Generation 7 Electronics Development Hello all, after Gen6 being an industry-optimized design, the emphasis in Generation 7 Electronics is on collaboration, community driven development and easy replication. For example, one major design goal is a single-sided PCB. Please find more info on [url=http://reprap.org/wiki/Generation_7_Electronics]Generation 7 Electronics' Wiki page[/url], feel invited to discuss your ideas, suggestions and variations here. Markus https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,63487#msg-63487 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:25:42 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,845189#msg-845189 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,845189#msg-845189 Also, where I live I can not get the IRLB8743 mosfet, so I replaced it with the IRLB3034.
Surely I am missing something in design, if someone has a little time and would like to look at it, it would help me a lot. I attached the schematic design in GEDA, I was going to upload an image, but I could not make it look good.
In these days I already get all the components and I start to try to see if it really works or if I screwed it up.
Regards!]]> Marifante Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 23 Jan 2019 07:25:55 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,826565#msg-826565 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,826565#msg-826565 ekaggrat Next Wave Electronics Working Group Sat, 23 Jun 2018 01:55:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,826563#msg-826563 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,826563#msg-826563
have you thought or maybe planned to change the Gen7 board into a simple expansion board like the old RAMPS, and have a choice of several NPC processors on a DIP adapter board?

I understand the advantage and desire to have a controller DIY-possible, but nobody was putting Megas together in the old days. Maybe more desirable to have the "shield" separate from the processor?

I see a few Chinese boards using NPC1768 or similar, with many more available pins, and let's face it - the number of motor drivers and various other things people will want to plug into these isn't going to reduce but increase. Maybe time to make some sort of cheap reliable expandable foundation, just like the old RAMPS was? I for example want 5 motor drives, 6 endstops, hassle-free display and SD card pluggable board, probably hassle-free Raspberry interface of some sort. Other people will want that plus more, and there simply isn't anything like that that's affordable, familiar, simple, cheap, etc.

On a similar topic, I see Panucatt using what they call "Bigfoot" format for stepper drivers, with a much larger board that comes closer to specs when it comes to IC heat dissipation. Their boards have provision for both that and the old Pololu format on the same board. Why can't we at least attempt to establish a new standard format? I'm sure Chinese will not be far behind to keep us supplied ;)

It's way past time to revive the old RAMPS concept. At the moment, getting a 32bit solution means either going to a ready-made commercial solution for quite serious price that's approaching or exceeding the price of ALL the other parts of a printer, or saving some $$ and getting a Chinese "black box". I don't know what's worse.]]> +Mikie Next Wave Electronics Working Group Sat, 23 Jun 2018 01:34:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,826171#msg-826171 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,826171#msg-826171
I intended to make the generation 7 using a lpc1114 in lqfp package.. I have a dip conversion pcb. But for a test i soldered it on a dip conversion board and connected a serial cable a reset button a jumper on pio_0 .

I tried getting it in programming mode by pressing the rest button but just cant get it to program. I tried different buad rates but it just wont respond. Is there any other way to check it? anybody has any experience with these chips? I even tried 2 different lpcs but both wont respond..]]> ekaggrat Next Wave Electronics Working Group Tue, 19 Jun 2018 23:31:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,818108#msg-818108 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,818108#msg-818108 Nobody_III Next Wave Electronics Working Group Tue, 10 Apr 2018 18:55:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,803019#msg-803019 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,803019#msg-803019
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Traumflug
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obelisk79
personally want to avoid shipping from EU to US

They come from Taiwan anyways :-)

LOL - Thanks]]> obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Sat, 30 Dec 2017 09:01:38 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,803018#msg-803018 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,803018#msg-803018
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obelisk79
personally want to avoid shipping from EU to US

They come from Taiwan anyways :-)]]> Traumflug Next Wave Electronics Working Group Sat, 30 Dec 2017 08:59:29 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,803016#msg-803016 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,803016#msg-803016
Just want to let you know that the DIP LPC chip for Gen7 is officially at it's manufacture End of Life. I just followed up with NXP and they are no longer in production. I know you have a stock of them available through your site (personally want to avoid shipping from EU to US), but it's still sad to see the sun set on ARM MCU's in a DIP package.

-Joe]]> obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Sat, 30 Dec 2017 08:51:26 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,794050#msg-794050 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,794050#msg-794050 obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Fri, 27 Oct 2017 18:36:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,794048#msg-794048 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,794048#msg-794048
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Shank man
[...]

