Originally Posted by
hoss2006
Hey Carl,
You're right, the firmware has all the pinouts, etc. info.
You load the firmware in the Arduino program and it displays all the files associated with it, basically just text files of code like the snippet TimGS posted.
All you really edit is the "config" and "pins" files.
You change numbers in the basic config to what you want like steps/per, velocity, ramps board type, thermistor type, enable or disable things like endstops, heaters, fans and so on.
The pins file could already be setup if it's a newer version but it basically assigns the pin #'s
for the drivers, heaters, endstops etc kinda like setting the breakout board pins in mach 3
the arduino is basically the breakout board.
Once all is set like you want, you upload the firmware from your pc or laptop to the ramps via usb, takes a few seconds is all.
The gcode is made by a slicing program like slic3r i'm sure you know.
you run a host program like Pronterface, Repetier, RepliatorG which are like Mach 3's main page,
you use it to connect to the printer, jog axis, go home, turn heaters or extruder on/off
for setting up then load the gcode and tell it to print, pause, stop, or edit, etc.
The gcode is saved and run from the laptop like mach but you can add an sdcard to the ramps, load gcode on it, tell it to print and then be able to disconnect the pc if you want.
you can also make lcd modules that let you control the printer and print from the sdcard without a pc at all.
you'd still need a pc to use slic3r to make your gcode though, i just use my mini laptop
connected all the time so it has a purpose for me buying it.
Hoss