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People building or using RepRaps.
Re: Software chain confusion - 14 years ago
There are 3 different bits of software you need to worry about. One is used to load (and sometimes display) the triangle files (STL) that describe an object, and you can download them from thingiverse. This software slices the object and produces a G-Code file. An example of this is Skeinforge. The next layer of software is used to take the g-code file and feed it into the arduino/controller boaby DaveR - General
Re: Bristol anyone? - 14 years ago
Hi. I'm not too far away (based in Trowbridge, but working in Bath), but I think there are a few others round here. I've got an early BfB machine but it needs a bit of work, and I'm building some electronics for a Mendel that I intend to build with it.by DaveR - United Kingdom RepRap User Group
Re: Current state of firmware for ATMega168 - 14 years ago
I had v2 electronics and the ram limit went a while ago. I after a bit of fiddling (commenting out for extruder stepper motor control, removing drilling g-codes) I was able to get it working. Here's my last working version It's slightly hacked, I added support for constant extruder speed using a sensor, but - if I remember correctly - it should be a simple constant change to turn this off. It'by DaveR - Firmware - mainstream and related support
Re: Electronics for next Gen RepRap - 14 years ago
I moved from through-hole to surface mount. I've built 4 stepper driver boards using home-made single sided PCBs with surface mount components, and although it's scary to start with, surface mount is actually easier than through-hole (at least for me!). Through-hole components were used to build the generation2 (back one gen) boards for RepRap - see for example. I think TomHerbert even has someby DaveR - Oklahoma City RepRap User Group
Re: Stepper driver issues - 14 years ago
Also, last time I looked (a while ago) the default was to move in steps of 0.1mm - set the step size to 10mm and see if that moves more (apologies if you've done that). Could be movement speed - check the firmware settings :-)by DaveR - Controllers
Re: Hello All New Build NOOB!! 
- 14 years ago
:-) I had to adjust the components to match what was available at the time from farnell and RS. I have a DC motor driver board (one of the old through-hole ones) but I'm moving to a stepper driver extruder instead. The 15pf 1206 caps you linked to look fine to me (although what's my uninformed opinion worth?). Given that a strip of 25 or 50 is normally only a pound or two, it's better to orderby DaveR - United Kingdom RepRap User Group
Re: Hello All New Build NOOB!! - 14 years ago
I've used Farnell and RS Components for a lot of electronics. Typically the smaller components (resistors, caps) come in 10/25/50 strips, and they're so small and cheap it's handy to have some spare. Maplin are good but they don't have such a range. Farnell and RS both carry so much that finding the exact thing you want is sometimes a problem:-) Welcome to the RepRap world! Also, you'll have tby DaveR - United Kingdom RepRap User Group
Re: Stepper Motor Driver 1.1 - 14 years ago
Nothing wrong with the Gen2 electronics :-). Still driving my 'bot after a year or so. If you want a more recent extruder design, you will probably need another stepper and stepper driver board. You'll also need a controller - the gen2 could *just* about squeeze onto a basic arduino, but the firmware has outgrown it a little while ago. I'd suggest getting an arduino mega, and wiring the gen2 'trby DaveR - Controllers
Re: Pololu -> Is this schema working? - 14 years ago
Some eagle files and (yet another) arduino mega shield design here (using 10-pin IDCs for standard stepper driver boards) :-)by DaveR - Controllers
Re: questions to the "old hands" about the 1.2 stepper driver - 14 years ago
I've got 3 of these running an early rapman. They get *very* hot - I mounted old cpu heatsinks to replace the 'standard' ones. I did have some problems with overheating and the steppers buzzing and moving on their own, but the heatsinks fixed that. There is quite a bit of work in building them, and apparently the SMD build is a lot easier. Also, it's more designed for professional production (liby DaveR - Controllers
Re: Printing using black marker for etching Circuit boards - 14 years ago
Yep, I've also had really good results with laserprinter toner - and a cheap laserprinter is less than £50 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/186126). I've used some CD pens to tidy up the laser print transfer, but it depends on the pen which is best. laser toner is really resistant - the etchant 'beads up' and runs off. Have a look at a couple of the boards i've etched (renoirsrants)by DaveR - General
Re: Difficulties with Makerbot board availability - 14 years ago
That's the old 1.2 through hole board (Also available from makerbot?) I assume it's because most people want the fully assembled ones. I ame experimenting with Eagle and may try etching a few myself - using the laserprinter/home etch method.by DaveR - For Sale
Dedicated Robotics Forum! - 14 years ago
Robotics sounds like an excellent idea. I've been interested in building something like that. However, I've just got a little bit of work left on my RepRap first...by DaveR - Robots!
