Using Cura with EVO, EVO 22, EVO 2X and EVO R

Using Cura with the EVO, EVO 22, EVO 2X and EVO R

New users will benefit the most by utilizing the EVO’s default slicing platform, APEX. This is due to the years of testing and refinement Airwolf 3D has put into this software, making the EVO user experience as streamlined as possible. While APEX is a fantastic platform and recommended by Airwolf 3D, other slicing software can be used.

Cura has some features that some users may be used to, especially if they use a multitude of other 3D printer brands and are accustomed to Cura. This may help if the user wants to stick with one piece of software that will work with all of their machines. While this is good for some users, it isn’t for everyone, and using other software may make things more difficult.

To help with the transition from APEX to Cura, or if starting out with Cura, Airwolf 3D has created this guide to help you install the latest version of Cura, set up your machine within the software, and import proper settings for your machine. Follow the steps below to set up your EVO, EVO 22, or EVO R with Cura. For this guide, we will be using the EVO 22 as an example, but it will work the same way with all three machines.

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD the latest version of CURA Here

Choose your operating system and click DOWNLOAD NOW.

STEP 2: INSTALL CURA

Double-click on the download. A message will appear asking if you would like to allow the app to make changes. Click YES. The download will proceed.

On the welcome screen, click NEXT.

Agree to the License Agreement, then click NEXT on the Installation Location screen.

Choose which shortcuts you would like and click NEXT.

The next screen will allow you to select which drivers to install, etc. For printing the EVO series of 3D printers, we only need to check the box next to INSTALL VISUAL STUDIO 2015 REDISTRIBUTABLE if you are using a Windows system, and only if you do not have this installed already.

Leave RUN ULTIMAKER CURA checked and click FINISH.

STEP 3: SET UP CURA FOR THE EVO

Cura will start and will set up a default printer. We will need to configure Cura for the machine you will be using. Go to SETTINGS -> PRINTER -> MANAGE PRINTERS.

A default printer will be set up for you, but we will need to add a new CUSTOM machine. Click ADD.

Now click ADD A NON-NETWORKED PRINTER

Choose CUSTOM -> CUSTOM FFF PRINTER, then rename the printer to your EVO model in the menu located on the right-hand side of the window. Click ADD.

Under the PRINTER tab, enter the proper dimensions for your printer in the X, Y and Z tabs. The dimensions for your printer can be found below.

DIMENSIONS

EVO R:

X: 335
Y: 223
Z: 229

EVO:

X: 356
Y: 342
Z: 281

EVO 22


X: 356
Y: 342
Z: 578

The following settings will remain the same for all three machines:

Check HEATED BED, and choose 2 under Number of Extruders.

Copy the below START GCODE for your machine model, and replace the default GCODE in the START GCODE area with the copied code by pasting it. Do the same for the END GCODE area. This code can also be found, along with the machine dimensions, in APEX.

NOTE: For users who are printing with polycarbonate filament, you must edit the start GCODE when switching from ABS to PC, and back to ABS, etc. To do this, find the M106 command under the M190 command in the START GCODE, and comment out the Center Fan setting you will not be using (adding a ; before the code will deactivate that line). For example, if you would like to use PC the code should look like this:

M106 P2 S50 ; PC center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
;M106 P2 S150 ; ABS center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)

For ABS, you would just delete the ; before the second line of code, and add it to the first line as follows:

;M106 P2 S50 ; PC center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M106 P2 S150 ; ABS center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)

The center fan code needs to be edited due to a safety feature built into APEX and the EVO. The center fan speeds are important to protect the hot end and prevent safety hazards.

START GCODE

EVO R:

M502 ;Reset
M601 S255 ;Turn lights on
M106 P2 S5 ;Turn center fan down for quick nozzle heating
;Special Bed Prep Off

M104 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Set nozzle 1 to temp
M104 T1 S0 ; Set nozzle 2 to temp
M140 S{print_bed_temperature} ; Set bed to temp
M141 S0 ; Chamber Heaters Off

T0 ; First nozzle
G21 ; Metric values
G90 ; Absolute positioning
M82 ; Set extruder to absolute mode
M107 ; Start with the fan off
G92 E0 ; Set extruder to 0
G28 Z0 ; Home Z
G28 X0 Y0 ; Home X and Y
G0 Z0 F1200 ; Bring up Z

M109 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Hold until nozzle 1 at temp
;M109 T1 S{print_temperature2} ; Hold until nozzle 2 at temp
M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ; Hold until bed at temp

