2 Getting Started

WARNINGS

The Nautilus 3D printer contains electronic, motorized, and heated parts. Always be aware of possible hazards during operation. Keep your printer indoors in a dry, ventilated area and do not expose to rain or snow.

Burn Hazard

Never touch the nozzle, heater block, Print Surface, or build plate while hot, especially during printing. Make sure heating to the tool and bed are turned off and internal parts have cooled completely before touching. Do not touch recently extruded plastic, it is very hot and can stick to the skin causing burns. Avoid touching motors during or after printing as they can also get hot.

Pinch Hazard

The Nautilus uses motorized, moving parts that can get caught on body parts, hair, jewelry or clothing. Do not reach or put anything inside the printer during operation to avoid possible injury.

Fire Hazard

Never place flammable materials or any liquids on or near the printer while it is powered on. Electronics and heated parts can pose a fire hazard when used improperly. Never cover the fan vents on your printer; doing so can damage your printer and is a fire hazard.

Electric Shock Hazard

Always power down and unplug your Nautilus before connecting or disconnecting wires or accessing the electronics enclosure. Never open the power supply; it contains parts that can cause harm when handled improperly. Even when powered off, some power supply components pose a risk of electric shock. Place the power cable so that it does not pose a tripping hazard and do not use a damaged power cable.

Print Surface

Do not print directly onto the Aluminum Build Plate, it can damage your printer and violate your warranty.

Keep Attended

Never leave your Nautilus unattended during operation or while powered on.

Appropriate Surface

Always keep your printer on a clear, stable, and level surface.

Age Warning

For users under the age of 18, adult supervision is strongly recommended. Small components or printed parts may present a choking hazard.

Warranty Warning

The warranty included with the Nautilus covers manufacturer’s defects. Failure to observe the above warnings will void your warranty. Operation instructions can be found in this user manual; failure to follow the instructions or improper operation can damage your printer and void your warranty. Keep the packaging from your Nautilus; it must be shipped in packaging approved by Hydra Research for all warranty claims.

User Modifications

The Nautilus is open source and easily modified; the team at Hydra Research respects your right to modify or repair your printer. However, any damages caused by user modifications or attempted repairs are not covered by your warranty. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out too contact us.

Ensure that the Nautilus is plugged in with the supplied power cable. The power plug on the Nautilus is located on the back of the printer at the bottom.

Make sure ALL packaging detailed in the unpacking guide is removed and the printer has been placed on a clear, stable surface in a well-ventilated area before powering on the printer using the red switch located on the left side of the Nautilus.

Unlike many of the printers you may be used to, the Nautilus has an initialization sequence it performs every time power is turned on. It will take a moment before your printer is ready to use. This ensures that all parts of the machine are in the desired position so that everything is ready to go.

The display is sometimes faster to boot up than the printer; this means some menu options may not appear right away. When the status indicator in the top right of your printer’s display changes to idle, your Nautilus is ready to go.

⚠ IMPORTANT During the power-up sequence the BLTouch bed probe (the white vertical cylinder located just behind the part fan on the tool head) will initiate a self-test. If the test is successful the BLTouch will glow red, if unsuccessful it will continually flash red. The self-test can fail if the tool head is very close to the build plate on startup. Restarting the printer should fix this. If it does not, there may be an issue with the BLTouch or the wiring, in which case please contact Hydra Research support.

It is important to note that bed leveling and Z-offset are not the same. Bed leveling compensates for the bed of the printer being slightly out of level, while the Z-offset calibrates the distance of the nozzle from the bed for the first layer of a print. Bed leveling is done automatically by your Nautilus, but you will need to calibrate your Z-offset manually. The Z-offset is calibrated in the factory for the X400 Tool Cartridge, so this should only be done for new Tool Cartridges or if you notice a consistent issue with the offset. Instructions to calibrate the Z-offset are in Section 4.

The primary method for uploading print jobs and firmware to your Nautilus is over a network connection.

ⓘ The WiFi module in the Nautilus is not compatible with 5GHz connections. However, if your network has both 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, a computer on the 5GHz band can print to a Nautilus on 2.4GHz.

