[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]3D printing is a quickly expanding field, with the popularity and uses for 3D printers growing every day.  3D printing can be used to prototype, create replacement parts, and is even versatile enough to print prostheses and medical implants.  It will have a growing impact on our world, as more and more people gain access to these amazing machines.

For normal 3D printer, you need to have a PC connected to it. In this tutorial, we are going to cover how to use pcDuino act as host controller, and install 3D printer control software on pcDuino.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_tour][vc_tab title=”Install software “Printrun“” tab_id=”1387422325-1-97″][vc_column_text]1.Install dependent  software tools

Run the following commands in sequence:

“$sudo apt-get install git”
“$sudo apt-get install mercurial”
“$sudo apt-get install python-distribute”
“$sudo easy_install pip”

2.Install WXWIDGETS

• Input command ：“$curl http://apt.wxwidgets.org/key.asc | sudo apt-key add –”

(If it prompted that there is no  such command as ‘curl’, please install it first using “$sudo apt-get install curl”）

• Edit  “/etc/apt/sources.list”

Add the following content to it and save.

“# wxwidgets/wxpython repository at apt.wxwidgets.org
deb http://apt.wxwidgets.org/ dist-wx main
deb-src http://apt.wxwidgets.org/ dist-wx main“

• Run the following commands in sequence:

“$sudo apt-get update”
“$sudo apt-get install python-wxgtk2.8”
“$sudo apt-get install python-wxtools”
“$sudo apt-get install libwxgtk2.8-dev”
“$sudo apt-get install libgtk2.0-dev”
3: Install driver for PYTHON serial port
“$sudo pip install pyserial”
“$sudo apt-get the install wx-common”
4: Install the required TK library for PYTHON

“$sudo apt-get  install python-pmw”
“$sudo apt-get  install python-imaging”
5: Download PRINTRUN and related softwares
“$git clone https://github.com/kliment/Printrun.git home/Printrun”
Download the latest version skeinforge from http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com/, and create a folder named “skeinforge” under directory  “Printrun”, and unzip the just downloaded package into this directory.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Run “Printrun“” tab_id=”1387422325-2-0″][vc_column_text]After installation, enter into the directory, and run:

“$cd /home/Printrun”
“$python pronterface.py”

The following is the screen shot:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Control 3D printer using pronterance” tab_id=”1387423442348-2-0″][vc_column_text]1. Picture showing 3D printer connected to pcDuino:

2.  Simple introduction to Pronterface interface:

Try click button to return to the origin, we can see the motor of the printer moves.

3. Load the STL model, you can start to print after the completion (must pay attention to the setting).

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