[EL34]

I refined the 3D printer #1 build after using it for a while and built printer #2 based on those refinements

Printer #2 came out really nice and is printing very clean objects compared to the first pics I posted on printer #1

I set up a build page here with big pics and lots of info
http://www.el34world.com/Misc/Cnc/CNC23.htm

And here is a Youtube video with a walk around of the printer

[dick cnc]

Very nice I've been trying to get more people to use Mach 3 or EMC2 have had no success I think it's much better runs G code much better well then again that's what it was designed for maybe you can turn a few reprappers

[EL34]

I am using Mach3 because that's what I know and it has always served me well.

I am not familiar with any of the electronics or the controller software the Reprap guys use.

Mach has some big advantages by being able to change feedrates on the screen while printing.
I slow things down on parts where I want better detail

Also the custom routines you can create are handy like my reference X,Y and Z and then go to the center of the bed

[hoss2006]

fyi, you can adjust the feedrate on the fly with the reprap controllers too which is especially easy with the LCD by just turning the knob and seeing the % right on the screen.
Hoss

[EL34]

nice, that's a handy feature to have

I uploaded a Youtube vid of the printer printing and some of the objects I have printed

[jlnading]

Nice build and end results.

[EL34]

Thanks

[riche543]

Nice job, well done.

[EL34]

Thanks

[dick cnc]

Glad to see it running good job again Mach 3 is better than standard reprap machine control

[hoss2006]

Do you have any experience with the reprap controls? The ramps board can be had for the price of the mach 3 license and has 5 drivers, 2 hotend heaters, 1 bed heater, sdcard input, plus other features. With the $50 lcd I don't even need a pc to run my big printer. I'm a Mach 3 user for years very happy with the ramps on my printers. just food for thought.
Hoss

[jlnading]

I'm with you Hoss, I use Mach 3 as well for my cnc plasma cutting machine, but for both of my 3d printers I'm going to change them over to the display and sd card to run them without having to connect to a computer. The best part is that just mentioned by you and I, and the fact you can change speeds and settings on the fly. Both Mach 3 and the newer firmware/software for 3d printers has there benefits.

[EL34]

I'm a Mach 3 user for years very happy with the ramps on my printers. just food for thought.
Hoss

Hi Hoss,
I would be interested in doing that also. Finding good info in the 3D printer world has been frustrating. It's spread all over the place and not easy to find good sites that explain things in plain English.
Do you have a favorite site that explains exactly how these boards work?

[hoss2006]

Hi Hoss,
I would be interested in doing that also. Finding good info in the 3D printer world has been frustrating. It's spread all over the place and not easy to find good sites that explain things in plain English.
Do you have a favorite site that explains exactly how these boards work?

I built my first ramps from a kit and followed this guide which gives some info.
http://reprap.org/wiki/RAMPS_1.4
I searched the reprap forum for the rest of the info I needed.
http://reprap.org/wiki/Ramps
Got my last complete package from reprapdiscount on ebay.
http://stores.ebay.ca/reprapdiscount...p2047675.l2563
Hoss

[hoss2006]

the site still has double posting glitch.

[EL34]

Ok looking at your links , there is still nothing I see that explains the big picture.

I am an electronics guy but I don't want to assemble a pc board with surface mount devices.

Next, I see Arduino mentioned. Why?
Where is there an SD card on that ramps board?
Looks like other items and software to get the same job done?

I don't mind learning new things, but I need some info that explains the big picture from A to Z.

All the items you need, how does it all work together, etc

See why I stuck with what I know, which is mach3 a simple parallel board breakout boards and simple stepper driver boards.

[jlnading]

Hi EL, maybe I can help shed some light on things here, I have on another forum setup all the links to purchase all the electronics and most other parts for the build of a 3d printer here, enjoy.

Thinking about building a 3d printer, Prusa, check out the links. Updated

I have bought from most of these suppliers with very good results, also built my own heated bed out of aluminum, show where to purchase a 57 amp 12 volt power supply cheaply and teach others how to build the Prusa Mendel 3d printer with videos #1 - #8, I have uploaded to my You Tube channel here

https://www.youtube.com/user/nadingjeff

[hoss2006]

Ok looking at your links , there is still nothing I see that explains the big picture.

I am an electronics guy but I don't want to assemble a pc board with surface mount devices.

you don't have to, the ebay link is for fully assembled boards, I provided the link for the assembly because it shows what goes where, the wiring diagram near the bottom was especially helpful to me.

Next, I see Arduino mentioned. Why?

Reprap Arduino Mega Pololu Shield (RAMPS), the arduino is the lower board though the cheaper ones are chinese versions.
Arduino - HomePage

Where is there an SD card on that ramps board?

it's either a small addon board with the sdcard slot or part of the lcd screen.
http://reprap.org/wiki/Sdramps
High-Torque Stepper Motor, Stepper Motor, Driver, Stepper Motor kit, DC Servo Motor, DC Servo Motor kit, Stepper Motor Power Supply, CNC Router, Spindle, and other Components. Automation Technology Inc

Looks like other items and software to get the same job done?

there are a number of firmwares to choose from to load into the arduino, i like marlin.
http://reprap.org/wiki/Firmware
http://reprap.org/wiki/Marlin


I don't mind learning new things, but I need some info that explains the big picture from A to Z.

there is some learning to be sure but it's not rocket science. i'm no electronics expert and if I can get it to work you wouldn't have any trouble i'm sure.

All the items you need, how does it all work together, etc

See why I stuck with what I know, which is mach3 a simple parallel board breakout boards and simple stepper driver boards.

you could think of the ramps as a g540 with everything built in, you just hook up wires to it then edit and upload the marlin firmware and it's ready to go. there is calibrating involved too but that goes with mach too to fine tune the steps per etc. there is host software (all FREE) to run the printer just like mach or use the lcd without a pc. i prefer pronterface
http://reprap.org/wiki/The_incomplet...guide#Software
Hoss

- - - Updated - - -

[EL34]

Thanks guys but from the looks of it I doubt I'll venture into the unknown here.
Looks like a ton of new stuff to learn and my time is limited

Also looks like all the hardware you need to get started cost more than what I currently use and is more complicated to get running.

4 stepper motor driver boards and a parallel breakout board cost me $185.
I could buy cheaper stepper driver boards but I like Probotix stuff since I already use the same parts on my CNC machine and could swap parts out in case something breaks on either machine
I don't have to buy any software since I already own mach3
Plus setting up mach3 on a printer is very easy since I already have dialed in config files that I have been using for 8 years on the CNC machine

[jlnading]

Sounds like your good to go, can't blame anyone for staying with a good solution.