Generation 6 Electronics

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Generation 6 Electronics

Release status: unknown

Gen6 PCB final batch1.jpg
Description
Generation 6 Electronics
License
GPL v2
Author
Contributors
Based-on
Categories
CAD Models
External Link


FILE ID# TYPE DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE FORMATS CREATED/RESERVED BY
GEN6_FIRMWARE_v24082010 PDE H GEN6 - Firmware version: August 24 2010 .zip --Camiel 19:30, October 4, 2010 (UTC)
GEN6_BOM_v1_04102010 XLS ODS CSV GEN6 - BOM in xls, ods, csv format .zip --Camiel 19:00, October 4, 2010 (UTC)
GEN6_COMPONENT_LAYOUT_13082010 PDF GEN6 component_layout in PDF (version: 20100813) .pdf --Camiel 19:45, October 4, 2010 (UTC)
GEN6_EAGLE_FILES_?? ZIP GEN6 All the Eagle Files (.brd, .sch., etc. in a .zip) (version: ?????) .zip --Camiel ??, October 4, 2010 (UTC)
Please edit this and click the red links to put in your own files! --Sebastien Bailard 08:34, 10 September 2010 (UTC) 

Nomenclature

These boards are candidates for the Generation 6 Electronics, as soon as Camiel uploads files.

Status

@note above: As promised earlier, we will publish all files needed, so these electronics are open-source, WHEN we start shipping. Today is first day we ship, as soon as we are done (in 1-2hours) we will upload necessary files. ps. im new to the whole wiki.. and just uploading a few files seems to take a while.. just be patient, im doing my best. And If I have forgotten something, then let me know.


We have developed new electronics dedicated for Mendel, Post-Mendels and RepStraps.

Our electronics have a single board solution, so you dont need all those cables and one thick sheet and 4 reprap parts less..

It has a standard USB connection (USB A-B cable needed), so you dont need an expensive USB-TTL cable.

It uses micro stepping (less noise).

And it will be cheaper than for example Makerbot's version of the RepRap Generation 3 electronics.

Our firmware is pre-installed on the boards, it is standard FiveD firmware with addons/changes.

We will also continue to improve the electronics and firmware in the future.


User:Camiel is the lead developer for these boards and is documenting in this space; and is currently the primary supplier via his webshop: mendel-parts.com

The boards are still under development and will be released somewhere around 20-27 September 2010.

The first production serie has started 23 August.

The electronics are being produced here in The Netherlands.


Hardware Features:

- Single board solution

- 4x stepper motor drivers with 1/8 microstepping

- on-board USB-RS232 convertor

- Integrated hardware for driving one extruder (stepper, heater and thermistor)

- RS485 bus connector with the possibility to link through the extruder step and dir signals

- Integrated hardware for driving H21LOB slotted optosensors

- High input voltage range: 12-24Vdc

- Use of standard connectors with easy and clean installation

- Debug leds for power, communication and heater output

- Reset button


Specifications:

- Dimensions 110x60mm

- Mounting grid: 100x50mm (4x M3)

- Input voltage 12-24Vdc

- On-board controller: ATmega 644 (Atmel Corp.)

- RS485 connector: RJ45

- Heat output: Mosfet output, 4A

- Thermistors input: 100K thermistor


For the power supply 50W should be enough, but 60W is recommended.

About the input voltage: 12-24Volts is possible, but the nichrome wire length needs to be changed also if input voltage is not 12V!

In the near future we will have plug n play motors and opto's on cables both pre-fitted with molex connectors... more news on that soon.


Estimated selling price:

- assembled PCB: 130 EURO

- assembled PCB + 3 opto's on cables incl molex connectors: 149 EURO

(the pcb of the opto's is integrated, its just the opto on cables with 5way molex connector)

we might have an extended kit also which also include motors with molex connectors and correct cable lengths.


Version: 0.1

15-07-2010 First prototype has been successfully tested.

05-08-2010 First prints were printed successfully.

11-08-2010 We upgraded one of our production Mendels (#3) to the gen6 electronics and are printing mendel parts now with it.

(ps. its very quiet)

14-08-2010: We upgraded another mendel (#1) now also to Gen6 electronics, because we couldnt hear our other machine with gen6 running because of the makerbot electronics on this one.. and for some more testing off course

15-08-2010: First video on youtube: video 1 of gen6 electronics in action

18-08-2010: Second video on youtube: video 2 of gen6 electronics in action and bit more zooming on electronics and opto's

Mendel nr4 GEN6 8042.jpg Mendel nr4 GEN6 8044.jpg

Mendel nr4 GEN6 8046.jpg


FAQ


Q: Why did you develop the new electronics called "Generation 6 Electronics" ?

A: Well this is a funny answer.. back in April, when i started rolling out our webshop plans.. I also wanted to have our own electronics. Because in a few months (i thought back then..) I wanted to be able to offer full machines. So I went to an electronics partner (he has his own micro electronics company) I knew from University here and asked if he could help me produce these Gen3 electronics for a good price. And well the short answer is: he refused, he told me it was way too complicated, and also expensive because of that.. and well he mentioned alot of more negative things about them, but a few things i remembered: bad components placement, interference possibilities etc. So he didnt want to cooperate on producing that, only if i really, really insisted. So then we started talking about a solution.. and well, 3months later I was printing with the first Gen6 prototype.. (yes it amazed me too, how fast it all went..).


Q: Why are your new electronics named "Generation 6" ?

A: While developing these electronics, my electronics partner at a certain point started asking me for a name for these electronics, which was needed for the firmware. Me personal i didnt care what they were named.. lol, i just want good quality and good priced electronics that work properly. But it happened to be the same day one person from reprap-dev and the reprap forums asked me why i wasnt writing about our electronics development on the Generation 6 pages.. because apparently Gen4 and Gen5 existed.. (in development). So for me one and one was two...


Q: Why did you wait so long with publishing files etc?

A: Well two reasons here, Im new to this wiki and well its bit more complicated then i thought.. and I didnt have much time lately. Other reason is also Im personally investing alot of money in the development of these electronics. And I need to get that investment out in the first production serie, because this is open-source and anyone can reproduce. So we decided to wait with releasing files untill we shipped the first GEN6 electronics, so we have a bit head start and hopefully get our investment out.. BTW: This also means if we sell enough and can start a 2nd batch.. prices can drop a bit...