Using OctoPrint

Using OctoPrint OctoPi for Raspberry Pi
Using OctoPrint - Revision 1 - 25/11/2020 - Chris White

 [Document In Draft - Rev1] 

'''PLEASE NOTE: This guide has been tested on V 2.2.1 Firmware. Other firmware between these versions have not been tested. '''

This page will provide a guide and provide information for the use of OctoPi with Rotrics DexArm.

What you will need...
For this configuration, you will need the following items...

 Physical Items - B.O.M 
 * 1) Qty 1 - Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B+ or 4 Board
 * 2) Qty 1 - Micro SD Card
 * 3) Qty 1 - Micro SD Card Reader
 * 4) Qty 1 - Wall Socket Charger with "USB Socket" Outlet
 * 5) Qty 1 - USB Cable
 * 6) Raspberry Pi 3 Users - USB-A to Micro-USB Type Cable
 * 7) Raspberry Pi 4 Users -  USB-A to USB-C Type Cable

 Applications 
 * 1) PuTTY (Free) - For SSH Connection (https://www.putty.org/) (Used for SSH Connection when asked in the OctoPrint Guide.)
 * 2) NotePad++ or Equivalent (Typically Free) (https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/) (Used for configuring your WiFi Network Settings in the "octopi-wpa-supplicant.txt" file when asked in the OctoPrint Guide.)

Installing OctoPrint Octopi
Download Octopi from the link below, and follow the guide for installation carefully.

https://octoprint.org/download/

When asked for SSH, use the free app available online called PuTTy.

When you have finished this guide, the OctoPi will be powered on, and ready for the below steps. If the Raspberry Pi is not located near the DexArm - disconnect it and re-locate it so that it can be connected to the DexArm via USB cable.

Re-Connect Power to the Raspberry Pi so that it is powered up.

USB Connection the DexArm

 * 1) Using the USB-A to USB-C cable provided with the DexArm, plug the USB-C cable into the rear of the DexArm in the USB-C ported marked "1".
 * 2) Plug the other end of the USB cable (USB-A) into one of the USB sockets on the Raspberry Pi.

Complete the OctoPi Setup
1. Go to the web browser and connect to your OctoPi (http://octopi.local) 2. Follow the Wizard to complete the setup...

 Access Control  Needs to be configured to further secure your OctoPi against malicious intent. Choose a strong password.

 Anonymous Usage Tracking  This is a method of feeding back data to OctoPrint so they can improve their software. Choose what is right for you.

 Online Connectivity Check  Enabling this allows the OctoPi to detect if everything is OK with your Internet Connection.

 Plugin Blacklist  This is to ensure security on your device by allowing OctoPi to check a blacklist before letting you install a Plug-In.

 Default Printer Profile  This needs to be configured specifically for the DexArm. Make sure you complete each of the sections which are linked on the right hand pane at the top (General, Print Bed & Build Volume etc.).

For DexArm these settings are:

Form Factor: Rectangular Origin: Centre Heat Bed: Unticked Width: To suit your own bed size (Rotrics Glass Bed is 150mm) Depth: To suit your own bed size (Rotrics Glass Bed is 150mm) Height: DexArm Height should be set to 270mm

Finish the Wizard and you should be presented with the main OctoPi Control Panel.

Creating a Connection in OctoPi
ABC

Using the Custom Control Editor Plug-In
This Plug-In is designed to simply the deployment of Custom G-Code commands in Octo-Pi. These improve the functionality of the DexArm by allowing us to re-create some functions that we have used before either as manual g-code commands or as functions in Rotrics Studio.

When at the Octo-Pi Main Dashboard, click the "Spanner / Wrench" Icon at the top of the Page to access the OctoPrint Settings window.