OneUp V2 Build Log.

[mr_intensity]

Firmware

Well, at least some progress.

So, I had all the software and firmware downloaded to my main PC.  However, I had a completely different laptop/netbook configured to do Arduino/RAMPS.  I had to get the firmware on to the correct machine.

It was actually easier to boot the "3D-printer server," connect to the net, and simply re-download the firmware from q3dprinter.com.  I once again downloaded the StainlessFDG firmware, and actually sought out the old firmware (for BrassFDG) and downloaded it as well, just to have it.

After unzipping the .zip file to the Marlin directory in my home directory (~/Marlin), I fired up the Arduino IDE and opened Marlin.ino.  I compiled/uploaded the firmware, unplugged the printer from the wall, and plugged it back in to cycle power.

Aside One:  I need to mount an off/on switch on this thing.

Aside Two:  With our speculation of q3dprinter.com biting the dust in April, should we download all files off of the site?  Once the firmware, documentation, and design files are gone, they are gone for good.

Anyway, I tried to run repetier-host, and still nothing but communication errors.  I killed repetier-host (it would not gracefully exit), and fired up minicom.  The minicom software only allowed certain speeds, and 250000 was not one of them.  Ironically, they did have 2500000 (one extra zero) available, but this setting was not helpful.  I had read on a "loading your Marlin firmware" tutorial online, that the default speed setting of 250000 causes problems with some setups, and a good option is to modify the firmware (Configuration.h file) to set the Arduino speed to 115200.  This is actually the default setting in Linux for serial communication on /dev/ttyACM0 (which is how the Arduino/RAMPS board shows up in my Linux distribution).

I did the speed setting, recompiled, uploaded, and then fired up minicom.  Upon connection, minicom spit out a bunch of jibberish, with stuff like "Marlin 1.0.2" in there.  I knew instantly that I had communication with the printer's electronics.  Upon firing up repetier-host, it told me that the printer was connected, and it was sending commands to the printer.  I still did not get the printer to do anything.

   

While the manual control button screen seemed to work, it also did not seem to work.  Previously, I could not interact with the buttons at all, as they were grayed out.  Now, they were lit up, and if I pressed on a section of the arrow, it would show me Y would increase by 1mm or 10mm or 0.1 mm (depending on where I clicked on the arrow), but I still could not get the printer to do anything.  There was a text bar at the top of the window for entering a GCODE command, and a SEND button.  I would think that clicking on the arrows (or home buttons) would have "built" a command up there, that you would then send to the printer.  However, that did not appear to be the case.

Repetier-Host reported the extruder at 350 degrees C.  However, the heating element was as cold as ice.

I shut down at this point, and declared a minor victory.  I now have communication between my PC and the printer electronics.

Next step is to get the printer to do something.