This is mostly for my laser jobs. And my main gain point here is the z level. Every job I had to set the height again. This is annoying. X and y are saved, so I can just goto work origin and start again. So an easy way to solve this: third possibility for z level. Additionally to “Manual” and “lever calibration” should be “keep last value”.
While it won’t help me personally. I can definitely see the use. Maybe have the repeat button right next to start on the main screen. When you tap it, it auto brings up the last program you ran, but gives you the option to change the thickness (maybe you’re running organic log coasters and they vary in thickness). Then it gives you the normal set home setup, but it auto-moves to the old work origin. This would let you make a small adjustment if you were a bit off. If nothing is to change, you can either just smash through the next buttons, or they have a ‘quick repeat’ option.
MAYBE if they wanted to be fancy, they could make a “batch” app where you can input the number of copies you want, setup, go, and when it’s done with one, it moves the laser out of the way, moves forward, and screams beeps at you like it does to change filament, except it’s to change stock. Tap continue to run subsequent ones. Also keep those settings saved JUST IN CASE you need just one more, run through the normal repeat.
I suggest it be implemented the way @Skreelink described it, as a batch process where the user sets the run parameters for the first model and the machine runs one project, pauses, beeps, and waits for the “NEXT” button to be pressed.
Definitely a +1 from me for having ways to save focus point (laser) and work origin (laser + milling) and/or batch job support! For milling, there needs to be an option to only save X/Y origin, since Z changes if I change a tool.
Most of my projects are one-offs. One of my diode lasers and my fiber laser have physical repeat buttons (USB ones), but I haven’t even plugged them in. The one time I did batch-laserin’ of some coin blanks, five each of five different designs, it was simple enough to hit the Go button in Lightburn.
What @Wyphorn said pretty much captures the use-case: run the burn all over again, using the same parameters as previously. This can be used on new stock, or to re-run the burn in the same cut (e.g. when dialing in fiber laser settings for a material thickness).
The 3D printing use-case is obvious, though the need to wait for the bed to heat up again makes the speed of a repeat button a little less compelling.
For CNC, if everything else is completely dialed in (jig for the workpiece, tool stickout, etc) then this could be used for batch processing. But that requires a level of user competence that I don’t believe Snapmaker expects of its customers.
I want this only for repeating the same work origin and material thickness with the laser. In my case, I use an origin bracket on my laser bed plates that ensures I can position every project in the exact same place every time, and being able to set the work origin and material thickness in the exact same place every time is a time consuming hassle, so having those settings remain persistent between jobs and even machine power cycles (the same as e-steps and bed leveling are for 3D printing) would be a HUGE benefit. I don’t want a repeat button that automatically selects the same file to make though; that would not be of any use to me, and at best would only save a few seconds at most. If that is what is being suggested, then I would ask that it come with a prompt to select either “Same File?” or “New File?”, but in both cases retaining the work origin automatically. The batch idea is good too, but there again it needs to be an option separate from just persistent settings.
What also be nice: some permanent quick save slots for x/y/z.
Navigate to specific coords and save them to one axis with custom name. Also some quick chose options from all start / navigation menus.
This is a machine for maker and maybe not for producer. I do not run “batches” but i pretty often run 300x300 wood sheets with my laser. A permanent “bottom left” quick slot save would be great. Not pressing all the same ±100,±10,±1 steps to get where i want to.
Random funfact; in my drag/drop files guide, I have a repeat file. (I named it restart, but still) since the machine keeps the file in memory, you can just send the start_print API line again.
I can definitely see the use. Maybe have the repeat button right next to start on the main screen. When you tap it, it auto brings up the last program you ran, but gives you the option to change the thickness (maybe you’re running organic log coasters and they vary in thickness). Then it gives you the normal set home setup, but it auto-moves to the old work origin. This would let you make a small adjustment if you were a bit off. If nothing is to change, you can either just smash through the next buttons, or they have a ‘quick repeat’ option.