Reprap Host software over USB on Android I am an Electrical Engineering student starting work on my Senior design project that involves an Android to Zigbee bridge device with an Android App and an Android Accessory. I'm also a Reprap nut, and want to help contribute to the cause. I was thinking a good first step for my project would be to write an Android app that would use the USB port on an Android phone (I have an extra LG Optimus) that acts as a touch screen controller for my 3D printer. I have been looking around quite a bit looking for other projects to fork and build from, but I haven't found any clear options. I have seen the bluetooth Reprap app but all I would end up using from it is the front end and i think I should just start from scratch with that. I have a few choices that I need to make before I go forward. Ultimately I would like to make this program have as many features as people have requests, but I need to start somewhere. I need to decide if I am going to start with the Android Open Accessory Protocol, or the Android Host API. If I use the [i]Open Accessory Protocol[/i], the set up necessary to run the app would be as follows: [b]Android Device requirement[/b]: Any phone or tablet with Android 2.3.4 and up. This lets more phones come to the party, from what I understand this is something like 80% of Android phones in use. I have my extra LG Optimus that would fit the bill. [b]Reprap controller requirement[/b]: Controller with USB host capabilities. This really limits things, the only controller that I can think of off the top of my head would be an Arduino ADK or Arduino Due with a RAMPS Shield. Luckily I have an ADK with a RAMPS 1.4. [b]Firmware requirement[/b]: Forked firmware with Android Open Accessory Library included as an alternative source of communication. I was thinking of just forking Marlin and pushing commands sent over the USB host connection to the command buffer instead of the FTDI/AVR USB to UART. If I use the [i]Android Host API[/i] I have the next set of requirements: [b]Android Phone requirement[/b]: Any phone or tablet with USB OTG (on the go) and Android 3.1 and up and a USB OTG cable (5-10 dollars on Amazon/Merritline) This limits the devices quite a bit, mostly phones released in the last year and tablets that are made by a big company (Samsung, Asus, Toshiba, Motorola) I have a Galaxy Nexus and a Nexus 7 that I can develop with so this is not a problem. [b]Reprap controller requirement[/b]: Technically any controller that has a common USB driver, FTDI/Atmel USB to UART (Arduino w/Ramps, Sanguinololu, Gen 5/6/7, MightyBoard), or a Microcontroller running the USB Device stack in CDC mode (PrintrBoard). The Android app would need implementations using both drivers, but really all that would be is enumerating different vendor IDs [b]Firmware requirement[/b]: I would think that any firmware would work as long as the app speaks its flavor of G-code and the firmware doesn't have some strange timing requirement. Believe it or not but I think the first option would take less work to get working. I would only need to write the app to talk to one firmware (my fork) and to talk to one controller (ADK w/RAMPS). But my final project will require that I use the CDC driver because I'm using an MSP430F55xx with USB Device. I would love to hear your feedback/comments/suggestions. Thanks WiESELMan wiesel.ece.utah.edu https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,164532#msg-164532 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:30:52 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,403441#msg-403441 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,403441#msg-403441 dc42 Developers Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:49:03 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,385240#msg-385240 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,385240#msg-385240
great work. i tested on my android phone and it works perfectly. Only request i have is that is it possible to add a separate setting for the step/mm for z axis?

