Minitronics 10

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Version specific info
Minitronics 10 - Minitronics 11
Crystal Clear action run.png
Minitronics 1.0

Release status: Working

Minitronicsv1.jpg
Description
Single board, plug and play solution
License
Author
Contributors
Based-on
Categories
CAD Models
External Link


Summary

Minitronics is the latest development of ReprapWorld.com. It's designed to be an easy to use, compact and smart solution to fit 90% of the 3D-printers. Unlike the Megatronics, which targets at the advanced range of usages, the Minitronics is plug and plug, which will fit the needs of the average user better.

Minitronics has a powerful Atmega1281 processor with 128 KB memory, running at 16Mhz. The board can be connected to a PC using a normal USB cable. It will register as FTDI FT232R device. The board is compatible with Arduino and will therefor be easily programmed from the Arduino IDE.

Minitronicsv1 connectors.jpg

Configuring Arduino

For Arduino you need to make some changes, best is to download a pre-configured Arduino version from the Reprapworld.com's website. But if you need to adjust your own copy, or adjust a newer Arduino version, you can follow these steps:

  1. Download the Arduino addons file from the files section below and extract the file.
  2. Copy the contents in the mega1281.name=Minitronics section of boards.txt to the boards.txt of the Arduino copy (arduino/hardware/arduino/boards.txt).
  3. Copy the contents of the directories bootloaders and variants to the corresponding directories in arduino/hardware/arduino/.
  4. Copy Arduino.h to hardware/arduino/cores/arduino

If you start Arduino, you should see Minitronics available as option in the boards submenu.

Configuring Marlin

For Marlin you need an adjusted fastio.h. You can download it from the files section below, place it in the Marlin directory next to Marlin.h. Or you can download a pre-configured Marlin version from the Reprapworld.com's website.

Testing the board

To test the functionality of the board, a test firmware is available. You can download it from the files section. This firmware will help you test the board. Disconnect everything except the USB cable to your computer. Upload the the test firmware to the board with Arduino, the blue debug LED should blink every second. By using the serial monitor in Arduino the board will provide an output like: T1 1023 T2 1023 These values represent the resistance measured from t1 and t2. When you connect a thermistor to the pins, the corresponding value in the serial monitor should change to about 890.

By connecting the 12V line, the MOSFETs should have power and their LEDs will blink in order. This verifies the MOSFETs and 12V power are OK.

Also the stepper motors should turn when connected, with the 12V line in place. They will turn a short time and switch direction.

These three tests will verify the basic functionality of the board.

Measuring the driver current

It seems that the board need to have the main power plugged.

You can check the Vref by putting the + probe in the middle of the driver's pot, and the - on a ground (like the usb)

Minitronics Vref probe 1.jpg Minitronics Vref probe 2.jpg

If you follow the user-manual of the minitronics you don't need a volt-meter, but you may want to fine tune the limit current of the driver and check the exact value. It is similar to setting the driver current on other board or for pololu, as a reference read also : Pololu_stepper_driver_board

Basic setup

This paragraph will show you how to connect the board. This is just a basic example, your requirements may differ. There is a lot of community support available in the RepRap forums. By placing your questions there other users may benefit of the information too.

MinitronicsV1BasicSetup.jpg

First connect your computer with a standard USB cable. The power LED should light up and the blue debug LED should blink once. The rxd and txd LEDs near the USB connector may blink fast for a short period.

Connect the fan to the fan connector on the Minitronics board. The red wire should co on the + side. Place the fan on the bottom of the board with about 1cm distance, so it can cool the board properly. Failing to cool the board sufficiently will result in shutting down of the stepper drivers, which will be bad for your print.

The power supply should be connected to the atx connector using the provided atx wire. Mind the polarization, the yellow wires should be +! Connect the heated bed to LHB, this terminal allows larger currents, up to 10A. The first extruder heater should be connected to LEX1. A cooling fan can be connected to the the LEX1 terminals.

Dual extruder setup

With the dual extruder setup you cannot use the heated bed, because there are only 2 thermistor connectors available. Also an external stepper driver board is required, which can be connected to the EXTSTEP connector. Refer to the datasheet for the pin layout/

Setup for dual extruder is basically the same as with one extruder, only the heated bed thermistor connector will be used for the second extruder. Also the external stepper driver board needs to be connected to the EXTSTEP connector.

You will probably need to add a 4.7k smd (0805) resistor to R44 to allow the 3rd thermistor (see datasheets).

Connecting end stop

You can connect either a opto end stops or a microswitch. Refer to you firmware on how to properly configure the firmware to use the end stop. The board has three headers for end stops, one for each axis. Each header has three pins:

1. + (5v output) 2. - (ground) 3. S (signal, directly connected to the atmega pin.

The following images show on ho to connect the end stops:

Optoendstopminitronics.png Opto end stop

Endstopminitronics.png Microswitch end stop

Raspberry Pi and Octoprint

You may want to add a Raspberry Pi with Octoprint to drive your RepRap. You can easily connect the Raspberry Pi by plugging RPI's 5V input (you can cut a microUSB cable and use only the Red and Black cables) to the two "5V Output" pins of the Microtronics.

Then, if you want to supply everything (Minitronics + RPI) only with the 12V power connector, you need to unjump the "USB" Jumper and to jump the "SRC12v" jumper.

Notes

  • F1 fuse is 8A (elec)
  • F2 fuse is 10A (bed)

Files