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Network Configuration Guide For SV2

With Easy Connect

BotFactory Inc., Michael Yang

Figuring out network connections can be hard sometimes...

So here's a guide to make the process easier

BotFactory enabled an "Easy Connect" mode on its SV2 printers in software version 1.23.0 and higher. The following guide will explain the various methods of connecting to the printer, catered to different types of network configurations you may have. This article may be a little long, so you may use the links below to quickly jump to a section.
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Network connections 101

Your SV2 printer requires a connection to the internet in order to receive software updates, which are released frequently. 

You also need a connection between your computer and the printer, so you can upload design files and print your circuits. 

Before you begin

You need to understand what kind of internet connection you are using. Refer to the different scenarios below and go to the section that best fits your connection type.

You will need:

Ethernet port on your computer AND Ethernet cable OR Wi-Fi enabled computer

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Ethernet

I have a working internet connection 

AND

I have access to an unoccupied Ethernet port on my computer 

OR

I am able to obtain an USB to Ethernet adapter

You may use the printer over internet sharing

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Wi-Fi

I have a working internet connection over Wi-Fi

AND

I know / am able to obtain the connection credentials to my Wi-Fi network

You may use the printer over Wi-Fi. 

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Not connected

I do not have any internet connection 

OR

My network administrator does not allow any external devices to be connected to the network

BUT

I have an unoccupied Ethernet port

OR

I have a Wi-Fi enabled computer

You may be able to use the printer in offline mode with some limitations

Booting into Easy Connect 

Easy Connect is a tool to help users connect to SV2 and configure the network 

Easy Connect explained

Easy Connect is a tool designed to allow for an easier process of connecting to the printer and setting up its network configurations, just as the name suggests. It is a two-part process, first allowing for a direct connection to SV2 over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and subsequently configuring the network connections between SV2 and the internet. 

If you are powering on SV2 for the first time

All SV2 printers will be set to Easy Connect mode when leaving our warehouse. When you receive your printer, take it out from the box and set it up following the manual. When it is turned on, the printer will run its boot sequence and enter Easy Connect mode automatically. Watch out for the LED ring next to the trays, as shown on the right. When the LEDs are blinking yellow, the printer is enabling Easy Connect mode. When the LEDs are green, it means the printer is now in Easy Connect mode and you can connect to it.

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Connecting to SV2 using Easy Connect

The printer can be connected to your computer using over either Ethernet or Wi-Fi. It is highly recommended that you connect to it using Ethernet as it is more straightforward and reliable. 

Connection over Ethernet: 

  1. Locate the Ethernet port at the right side of SV2.
  2. Connect the printer to your computer with an Ethernet cable.
  3. If you are using an USB Ethernet adapter, install any drivers if necessary.
  4. In the address bar of your web browser, navigate to 10.10.10.10
  5. You should see the SV2 home page as shown on the right.
Note:
Internet sharing needs to be disabled on your computer, and the Ethernet adapter should be set to use DHCP for connections.
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Connection over Wi-Fi:

  1. Locate the sticker showing the serial number at the back of the printer (sample shown on the right).
  2. Write down the serial number somewhere. You will need it in the next step.
  3. When in Easy Connect mode, the Wi-Fi interface on the printer will act as an access point, which can be connected from any Wi-Fi enabled device.
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  1. In the wireless connections page of your OS, look for an SSID named "BOTFACTORY_SV2_XXXX", where XXXX is 4 alphanumeric characters that is unique to each printer.
  2. When prompted for the password, enter the serial number of your SV2 in upper case.
  3. After you have connected to the printer's Wi-Fi access point, navigate to 10.10.9.9
  4. You should see the SV2 home page as shown on the right.
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If you need to enable Easy Connect mode to fix any network connection issues

If you are having trouble getting a network connection on SV2, you can manually enable Easy Connect mode and reconfigure the network settings. There are two ways to do this, using the software interface and using a mechanical toggle.

