From RepRapWiki

Contents 1 Main Body 1.1 Wooden Parts 1.2 Non-Wooden Parts 2 Extruder 2.1 Printed Parts 2.2 Non-Printed Parts 3 Electronics 3.1 RAMPS 4 Summary 5 Safety Tip 6 Support 7 Safety Tip 8 Build and Use 9 Ingredients 9.1 Schematic 9.2 Source 10 Custom Versions 10.1 Grogyans 11 Showcase 12 Change Log 13 How to get it 14 Wish list 15 Trouble Shooting 15.1 Stepper Driver Testing 15.2 Q&A 15.3 Sanguinololu 15.4 Generation 6 Electronics 15.5 Generation 7 Electronics 15.6 Generation 3 Electronics

Main Body

Wooden Parts

Quantity	Description	Type	Comments
2	445x18x45mm	Board	Drawer slides X-axis
2	200x18x45mm	Board	Drawer slides Z-axis
1	300x18x45mm	Board	Attachment for the captive nut, Y-axis
2	50x18x45mm	Board	Attachment for the captive nut, X-axis and Z-axis
2	415x18x70mm	Board	Base Frame
2	450x18x70mm	Board	Base Frame
2	350x18x70mm	Board	Vertical frame, X-axis
1	160x18x70mm	Board	Z-axis, extruder mount
1	110x18x70mm	Board	Z-axis, motor mount
1	300x400x18mm	Board	Bed. A 5 mm plywood may be used to reduce mass.

Everything is plain softwood. The cheap kind from the hardware store. (It is not intended to be long lasting) Be carefull to choose only straight boards and planks. Leave the warped behind. If you intend for the machine to last longer, better quality wood can be used and glued together as well as using screws.

All dimensions are rough measurments, some adaptations will be required.

Non-Wooden Parts

Quantity	Description	Type	Comments
2	250mm	Rail	Come in pairs. Four total rails.
1	450mm	Rail	Come in pairs. Two total rails.
-	4x25mm SPAX screws	Fastener	A good handful of screws (Ex. Spax)
-	3x15mm SPAX screws	Fastener	A good handful of screws
-	4x35mm SPAX screws	Fastener	A good handful of screws
3	NEMA 17 bipolar stepper motors	Stepper	Be sure to get ones with at least 20mm of shaft length
6	100x100mm brace	Fastener	Corner braces for base frame (Ex. Corner Brace)
4	120x120mm brace	Fastener	Flat corner braces for base frame
Option 1: Threaded Rods
2	M10x350mm	Threaded rod	X-Y-axis
1	M5x200mm	Threaded rod	Z-axis
4	M10 nut	Fastener	X-Y-axis. 2 per axis.
2	M5 nut	Fastener	Z-axis. 2 per axis.
3	Aquarium tubing	Misc	Coupling purposes
4	Hose clamp	Misc	Coupling purposes
Option 2: Timing Belt
1	840mm×5mm T5 pitch timing belt	Belt	Y-axis
1	900mm×5mm T5 pitch timing belt	Belt	X-axis
1	M8x18cm	Threaded rod	Z-axis
3	M8 nut	Fastener	Z-axis
1	M8 brass plug	Fastener
1	Cable tie	Fastener
4	60mm chair angle	Fastener
Optional
4	608 roller skate / inline skate / skateboard bearing	Bearing

The seat angle can be quite easy to convert with holders for 42mm flange NEMA17 steppers (see below) In Mendel timing belt kit is usually included in a Z-strap width 16mm. For one need only one Mendel 5mm wide, after splitting then remains a second.

Extruder

• The following extruder is Wade's Geared Extruder for 3mm filament. For 1.75mm filament use RepRap Universal Mini Extruder; or any other compatible extruder for either.

