Ultimaker

From RepRap
Jump to: navigation, search
Crystal Clear action run.png
Ultimaker

Release status: Working

UltimakerRev3-thumb.jpg
Description
documenting a generic tool/artpiece
License
Creative Commons
Author
Contributors
Based-on
[[]]
Categories
CAD Models
External Link


UltimakerRev3.jpg

The Ultimaker is a RepStrap with the following key features:

  • Moving Bowden extruder, allowing tall models to be printed very fast.
  • Parallel kinematics, all motors are stationary, moving mass is very low, allowing for 500mm/s travel rates.
  • Largest build envelope for its footprint (210*210*220mm print volume, single toolhead mode).
  • Easy to assemble.
  • High accuracy printing (down to about 50 micron in every direction)
  • Well thought out, production ready design.
  • Ships with official Arduino Mega 2560. Soon to ship with Open Source Pololu stepper driver replacement (open source upon first shipping).


High accuracy

Because of the bowden system and low-mass moving parts, the same amount of layers can be printed as is common. This means that the Z-resolution can be the same, e.g. all the way down to a 10 micron layer height as any other printer.

UltimakerPrint1.jpg

Documentation

Ultimaker used to have its own Wiki. By 2020 the information about the Ultimaker Original is however no longer to be found on the Ultimaker Wiki. So documentation can now be done on this RepRap wiki.

Ultimaker/MakerBot (as of September 2022 Ultimaker and MakerBot merged) does however still have some support pages available about the Ultimaker Original and the Ultimaker Original +

Drawings of the laser cut files are available on Thingiverse

Parts lists can be found on Github.

Assembly manual for Ultimaker Original

Assembly manual for Ultimaker Original +

Support

See the Ultimaker End-of-Life-policy page, for details about products that are no longer supported by Ultimaker.

First end-of-life statement was published on Oct 6th, 2020, and some Ultimaker products will no longer be supported by Ultimaker, from Oct, 6th, 2021

3-Party support

Because Ultimaker is however also still true to their commitment to open source, then support and parts may be available from 3-party sellers and supporters.

Electronics

CAD files for the electronics are up at:

Firmware

Version 15.04.6 (Ultimaker Marlin)

Ultimaker makes it own host and slicer software, called Cura. This host software can also upload the latest official version of firmware for your printer.

Currently the latest official update of firmware for the Ultimaker Original is version 15.04.6
This version of the firmware is also available on Github

Versions of the 15.04.x firmware, that include the heated bed upgrade (and for UMO+ and more) are also available at Github. Select a different branche (other than 'Master') in order to get/download those versions of the firmware.

Version 17.12 (a fork of Ultimaker Marlin)

AmedeeBulle (Philippe Vanhaesendonck) has made a website that can compile versions of the Ultimaker Marlin firmware, for upgrades (and/or variations) of the 'Ultimaker Original', and the 'Ultimaker Original+'. Options also include the 'Ultimaker Original Heated Bed Kit (HBK)', as well as DIY Heated Bed builds.

For the online compiler website see: bultimaker.bulles.eu

For 17.12 source code see: github.com/AmedeeBulle/Marlin

Marlin 2.0.x

It is possible to upgrade the firmware to the latest version 2.0.x of Marlin.

You need to download two items, in order to compile the Marlin Firmware:

a) The Firmware source code files
b) The configuration example files

Replace the configurations files in the downloaded Marlin Firmware source code files, with the configuration files from the Ultimaker folder in the downloaded 'configuration example files'. Then compile and upload.

The path to Ultimaker examples of the 'Marlin configuration example files' are located at: Configurations/config/examples/Ultimaker/
When downloading the Firmware source code files, you can select the desired Marlin Firmware release, from github, by clicking Github-branch-select-button.jpg (branch select button) - and then picking the Tags tab.

As of this writing (May 2021) the latest release version was 2.0.8.2


See below for links about: 'How to compile and upload the Firmware to the controller board'

How to compile and upload the Firmware to the controller board

If you do not use Cura to upload firmware to the controller board, then you can use Arduino IDE or PlatformIO in order to compile and upload the firmware you get from Github.

Arduino IDE

When using Arduino IDE, you also need to have some 3rd-party libraries installed. Some (or all) of these libraries can be installed in the Arduino IDE by using the library manager, included in the Arduino IDE. Arduino IDE can be downloaded from the Arduino site
- by Mid 2021 it is uncertain if the latest versions of Marlin 2.0.x can still be compiled using the Arduino 1.x IDE. You should rather use the PlatformIO option described below.

PlatformIO

If you choose to use platformIO, then the Marlin.org web site has a good install guide. The platformIO system will automatically manage libraries.

Parts

Thermocouple for UMO

The Ultimaker Original (UMO) uses a K-type Thermocouple as the temperature sensor for the hot-end.

UMO-K-type-Thermocouple.png

On the hot-end assembly there is a small PCB with an AD597 thermocouple sensor chip, which is specifically designed (and laser trimmer), to work well with a K-type sensor. The AD597 chip amplifies the very low-voltage signal (mV range) to the 0-5V range, that is better suited for sensing by an analog pin on the Arduino 2560 chip used on the electronics.

For design files see: Ultimaker's v1.5.7 PCB - Thermocouple

Please note that the AD597 chip is a SMD version of the similar AD595 DIL chip.


Learn more about Thermocouples her:


UMO sources:

Temperature sensor on the UMO+

The Ultimaker Original Plus (UMO+) changed electronics (to ver 2.x.x), and also changed to a different type of temperature sensor. The new type of temperature sensor is a PT100B type sensor.

The cable on the temperature sensor for the UMO+ is 1.5 meters long

Belts

The UMO and UMO+ uses MXL belts, that has a pitch of 2.032mm. The belts are 6mm wide.

The belts for X and Y movement has 300 teeth (B300MXL), and thus a length of 609.600mm.

The belts that reach between the steppers and the X/Y axis have 100 teeth (B100MXL), and thus a length of 203.2mm

MXL tooth profile: MXL-belt-profile.jpg


It is also possible to use GT2 belts on the UMO and UMO+. GT2 belts have a pitch of 2.0mm

GT2 tooth profile: GT2-belt-profile.jpg


Both types of belts work well on the UMO and UMO+. See also this Ultimaker forum discussion


Read more about belts and pullies here:

Upgrades and additions


UltiController LCD

The UltiController is an LCD and SCcard option for the Ultimaker Original. With the UltiController it became possible to print directly from a gcode file on a SDcard.

UltiController10.jpg

Source files for the UltiController PCB on Thingiverse

Source files for the Laser cut case parts on Thingiverse

Ultimaker Spacer

The Ultimaker cabinet is designed so they can be stacked. Because of the bowden tube, there is however a need for some space between any two stacked Ultimaker printers. This is where the Ultimaker Spacer comes into play.

UltimakerSpacer.jpg

Source files for the Ultimaker Spacer on Thingiverse

Heated Bed Upgrade

UltimakerHeatBedUpgrade.jpg