;M106 P2 S50 ; PC center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M106 P2 S150 ; ABS center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M204 S2000 ; Set acceleration for auto-level sequence
G1 E-15 F100 ; Retract filament 15mm to minimize auto-level error
G0 Z3 F900 ; Raise hot end above bed rails
G0 X0 Y244 F15000 ; Quickly move to left of brush
G0 Z0 F900 ; Lower to brush

;LEFT-RIGHT
G0 X25 Y244 F2000 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X38 Y236 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X51 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X64 Y236 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X77 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X90 Y236 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X105 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y236 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move to the right of the brush

;RIGHT-LEFT
G0 X85 Y244 Z-1 F2000 ; Slowly move left across brush
G0 X25 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move left across brush

;LEFT-RIGHT
G0 X38 Y236 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X51 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X64 Y236 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X77 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X90 Y236 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X105 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y236 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move to the right of the brush
G1 E-20 F125; ; Retract more filament

;RIGHT-LEFT
G0 X85 Y244 Z-1 F2000 ; Slowly move left across brush
G0 X25 Y244 Z0 ; Slowly move left across brush

G29 ; Auto-level
G91 ; Relative positioning
G0 Z3 F900 ; Lift nozzle 1mm G0 Z+ NOT recognized by GENESIS board - must use G0 Z1,2, etc. in relative mode
G90 ; Absolute positioning
G0 X160 Y194 F15000 ; Move right across bed quickly
G0 X160 Y244 F15000 ; Move above dump tank quickly
G0 Z-2 F900 ; Lower nozzle to -2mm

T0 ; Nozzle 1
G92 E0 ; Clear filament counter
G1 E22 F100 ; Prime filament 1 into dump tank
G92 E0 ; Clear filament counter
M104 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Set nozzle 1 back to temp

G0 X220 Y244 F15000 ; Move right quickly to remove filament
G0 Z0.5 F900 ; Raise nozzle to .5mm over bed
G0 X220 Y194 F15000 ; Move to rear of bed quickly
M201 X1200 Y1200 Z100 E1000 ; Set acceleration
M906 X12 Y12 Z14 ; Set stepper current 
M400

EVO:

M502 ;Reset
M601 S255 ;Turn lights on
M106 P2 S5 ;Turn center fan down for quick nozzle heating
;Special Bed Prep Off

M104 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Set nozzle 1 to temp
M104 T1 S0 ; Set nozzle 2 to temp
M140 S{print_bed_temperature} ; Set bed to temp
M141 S0 ; Chamber Heaters Off

T0 ; First nozzle
G21 ; Metric values
G90 ; Absolute positioning
M82 ; Set extruder to absolute mode
M107 ; Start with the fan off
G92 E0 ; Set extruder to 0
G28 Z0 ; Home Z
G28 X0 Y0 ; Home X and Y
G0 Z0 F1200 ; Bring up Z

M109 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Hold until nozzle 1 at temp
;M109 T1 S{print_temperature2} ; Hold until nozzle 2 at temp
M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ; Hold until bed at temp

;M106 P2 S50 ; PC center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M106 P2 S150 ; ABS center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M204 S2000 ; Set acceleration for auto-level sequence
G1 E-15 F100 ; Retract filament 15mm to minimize auto-level error
G0 Z3 F900 ; Raise hot end above bed rails
G0 X0 Y244 F15000 ; Quickly move to left of brush
G0 Z0 F900 ; Lower to brush

;LEFT-RIGHT
G0 X25 Y350 F2000 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X38 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X51 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X64 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X77 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X90 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X105 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move to the right of the brush

;RIGHT-LEFT
G0 X85 Y350 Z-1 F2000 ; Slowly move left across brush
G0 X25 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move left across brush

;LEFT-RIGHT
G0 X38 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X51 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X64 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X77 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X90 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X105 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move to the right of the brush
G1 E-20 F125; ; Retract more filament

;RIGHT-LEFT
G0 X85 Y350 Z-1 F2000 ; Slowly move left across brush
G0 X25 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move left across brush

G29 ; Auto-level
G91 ; Relative positioning
G0 Z3 F900 ; Lift nozzle 1mm G0 Z+ NOT recognized by GENESIS board - must use G0 Z1,2, etc. in relative mode
G90 ; Absolute positioning
G0 X143 Y300 F15000 ; Move right across bed quickly
G0 X143 Y350 F15000 ; Move above dump tank quickly
G0 Z-2 F900 ; Lower nozzle to -2mm

T0 ; Nozzle 1
G92 E0 ; Clear filament counter
G1 E22 F100 ; Prime filament 1 into dump tank
G92 E0 ; Clear filament counter
M104 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Set nozzle 1 back to temp

G0 X220 Y350 F15000 ; Move right quickly to remove filament
G0 Z0.5 F900 ; Raise nozzle to .5mm over bed
G0 X220 Y300 F15000 ; Move to rear of bed quickly
M201 X1200 Y1200 Z100 E1000 ; Set acceleration
M906 X12 Y12 Z14 ; Set stepper current 
M400

