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3D Printingknowledge~30 mins

Start and end G-code customization in 3D Printing - Mini Project: Build & Apply

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Start and End G-code Customization
📖 Scenario: You have a 3D printer and want to customize the commands it runs before and after printing. These commands are called start and end G-code. Customizing them helps prepare the printer and clean up after printing.
🎯 Goal: Build a simple start and end G-code script with basic commands to heat the nozzle, home the printer, and turn off heaters at the end.
📋 What You'll Learn
Create a start G-code section with commands to heat the nozzle to 200°C and home all axes.
Create an end G-code section with commands to turn off the nozzle heater and bed heater.
Use comments to label the start and end sections clearly.
Use standard G-code commands for heating, homing, and turning off heaters.
💡 Why This Matters
🌍 Real World
Customizing start and end G-code is common for 3D printer users to optimize print quality and printer safety.
💼 Career
Understanding G-code customization is useful for 3D printing technicians, hobbyists, and engineers working with additive manufacturing.
Progress0 / 4 steps
1
Create the start G-code section
Write the start G-code section beginning with a comment ; Start G-code. Add a command to heat the nozzle to 200 degrees Celsius using M104 S200. Then add a command to home all axes using G28.
3D Printing
Hint

Use M104 S200 to set nozzle temperature and G28 to home all axes.

2
Create the end G-code section
Below the start G-code, write the end G-code section starting with a comment ; End G-code. Add commands to turn off the nozzle heater with M104 S0 and the bed heater with M140 S0.
3D Printing
Hint

Use M104 S0 to turn off the nozzle heater and M140 S0 to turn off the bed heater.

3
Add a command to wait for nozzle temperature
In the start G-code section, after heating the nozzle, add a command to wait until the nozzle reaches 200 degrees Celsius using M109 S200.
3D Printing
Hint

M109 S200 waits for the nozzle to reach 200°C before continuing.

4
Add a command to turn off the fan in end G-code
In the end G-code section, after turning off heaters, add a command to turn off the cooling fan using M107.
3D Printing
Hint

M107 turns off the cooling fan.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the main purpose of the start G-code in 3D printing?
easy
A. To cool down the printer after printing is finished
B. To pause the print job temporarily
C. To prepare the printer by homing axes and heating before printing
D. To clean the print bed automatically

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand start G-code role

    Start G-code runs before printing to prepare the printer, such as homing axes and heating.

  2. Step 2: Compare options

    Only To prepare the printer by homing axes and heating before printing describes preparation actions before printing; others describe after or unrelated actions.

  3. Final Answer:

    To prepare the printer by homing axes and heating before printing -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Start G-code = Preparation before print [OK]
Hint: Start G-code sets up printer before printing starts [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing start G-code with end G-code
  • Thinking start G-code cools the printer
  • Assuming start G-code pauses printing
2. Which of the following is a correct example of a command you might find in the end G-code?
easy
A. M104 S0 ; Turn off extruder heater
B. G1 Z0.2 F3000 ; Move nozzle close to bed
C. G28 ; Home all axes
D. M109 S200 ; Wait for extruder to reach 200°C

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify end G-code commands

    End G-code usually turns off heaters and moves the print head safely away.

  2. Step 2: Analyze options

    M104 S0 ; Turn off extruder heater turns off the extruder heater, which is typical for end G-code. G28 ; Home all axes homes axes (start), C moves nozzle close (start), D waits for heat (start).

  3. Final Answer:

    M104 S0 ; Turn off extruder heater -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    End G-code = Turn off heaters [OK]
Hint: End G-code usually turns off heaters [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Choosing commands that heat or home axes as end G-code
  • Confusing waiting commands with end commands
  • Selecting movement commands that prepare printing
3. Given this start G-code snippet:
G28 ; Home all axes
M140 S60 ; Set bed temperature
M190 S60 ; Wait for bed temperature
M104 S200 ; Set extruder temperature
M109 S200 ; Wait for extruder temperature
G1 Z0.2 F3000 ; Move nozzle close to bed

What will the printer do first when starting a print?
medium
A. Home all axes
B. Heat the extruder to 200°C
C. Move nozzle close to bed
D. Wait for bed temperature to reach 60°C

Solution

  1. Step 1: Read the G-code commands in order

    The first command is G28, which homes all axes.

  2. Step 2: Understand command sequence

    Printer homes axes first, then sets and waits for bed and extruder temperatures, then moves nozzle.

  3. Final Answer:

    Home all axes -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    First command = G28 = Home axes [OK]
Hint: G28 always homes axes first in start G-code [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Assuming heating happens before homing
  • Confusing wait commands with first action
  • Thinking nozzle moves before homing
4. You added this line to your end G-code:
M104 S0
But the extruder heater does not turn off after printing. What is the likely problem?
medium
A. The command needs a G28 before it to work
B. The printer firmware does not support M104
C. The command should be M140 S0 to turn off the extruder
D. The command is correct but placed before the print finishes

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand M104 S0 function

    This command turns off the extruder heater.

  2. Step 2: Check command placement

    If placed before print ends, heater stays on during printing. It must be after printing finishes.

  3. Final Answer:

    The command is correct but placed before the print finishes -> Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    Heater off command must run after print ends [OK]
Hint: Place heater-off commands after printing completes [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using bed heater command instead of extruder heater
  • Assuming firmware lacks support without checking
  • Thinking homing is needed before heater off
5. You want to customize your start G-code to include a line that wipes the nozzle before printing. Which of these sequences correctly adds this action after homing and heating?
hard
A. G28 ; Home axes G1 E10 F300 ; Extrude filament to wipe M104 S200 ; Heat extruder G1 X10 Y10 ; Move to wipe position
B. G28 ; Home axes M104 S200 ; Heat extruder G1 X10 Y10 ; Move to wipe position G1 E10 F300 ; Extrude filament to wipe
C. G1 X10 Y10 ; Move to wipe position G28 ; Home axes M104 S200 ; Heat extruder G1 E10 F300 ; Extrude filament to wipe
D. M104 S200 ; Heat extruder G28 ; Home axes G1 E10 F300 ; Extrude filament to wipe G1 X10 Y10 ; Move to wipe position

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify correct order of start G-code actions

    Start G-code should home axes first, then heat extruder, then move to wipe position and extrude filament.

  2. Step 2: Analyze options for correct sequence

    G28 ; Home axes M104 S200 ; Heat extruder G1 X10 Y10 ; Move to wipe position G1 E10 F300 ; Extrude filament to wipe follows this order: home, heat, move, extrude. Others mix heating and homing or move before heating.

  3. Final Answer:

    G28 ; Home axes M104 S200 ; Heat extruder G1 X10 Y10 ; Move to wipe position G1 E10 F300 ; Extrude filament to wipe -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Home -> Heat -> Move -> Extrude = G28 ; Home axes M104 S200 ; Heat extruder G1 X10 Y10 ; Move to wipe position G1 E10 F300 ; Extrude filament to wipe [OK]
Hint: Home first, heat second, then wipe nozzle [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Moving nozzle before heating extruder
  • Extruding filament before heating
  • Heating after homing but before moving