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Begin by downloading the following files/software:
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Marlin Firmware
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Touch Screen Firmware
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USB Drivers
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PrintRun - Printer Control Software
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Download All Here
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The downloads are in a compressed .zip format, you will need to use 7Zip to extract these files on PC.
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You will also need to download and install the Arduino IDE.
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Follow the install instructions and install the latest Arduino IDE software to your computer.
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In the USB driver folder on PC double click on the CH341SER Driver - PC.EXE file. On MAC see the Readme.pdf file in the Mac folder.
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You may need to right click, "run as admin" to open.
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Once open, click INSTALL.
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Once done, you should get a success message, click OK and close the programme.
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Disconnect the touch Screen display from the control board.
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Connect the printer to your computer via the blue USB cable.
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Open the Arduino IDE that you installed in step 2.
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Right click, Run as Admin
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Go to File -> Open
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Navigate to Marlin -> Marlin.ino in the Printer Firmware folder that you downloaded in step 1.
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Select the correct firmware depending on whether you are building the Proforge 2 or 2S.
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Go to Tools -> Port and select the port the Proforge 2/2S is connected to.
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There should only be one but if you have others disconnect the Proforge from your computer to deduce the correct COM port.
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Set the Board and Processor to Mega 2560
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Click upload.
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Once the firmware has done uploading keep the USB connected and power up the Proforge 2/2S via the mains power cable.
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Check that the Hotend fan is spinning.
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Check that the electronics fan is also spinning.
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Launch Pronterface directly from its folder.
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Select your COM port, and set the baudrate to 250000.
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Connect to the Proforge 2/2S.
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Once connected send an M119 command through the terminal on Pronterface.
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It should read back open for both the endstops and probe.
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Move the axes so to trigger the X & Y endstops. A green light should shine.
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Send the M119 command again - the X & Y endstops should return with a TRIGGERED message.
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Whilst holding a metal object under the probe (a red light should shine) send the M119 command.
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Pronterface should return: z_min: TRIGGERED.
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Copy the contents of the Touch Screen Firmware folder (depending on whether you're building a Proforge 2 or 2S) to the included SD card.
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Make sure only the contents of the folder is on the SD card.
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Power off the Printer and unplug the USB cable from the Proforge.
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Reconnect the Touch Screen to the control board.
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Insert the SD card (with Touch Screen Firmware on it) into the Proforge 2/2S.
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Power up again the Proforge 2/2S. The Touch Screen display should now power up and begin installing the firmware immediately.
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Wait for the install on the Touch Screen to finish, it should only take a minute.
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Once done uploading you should have a screen that looks like this.
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Check that you are getting correct temperature readings (Celsius), ie. room temperature.
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Go to Settings -> Fan
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Power up to 100%
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Both of the blower fans should start running.
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On the touch screen go to Tools -> Move.
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Press the toggle switch to set motion to 10mm.
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X-Axis: Pressing the right arrow will move the bed to the left, and vice versa.
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This is correct as the nozzle position has moved to the right relative to the bed.
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Y-Axis: Pressing the forward arrow will move the hotend towards the endstop and vice versa.
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Z-Axis: Pressing the double up arrow will move the gantry up and vice versa.
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You will not be able to move to a negative position from your original starting position - this is normal.
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Using the touch screen go to Tools -> Home.
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Home X
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With X homed the nozzle should land above the right edge of the print surface.
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If you find the nozzle not lining up correctly in the X direction adjust the endstop trigger to achieve better alignment. The distance between the end of the beam and the edge of the metal part should be approximately 6mm.
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Home Y
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The nozzle should land about 1cm from the top edge of the print surface, this is OK.
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If you have the Flexplate upgrade make sure it is on the platform before starting.
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Lower the gantry so that the nozzle comes close to the print surface. Once close enough the red light on the probe should come on.
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The nozzle tip should always remain above the surface when the probe is triggered. The bottom of the probe should always remain above the tip of the nozzle.
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Nozzle too close or hits the print surface before the red light on the probe comes on:
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Lower the probes position on the mount and check again.
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Red light on probe but nozzle tip is too far away from the print surface:
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Raise the probes position on the mount and check again.
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The optimal position of the probe is around 18mm from the bottom of the probe and the bottom of the lower nut as shown in the 3rd image.
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The Proforge 2/2S features automatic bed-levelling but to help get more accurate results we need to first make sure that the bed is physically as level as it can be.
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Adjust the z-motors so to get the distance between the nozzle and print surface along the y-axis (gantry) equal.
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Use a folded piece of paper to feel the gap between the nozzle and print surface.
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Next use the springs on the platform to level the print surface in the X-direction (or both the X & Y direction if you're building the Proforge 2).
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Turn the screw anti-clockwise to raise that corner of the platform.
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Use a folded piece of paper to feel the gap between the nozzle and print surface.
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To check that the probe and bed is set up correctly we are going to Home all of the axes together.
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Using the touch screen go to tools -> Home -> Home All
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X & Y will automatically home first. Then the probe should move to the centre of the platform and slowly lower until it's triggered.
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The gantry will go up at first and then begin lowering - this is normal.
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Have your finger ready on the power switch to power off in the event of a crash. If you do crash the hotend into the platform re-check your probe postioning - it's likely too far above the nozzle and needs lowering.
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With a successful Z Home go to Tools -> auto-level. Press ONCE.
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The axes will home again and the sensor will now go around the platform probing 9 points.
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Again, have your finger ready on the power switch to power off in the event of a crash.
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Once the Auto-levelling has been completed, re-home all of the axes to return the nozzle to the centre of the platform.
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Take the folded piece of paper and place between the surface and nozzle.
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On the touch screen go to Tools -> Move and toggle the distance selector to 0.1mm.
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Use the touch screen display to lower the nozzle (z-axis) in 0.1mm increments until it begins to grip the paper.
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Make a note of the Z height displayed on the top right of the touch screen when the paper begins to be gripped. (This value will be 3.00mm to begin with, this is normal.)
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In this case it ended up being 1.50mm when the paper began to be gripped, but this value will be different for everyone.
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When done raise the nozzle up about 80mm.
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Take the included sample of PLA filament out of its packaging.
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Use the included pliers to cut a sharp end.
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Place the spool of filament onto the spool holder and feed the filament through the filament sensor.
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Press down the Idler arm and push the filament in through the feeder and through the PTFE tubing until it reaches the Hotend.
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On the touch screen go to Tools -> Preheat
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Heat the Hotend up to 200C.
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Wait for the Hotend to heat up.
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Caution - the Hotend will cause burns if touched while hot!!!
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With the Hotend up to temp and the filament loaded, go to Tools -> Extrusion.
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This is the length of filament that will be fed, each time you tap the down arrow.
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This is the speed setting.
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You should have a smooth and continuous flow of plastic coming out of the Hotend nozzle.
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The extruded plastic will be hot!
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NOTE: When powering down from a hot Hotend, power the hotend down first and let it cool to at least 100C before completely powering off - as this prevents the heat from rising up the hotend with the absense of the fan cooling it.
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Go to Tools -> Preheat
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Press the extruder icon to toggle to the bed.
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Power on the bed by setting its temperature to 60C - typical for PLA printing.
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The bed should begin to heat up.
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Do not touch the bed when hot!!!
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