If you can connect to SV2 on the browser:

  1. Go to the SV2 home page by typing in the hostname or IP address of SV2.
  2. Click on the "Admin" panel.
  3. At the top of the page, find and click on the button labelled "Manage Network Settings".
  4. At the top right corner of the page, find the toggle slider for Easy Connect mode and enable it.
  5. Reboot the printer.
  6. The printer will be in Easy Connect mode when the LEDs turn green after blinking yellow.
  7. Refer to the instructions in the previous section to connect to the printer using Easy Connect mode
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If you cannot connect to SV2 on the browser:

  1. Turn the printer off by pressing the power button
  2. Locate the 3 switches on the Z-Axis Assembly. Refer to the images on the right to help you.
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  1. You will need to press all 3 switches at the same time. If you have difficulty reaching for the switches, move the Z-Axis assembly to the top left corner as shown in the image. This way, 2 of the switches will be activated, you only need to press on the third switch on the right side.
  2. While NOT pressing any switch, press the power button and turn the printer on. 
  3. When the LED ring is flashing yellow, press and hold on all 3 switches until the LED ring is a solid green.
  4. The printer will be in Easy Connect mode when the LEDs turn green after blinking yellow.
  5. Refer to the instructions in the previous section to connect to the printer using Easy Connect mode.
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Configuring Internet Sharing

If you have a working internet connection along with an Ethernet port

Internet Sharing over Ethernet

If you have an Ethernet port and working internet connection, the best way to connect to SV2 will be via internet sharing. The printer will be using your existing connection to connect to the internet to receive software updates. Refer to this article for a guide on how to enable internet sharing on Windows PCs. For other operating systems such as Mac OS, refer to the manual that came with your printer. 

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Configuring SV2 to use Ethernet connection

  1. Connect the printer to your computer using any of the above mentioned methods
  2. Open the printer interface from your browser
  3. Click on the "Admin" panel.
  4. At the top of the page, find and click on the button labelled "Manage Network Settings".
  5. At the top right corner of the page, find the toggle slider for Easy Connect mode and make sure it is disable.
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  1. Configure the Ethernet connection in the red box.
  2. Save the new configurations.
  3. Reboot the printer.
  4. You should be able to connect to the printer using the updated configuration 
Tip:
If you are unable to find the IP address of the printer, try using an IP scanner software like this one and scan the IP addresses in the range of your network adapter. Look for either the hostname under "Name", or look for the MAC Address of the printer, which can be found in the Easy Connect interface
Note:
The printer uses DHCP connection by default. This is a protocol where the DHCP server automatically assigns an IP address to the printer for it to communicate with other devices on the network. The IP address assigned is dynamic, which may change when you reboot the printer. If you prefer to have a static IP address, disable the "Use DHCP" toggle slider and configure a static IP from there. If you want to use a custom DNS server, enable the toggle slider below.
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Configuring Wi-Fi connection

If you do not have access to an Ethernet port but have a Wi-Fi connection

Connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi

If you do not have an Ethernet port available on your computer, you may be able to connect the printer to the internet over Wi-Fi. Your computer needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer in order for this to work.

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Configuring SV2 to use Wi-Fi connection

  1. Connect the printer to your computer using any of the above mentioned methods
  2. Open the printer interface from your browser
  3. Click on the "Admin" panel.
  4. At the top of the page, find and click on the button labelled "Manage Network Settings".
  5. At the top right corner of the page, find the toggle slider for Easy Connect mode and disable it.
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  1. Configure the Wi-Fi connection in the red box.
  2. Save the new configurations.
  3. Reboot the printer.
  4. You should be able to connect to the printer using the updated configuration 
Tip:
If you are unable to find the IP address of the printer, try using an IP scanner software like this one and scan the IP addresses in the range of your network adapter. Look for either the hostname under "Name", or look for the MAC Address of the printer, which can be found in the Easy Connect interface
Note:
The printer uses DHCP connection by default. This is a protocol where the DHCP server automatically assigns an IP address to the printer for it to communicate with other devices on the network. The IP address assigned is dynamic, which may change when you reboot the printer. If you prefer to have a static IP address, disable the "Use DHCP" toggle slider and configure a static IP from there. If you want to use a custom DNS server, enable the toggle slider below.
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Using the printer in offline mode (restrictions apply)

If you do not have access to the internet at all

Connecting to the printer in offline mode

If you do not have access to the internet at all, you may be able to use limited features in offline mode. You will not be able to receive any software updates, which may improve the quality of print and contain new features. 

It is highly recommended that you connect the printer to the internet to receive these updates. 

To use the printer in offline mode, simply enable and connect to the printer in Easy Connect mode either over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. You will be able to print circuits by uploading your design files. 

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