Concatenating two (or more) identical gcode files then converting to x3g format

[Chris Templeman]

I am looking to concatenate two (or more) identical gcode files that were created using Simplify3D and then convert them to x3g format.  I have tried this and have met with mixed results.  I was able to concatenate the files and process it using the gpx converter and it ran but the results were not what I want.  Here is some more info:

Since I am using Simplify3D I assume that all my machine specific code should be 'baked' into the gcode file.  Assuming that, when I convert to x3g I don't want to overwrite that information.  Is this a correct understanding of what is going on?  If so is there a way to convert the gcode to x3g without adding machine specific code?  Put another way, if the gcode already has may machine 'profile' in it is there a modifier that do a conversion of the gcode without overwriting or adding new machine specific code?  

General background that may be relevant:

I am using a Flashforge Creator Pro.  I use Simply3D as my slicer and it generates a gcode file as well as an x3g file.  I am a windows user.  

Thanks,
Chris

[Chris Templeman]

To provide a little more background.  I want to print the same part over and over again.  I am testing an "automatic bed clearing" system where the printer itself knocks of the previous print.  I have found several instances of 3D printer users doing such a thing but I have not found an instance of it being done on the FlashForge Creator Pro (FFCP) let along my workflow (Simplify3d to FFCP).

Here is a quick test

https://youtu.be/oZOEN_ZAA70

This technique does not work for arbitrary parts.  For my needs I will modify the printed part to have the correct first layer (surface area and geometry of contact) and height to work.  I am looking to print the same part over and over again. 

Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, or comments you provide.

Thanks,
Chris

[Chris Templeman]

Just to provide an update, I have figured out (in an initial test) how to concatenate (merge) two gcode files and print them.  My software workflow includes Simplify3D, a text editor, and GPX.  The hardware I am using is a Flashforge Creator Pro.  My original assumptions on what GPX was doing interms of overwriting presets in Simplify3D was incorrect.  GPX just converts the gcode that is their but needs to know what the target printer is.    

The process entails slicing a stl in Simplify3D as normal, except remove the entire "ending script"

In a text editor copy and paste gcode contents to it is repeated.  In the middle of the file delete the "starting script".  You know have one starting script at the beginning and no ending script anywhere.

Run GPX -m R2x [gcode file]

The Flashforge Creator Pro uses x3g that is enough identical to the Replicator 2 that the x3g file (via SD card) printed.

I had to manually remove the first part while the print was in progress so this is just a test.  I am now moving onto working on putting in the code to automatically knock of the print.  From there I will work to automate the file creation part so I can print 2017 of the same part for my project. 

Thanks,
Chris