Frequently Asked Questions

Compatibility

Don't see your question? Check out our docs for more information or contact us.

Is AutoFarm3D compatible with my printer?

Does AutoFarm3D work with Bambu Lab printers?

Early Access is now available! Get started here!

Does AutoFarm3D work with CoreXY printers?

While coreXY or box-style printers are compatible, most are not officially supported. Please contact us for more information.

I replaced my motherboard, will AutoFarm3D still work?

If you have been using AutoFarm3D and have since directly replaced the motherboard (no custom replacements), AutoFarm3D will still work.

Is AutoFarm3D compatible with Octoprint?

AutoFarm3D™ is not an Octoprint Plugin, we built it from scratch to create a scalable software solution specifically designed for 3D printer automation and print farms with many printers.

Why didn't you build an Octoprint plugin instead?

Octoprint is not designed for print farms or automation. AutoFarm3D was designed from the ground-up to be scalable and efficient no matter how many printers you have. Octoprint plugins may or may not work together, but all features in AutoFarm3D are fully integrated and require zero setup or configuration.

Do I need auto bed levelling to use AutoFarm3D?

Auto bed levelling is required for automatic part removal, as the printer bed may shift and tilt slightly between prints. If you are planning to run your printers in "Manual" mode, auto bed levelling is not required.

I have a BL-touch/CR-touch/inductive probe/etc. Will it work with AutoFarm3D?

Yes, as long as you have firmware that supports your specific probe setup, then it will work.

Can I use AutoFarm3D on my Pi 3?

Pi 3 is compatible, however it is not officially supported. Due the the lower RAM, webcams are not recommended with Pi 3.

I have mods on my printer, will AutoFarm3D still work?

Depending on what mods you have installed, AutoFarm3D will most likely work. Please contact us to make sure your mods are compatible.

Does AutoFarm3D work with Klipper?

It is not officially supported. Some customers have figured out how to make AutoFarm3D work with Klipper, but it is not trivial to set up. You may join our Discord server to learn more from our users who have had success.

Does AutoFarm3D work with Duet3D or RepRapFirmware?

No. Due to lack of demand, supporting RRF is not a high priority for us right now.

Automation

Don't see your question? Contact us or check out our docs for more information on auto-ejection or automation hardware installation.

Does tilting your printer affect print quality?

No, the tilt does not affect the print quality.

Do I need a VAAPR™ bed or Auto-Ejection Kit to use AutoFarm3D?

No, AutoFarm3D does not require a VAAPR bed or auto-ejection kit. If you don't want auto-ejection, you can leave your printers in "Manual" mode and remove prints from your bed manually.

Can I do auto-ejection if I need an enclosure?

Yes, however you will need a way for the parts to fall out. We recommend leaving a gap at the front of the enclosure so parts don't pile up inside the enclosure. Contact us for more details.

Why do you ram the nozzle into the prints to knock them off? Won't it damage the printer?

When the VAAPR bed cools down, parts completely detach, making them extremely easy to fall off. See the adhesion demo here.

Does AutoFarm3D work with belt printers?

Please contact us if you are interested in using belt printers with AutoFarm3D.

Will my DIY automation solution work with AutoFarm3D?

Please contact us if you have a custom DIY automation solution already in place.

Is the automation really that reliable?

When set up correctly, 3D printers can print out parts 24/7 for multiple days in a row until they run out of filament. Automation is not magic, however, and there is a learning curve. Please find out if you are automation ready here.

How do you prevent ooze from building up between prints?

By default, we probe the bed at 170 degrees which prevents ooze during probing. At the end of the print we automatically add a 3.5mm retraction which will work on bowden & direct drive printers.

Software & Networking

Don't see your question? Contact us or check out our docs for more information on system requirements or networking.

How do I network my farm?

We provide live setup calls to get your farm networked as quickly as possible while providing basic training. Once you get set up, it is easy to add more printers and hubs to your network by yourself. More info here.

Can I run AutoFarm3D on my laptop instead of a Pi 4 or Print Farm Hub?