thanks]]> ekaggrat Developers Sat, 19 Jul 2014 12:22:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,333193#msg-333193 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,333193#msg-333193
Quote
karabas
Printrun command line tools work under Android. Install python and enjoy :)
That's a nice start.
What I've got so far from an hour or so of reading around is that Printrun's GUI doesn't work on Android because wxPython isn't supported there yet. What I'm a bit unclear on is how everyone seems to be referring to running host software specifically on Android, and not just ARM devices intended for it - so I hope someone can answer this for me: would it be any easier to run Printrun on an ARM tablet that has been booted into Debian, or is the processor architecture itself the main stumbling block here?]]> 4ndy Developers Tue, 01 Apr 2014 11:12:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,332169#msg-332169 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,332169#msg-332169 bernabap Developers Sun, 30 Mar 2014 12:32:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,330979#msg-330979 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,330979#msg-330979 LG-p500
android 2.3.3]]> karabas Developers Thu, 27 Mar 2014 17:16:43 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,327720#msg-327720 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,327720#msg-327720 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.ksksue.app.terminal) from ksksue (https://github.com/ksksue) as basis, I tried doing something like Pronterface but without the functionality of host. From my point of view is not worth printing via USB if I can print from SD card and avoid problems. Is a learning process to me, I would say I know more about how an Android app is made than programming in java... this is also my first project on github.

https://github.com/bernabap/br.reprap.app.terminal

The purpose of this application is to be used with cellphone, to start/pause prints from SD card, and be able to do maintenance of the printer without the need for LCD/encoder or PC.

Any help/tip/suggestion is welcome!]]> bernabap Developers Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:13:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,279655#msg-279655 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,279655#msg-279655 karabas Developers Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:42:24 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,279328#msg-279328 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,279328#msg-279328 A2 Developers Fri, 13 Dec 2013 03:55:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,279221#msg-279221 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,279221#msg-279221
regarding Smoothieboard support:
The old version of GCode Simulator & Printer did not recognize the Smoothieboard because the vendorID/productID was missing.
I have added that to GCode Simulator & Printer Version V1.42 and now it should work well with the smoothieboard. (tu)


cu

Mathias]]> mdietz Developers Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:37:26 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,275804#msg-275804 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,275804#msg-275804 vonTugboat Developers Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:49:44 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,273435#msg-273435 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,273435#msg-273435

Mathias


----------------------------------------------------------------
Join the Google+ Community for news and discussions about GCode Simulator
[plus.google.com]]]> mdietz Developers Thu, 28 Nov 2013 13:11:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271986#msg-271986 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271986#msg-271986

Quote
mdietz
@Callumburns

Sure, I have a rasp pi as well. I know that you don't need to keep the PC on for unattended printing.
But when you want to check the remaining print time or do any manual action (interrupt the print, pause to change filament, ..) you need it. You can't even start a print without it.

Nevermind, I agree that for some people this is sufficient. I prefer to see things like remaining print time, speed, temperature during print and to interrupt, heat up, speedup print without turning on my PC.

cu

Mathias
]]> callumburns Developers Mon, 25 Nov 2013 19:25:55 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271863#msg-271863 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271863#msg-271863
Sure, I have a rasp pi as well. I know that you don't need to keep the PC on for unattended printing.
But when you want to check the remaining print time or do any manual action (interrupt the print, pause to change filament, ..) you need it. You can't even start a print without it.

Nevermind, I agree that for some people this is sufficient. I prefer to see things like remaining print time, speed, temperature during print and to interrupt, heat up, speedup print without turning on my PC.

cu

Mathias]]> mdietz Developers Mon, 25 Nov 2013 14:43:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271517#msg-271517 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271517#msg-271517
You don't need the screen at all as its redundant! You just slice to folder go into octoprint select print and that's you. You no longer need a computer on. The computer could also be on the other side of the world if needed. I wouldnt dare to trust one of these naff cheap tablets doing something as important as 3D printing! Their cheap for a reason.]]> callumburns Developers Sun, 24 Nov 2013 19:34:23 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271477#msg-271477 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271477#msg-271477 mdietz Developers Sun, 24 Nov 2013 17:04:49 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271467#msg-271467 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271467#msg-271467 Smoothie Board specifications, will this work?

USB provides the main means of communication with the host computer. The connector is mini-USB.

