Python GUI for Variable-Height Configurable Temperature Tower

Last crawled date: 4 years, 2 months ago

Differences from 3dMakernoob's Version
The mesh is now cleaner, and has separated parts including separate end cap for use with Blender's array modifier.
Position and count of vertices at top and bottom now match.

I created a Python GUI to configure the tower.
I also included an old version without a GUI (TowerConfigurationCLI.py) in case you need to automate the process or run it remotely. The CLI version now uses the same backend module, so it will continue to have the same results as the GUI version going forward.

Requirements
When installing Python on Windows, ensure that the add to PATH option is checked during install. Then open set_temperatures.pyw with "C:\Program Files (x86)\Python 3\pythonw" or whatever your "pythonw.exe" is (some versions install to C:\Python3*).
How to Use
If you have Windows, install and configure Python 3 according to the "Requirements" above.
You MUST slice the file as "tower.gcode" (or manually enter the path into the "Tower Configuration" Window).
Run TowerConfiguration.pyw (on Windows, double-click the file and choose pythonw as described in "Requirements" above).
Type a start and end temperature for the tower. There can be no more than 10 steps 5 degrees Celcius apart--for example, 180-225. However, most of the time your filament can only handle a smaller range such as 180-210 for most PLA, or 190-210 for better adhesion.
Click the "Generate" button.
A new gcode file should appear, automatically named containing the temperature range you specified. 3D print that file.
You will usually get an "INFO" message saying that only a certain number of levels will be present. That is expected. The top of the tower will have a hole, but that is normal. The program doesn't manipulate the gcode, other than changing and inserting temperatures and removing commands past the level you need.

If you use the blend file, then after exporting you must import again, go to edit mode, click Mesh, Cleanup "merge by distance" then export again.