhead
command: m1201

Useful command line cheatsheet:

Shutdown & halt your raspberry pi: sudo shutdown -h now
Restart your raspberry pi: sudo shutdown -r now
See full network configuration/ipaddress etc: ifconfig
see wireless configuration only: iwconfig
Restart networking after any network config change without rebooting pi: sudo service networking reload Raspberry Configuration tool: sudo raspi-config (useful if you initially forgot to expand SD card or don’t want to change pi accounts password via command line)

Special thanks to jpod, 3DPrintEvangelist, winstondon, KingMartin or any others I have missed who supplied helpful info.

#2

Hey Ryan, jpod have a very nice video showing you how to connect the right board with raspberry pi, I also have a video on how to do a usb setup with repetier host, but I like jpod’s wireless solution much better so, I would suggest you to check it out.
One thing I ran into while setting up the rpi is the step where you have to config the rpi to your local wifi, there are other guides that you can follow to get it to work,

#3

placeholder. useful info moved up top.

2 Likes
#4

placeholder: holding this for additional info as needed/requested

#5

Good Job dexx0008 :thumbsup:

Zeepro is D.E.A.D?
#6

Great work! Thanks a lot!

#7
Modifications:

Filament drive mod V3 with cartridge Bay: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:740639

Hey! Thanks for choosing my Filament Drive in your Modifications list! Makes me very proud :smile:

I´m also thinking of modifying my ZIM, although it works pretty good, even with No-name-ABS, Woodfill, Brassfill and XT_Clear from Colorfab. So, I really don´t want to modify the existing electronics or software to be able to switch back if something won´t work.

#8

Dexx0008 do you think it would be possible to add the simplify3d printer profile that they sent you for the zim?

#9

^yep, I can do so. I’m just getting back from some time off and I don’t have the files with me but I’ll try to post it later today/tonight.

#10

I have the simplify3d printer profile I have been starting with. It was labeled zeepro zim medium settings for printer quality. It looks like layer height is 2mm/200 micron I’m not sure if someone provided Simplify 3d with this or if it was Zeepro working with Simplify3d or someone else with a Zim provided a profile.

It would be nice to have a few good profiles to use including one for printing high quality objects when print speed isn’t important.

I can’t upload the file here. Any preferences where you want me to upload it?

#11

Dropbox or Google Drive have been used several times in this forum.

#12

You can use the dropbox I Setup for firmware if you like. The link is in the firmware thread. Just be sure to label it properly.

#13

I have a shared box folder setup if you want to put it there. I think i can elevate you to allow you to submit once you join as a viewer: https://app.box.com/s/blhlwq4o572f720hhcf7pzvmjeur2q17

Or you can do what insomnia suggests. I would just really like to get the file, or we can set up a google drive share.

Thanks

#14

@dexx0008 if you email me the profile file, I can give it a permanent URL on technobly.com

< email removed now that the file is up… ocr bots, beat it! >

:wink:

#15

I’m interessed too. :grin:

Thanks

#16

I just posted a [message about a GitHub repository] (/new-github-repository-zim-resources-now-available/296) that’s now available if that seems appropriate.

#17

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven’t responded sooner, sudden vacation before things get crazy at work. I sent the file to BDub at his gmail account so he can give it a perm. URL on the forum. I can put it elsewhere as well when i’m off of work today.

thanks,
Ryan

1 Like
#18

Hey guys, here’s the Simplify3D Zeepro Profile @dexx0008 sent me.

1 Like
#19

thanks, added above as well.

@KingMartin, also added your thingiverse files above. thanks!

#20

Hi everyone. I am wondering how to actually connect the Zee to Simplify3D and how to apply the Zee profile mentionied on this thread. I have it connected, but the machine control panel can’t connect to antything.Any help is much appreciated!