Using Cura, How best to send GCode to Snapmaker?

Today is my first time looking at Cura to use with my Snapmaker A350. Thus far I have used Luban so this interface is a little daunting. I’ve watched a few videos on the different settings, and have used Google magic to learn how to set the gcode and settings for my Snapmaker into Cura (I have not tested these with a print as of yet).

I am wondering how to best send a print job to the snapmaker with Cura, since it is unable to connect with my printer. My husband suggested I could save the gcode to a file, then load it into Luban’s workspace and wirelessly send it that way to avoid the hassle of putting the file on a usb and manually moving the file.

Is this a valid way to send the print to the snapmaker or will I ‘lose’ something loading saved gcode from Cura into Luban’s workspace?

Thank you!

Edit: Also when I follow the suggested settings on Snapmaker’s site for setting up on Cura, they list These values as positive, and I cannot seem to make them positive. It will only accept negative numbers for these. Are there suggestions or some other way to set this part up?

image

1 Like

I create gcode with cura and send it over luban wifi function. For me that is the fastest version.
Some guys created a batch for filetransfer without luban

For the cura settings keep it negative.

4 Likes

Cura can only communicate over wifi to Ultimaker printers. Apparently Snapmaker and Ultimaker both use proprietary protocols. So Ultimaker would have to add specific support for Snapmaker which is highly unlikely.

Personally I use the USB. But I do like the option of just using Cura to slice then uploadng the G-Code from Luban.

1 Like

I do all my slicing using Cura as it is very flexible and integrates with Fusion 360 for design. I use a Raspberry pi connected through USB to Snapmaker running Octoprint. Interface with Octoprint from any computer on my network. Cura sends prints automatically to Octoprint using the Octoprint plugin and Octorpint manages the Snapmaker. It works great and I have a camera connected to Octoprint so don’t need to move from my chair and beer to set off a print from my laptop. I get feedback on progress and can monitor progress using the camera connected to the Raspberry Pi through Octoprint. I can also control head location/temperature and send GCODE commands directly to Snapmaker from my laptop through Octoprint.
As the Raspberry pi is connected via USB to the Snapmaker I don’t have to get out of my chair to confirm anything on the Snapmaker screen. Simple end to end workflow.

If you don’t want to bother with Octoprint you can send GCODE direct to Snapmaker using the send to method in Bret’s post. I use it for Laser and CNC where you have to do stuff on the machine to make it all work.

Octoprint rocks!!!
it has so many features you cant tell!
For 3D I only work with cura and OP its awfull!
They fit together like a glove, I love it,
For example the option to cancel single objects in a print if one object will fail - you can just close it out!
Or take timelapse videos of your prints, Level your printbed
Take control over LEDS or fan inclusive react on temperatures or sutch stuff.

All it needs is a raspberry, and if you want you can attach a display to it - very cool (octodash)
Full control Jog Temps Console Gcodeview and so on…

Have devintly a look at it if you dont already use it! (Oh God my english is so bad, excuse me please)

Stay healty and clean :mask:

@ stefix Have you tried the Octolaps plugin for timelaps? Absolutely great. Just shows how open source software with community plugins can deliver real results.
First print Benchy attached. Yes those bridges are rubbish,. Additional blower fan attached an will post result.

I use only the standard timelapse, Havent tested Octolapse yet.

It’s excellent. allows you to move the print head away in any direction before taking an image. Even has a test mode so you can preview machine movement without actually extruding any filament. Also has a whole load of capture event triggers I haven’t gone through yet and has good documentation which is not often the case with these plugins.

Can you share the instructional video of the timelapse setting? This is my first time to use, thank you!

The instructions are here including videos.