Up Mini 2 Cura

April 23rd, 2018

The UP mini 2 ES is a more advanced mini 2 with improved hardware and software. It inherited its predecessor’s full enclosure with built-in HEPA and activated carbon filter. In this step, we want to open the Griffin Pro profile for Cura. This contains all of the base information needed for getting started with your new 3D printer. This should be on the second Sdcard, be sure to use the proper profile for your printer (mini for mini, mid for mid, XL for XL). First, select 'File' and go to 'Open Profile'.

Requirements

  • A slicer: Ultimaker Cura
  • A fullsize SD card, or a micro with a fullsize adpter. There is one in the printer. I hope it stays around a while.
  • A model to print: Thingiverse
  • or if you want to create your own model: Fusion360 After the Free Trial is over, you can license it as a Hobbyiest and it is free for that type of use.

Configuring Cura

Up mini 2 cura pro

After installation you will need to configure Cura to slice the models correctly.

Configure the machine profile

  1. Goto Preferences > Settings and check the Check all box. This will may overwhelm you, but it will be ok.
  2. Goto Printers, Click Add.
  3. Select Other > Kossel Mini. Give it a name if you like, then click Add Printer
  4. Click Machine Settings
  5. Use the following setting:

  6. Use the following for the Start and End gcode:

    Start Gcode: G21 ;metric values G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length G90 ;absolute positioning M82 ;set extruder to absolute mode M107 ;start with the fan off M117 Homing… G28 ;Home all axes (max endstops) G29 ; Auto-bed leveling M117 Auto-Level Activation… G1 F200 E10 ;extrude 3mm of feed stock G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length again G1 F9000 M117 Printing…

    End Gcode: M104 S0 ;extruder heater off M140 S0 ;heated bed heater off (if you have it) G91 ;relative positioning G1 F300 E-10 ;retract the filament a bit before lifting the nozzle, to release some of the pressure G92 E0; G28 M84 ;steppers off G90 ;absolute positioning

  7. Click Close, and Close again

Now you should have the printer profile set correctly.

Configure the material profile

I normally run either PLA or PETG in this printer. If you would like to run something else or a different color, contact me and we will work that out.

Currently PETG is loaded and here are the Custom setting that need updated:

I will update these when I change the filament.

Prepare your model for printing

  1. Load your model into Cura
  2. Run through the layers and make sure you are happy with the result.
  3. Save your gcode to and SD card

Start the printer

  • If the printer isn’t on, push the red button to turn it on.
  • This screen is the Information Screen and is all the information you will be getting during your print:The Silver Knob can be rotated and click. The reset button underneither is your friend. If something goes wrong or you think something is going wrong, push it. It will immediately stop all activity.

Since we have PETG loaded you must do the following after every reset/power on of the printer:

  1. Click the knob and go to the Control menu:

Up Mini 2 Cura Pro

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Since xyzPrinting updated their firmware to make all my 3rd party tags useless and also enabled direct printing through the USB port I thought it might be useful to share the settings for my da Vinci Mini W+ printer that work. They should form the basis for other printer models.

These settings are for black PLA material, firmware version 1.2.0 and Cura 4.4.1

The profile settings are based on Custom FFF printer, generic PLA and Normal print quality.

Machine settings:

Printer settings
X (width) 150mm
Y (depth) 150mm
Z (height) 150mm
Build plate shape Rectangular
G code flavour Marlin

Printhead settings
X Min -10mm
Y Min -10mm
X Max 10mm
Y Max 10mm
Gantry height 100mm

Extruder settings
Nozzle size 0.4mm
Compatible material size 1.75mm

Start G-code:
G28 ;Home
G1 Z15.0 F6000 ;Move the platform down 15mm
;Prime the extruder
G92 E0
G1 F200 E3
G92 E0

End G-code:
M104 S0
M140 S0
;Retract the filament
G92 E1
G1 E-1 F300
G28 X0 Y0
;Move gantry and print bed to allow access to completed print
G1 Z100 F1200; Move gantry up 100mm
G1 Y8 F1200; Move print bed out 80mm
M84

Print settings:

Quality
Layer height 0.2mm
Initial layer height 0.3mm

Cura

Shell
Wall thickness 0.8mm (could increase to 1.2mm if needed)
Top/bottom thickness 1.0mm

Infill
Density 10% (can go up to 25% if additional strength needed)
Infill pattern Grid (default in cura but I have also used lines)

Material
Printing temp 200 deg (Cura monitor shows an actual temp of 203 deg)
Flow 100% (default value. Some prints and/or printers may need a higher value)
Retraction distance 4.0mm
Retraction speed 30mm/sec

Speed
Print speed 40mm/sec (Cura will calculate the rest and these are OK so far)

Build pattern adhesion
Type Skirt
Line Count 15
Distance 0.01mm

This produces a skirt that acts very much like a brim but I have found that it is easier to clean up afterwards (it just snaps off). The Mini W+ print bed is unheated so it really needs this to aid adhesion. I also use blue printers tape and glue stick. So far so good!

Up Mini 2 Cura Download

So. Do these settings print a 3D Benchy??? Hell yeah!!!!

Up Mini 2 Cura Price


Up Mini 2 Cura 2

I am now back up and running on 3rd party PLA with no tags. (Interesting point to note though that if you leave a tag on the printer the spool length will still be updated as you print). The only operations I am still using the xyzPrint software for is loading/unloading filament and cleaning the printhead. As soon as I can work out the G-code for that and how to send it to the printer I will be free of that too.