Makerbot Customization

Cupcake Refurb Project 2013

As of June 2013, a number of major upgrades have been performed / are scheduled to make the cupcake more useful and relevent.

Status

The hardware is in place, and some cura profiles are available to download. Please make sure to set the bed size correctly in the cura preferences. (also confirm steps_per_E is correct.) The extruder clogs easy, and isn't very adjustable right now.

Otherwise, the printer is usable in its current state. Printrun is available on the connected raspi.

Completed

• X,Y mendel style with 10 bearings/axis <Thingivere link here> - PLA printed Y part cracked, only 9 bearings installed. Still runs well.
• Wade's extruder for cupcake [1]
  • Hobbed bolt + gear from ultimaker spares
  • Stepper based extruder - stepper borrowed from ultimaker.
• Old Ultimaker (ramps-like) board with arduino Mega that has to be returned to Fumon - Sen to provide alternative?
• X,Y endstops implemented with random mechanical switches found around the lab.
• Tuning: X,Y,Z Steps_per_unit
• Raspi configured with arch and printrun.
• Extruder tuned, replaced gear with 3d printed one (was using old wood ultimaker gear, now using same type of gear as the ultimaker.)
• took apart, cleaned out the makergear extruder.

Todo / WIP

• Toolchain integration (Cura profile) - Not all preferences get stored in file, such as bed size.
• Z endstops
• LEDs! - (one strip in place, needs configuration)
• Wiring and connecting ABP.
  • Replace ABP belt
• Cura plugin for ABP at end of print?
• Extruder tuning / replace hobbed bolt (Aonomus discussing milling makerbot-style pulley?)

Nice to haves

• Z axis replacement (MiZ z-rider?) -- Biggest flaw in current prints is Z-wobble.

Parameters and notes

• Using Marlin firmware. Full configuration to be posted on github once it's more stable.
• Motor model: KYSAN SKU: 1123029. Using 12V, 0.4A. (xyz only, extruder = better motor.) - Set pololu ref voltage to a bit under 0.16v.) [2]
• PID values + thermo values being played with. Default values overshoot hotend significantly.
  • See reference values here: [3]

Historical

The Hacklab has made a number of customization to our Makerbot:

• Thermocouple in the Plastruder heater instead of the default thermocouple (including adding converter board for signal)
• Heated build platform