EVO 22:



M502 ;Reset
M601 S255 ;Turn lights on
M106 P2 S5 ;Turn center fan down for quick nozzle heating
;Special Bed Prep Off

M104 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Set nozzle 1 to temp
M104 T1 S0 ; Set nozzle 2 to temp
M140 S{print_bed_temperature} ; Set bed to temp
M141 S0 ; Chamber Heaters Off

T0 ; First nozzle
G21 ; Metric values
G90 ; Absolute positioning
M82 ; Set extruder to absolute mode
M107 ; Start with the fan off
G92 E0 ; Set extruder to 0
G28 Z0 ; Home Z
G28 X0 Y0 ; Home X and Y
G0 Z0 F1200 ; Bring up Z

M109 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Hold until nozzle 1 at temp
;M109 T1 S{print_temperature2} ; Hold until nozzle 2 at temp
M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ; Hold until bed at temp

;M106 P2 S50 ; PC center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M106 P2 S150 ; ABS center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M204 S2000 ; Set acceleration for auto-level sequence
G1 E-15 F100 ; Retract filament 15mm to minimize auto-level error
G0 Z3 F900 ; Raise hot end above bed rails
G0 X0 Y244 F15000 ; Quickly move to left of brush
G0 Z0 F900 ; Lower to brush

;LEFT-RIGHT
G0 X25 Y350 F2000 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X38 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X51 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X64 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X77 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X90 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X105 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move to the right of the brush

;RIGHT-LEFT
G0 X85 Y350 Z-1 F2000 ; Slowly move left across brush
G0 X25 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move left across brush

;LEFT-RIGHT
G0 X38 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X51 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X64 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X77 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X90 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X105 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move to the right of the brush
G1 E-20 F125; ; Retract more filament

;RIGHT-LEFT
G0 X85 Y350 Z-1 F2000 ; Slowly move left across brush
G0 X25 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move left across brush

G29 ; Auto-level
G91 ; Relative positioning
G0 Z3 F900 ; Lift nozzle 1mm G0 Z+ NOT recognized by GENESIS board - must use G0 Z1,2, etc. in relative mode
G90 ; Absolute positioning
G0 X143 Y300 F15000 ; Move right across bed quickly
G0 X143 Y350 F15000 ; Move above dump tank quickly
G0 Z-2 F900 ; Lower nozzle to -2mm

T0 ; Nozzle 1
G92 E0 ; Clear filament counter
G1 E22 F100 ; Prime filament 1 into dump tank
G92 E0 ; Clear filament counter
M104 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Set nozzle 1 back to temp

G0 X220 Y350 F15000 ; Move right quickly to remove filament
G0 Z0.5 F900 ; Raise nozzle to .5mm over bed
G0 X220 Y300 F15000 ; Move to rear of bed quickly
M201 X1200 Y1200 Z100 E1000 ; Set acceleration
M906 X12 Y12 Z14 ; Set stepper current 
M400

EVO 2X:



M502 ;Reset
M601 S255 ;Turn lights on
M106 P2 S5 ;Turn center fan down for quick nozzle heating
;Special Bed Prep Off

M104 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Set nozzle 1 to temp
M104 T1 S0 ; Set nozzle 2 to temp
M140 S{print_bed_temperature} ; Set bed to temp
M141 S0 ; Chamber Heaters Off

T0 ; First nozzle
G21 ; Metric values
G90 ; Absolute positioning
M82 ; Set extruder to absolute mode
M107 ; Start with the fan off
G92 E0 ; Set extruder to 0
G28 Z0 ; Home Z
G28 X0 Y0 ; Home X and Y
G0 Z0 F1200 ; Bring up Z

M109 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Hold until nozzle 1 at temp
;M109 T1 S{print_temperature2} ; Hold until nozzle 2 at temp
M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ; Hold until bed at temp

;M106 P2 S50 ; PC center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M106 P2 S150 ; ABS center fan. Turn center fan back on (speed depends on filament)
M204 S2000 ; Set acceleration for auto-level sequence
G1 E-15 F100 ; Retract filament 15mm to minimize auto-level error
G0 Z3 F900 ; Raise hot end above bed rails
G0 X0 Y244 F15000 ; Quickly move to left of brush
G0 Z0 F900 ; Lower to brush

;LEFT-RIGHT
G0 X25 Y350 F2000 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X38 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X51 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X64 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X77 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X90 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X105 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move to the right of the brush

;RIGHT-LEFT
G0 X85 Y350 Z-1 F2000 ; Slowly move left across brush
G0 X25 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move left across brush