Composite USB Mass Storage + Serial interface to host

USB2 Composite device : shows to the computer as both a Serial device, and a Mass Storage device ( exposing the SD-card ), à-la mbed.
[smoothieware.org]
[mbed.org]]]> A2 Developers Sun, 24 Nov 2013 16:30:33 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271312#msg-271312 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271312#msg-271312 If the smoothieboard supports serial over usb then it should work.
I can't try it out since i do not have one.

@callumburns
I doubt that. I bought a cheap 7" tablet for 50€. If you order a 7" lcd panel for rasp pi it is much more expensive.
Without lcd you still need a pc to controll it.]]> mdietz Developers Sun, 24 Nov 2013 09:36:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271309#msg-271309 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271309#msg-271309 callumburns Developers Sun, 24 Nov 2013 09:13:11 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271249#msg-271249 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271249#msg-271249
Quote
A2
@ mdietz

I loaded the free version of your GCode Simulator & Printer onto my HTC 3D phone, looks good.

Will it support the new Smoothie Board?
If not can you add it?
[smoothieware.org]

thats not important to host, just to firmware...]]> woo Developers Sun, 24 Nov 2013 05:41:46 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271117#msg-271117 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,271117#msg-271117
I loaded the free version of your GCode Simulator & Printer onto my HTC 3D phone, looks good.

Will it support the new Smoothie Board?
If not can you add it?
[smoothieware.org]]]> A2 Developers Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:26:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270893#msg-270893 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270893#msg-270893
Try out the free version first
[play.google.com]

If the basic controls work and you want to do full printing you can install the full version
[play.google.com]

Homepage: [www.dietzm.de]]]> mdietz Developers Sat, 23 Nov 2013 05:56:45 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270793#msg-270793 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270793#msg-270793 REPRAP SQUAD Developers Fri, 22 Nov 2013 19:38:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270118#msg-270118 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270118#msg-270118 But if you want to load larger gcode files (e.g. >500000 lines) >= 1GB RAM would be better.
USB OTG must be supported for sure. Bluetooth print works as well but Bluetooth has a higher latency and therefore cannot do very high speed prints.
Some devices seem to have a higher USB IO latency which can cause problems, but unfortunately you don't know this upfront when buying a device.

Having said this, its always better to have a more powerful device for future features (e.g. I might add web cam streaming during print similar to Octoprint)

cu

Mathias]]> mdietz Developers Thu, 21 Nov 2013 07:52:45 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270060#msg-270060 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270060#msg-270060 woo Developers Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:43:34 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270056#msg-270056 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270056#msg-270056
Join the Google+ Community for news, problem reports or feature requests about GCode Simulator & Printer :
[plus.google.com]

bye

Mathias]]> mdietz Developers Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:23:55 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270006#msg-270006 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,270006#msg-270006 www.3ders.org]

i have tried demo on my phone, looks great in 4.5" display.


next month il buy some cheap 7" tablet just for controling printer,,,i think the only condition is that tablet has dedicated port for charging battery, not over usb otg becouse its used for controlling in my case ramps+arduino.

and sad thing i just have installed smart controller :lol:]]> woo Developers Thu, 21 Nov 2013 01:01:38 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,243385#msg-243385 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,243385#msg-243385 REPRAP SQUAD Developers Sat, 07 Sep 2013 10:43:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,242842#msg-242842 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,242842#msg-242842
cu

Mathias]]> mdietz Developers Thu, 05 Sep 2013 10:27:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,242836#msg-242836 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,242836#msg-242836
Just about to order a ramps 1.4 and arduino mega but wondered about getting the android board just in case I want to go this route later on but don't want to run into any incompatibility problems by deviating from the normal arduino mega R3. All I could find is that the android board was compatible with the normal R3 pinout but thought it prudent to check.]]> doc_ap Developers Thu, 05 Sep 2013 10:01:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,238520#msg-238520 Re: Reprap Host software over USB on Android https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?2,164532,238520#msg-238520 See [www.dietzm.de] for more details.

cu

Mathias]]> mdietz Developers Thu, 22 Aug 2013 11:10:43 -0400