Hello number three :-)]]> Traumflug Next Wave Electronics Working Group Fri, 27 Oct 2017 18:08:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,794045#msg-794045 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,794045#msg-794045
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Traumflug
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Shank man
I’m kicking myself for not buying a extra MCU when they were available

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obelisk79
That is an interesting adapter.

So you two prefer to buy a $6 adapter plus a $4 chip over a $5 genuine chip?

One reason against designing a new(er) board is the observation that quite a number of people try very hard and often at additional expenses to avoid buying from the original designer. Just saying.

I admit to be taken aback by this remark. My suggestion of using the TSSOP28 to DIP28 adapter was not to deprive anyone of a revenue stream or to save a few dollars but only to perpetuate the life of the controller by using a LPC1114FDH2/102 instead of the obsolete LPC1114FN2/102 MCU. The latter has been discontinued regardless of that letter posted by NXP. If its still in production why isn’t anybody stocking it? Because there is no demand for them that’s why. Whether or not using the adapter chip is a feasible solution, I don’t know, that’s why I put it out there.

Also who in world builds a controller like this to save money? No one, that’s who. I have over $250.00 wrapped up in the 2 I built. Copper clad boards, etching solution, soldering iron & solder suckers, those little drill bits that break just taking them out of the package all add to the cost. Not to mention buying 2 ATX power supplies when I already had a couple of MeanWells. There was no money saved. I can afford any controller out there but this is the one I wanted so I did what it took to get them. If you have an issue with people buying the parts from places other than yourself, why do you post a detailed parts list and assembly instructions? Why don’t you lock down the design and sell assembled boards? I would have gladly bought a couple pre-assembled ones. I’m certainly not adverse from buying parts from you but
your site isn’t very commerce friendly. I just want to put in my address and credit card information and
be done with it. Anyway I’m satisfied with the controllers I have and feel they were well worth the effort to build and the expense it took to get them.

Respectfully
Ray]]> Shank man Next Wave Electronics Working Group Fri, 27 Oct 2017 17:48:29 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793905#msg-793905 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793905#msg-793905
[attachment 99210 Module1.jpg]

This modules can be of any type and either "single-" or "double-sized", like in the image ... or any other size or configuration ...

Some years ago I've assembled/stacked micro-sensors and complex assemblies with pitch sizes of 60 to 100 microns and soldered or brazed wires with 10 microns or even thinner on them - this image shows a small section of one of this "micro-sensors" with 10µ and 1µ wires across a gap:

[reprap.org]]]> VDX Next Wave Electronics Working Group Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:26:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793889#msg-793889 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793889#msg-793889
A hybrid solution would be to produce a daughter board carrying an ARM 4 chip such as the ATSAM4S8B or 8C along with the critical components such as the crystal and decoupling capacitors, that can be plugged in to socket strips on a 2 layer PCB or even perfboard. Buying such a daughter board from Traumflug would be little different from buying one of those DIL packaged processors that are becoming scarce. The purists could still buy those components separately and solder them on a hotplate.]]> dc42 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Thu, 26 Oct 2017 16:39:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793886#msg-793886 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793886#msg-793886
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VDX
... hmmm ... is there enough interest to start a series of "SMD_to_DIL"-adapters for specific chips?

I have some for standard SMD-chips, but it's easy enough to design and order some ten or more for any other type too ...

... quoting myself - but I've found one of the "SMD_to_DIL-adapter"-PCB's:

[attachment 99209 SMD-Adapter.jpg]]]> VDX Next Wave Electronics Working Group Thu, 26 Oct 2017 16:36:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793723#msg-793723 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793723#msg-793723
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Traumflug
The process is as simple as sending address and funds, like in every shop. Shipping to the US typically takes three days plus the time inside the US (which can apparently be another 7 days). Actually I shipped more Gen7 kits to the US than to inside Germany so far :-)

I believe that! :)]]> obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 19:20:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793722#msg-793722 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793722#msg-793722
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obelisk79
NXP had apparently tried to discontinue the LPC1114FN28 earlier this year, but someone else had contacted them and they decided to renew production.

That's good news! Another advantage of these genuine DIL chips over an adapter is that they're 5V-tolerant out of the box.