1. Power on the Nautilus in range of your WiFi network
2. Disable WiFi on your Nautilus by selecting Macros→Networking→Disable WiFi
3. Select the Console tab at the bottom of the control screen and open the input interface by clicking the keyboard icon in the top right.
4. Enter the following G-code command replacing the italicized part with your relevant network credentials, making sure to include the quotation marks. Press the return key on the keyboard to send the command.
   • M587 S”SSID” P”Password”
   • ⓘ SSID is your network name. SSID and password are case sensitive; make sure spaces and capitalization match. The Connect to WiFi button in Macros→Networking menu displays this command in case you forget.
   • ⓘ If you are connecting to an unsecured network, we strongly recommend securing it with a password, but you can still connect by entering nothing with in the quotes where you would typically put the password ex: M587 S”SSID” P””
5. After you enter your network credentials, nothing will happen until you enable WiFi by selecting Macros→Networking→Enable WiFi
6. After a few moments, you should get a popup on-screen confirming that you are connected and displaying your Nautilus’ IP address, which you will need to connect your Nautilus to Cura and to access the Duet Web Control interface.

If you want to set a static IP address or customize your IP gateway or netmask, add one of the following optional parameters to the end of you M587 command discussed above.

• Inn.nn.nn.nn (optional) IP address to use when connected to this network. If zero or not specified then an IP address will be acquired via DHCP.
• Jnn.nn.nn.nn (optional) Gateway IP address to use when connected to this network.
• Inn.nn.nn.nn (optional) Netmask to use when connected to this network

Example

M587 S”SSID” P”Password” Inn.nn.nn.nn

• If you were unable to connect, try re-entering the G-code command being very careful that everything is entered correctly.
• If this still does not work, you can try pressing the Forget All Networks button located in the Networking menu in your Macros menu. You will need to power cycle your Nautilus for these changes to take effect. Once complete, repeat step 3.
• You can also request a new IP address via DHCP if your network lease has expired or you are experiencing other IP related issues. To do this run the Reconnect WiFi macro from the Networking menu within the Macros menu.
• If you are still experiencing problems don’t hesitate to contact support.

Enterprise Authentication is not supported on the Nautilus. If you are unable to access a WPA2 network, we recommend ordering the Ethernet version of the Nautilus, or setting up your Nautilus WiFi as an access point (see 2.1.4). If you have a Nautilus WiFi and would like to switch to a Nautilus Ethernet, it is possible to switch by swapping out the main control board, which is not too difficult. If you would like to learn more about this or have any questions please contact: support@hydraresearch3d.com

If you need the MAC address of your Nautilus, you can access it by using the system diagnostics gcode command. Follow the instructions below.

Nautilus WiFi

1. Make sure the Nautilus is powered on and connected to your WIFi network
2. Open a web browser and type in the Nautilus’ IP address
3. Once the Nautilus web client has loaded, navigate to the console located in the left sidebar menu. If the menu is hidden, access it with the menu icon in the top left corner.
4. In the send code field type M122 and then press the send button.
5. This will print diagnostic information. Towards the bottom in the WiFi section of the print-out you should see the Nautilus’ MAC address listed.

Nautilus Ethernet

Type M540 into the console either on the printer's touch screen or in Duet Web Control. This should return your printers unique MAC Address.

You can configure your Nautilus as an access point, allowing you to connect to your Nautilus as though it were a WiFi router. You may want to do this if you only have access to a WiFi connection with enterprise authentication and cannot use the Ethernet version of the Nautilus or you do not have access to internet of any kind.

