Ultimaker Cura slicer settings for RepRapPro Huxley

Here is how I configure Ultimaker Cura Slicer software for the RepRapPro Huxley 3D printer. The settings are for Cura 14.03 but will probably work for later versions also. The settings are for 1.75 mm PLA with 0.5 mm nozzle. When launching Cura a wizard will open.  I use these settings for my Huxley:

Step 1. RepaRap
Step 2. W=140,  D=140,  H=110, Nozzle = 0.5, Heated bed=yes, Bed center is (0,0,0) = no

Dowload my Cura profile from here.

In Cura load the file with: File -> Open profile...

I generate gcode files that i put on an SDCARD. I then use Pronterface to start the print.

Below are some screenshots of how is should look after loading the profile file.

Basic:

Advance:

End gcode. I have only changed the circled line:

Stop motion with Pentax K5 and Arduino

Sebastian Setz has created an Arduino library that can emulate an IR remote for a system camera. It supports all major brands. I created a sketch that takes a picture when i push a button. I used it to create a stop motion movie where it is important not to move the camera between shots. This library could also be used to make time laps shots where the camera takes pictures at a defined interval.

Below you can see my set up for the stop motion. To make a video of the jpg images i used MakeAVI.

 

Here is the video.

 

Develop for Arduino on Android - ArduinoDroid

ArduinoDroid is an Arduino development environment (IDE) for Android providing (almost) the same functionality as the computer version. Almost since not all boards and functions are supported yet. An OTG cable and Android device capable of OTG are needed to upload code to the board.

I loaded the app on my Sony Xperia V and compiled the blinker example.Then I connected the Arduino UNO and upload it without problems! A great job done by Anton Smirnov that develops this.

My set up.

 

Screenshot

Fixing slow and not responding Firefox

After the latest updates of Firefox it has started run extremely slow both at startup and when surfing. I often got "not responding" and freeze of Firefox for several seconds when loading a web page. I have also seen this on other computers. Finally I have found the magic cure. What you need to do is a reset that will rebuild your profile while keeping the most important settings (bookmarks, passwords, etc) and removing old junk.

To do the reset open the "Troubleshooting Information" window:

Windows XP: Help -> Troubleshooting Information

For later versions of Windows: Firefox > Help -> Troubleshooting Information 

Then press the Reset Firefox button.

For a detailed description see the Mozilla support here.

Inkscape - Editor for SVG files

Inkscape is a free and open source vector graphics editor. I have used it for editing of images for Fritzing parts with good results. You should not be fooled by the low version number. This is very capable software. If you looking for a free alternative to Adobe Illustrator this is a good candidate. Below is the SVG file for the Fritzing part for the JY-MCU Bluetooth module that I made. The SVG file is available for download from here.

Fritzing - Veroboard and Breadboard design software

If you are looking for a free tool to create schematics and documentation for your prototypes, Fritzing may be right for you. It can also be used to created and manufacture PCBs from your design. Frtizing has three views that share and automatically update a netlist so that if a component or connection is made in one of the views it is also added in the other two. The views are called Breadboard, Schematic and PCB.

In the Breadboard view your design look and feel like physical objects. It has regular components like resistors, capacitors, inductors and ICs. It also has cables, Veroboard, Breadboard and blocks like an Arduino, sensors, servos, motors and many more.

The Schematic view is a traditional electronics schematics editor. As mentioned Fritzing has the most commonly used components and modules in the built in library but if your favorite part is missing it can easily be added. I added the JY-MCU Bluetooth module from my previous post by modifying an existing component within minutes.Download it here.

I felt that Fritzing is easy to use and learn. But it was not obvious to me how to cut the lines on a strip board. It turned out that it is quite simple, right click betweens the holes as illustrated with the arrow in the figure below.

I did not try the PCB design part at this time. Fritzing installer package are available for download from: http://fritzing.org