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Shank man
It's just not a simple process of buying things from Germany and getting them delivered to the US of A in a reasonable amount of time.

The process is as simple as sending address and funds, like in every shop. Shipping to the US typically takes three days plus the time inside the US (which can apparently be another 7 days). Actually I shipped more Gen7 kits to the US than to inside Germany so far :-)

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Shank man
I can remove the suggestion if you like.

Thanks for the offering, but thanks, not necessary. My wellbeing doesn't depend on these Gen7 sales.]]> Traumflug Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 19:10:29 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793717#msg-793717 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793717#msg-793717 obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:44:53 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793716#msg-793716 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793716#msg-793716 Shank man Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:41:46 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793714#msg-793714 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793714#msg-793714
You asked if people would be willing to do SMD. I would, but it might discourage others, so offered other options in my response.

NXP had apparently tried to discontinue the LPC1114FN28 earlier this year, but someone else had contacted them and they decided to renew production.]]> obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:40:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793712#msg-793712 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793712#msg-793712
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Shank man
I’m kicking myself for not buying a extra MCU when they were available

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obelisk79
That is an interesting adapter.

So you two prefer to buy a $6 adapter plus a $4 chip over a $5 genuine chip?

One reason against designing a new(er) board is the observation that quite a number of people try very hard and often at additional expenses to avoid buying from the original designer. Just saying.]]> Traumflug Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:24:45 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793710#msg-793710 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793710#msg-793710
I have some for standard SMD-chips, but it's easy enough to design and order some ten or more for any other type too ...]]> VDX Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:16:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793705#msg-793705 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793705#msg-793705 obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:05:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793699#msg-793699 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793699#msg-793699 Shank man Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:52:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793676#msg-793676 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793676#msg-793676
More expensive, but what about building something around the Teensy 3.5 or Teensy 3.2, those are more plug-and-play type DIY-able options.

They already have
usb
sdcard
and 5V tolerant signal pins.

Or this very inexpensive Nucleo dev board, which also has 5v tolerant signal pins and costs less.
[www.st.com]]]> obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:35:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793667#msg-793667 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793667#msg-793667
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VDX
populating and soldering SMD is doable in DIY-scale too, if using a stereo-microscope

Microscope. Ha ha.

Over time I got a number of comments expressing fear about this MCP2200 chip on the copper side of the Gen7, which is SMT. 1,27 mm pin pitch and fairly easily handleable with bare fingers, still people don't trust it. And these SOIC chips are rare, too.]]> Traumflug Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:03:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793665#msg-793665 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793665#msg-793665
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obelisk79
Will there be any updates to the design due to this?

Good question. Swapping the DIL chip for a SMT (0.65 mm pin pitch) one is easily doable, but what's the point of a Gen7, then? Wherever I look I see requests for more and more complex controllers (Bluetooth, WiFi, 6, 8, 10 steppers, web server, ...), next to never wishes for simple, rock-solid, DIY-able ones.

Folks thinking that Generation 7 Electronics should enter the SMT era: NOW is the ideal time to speak up!

For example, being forced into SMT anyways also means there's no longer a reason to stick to a Cortex-M0, Cortex-M4 are just as easy to handle. And these have been demonstrated to generate step rates 100 times higher than a RAMPS: 1'598'000 steps per second.]]> Traumflug Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:56:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793664#msg-793664 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793664#msg-793664
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Traumflug
... MCUs in a DIL package going away would pretty much mean the end of DIY-able controllers :-/

... yes, this would make it hard for the typical craftsmen ... but populating and soldering SMD is doable in DIY-scale too, if using a stereo-microscope (got two for 30€ and 60€ from ebay), fine soldering iron tips and 0,3mm thick solder wire ;)]]> VDX Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:52:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793660#msg-793660 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793660#msg-793660 obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:30:20 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793658#msg-793658 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793658#msg-793658 www.nxp.com], so I'm not sure why they're out at stock on the major suppliers. MCUs in a DIL package going away would pretty much mean the end of DIY-able controllers :-/

That said, I have plenty of them, € 5.- a piece. Or € 22.- together with all other electronic components used on this board: [www.reprap-diy.com].]]> Traumflug Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:24:17 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793653#msg-793653 Re: Generation 7 Electronics Development https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?181,63487,793653#msg-793653
Will there be any updates to the design due to this?]]> obelisk79 Next Wave Electronics Working Group Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:50:20 -0400