We only support Pi 4 and Rock64 (Print Farm Hub). While AutoFarm3D can theoretically run on any device that runs Linux, at this time, we do not officially support any other hardware.

Should I use WiFi or Ethernet?

Ethernet is by far the most reliable option and is recommended for all print farms whenever possible.

Can I connect more than one printer to a Pi?

Yes! AutoFarm3D supports multiple printers per Pi/hub, and if you have your hub set to "Worker" mode, then it can support up to 6. More info here.

Can I remotely access AutoFarm3D from anywhere in the world?

Yes. AutoFarm3D has a built-in tunnelling system that allows you to control your print farm wherever you are. More info here.

What webcam should I use?

We recommend the following devices:

VAAPR Bed

Don't see your question? Check out our docs for more information or contact us.

What materials release from the VAAPR beds?

See the full list here.

How is the VAAPR bed installed?

The VAAPR bed is attached to the heated bed using double-sided adhesive, which makes it quite permanent. You may alternatively adhere the VAAPR bed to a flexible spring steel sheet if you have a magnetic bed system.

Does the automated part removal still work with very thin parts?

Yes, automated part removal works for parts as thin as 1mm.

Does the automated part removal still work with very large parts?

Yes, automated part removal works even for parts that cover the entire build plate. We have successfully auto-removed a square that covered almost the full print bed on the CR10 (270x270 mm).

Do you lose any print area when using automatic part removal?

You only lose a very small amount of print area. It's about a 40x40 mm square in the top left or top right corner of your print bed. Unless you are printing extremely close to the maximum size of your printer, you won't notice this small loss of build volume.

Can I get a replacement if my VAAPR bed gets damaged?

Yes. See our bed replacement policy here.

My current print bed releases prints just fine. Do I still need a VAAPR bed?

If your current print bed completely releases your prints when it cools down (no force required to lift the part off the plate), then you don't need a VAAPR bed. We cannot provide support for other print surfaces though, so do this at your own risk.

Can I get VAAPR bed by itself?

Yes, but they are reserved for AutoFarm3D customers. If you are using AutoFarm3D, VAAPR beds can be purchased separately on our online store.

Can I trim my VAAPR to a particular size?

If you have the right tools and skills, you can cut VAAPR beds down to any shape or size you need. If you choose to cut the VAAPR beds, use a dust mask to avoid breathing in any dust that is created.

How can I know that my parts will release from the VAAPR bed?

VAAPR bed will release parts of all shapes and sizes, but we understand it can be nice to see it just for peace of mind. Upon request, we will provide a video of your part being automatically removed. Send an email with your STL file and any custom print settings to [email protected] to request a VAAPR part release demo.

My printer takes a long time to cool down. What can I do?

Many materials will release at temperatures higher than the default 29 degrees. You'll have to experiment with the materials you have, but PLA can release as high as 36 degrees, and high temperature materials like ABS and ASA release at 50-60 degrees.

I want to cool my bed down faster. Can I add a fan?

We created a video showing how you can add a fan to your print bed! Check it out here.

Do I need a VAAPR bed or Auto Ejection Kit to do automated printing?

No. Although VAAPR is the most reliable print surface for automation, other print surfaces can release parts well enough for automation, depending on the part size and material.

Isn't the VAAPR bed just G10/FR4/garolite/glass/polypropylene/...?

No. The VAAPR bed is made of a custom material invented by 3DQue which is optimized to release 3D printing polymers when it cools down. We have gone through over 20 iterations of the VAAPR bed formulation to arrive at a high-performance, reliable print surface that lasts for over 5 years.

Pricing & Demos

Don't see your question? Contact us and we will get back to you promptly.

Can I get a live demo of the software?

Send us an email and we'll schedule a video call to show you the software live.

Is there a free version of AutoFarm3D?

We offer AutoFarm3D for free with 100 hours of printing included each month. Download here.

How can I become part of the Beta Testing Program?

The Beta Testing Program is for current users who want to try out our newest features before we release it to the general public. If you want to become part of the Beta Testing Program, you may reach out to our staff on our Discord community.

Don't see your question?

Please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!