New to 3D Printing. Need Help

Hi everyone, I am new to 3D printing. I just assembled a Prusa Model yesterday. I tried running to see if the printer is connected to the Arduino/laptop, and this message pops out at Pronterface:
Connecting...
[ERROR] Could not connect to COM3 at baudrate 115200:
Serial error: could not open port 'COM3': WindowsError(2, 'The system cannot find the file specified.')

I've checked (from the Arduino IDE and Device Manager tab) that the Arduino Mega I'm using is connected to COM3. Anyone knows what the problem is, and how to solve this problem? Is it a software problem? Or a hardware/firmware issue? Thanks in advance

Well...

1) Is the Arduino IDE still running and connected to COM3? (been there / done that)
2) Is your firmware baud rate set to 115.2K or to the far more common 250K?
3) Did you un-plug and re-plug things? Windows can decide to re-allocate com ports at the oddest times ....

Bob

Yeap. Thanks for the advice. A piece of firmware from my USB is missing apparently.
I'm sorry if it sounds too silly.

1. What is the role of the Arduino actually? Is it just a "middle-person" interface between the computer and the printer? I programmed an UNO before, and I actually have to upload code into it. According to the DIY manual, that process isn't required. Am I doing it right?

2. A 12V power is required for the main power supply, and I plan to use a laptop 12V supply. Any ideas on how do I connect them? Do I need a load to or a capacitor?

OK here's a very (very) over-simplified view of what happens when you print something.... When you design/download something, you wind up with a .STL file which is what's called a mesh file, it basically describes the surfaces of the part(s) you're intending to print. You put that into a slicer program on the PC which converts that description of the shape by dividing it into layers, and working out what series of moves of the print head and extruder are needed to draw out that layer of the shape, this is called the G-code. This G-code gets sent by the PC to arduino by a program called (unimaginatively) a G-code sender. The G-code sender is sometimes combined with the slicer into a single program. The firmware that either you've uploaded into the arduino or which your supplier might have already put on it, takes that series of "move the head to position {X,Y,Z} while extruding {E} length of filament" and from that it works out what series of electrical pulses need to be sent to the stepper motor driver modules to produce that movement, and sends them.

For the 12V supply you'll need to consider how much current is needed and make sure the laptop PSU can deliver that. As a very rough guess... The extruder heater is likely to be 2-4A, the heated bed if you're using one and it's 12V powered could be anything from 4A to 20A, you'll need to check it's specification to find out, driving the motors you might get away with as little as 2A but to be safe it would be better to budget more like 4-5A. If it turns out your laptop PSU can't handle that much current then you can look at using an ATX PSU, a lot of people use them and although you need to over-spec them quite a bit for this role it's not like they're expensive. You can pick up a PSU that can do 40A on the 12V for around £25 on ebay. How it connects to the mainboard depends on what mainboard it is, we'll need more details on your setup before we can advise.

Hope this is helpful, good luck with the printer!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/26/2013 04:34AM by Azrael_UK.

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Prussa i2 Comissioned 4-Nov-2013
Bitcoin : 1Jcrg5czBtNfKyS4sCjFAamJTcSYdTGk9h

You can print an object from an SD card on the Mega. You don't need a PC involved except to generate the file you want to print.

I'd suggest that the whole PC supply thing is more trouble than it's worth. They really are not designed for this sort of thing. Get an industrial 12V 30A supply. They cost around $45 for a good one. You should plan on at least 20A and it's quite possible you will need even more than that.

Thanks everyone. The printer is running now as I tested it just now. The problem was the Arduino firmware. I inserted this code I found in this forum-LINK:
[forums.reprap.org] and its running:

#define X_STEP_PIN 54
#define X_DIR_PIN 55
#define X_ENABLE_PIN 38
#define X_MIN_PIN 3
#define X_MAX_PIN 2

#define Y_STEP_PIN 60
#define Y_DIR_PIN 61
#define Y_ENABLE_PIN 56
#define Y_MIN_PIN 14
#define Y_MAX_PIN 15

#define Z_STEP_PIN 46
#define Z_DIR_PIN 48
#define Z_ENABLE_PIN 62
#define Z_MIN_PIN 18
#define Z_MAX_PIN 19

#define E_STEP_PIN 26
#define E_DIR_PIN 28
#define E_ENABLE_PIN 24

#define Q_STEP_PIN 36
#define Q_DIR_PIN 34
#define Q_ENABLE_PIN 30

#define SDPOWER -1
#define SDSS 53
#define LED_PIN 13

#define FAN_PIN 9

#define PS_ON_PIN 12
#define KILL_PIN -1

#define HEATER_0_PIN 10
#define HEATER_1_PIN 8
#define TEMP_0_PIN 13 // ANALOG NUMBERING
#define TEMP_1_PIN 14 // ANALOG NUMBERING

void setup() {
pinMode(FAN_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(HEATER_0_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(HEATER_1_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(LED_PIN , OUTPUT);

pinMode(X_STEP_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(X_DIR_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(X_ENABLE_PIN , OUTPUT);

pinMode(Y_STEP_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(Y_DIR_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(Y_ENABLE_PIN , OUTPUT);

pinMode(Z_STEP_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(Z_DIR_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(Z_ENABLE_PIN , OUTPUT);

pinMode(E_STEP_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(E_DIR_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(E_ENABLE_PIN , OUTPUT);

pinMode(Q_STEP_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(Q_DIR_PIN , OUTPUT);
pinMode(Q_ENABLE_PIN , OUTPUT);

digitalWrite(X_ENABLE_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Y_ENABLE_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Z_ENABLE_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(E_ENABLE_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Q_ENABLE_PIN , LOW);
}


void loop () {

// if (millis() %1000 <500)
// digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
// else
// digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);