1. Begin by powering ON your Nautilus and disabling the WiFi module by navigating to Macros→Networking→Disable WiFi, or by typing M552 S0 into the Console.
2. Select the Console tab at the bottom of the control screen and open the input interface by clicking the keyboard icon in the top right.
3. Enter the following G-code command replacing the italicized part with your relevant network credentials, making sure to include the quotation marks. Press the return key on the keyboard to send the command.
   • M589 S”SSID” P”Password” Inn.nn.nn.nn
     • S SSID, what you want the network created by your Nautilus to be called.
     • P Choose a password, must be at least 8 characters. WPA2 security will be used.
     • I Your desired IP address ex: 1.1.1.1, this will be entered in Cura to send print jobs to your Nautilus and in your web browser to access Duet Web Control.
   • ⓘ SSID is your network name. SSID and password are case sensitive; make sure spaces and capitalization match. The Connect to WiFi button in Macros→Networking menu displays this command in case you forget.
4. Now enable your WiFi module in access point mode by typing M552 S2 into your Console. After few moments a message will popup up that says “WiFi module is providing access point…”
5. You can now access your Nautilus by selecting the network and typing in the password you just created on any WiFi enabled device.
6. IMPORTANT!: If you restart your Nautilus it will default back to searching for a WiFi network, to keep this from happening we need to do one more thing.
7. Connect to the Nautilus as described in step 6, open a web browser and type in the IP address you created into the search bar.
8. Once Duet Web Control loads, navigate to the menu on the left side of the page (click the 3 horizontal bars at the top left if it is not there), in the File Management section select System.
9. Open the file titled “config-override.g” and create a new line at the bottom. Paste in the following line and then click save in the top right hand corner.
   • M552 S0 ; Disable WiFi module
     G4 S5 ; Give time for WiFi module to to change status
     M552 S2 ; Enable AP mode

1. Turn OFF your Nautilus, and turn it back on. After your Nautilus is done initializing, a message will pop up that says “WiFi module is providing access point…”

Anyone on the same WiFi network will be able to access and control your Nautilus if you do not password protect it.

• With your Nautilus powered on, navigate to the Console tab and click the keyboard icon in the top right.
• Enter the following G-code command replacing the password with your desired password.
  • M551 Ppassword
  • ⓘ The code ‘P’ part is not part of your password and must be typed in as displayed. The password is case sensitive and you can use any characters available in the on-screen keyboard with the exception of the semicolon (;) as this is reserved for code commenting.
• Your password has now been set. You will be asked to enter it when accessing your printer via Duet Web Control, and you will also need to enter it in the Cura connections set up (Section 2.2.2).

The Nautilus uses a custom, spring steel Print Surface that magnetically attaches to the build plate. Both sides of the spring steel are laminated with a special film specifically designed to adhere to the part during printing.

Before you begin a print, make sure that the Print Surface is correctly installed on your printer. DO NOT print directly on the bare aluminum build plate. This may cause serious damage to your printer.

Aligning your print surface is done by sliding the back edge of the Print Surface until the two black alignment screws located at the back of the build plate are snug in the corners of the cutouts in your print surface.

Proper alignment of the Print Surface

Before every print, wipe your Print Surface down with IPA to remove dirt and oils. If your last print used a bed adhesive, first wash your print surface with warm water and the soft side of a sponge to remove leftover adhesive.

For some materials, you may also want to put an interface material on your Print Surface like glue stick or window cleaner. See Section 5 for material-specific information regarding bed adhesion.

The purge bucket is an essential part of the Nautilus, and it must be correctly seated in its mounting bracket at the left front corner of the build area. The purge bucket is used to collect waste material from purging the nozzle which is done at the beginning of every print, resuming a print if a print is paused, and during material load and unload. Make sure to empty the purge bucket regularly.

ⓘ You need to lower the build plate in order to remove the purge bucket.

Purge bucket, make sure it is correctly seated as pictured.

The Nautilus is compatible with 1.75 mm diameter filament and can accommodate a spool up to 30 cm in diameter and up to 11 cm wide.

ⓘ When preheating the nozzle, the Nautilus sets the temperature but does not turn on the heater. The heater will automatically turn on to the preheat temperature when necessary. The heater can also be activated manually.

• Before loading filament, preheat the nozzle to the print temperature of the filament you wish to load, there are a number of pre-programmed values located in the Macros menu.
• Navigate to the Load/Unload Material menu also located in the Macros menu and select Load Material
• From this point follow the onscreen prompts: insert the filament at the Filament Insertion Point until resistance is met
• Press OK and the Nautilus will heat the nozzle and purge material

You are now ready to print!

