$50 Chalenge

mctrivia · 2010-10-19 20:34

If anyone is interested I am offering $50 to a smart programmer capable of designing a network interface to the makerbot for under $50 part cost. There are no restrictions on what processor you use and a prop would be a great method in my opinion.

http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot/browse_thread/thread/951b32991857d341

for official posting.

Tubular · 2010-10-19 21:05

These provide a UART serial output and come with the best (most widely compatible) com port redirection software I've used. $25 each or $20 at 100 off.

They have 0.1" pins so you just need a simple breakout PCB with RJ45 jack, 5v, power, status leds. They're slightly chunky by modern standards but easier to interface to.

Cluso99 · 2010-10-19 21:13

mctrivia: Have you thought about a WiFi connection? This would make more sense and could be used here as well.

mctrivia · 2010-10-19 21:16

on the computer side wifi could and often would be used. on the printer side there is no reason to have a wireless connection as it will not likely move often and what if you had 10 printers in a room? I personally like to use wired networks when ever possible.

mctrivia · 2010-10-19 21:26

Tubular that product at $30 would pretty much work perfectly. I saw a note about com port redirecting. May not require any code changes at all if that is the case. Nope the software is $100 for that so code changes are still needed in repg

Ken Gracey · 2010-10-19 21:47

I agree that a Propeller board for MakerBot would be a very appropriate use of this chip. The concurrent motor control, plastic feeding tool and toolpath execution is ideal for the Propeller.

I'd be pleased to assist your effort any way you may find helpful.

Ken Gracey

mctrivia · 2010-10-19 22:00

i would love to replace the whole motherboard with one using a prop but that would be a large undertaking to rewrite all the code. I was thinking for now just an adapter of some sort to allow printing through a network connection.

I could draw up pcb designs for a motherboard using a prop. I would make the designs available under creative commons. What I would need is great programmers that could write the software. Any new version should have network accessibility in mind as it would be much more convenient then usb.

Cluso99 · 2010-10-19 22:18

Ken & McTrivia..

Here is a link to my Micro-Mendel design which will use the new Prop pcbs I announced today. http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?4,57039

Reprap have released a new V6 electronics that is a single pcb atmega based design for $145 IIRC which directly competes to where I am headed but I believe the prop can be cheaper and certainly better.

My design will use the newly announced "ModBlade" plus an add-on pcb for the Stepper Drivers (also announced). Parts are on order. However, I have not yet done any of the software. Obviously the prop is a magnificent choice for this project.

IMHO the Pmod connector is an excellent expansion connector, so mctrivia, may I suggest you do a WiFi module for this? There is already an ethernet module http://digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,401,822&Prod=PMOD-NIC for $30. I am sure there is a lot of interest for a WiFi module, not just for RepRap, and with the connectors I have on order, simple cables to the Prop ProtoBoard or any other expansion pcb can be made easily and cheaply.

I have not thought about the pcb for the extruder heater & temp probe and the heated platform and temp probe, so Mathew, maybe you are interested in doing this pcb too?

I have cost reduced my version of the micro-mendel so it should be possible to build them much cheaper than at present.

mctrivia · 2010-10-19 22:25

why the micro Mendel? The full size Mendel is a much nicer size.

Any controller for the extrudder should use some heavy duty mosfets. The MK5 is a really nice print head but draws a lot of power. I do remember seeing a wifi model some where similar to the pmodnic you linked. It was $100 or so IIRC.

Cluso99 · 2010-10-19 23:13

My version of the micro-mendel can be easily scaled to a full size mendel or bigger. But I wanted to start with something small with the biggest print area possible using 6mm rods. It is easy to expand the width to suit the bars recovered from old laser printer cartridges and printers.

I have also tried to reduce the plastics required as these are a significant cost currently.

Printheads and the electronics are the current weak points. The mendel seems over-engineered to me which is why I am using bushes instead of bearings - much cheaper.

mctrivia · 2010-10-19 23:18

I am actually in the process of remaking my xy carige to use bearings instead of bushings. bushings reduce quality and make the bot pretty loud. Once I finish that upgrade I plan to finish printing all the plastic parts so I can build a full size Mendel. Hopefully with a prop based electronics.

Tubular · 2010-10-20 01:02

mctrivia wrote: »

Tubular that product at $30 would pretty much work perfectly. I saw a note about com port redirecting. May not require any code changes at all if that is the case. Nope the software is $100 for that so code changes are still needed in repg

The com port redirection software (called Serial/IP) is included free and only works with hardware that pays the license fees. There may also be a stand alone version for other vendors Serial/TCPIP converters.

I have used quite a few com port redirection programs over the years and many failed when there was direct port access involved, or programs working in DOS command prompt under windows, etc. Serial/IP has a very useful monitoring tool for watching the stream go back and forth, too.

There are other modules from Digi, Lantronix that do a similar thing, and you can probably buy those from Digikey. I might be wrong but the upcoming Spinneret could possibly be programmed to do the same thing (with suitable com port redirection software)

cheers
tubular

Cluso99 · 2010-10-20 01:08

Thats an interesting comment. I would have thought the bearings would have been louder. Certainly the bushings make it much simpler. I have been looking at buying some PTFE tubing for my next bushings (I have these now from old roller blades).

prof_braino · 2010-10-20 03:51

mctrivia wrote: »

If anyone is interested I am offering $50 to a smart programmer capable of designing a network interface to the makerbot for under $50 part cost. There are no restrictions on what processor you use and a prop would be a great method in my opinion.

http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot/browse_thread/thread/951b32991857d341

for official posting.

The part specified in the post

http://ucontroller.com/documentation/PropNICDoc.html

is the same one used in the HIVE. The PropForth team is bringing the part on line in the next couple weeks as the prop forth port to the HIVE hardware is completed. If you are interested in a FORTH kernel that talks to the ENC28J60 there should be something by November.

Support of the wiznet5100 is already ALPHA and I access the interaction forth prompt via a telnet session. Web-server support is a little further out.

$50 Chalenge

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