Re: RepRap Without Borders - RWB - 14 years ago
I like the blind diagram/prop idea. It may be distracting with the texture of the printed parts, but integrated labels (in braille) would be easy, and colour of the plastic would not be important. Thingiverse (http://www.thingiverse.com/) is an idea place to store the models and files for any objects. Educational props and models are also ideal, as several schools have started RepRap/Makerbot/by DaveR - Reprappers
FreeCAD - 15 years ago
Hi All. I spotted FreeCAD on Make today: It seems to be a CAD-style alternative, open source, and ticks all the boxes. I loaded it up and created a cube, exported as STL, and loaded into the host software in 3 mins. It has boolean operations (union/intersect/diff) - seem to work OK. It also seems to have several tools for analyzing and repairing meshes - might be useful for those 'problem'by DaveR - RepRap Host
Re: RepMan with Gen3 Electronics - 15 years ago
Both sets of electronics do almost exactly the same job, and have come from the same original designs. They're almost interchangeable already... I've got the feeling that swopping them over probably isn't enough of a 'contribution' either. How about using the completed RapMan to build the parts for a Mendel - and using the gen3 electronics to build the Mendel? That's basically using the resultby DaveR - General
Re: University Project - 15 years ago
Sorry for the delay, but I've finally got round to catching up. With that time budget, helping out the wiki is a good start. there is a general access builder's wiki at . Or, perhaps more interesting, is thinking up, designing and posting some objects on thingiverse for RepRappers to build! :-) Thanksby DaveR - General
Re: advice - 15 years ago
Check out the repstrap documentation - basically it's a low-cost reprap built out of scavenged parts . By using anything you have to hand, it keeps the costs down. There are some good RepStrap blogs out there - they've got good ideas and a description of real-life building, for example The software will run happily without being connected to a RepRap - the java host software, and the skeinfoby DaveR - General
Re: Wiki? - 15 years ago
smt - T for technology. I had to look up embedding images - so to practice I fixed the images for you. That's the benefit of a wiki! There's a link on the 'toolbox' on the left hand side to 'upload file'. you have to add each image individually, but then you can use [] to embed the image - and then you can add [] to place the image on the left: create a thumbnail (size 250x125 max) : andby DaveR - Administration, Announcements, Policy
Re: Wiki? - 15 years ago
note : adding [] to any other page will put in a link to that page from other pages.by DaveR - Administration, Announcements, Policy
Re: Wiki? - 15 years ago
Hi Since I suggested it, perhaps I should explain... Go here I went to the end, hit Edit... Added =Tutorials= [] [] to the end: this gives me some links/wikipages... click the link. Cut/paste the tutorial. Save. Hopefully it's easy - now.by DaveR - Administration, Announcements, Policy
Re: change size of the table - 15 years ago
Hi Jorge! There should be no problem with using a larger table! The software (host and firmware) has simple settings for the table sizes - the makerbot has a small table, but RepStraps have tables of different sizes! Good luck!by DaveR - RepRap Host
Re: printed parts - 15 years ago
Hi Joe. Many people have asked for parts. Unfortunately, at the moment, it takes considerable effort and time to print off a complete set of parts for a reprap. Most of those with a working reprap are also working hard on their own projects and maintaining their own repraps, so have limited time and effort. This means that it often takes a personal connection to get the process started. Howevby DaveR - Wanted
Re: spear parts - 15 years ago
Hi Joe. Many people have asked for parts. Unfortunately, at the moment, it takes considerable effort and time to print off a complete set of parts for a reprap. Most of those with a working reprap are also working hard on their own projects and maintaining their own repraps, so have limited time and effort. This means that it often takes a personal connection to get the process started. Howevby DaveR - Wanted
Re: Need Darwin Parts in Australia - 15 years ago
Hi Joe. Many people have asked for parts. Unfortunately, at the moment, it takes considerable effort and time to print off a complete set of parts for a reprap. Most of those with a working reprap are also working hard on their own projects and maintaining their own repraps, so have limited time and effort. This means that it often takes a personal connection to get the process started. Howevby DaveR - Wanted
Re: Precut Acrylic for McWire Cartesian Bot - 15 years ago
Hi Joe. Many people have asked for parts. Unfortunately, at the moment, it takes considerable effort and time to print off a complete set of parts for a reprap. Most of those with a working reprap are also working hard on their own projects and maintaining their own repraps, so have limited time and effort. This means that it often takes a personal connection to get the process started. Howevby DaveR - Wanted
Re: printed parts nyc - 15 years ago
Hi Joe. Many people have asked for parts. Unfortunately, at the moment, it takes considerable effort and time to print off a complete set of parts for a reprap. Most of those with a working reprap are also working hard on their own projects and maintaining their own repraps, so have limited time and effort. This means that it often takes a personal connection to get the process started. Howevby DaveR - Wanted
Re: Is any one making the parts - 15 years ago
Hi Joe. Many people have asked for parts. Unfortunately, at the moment, it takes considerable effort and time to print off a complete set of parts for a reprap. Most of those with a working reprap are also working hard on their own projects and maintaining their own repraps, so have limited time and effort. This means that it often takes a personal connection to get the process started. Howevby DaveR - Wanted
Re: Raprap parts in Canada - 15 years ago
Hi Joe. Many people have asked for parts. Unfortunately, at the moment, it takes considerable effort and time to print off a complete set of parts for a reprap. Most of those with a working reprap are also working hard on their own projects and maintaining their own repraps, so have limited time and effort. This means that it often takes a personal connection to get the process started. Howevby DaveR - Wanted
Re: Printed parts in France - 15 years ago
Hi Joe. Many people have asked for parts. Unfortunately, at the moment, it takes considerable effort and time to print off a complete set of parts for a reprap. Most of those with a working reprap are also working hard on their own projects and maintaining their own repraps, so have limited time and effort. This means that it often takes a personal connection to get the process started. Howevby DaveR - Wanted