Direct connection between pc and U1?

U1 Toolchanger
1

My U1 is arriving today. About a week-and-a-half early, so kudus to Snapmaker.

I’m wondering if any of the following is possible by connecting a pc directly over a cable to the U1. By that, I mean straight from the pc usb or ethernet port to the U1 usb port (so a usb cable or an ethernet cable to usb adapter between the two):

  • Initial set-up of U1
  • Download firmware to pc. Send to U1
  • Send print file from pc to U1 and start print
  • Monitor print, including camera feed
  • Take over on pc what’s on U1 touchsreen

I’ve dug around a little on this topic, but haven’t really found anything definite, so hoping someone can clarify. Might also mean it’s not possible.

By the way, I’ve never owned a 3d printer, but had a hobby cnc router that allowed much of the above on a direct pc-controller ethernet cable connection, and I liked the reliabilty.

If none of that can be done on U1, I suppose connecting both pc and U1 over ethernet/LAN through internet router is a decent option, too.

2

From what I remember, the U1 seems to have a USB-to-Ethernet fallback method, but I’m not sure if it can be implemented. You could ask the support staff if it’s possible. But we’re on holiday for the next three days, so they might be slow to respond.

You can submit a ticket at the same time in case the technical staff or fellow users in the forum don’t respond promptly.

3

You’ll need a USB to Ethernet adapter. That one plugs into the U1 (Firmware at least 1.2.0), then you can connect to your PC Ethernet to Ethernet.

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4

Ok, thanks. I’ll do that when I have the chance.

5

Ok, yes. So you’re talking about plugging an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on pc, then running that same ethernet cable straight to the U1 through a USB to ethernet adapter? Have you done this and had some of the functionality I mentioned above?

6

I have not, but sending and monitoring prints is possible with the stock firmware, and remoting the display works with the paxx12 community firmware.

7

I’ve not actually done this, but there is no reason it won’t work. Point-to-point networking is standard, you just have to make sure the PC and the printer are set to different addresses on the same subnet. I have used this in other situations.

That done, neither the printer nor the PC know there is no router available, you’re just using the printer in LAN mode (no cloud).

8

Thanks. I’ll give it a try and see how it works.

9

Ok, so maybe I would need to set static IP addresses through the router anyway for both the pc and the U1? I’m not overly knowledeable with computer and IT things, but do know how to set static IP addresses

10

Not sure why you would want to go that route, but if you use LAN mode on the printer, you have the printer inside your local network will all access needed.

11

I’m talking off the top of my head here, because my U1 is sitting in its packing case – I simply don’t have the time to get it out and play with it.

Are you sure you need a point-to-point connection to your PC? The built in default method for communication is WiFi, so all you should need to do is register the U1 on your WiFi and you’re done.

If for some reason you don’t want to or can’t use WiFi (and personally I favour wired), then next best option is a USB-to-Ethernet dongle plugged into the U1, and a cable from that to your router. The U1 will be assigned an IP address by the router, using DHCP, and (I presume) it is unnecessary to know what the actual IP address is because SnOrca can detect the U1 and communicate with it using one of the auto-discovery protocols (just the same as your phone or tablet can air-print without you telling it the address of your printer).

Point-to-point is for when all you want (or for some reason the only technically feasible) is an isolated link direct from PC to device. Routerless Ethernet is simple enough, but without the router you have nothing to provide DHCP and you will need to set the IP address and subnet mask manually. I’m not familiar with Win10/11, but there may be a tool in it specifically to provide point-to-point (“ad hoc”) networking.

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12

I am wondering why Printer-USB to PC-USB doesn’t work?

13

Because the U1’s USB is a computer endpoint (master) not a peripheral endpoint (slave).

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14

I’m sure you’re all right, and point to point is not necessary. Mostly curiosity, and it seems on some of these hobby machines the most direct, cabled route is the most reliable. Maybe I’ll test point to point. Otherwise, I’ll probably start with ethernet LAN through the router. Anyway, if I find anything out, I’ll post. I’m in the same boat as @CrazyIvan . U1 in box yet, and not sure when I’ll get to it. Thanks for the input

15

Yeah, it seemed like a good idea to back it at the time…

They say the best camera is the one you have to hand, and my Tina2S doesn’t need anywhere near the amount of space!

Small matter of testing it before the warranty runs out!!

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16

It seems the U1 (currently) has no means to manually assign network parameters, and it relies on DHCP. I guess this could be due to it expecting to use WiFi.

I imagine this could be corrected in the Paxx firmware.

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