;LEFT-RIGHT
G0 X38 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X51 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X64 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X77 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X90 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X105 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y342 Z-1 ; Slowly move right across brush in zig zag
G0 X120 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move to the right of the brush
G1 E-20 F125; ; Retract more filament

;RIGHT-LEFT
G0 X85 Y350 Z-1 F2000 ; Slowly move left across brush
G0 X25 Y350 Z0 ; Slowly move left across brush

G29 ; Auto-level
G91 ; Relative positioning
G0 Z3 F900 ; Lift nozzle 1mm G0 Z+ NOT recognized by GENESIS board - must use G0 Z1,2, etc. in relative mode
G90 ; Absolute positioning
G0 X143 Y300 F15000 ; Move right across bed quickly
G0 X143 Y350 F15000 ; Move above dump tank quickly
G0 Z-2 F900 ; Lower nozzle to -2mm

T0 ; Nozzle 1
G92 E0 ; Clear filament counter
G1 E22 F100 ; Prime filament 1 into dump tank
G92 E0 ; Clear filament counter
M104 T0 S{print_temperature} ; Set nozzle 1 back to temp

G0 X220 Y350 F15000 ; Move right quickly to remove filament
G0 Z0.5 F900 ; Raise nozzle to .5mm over bed
G0 X220 Y300 F15000 ; Move to rear of bed quickly
M201 X1200 Y1200 Z100 E1000 ; Set acceleration
M906 X12 Y12 Z14 ; Set stepper current 
M400

END GCODE

EVO R:

M400
G28 ; home all
M104 T0 S0 ; switch off first nozzle
M104 T1 S0 ; switch off second nozzle
M140 S0 ; heated bed heater off
M141 S0 ; chamber heaters off
M107 ; fans off
T0
G92 E0 ; set first extruder to 0
G1 E-3 F300 ; retract a bit to relieve pressure
T1
G92 E0 ; set second extruder to 0
G1 E-3 F300 ; retract a bit to relieve pressure
T0 ; switch back to extruder 1
M84 ; steppers off
G90 ; absolute positioning
;{cool_code}
;LIGHT SEQUENCE
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P1500
M601 S255
G4 P1500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P1500
M601 S255
G4 P1500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0 ;Turn lights off

EVO:

M400
G28 ; home all
M104 T0 S0 ; switch off first nozzle
M104 T1 S0 ; switch off second nozzle
M140 S0 ; heated bed heater off
M141 S0 ; chamber heaters off
M107 ; fans off
T0
G92 E0 ; set first extruder to 0
G1 E-3 F300 ; retract a bit to relieve pressure
T1
G92 E0 ; set second extruder to 0
G1 E-3 F300 ; retract a bit to relieve pressure
T0 ; switch back to extruder 1
M84 ; steppers off
G90 ; absolute positioning
;{cool_code}
;LIGHT SEQUENCE
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P1500
M601 S255
G4 P1500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P1500
M601 S255
G4 P1500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0 ;Turn lights off

EVO 22:

M400
G28 ; home all
M104 T0 S0 ; switch off first nozzle
M104 T1 S0 ; switch off second nozzle
M140 S0 ; heated bed heater off
M141 S0 ; chamber heaters off
M107 ; fans off
T0
G92 E0 ; set first extruder to 0
G1 E-3 F300 ; retract a bit to relieve pressure
T1
G92 E0 ; set second extruder to 0
G1 E-3 F300 ; retract a bit to relieve pressure
T0 ; switch back to extruder 1
M84 ; steppers off
G90 ; absolute positioning
;{cool_code}
;LIGHT SEQUENCE
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P1500
M601 S255
G4 P1500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P1500
M601 S255
G4 P1500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0
G4 P500
M601 S255
G4 P500
M601 S0 ;Turn lights off

Go to the EXTRUDER tabs and change the nozzle size to what is installed on your machine.

Click NEXT. Your new printer is now set up in Cura.

STEP 4: IMPORT SETTINGS

In order to get the best print quality out of Cura, Airwolf 3D has put together a base of settings for the main materials used (ABS, PC, PLA, etc). It is recommended to start with these settings before making any changes.

To import settings into Cura, click on PROFILES in the Preferences menu. Then click IMPORT.

All of the EVO profiles for Cura can be found here.

After clicking IMPORT, choose the profiles which were provided above. You will do this for each profile individually. Click CLOSE after importing your profiles.

Load your model into Cura.

We will not be covering the basic functionality of Cura here, as we assume you are already familiar with it, or you can watch the countless setup and functionality videos on the web to help you.

Position your model, then go to the top right corner of the software window under PROFILE and select the printer profile you wish to use.