Help needed - 3D printer project propeller based

Alex.Stanfield

I'm starting a Propeller 1 based project for an ABS/PLA 3D printer, and I really could use your help.

I already have the motors (nema17 60Ncm), complete print head, drivers and electronics (including of course the Propeller)
Assuming the classical linear X-Y-Z motion I believe the mechanical parts could be pretty much left to the user's preference but could be shared here too if there's interest.

What I'm looking forward is to re-use or jointly develop is the SW for the Propeller. Has anyone moved forward in a similar project?

I'm aware of the "3-Axis CNC Control Package" (http://obex.parallax.com/object/85) from Don Starkey. Could be a starting point but haven't tried it yet though.

Any willingness to work on this or pointers to building blocks for such a project?

Thanks in advance
Alex

Cluso99

I have my pcbs designed and done. My heater for the extruder is a separate pcb.
I also have my Prusa (modified) built and all parts including a 1.75mm J-Head V5.
No ABS plastic yet since that's readily available locally.

However, I have consistently had a lack of time to progress to the software

Martin_H

Now that Propgcc exists it should be possible to port existing Arduino firmware to the Propeller. I haven't read through the code, but my guess is that it uses a timer mechanism to pulse the steppers in the background, with the main task interpreting the gcode. This actually maps pretty easily onto the Propeller's cog architecture.

I've done that with several portion of the Arduino library already. Here's a link to the thread

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/148401-Propeller-Chip-runs-a-mostly-unmodified-Arduino-program-(video)

Alex.Stanfield

Martin_H wrote: »

Now that Propgcc exists it should be possible to port existing Arduino firmware to the Propeller. I haven't read through the code, but my guess is that it uses a timer mechanism to pulse the steppers in the background, with the main task interpreting the gcode. This actually maps pretty easily onto the Propeller's cog architecture.

I've done that with several portion of the Arduino library already. Here's a link to the thread

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/148401-Propeller-Chip-runs-a-mostly-unmodified-Arduino-program-(video)

Is there any recommended version of the firmware that would be an easy fit?

Alex

Martin_H

Alex.Stanfield wrote: »

Is there any recommended version of the firmware that would be an easy fit?

Here's a list of firmware: http://reprap.org/wiki/List_of_Firmware

I've played around with grbl and it looks pretty well written. Marlin is also popular, but I don't know anything about it.

babinda01

Hi
From memory, there was a 3d printer firmware for the prop chip on github. Do a search on github for "Propeller reprap", It was by Gumbo/Tihaerl. I have no idea if it a working thing of what state it is in, but it might be a good starting point.

Regards
Andrew

prof_braino

If you want to convert the arduino code I would recommend sprinter. Sprinter is very well established. That worked very well for me. I got my rig set up and calibrated verry quickly, and all the prints come out just fine.

Incidentally, I had started out my RepRap journey with the goal of a prop based 3D printer. When you get down to it, the prop has about 7 cores too many for a basic 3D printer, and the arduino stuff already exists, and works great, so you can just buy it and be done with it. I chose this route, as there are more than enough fun things to worry about concerning the RepRap without building the electronics and code from scratch. If your goal is just to get printing, that might be good way to get started. It would also provide a "known good" baseline to compare your work.

Alex.Stanfield

babinda01 wrote: »

Hi
From memory, there was a 3d printer firmware for the prop chip on github. Do a search on github for "Propeller reprap", It was by Gumbo/Tihaerl. I have no idea if it a working thing of what state it is in, but it might be a good starting point.

Regards
Andrew

Thanks Andrew, I found two on github, will see what they are about.

Alex

Alex.Stanfield

Martin_H wrote: »

Here's a list of firmware: http://reprap.org/wiki/List_of_Firmware

That's quite a nice listing! From the features listed, it seems that "Sailfish" is very complete.

Now I have a lot to evaluate...

Alex

Alex.Stanfield

prof_braino wrote: »

If you want to convert the arduino code I would recommend sprinter. Sprinter is very well established. That worked very well for me. I got my rig set up and calibrated verry quickly, and all the prints come out just fine.

Incidentally, I had started out my RepRap journey with the goal of a prop based 3D printer. When you get down to it, the prop has about 7 cores too many for a basic 3D printer, and the arduino stuff already exists, and works great, so you can just buy it and be done with it. I chose this route, as there are more than enough fun things to worry about concerning the RepRap without building the electronics and code from scratch. If your goal is just to get printing, that might be good way to get started. It would also provide a "known good" baseline to compare your work.

Yes, I've been thinking about this for a while, but:
- I'm not in a hurry
- and I wanted to start with a 3D printer and then build a small CNC machine for PCB drilling and small metal items.

I'm betting on gaining experience from the 3D machine so I'm better positioned for the CNC/PCB project.

Alex