// if (millis() %1000 <300) {
// digitalWrite(HEATER_0_PIN, HIGH);
// digitalWrite(HEATER_1_PIN, LOW);
// digitalWrite(FAN_PIN, LOW);
// } else if (millis() %1000 <600) {
// digitalWrite(HEATER_0_PIN, LOW);
// digitalWrite(HEATER_1_PIN, HIGH);
// digitalWrite(FAN_PIN, LOW);
// } else {
// digitalWrite(HEATER_0_PIN, LOW);
// digitalWrite(HEATER_1_PIN, LOW);
// digitalWrite(FAN_PIN, HIGH);
// }



if ( millis() %60000 < 30000) {
digitalWrite(X_DIR_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(Y_DIR_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(Z_DIR_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(E_DIR_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(Q_DIR_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(HEATER_0_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(FAN_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(HEATER_1_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);

}
else {
digitalWrite(X_DIR_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Y_DIR_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Z_DIR_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(E_DIR_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Q_DIR_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(HEATER_0_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(FAN_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(HEATER_1_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);

}

digitalWrite(X_STEP_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Y_STEP_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Z_STEP_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(E_STEP_PIN , LOW);
digitalWrite(Q_STEP_PIN , LOW);

delay (200);

digitalWrite(X_STEP_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(Y_STEP_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(Z_STEP_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(E_STEP_PIN , HIGH);
digitalWrite(Q_STEP_PIN , HIGH);

delay (200);

}

However, my Z-motors arent running but the extruder is getting hot. Any ideas about this issue? Or, is the code only to test the X-motor?

Let's back up a bit:

What sort of printer is this?

What kind of control board are you running?

What kind of firmware are you trying to run on the control board?

There are far too many combinations and permutations to guess at them. The fix for issues like you are having is going to depend a lot on what you have.

Hello again. Thanks for the recommendations and help. I had been able to get the printer running 100%. The Z-motors are moving. But now, when I connect to Pronterface this comes out:

Connecting...
[ERROR] Could not connect to COM3 at baudrate 115200:
Serial error: could not open port 'COM3': WindowsError(2, 'The system cannot find the file specified.')


Printer specs:
Let's back up a bit:

What sort of printer is this? Prusa Mendel model

What kind of control board are you running? Running on Arduino Mega 2560, RAMPS 1.4 shield

What kind of firmware are you trying to run on the control board? I used the code I posted before. I guess its from GitHub Kliment's code. This is the part I'm confused. How do I determine which code to run or test. And what is the difference between Marlin and Sprinter?


Any idea on the error message?
So sorry, I'm a newbie and I do believe I sound like a noob. I hope all of you can bear with me. I'm so close to get it working now! Thanks

Are you in control of the motors or are they moving back and forth?

To fix your connecting problem:
Try changing from com 3. Some computers reserve com 1-3 for other uses.
Change to com 4 or above (I use com 9)
Set your baud rate in the computer @ 150000 (device manager)
Set Arduino @ 250000
Set Pronterface @ 250000

This are the numbers that work for me.

The code you posted earlier is a chunk of a definition file.

I'd suggest getting a copy of Marlin (the "newer / better" version of Spirnter) and setting that up for your printer. It runs very well on the hardware you have. In it you would define the baud rate to be 250000 and that also would be the baud rate you would define for everything else. If your computer will not support 250000, then set *everything* up for 115200 baud (firmware, computer, Pronterface ... all at the same baud rate).

Quote
dmserve
Are you in control of the motors or are they moving back and forth?

To fix your connecting problem:
Try changing from com 3. Some computers reserve com 1-3 for other uses.
Change to com 4 or above (I use com 9)
Set your baud rate in the computer @ 150000 (device manager)
Set Arduino @ 250000
Set Pronterface @ 250000

This are the numbers that work for me.

Hi, May I know how do I change the COM numbers? I tried to plug in another Arduino UNO, and it showed Port 4. I didnt know the Port numbers can be assigned. I thought they were just default and randomly assigned by the computer

Set up your Com port in device manager first.
(recommend 4 or higher)
_________

Open Arduino
Click on [Tools] in the upper menu
hover over [serial port]
the available com ports will appear to next to it
move over the one you want, and click on it
You can click on [Tools] in the upper menu again to see if was properly selected.
_________

Then select the same com port in Pronterface.
Select Connect.
_________

If Pronterface stalls, not responding, crashes:
Unplug the USB cord
Turn off the 12vdc to the Printrboard
Wait for the Red LED to go out.