The Filament Insertion Point, arrows indicate where filament goes.

Similar to loading material you will need to preheat the nozzle before unloading. If the material you are unloading has a different print temperature than the material you are loading next, make sure to preheat to the higher print temperature. Navigate to the Load/Unload Material menu also located in the macros menu and select Unload Material. The on-screen prompts will guide you through the rest of the process and let you know when it is okay to remove the material.

To install Ultimaker Cura, navigate to https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker..., select the appropriate operating system, and install the downloaded file.

ⓘ If you have not already connected your Nautilus to WiFi, go to Section 2.1.3 and complete that process first.

• Open Ultimaker Cura
  • ⓘ If you have not opened Cura before, you will have to add a printer because the Nautilus will not be listed until the plugin is installed. Any printer will do.
• Open the Marketplace using the button in the upper right-hand corner

• In the Marketplace find the Hydra Research Nautilus plugin and click it to download

• You will be prompted to restart Cura to finish the install.
• Re-open Cura, click the name of the printer you added when Cura was opened and click Add Printer

• In the pop-up, click Add a non-networked printer. There will be a category for Hydra Research, open the drop down, select the Hydra Research Printer you have and click Add.
  • ⓘ Even though the Nautilus is WiFi enabled, Cura cannot recognize it as a networked printer at this time. Entering your IP address under Add a networked printer will not work.

• Select the Printers dropdown in the header menu bar and select manage printers.

• In the Printers pop-up window make sure you have the Hydra Research Printer you want to add a connection for activated, then click the Connect via Network button.

*Click the add button in the top left corner of the connections widow.

*In the window that opens you can give your printer a name and enter your Nautilus’ IP address. The address is displayed on power-up and can also be found in the console tab on the Nautilus display.

• ⓘ You will need to enter the username and password for your Nautilus if you configured them as described in Section 2.1.4. If you did not configure them, leave those fields blank.
• You are now set up to upload sliced parts to your Nautilus from within Cura.

1. If you have an issue with the Marketplace, the plugin can be manually installed from our GitHub. Only use this method if the Marketplace is not functioning properly or the plugin does not appear there.
2. Navigate to www.github.com/HydraResearchLLC/Nautilus/releases
3. Find the most recent release compatible with your version of Cura, under “Assets” click Nautilus.curapackage to download the file
4. Open Ultimaker Cura
   • ⓘ If you have not opened Cura before, you will have to add a printer because the Nautilus will not be listed until the plugin is installed. Any printer will do.
5. Navigate to Nautilus.curapackage in your computer’s file explorer and drag it onto the Cura window
6. You will be prompted to restart Cura to finish the install.
7. Re-open Cura, click the name of the printer you added when Cura was opened and click Add Printer
8. In the pop-up, click Add a non-networked printer. There will be a category for Hydra Research, open the drop down, select Hydra Research Nautilus and click Add
   • ⓘ Even though the Nautilus is WiFi enabled, Cura cannot recognize it as a networked printer. Entering your IP address under Add a networked printer will not work at this time.
9. Re-open Cura and select the Extensions dropdown in the top menu bar and navigate to
10. Hydra Research Nautilus Plugin→Nautilus Connections
11. In the window that opens you can give your printer a name and enter your Nautilus’ IP address which is displayed on power up and can be found in the console tab on the Nautilus display.
12. You will need to enter the username and password for your Nautilus if you configured them.
13. You are now set up to upload sliced parts to your Nautilus from within Cura.

See Section 3 for information on slicing and printing.

You can also connect to your printer from any internet connected device on the same network as the Nautilus by typing your Nautilus’ IP address into your browser’s search bar. Your Nautilus’ IP address is displayed on power up and can be found in the console tab on the Nautilus display or under WiFi in the Macros menu.

This will open the Duet Web Control interface where you can remotely monitor, control, update the firmware, and more. More information on Duet Web Control can be found in Section 1.3.