How to Setup an Objet 3D Printer Host Computer

Its time to upgrade the computer you’re using to send your models to your Objet 3D Printer, do you need to call Javelin to set it up?  Although we can come and set it up for you, it’s not too hard to do yourself.  Here are some instructions.  We’ll walk through configuring the network adapter, installing the Objet 3D Studio software and setting it up to communicate with an Objet 3D printer in this tip.  Since we are replacing an existing computer, this tip will not go into detail on all of the wiring between the printer, computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse.  You can make notes of the existing wiring before pulling it apart.

If you haven’t already purchased the new computer keep in mind that right now 64-bit operating systems are NOT supported for use with Objet Studio.  Only 32-bit is supported.  Windows 7 (32-bit only) is supported.

Configuring the Network adapter on your computer (aka “The Host”)

The connection between your computer and the printer uses a “crossover” style Ethernet connection.  The Host network adapter needs to be set up a certain way to communicate with the printer.  The cable does not have to be plugged in to the computer yet, but it can be.  For Windows 7, go to Control Panel and click on “Network and Sharing Center”.  On the left side of the dialog that appears click the link labelled “Change Adapter Settings”.  In the dialog that appears, find the Network adapter you want to use for the printer.  Right-click on it and choose “Rename”.  Set the name to something like “Objet Printer” so that it is obvious what it is for.  Now right-click on the network adapter again and choose “Properties” this time.  In the properties dialog, highlight “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click the “Properties” button in that dialog.  Set the properties as shown in the image below, Click OK.

IP settings

If the cable to the printer is not already connected to the computer, do so now.  Make sure that any firewalls or anti-virus software are disabled on the Host machine.  Also, disable Windows updates on the Host machine (you don’t want it updating in the middle of a print!).  If you want, you can test the connection by pinging 10.10.20.2 from the Host machine (the printers’ IP).  If there is no reply, investigation is needed.  This should be all you need to do on the Host computer to configure the physical connection.

Installing Objet 3D Studio on the Host

Locate the pack of disks that came with the printer.  Usually the 2nd disk in the pack has Objet Studio on it.  Alternately, we could send the install files to you which may be a good idea as there could be a new version. Request the latest installation via our support webform here: www.javelin-tech.com\support

Once you have the install files, double click the setup.exe file and walk through the install.  You will need to use the “Install Objet 3D Studio and Job Manager” option.

Configuring Job Manager to communicate with the printer

Once 3D Studio and Job Manager are installed, double click the Objet Studio icon that will be on the computer desktop.  Job Manager should start up and try to communicate with the printer.  This will fail as it needs to be setup.  You should see a dialog that says “Do you want to connect to a 3D Printer?”.  Click Yes.

Connect to Printer?

The next dialog will accept the IP address for the printer, which should be 10.10.20.2.  Enter that in the dialog and click OK.

Enter IP

Objet Studio should now start up.  Once it does, click on File -> Machine Properties.

Machine Properties

You should immediately see a dialog asking for a password.  Just press CTRL+ALT+M.

In the next dialog, ONLY go to the “Model Accuracy” tab.  Don’t adjust anything else in this dialog.

Now go to the desktop of the Printer embedded computer.  You should find a text file on the desktop called “scale.txt” or a similar name with the word “scale” in it.  Open that file.  Depending on printer model, you should at least see two numbers.  These are what you enter into the Studio dialog.  If there are only two numbers, then they are the “Actual Measurement” to be entered in the dialog in Job Manager.  The “Required Measurement” in that case is X=290mm and Y=190mm.  In some cases, you will find four numbers, two are the “Required Measurement” and two are the “Actual”.  Enter the numbers into the appropriate fields in the dialog.  In any case, if the two X values are not close OR the Y values are not close (usually within 0.2mm), STOP and contact us.  These numbers adjust the scaling of the machine.  With the numbers entered in the dialog, Click the “Recalc, XY” button, you may see a dialog pop up asking if you are sure, answer Yes / OK, then click Save in the Machine Properties dialog.

Enter scale values

That is it, you have now setup your new Host computer.