Turn on the 12vdc
Plug in the USB cord
Start Pronterface (if shutdown)
Select Connect.
________________________________

Are you using [ Arduino 0222 ] ?
You need to select the following board so the pronterface can connect to the printrboard.

[BootloaderCDC]Teensylu/Printrboard (this file name is all ran together like this)

This is found it the [Tools] of the upper menu of Arduino.
"Board"
________________________________

I found more info at the makerfarm web site
They had the best information I could find.
On their build instruction page you will find:
PrintrBoard Install - MakerFarm 8-3-12.zip

This information also covers things you may not encountered yet.

They have a good build guide for using a standard ATX Power supply to power the Printrboard.
Not sure a laptop 12V supply has enough wattage to power the printer. (board, fan(s), hot end, heated bed)
Recommendations I have seen talk about 300watts and higher.

Quote
dmserve
Set up your Com port in device manager first.
(recommend 4 or higher)
_________

Open Arduino
Click on [Tools] in the upper menu
hover over [serial port]
the available com ports will appear to next to it
move over the one you want, and click on it
You can click on [Tools] in the upper menu again to see if was properly selected.
_________

Then select the same com port in Pronterface.
Select Connect.
_________

If Pronterface stalls, not responding, crashes:
Unplug the USB cord
Turn off the 12vdc to the Printrboard
Wait for the Red LED to go out.

Turn on the 12vdc
Plug in the USB cord
Start Pronterface (if shutdown)
Select Connect.
________________________________

Are you using [ Arduino 0222 ] ?
You need to select the following board so the pronterface can connect to the printrboard.

[BootloaderCDC]Teensylu/Printrboard (this file name is all ran together like this)

This is found it the [Tools] of the upper menu of Arduino.
"Board"
________________________________

I found more info at the makerfarm web site
They had the best information I could find.
On their build instruction page you will find:
PrintrBoard Install - MakerFarm 8-3-12.zip

This information also covers things you may not encountered yet.

They have a good build guide for using a standard ATX Power supply to power the Printrboard.
Not sure a laptop 12V supply has enough wattage to power the printer. (board, fan(s), hot end, heated bed)
Recommendations I have seen talk about 300watts and higher.

Hi, I have changed to Marlin firmware, and it does connects to the printer, however, the printer doesn't move now and shows this error:

Connecting...
start
Printer is now online.
echo: External Reset
Marlin 1.0.0
echo: Last Updated: Dec 2 2013 10:07:27 | Author: (none, default config)
Compiled: Dec 2 2013
echo: Free Memory: 5307 PlannerBufferBytes: 1232
echo:Hardcoded Default Settings Loaded
echoteps per unit:
echo: M92 X78.74 Y78.74 Z533.33 E836.00
echo:Maximum feedrates (mm/s):
echo: M203 X500.00 Y500.00 Z5.00 E25.00
echo:Maximum Acceleration (mm/s2):
echo: M201 X9000 Y9000 Z100 E10000
echo:Acceleration: S=acceleration, T=retract acceleration
echo: M204 S3000.00 T3000.00
echo:Advanced variables: S=Min feedrate (mm/s), T=Min travel feedrate (mm/s), B=minimum segment time (ms), X=maximum XY jerk (mm/s), Z=maximum Z jerk (mm/s), E=maximum E jerk (mm/s)
echo: M205 S0.00 T0.00 B20000 X20.00 Z0.40 E5.00
echo:Home offset (mm):
echo: M206 X0.00 Y0.00 Z0.00
echoID settings:
echo: M301 P22.20 I1.08 D114.00
Error:0
[ERROR] Error:0

: Extruder switched off. MAXTEMP triggered !
Errorrinter stopped due to errors. Fix the error and use M999 to restart. (Temperature is reset. Set it after restarting)
[ERROR] Errorrinter stopped due to errors. Fix the error and use M999 to restart. (Temperature is reset. Set it after restarting)



I've tried to search for answers online and I've checked the thermistors positions. They seem okay, but I'm still seeing this error

If the maxtemp only came when you switched to Marlin, you don't have the thermistors set correctly in the firmware. They are not set to normal thermistor inputs by default.

The printer is now running, but only the Y-motors are controllable. The Z and X can't be moved.

I changed:

#define TEMP_SENSOR_0 1
#define TEMP_SENSOR_1 1
#define TEMP_SENSOR_2 0
#define TEMP_SENSOR_BED 0


and


#define MOTHERBOARD 33

uncle bob,sir I am new be to 3d printing. I am using 12V - 2Amp.psu. when i switch on set temp.for hotend,windowerror 2 ,sys can’t find file specified.pla help.do i hv to get another psu with higher amps.?pls help

Adding your question to a thread that is 7 years old is not wise.

For 12v.
Hotend and steppers needs 5 amps.
heated bed need approximately 11 amps (depends on size of bed, bigger the bed the more amps)

error : heating failed,and windowerror 2