Printed Parts

Quantity	Description	Type	Comments	Diagram
1	extruder block	RP	File:M8 Extruder 3.zip
1	extruder idler block	RP	File:M8 Extruder 3.zip
1	11 tooth drive gear	RP	File:M8 Gears.zip
1	39 tooth M8 hub driven gear	RP	File:M8 Gears.zip

Non-Printed Parts

Quantity	Description	Type	Comments
Feeder
2	608 bearings, skateboard bearings	Bearings
1	M8X50 bolt	Fastener	to be hobbed, M8x60 has a longer smooth part, allows a second lock-nut, and may be easier to find
1	M8 nut	Fastener	Nyloc works better, but a pair of nuts will also work
4-5	M8 washers	Fastener	to space the large gear clear of the motor retaining bolt heads
Idler
1	608 bearing, skateboard bearing	Bearings
1	(M)8X20	Threaded rod
4	M4X60 or M4X45 hex head bolts	Fastener	Hex head will work best (they won't turn), and longer than 45 mm will be easier to assemble if you can find them.
4	M4 nuts	Fastener	typically wing nuts
8	M4 washers	Fastener
4	~4mm ID springs	Spring	Sized to fit over an M4 bolt, unsprung length of 10-12mm, each spring providing 25-35N load. For a given filament drive force, you'll need about twice the spring force - i.e., if you want 100N of filament drive, your springs need to push with about 50N each.
16	M4 washers	Fastener	optional; 4 washers on each M4X45 idler bolt between the main block and the idler block will limit the idler travel and make reloading filament easier.
NOTE: Some users have their extruders working without springs, but springs are recommended. A good source for these springs is in the cloth-cabinet on spring loaded skirt-hangers or trouser-hangers. Just cut the right length off the springs.
Hot End Mount
2	M3X35 bolts	Fastener
4	M3 washers	Fastener
2	M3 nuts	Fastener
1	2.5mm drill		See section Hot End
Stepper Motor Mount
3	M3X10 bolts	Fastener	Low profile bolt heads might work better here
3	M3 washers	Fastener
1	M3 grub screw	Fastener	To secure the pulley, ideally 8mm long, but anything 6mm+ should be fine
1	M3 nut	Fastener	To secure the pulley
Stepper Motor
1	NEMA 17 bipolar stepper motors	Stepper	5 kg*cm works well; Kysan 42BYGH4803 is what I used. Should be capable of creating a holding torque of at least 40Ncm, at the very least.
Extruder Mount
2	M4X20 bolts	Fastener
2	M4 nuts	Fastener
2	M4 washers	Fastener

Electronics

• WolfStrap has the ability to use many different electronic platforms. The most popular of these are below. You will need to choose one of these or visit Alternative Electronics for information regarding non-standard electronics.

RAMPS

Summary

RepRap Arduino Mega Pololu Shield, or RAMPS for short. It is designed to fit the entire electronics needed for a RepRap in one small package for low cost. RAMPS interfaces an Arduino Mega with the powerful Arduino MEGA platform and has plenty room for expansion. The modular design includes plug in stepper drivers and extruder control electronics on an Arduino MEGA shield for easy service, part replacement, upgrade-ability and expansion. Additionally, a number of Arduino expansion boards can be added to the system as long as the main RAMPS board is kept to the top of the stack.

Version 1.4 uses surface mount capacitors and resistors to further cover edge issue cases. As of version 1.3 in order to fit more stuff RAMPS is no longer designed for easy circuit home etching. If you want to etch your own PCB either get version 1.25 or Generation_7_Electronics. Version 1.25 and earlier are "1.5 layer" designed boards (i.e. it's double sided board, but one of layers can easily be replaced with wire-jumpers) that is printable on your RepRap with the etch resist pen method, or home fabbed with toner transfer.

This board is mostly based on Adrian's Pololu_Electronics and work by Tonok. Copper etch resists methods suggested by Vik. Also inspired by Vik's work with EasyDrivers. circuit design based mostly on Adrian's Pololu_Electronics Joaz at RepRapSource.com supplied initial pin definitions and many design improvements. Much inspiration, suggestions, and ideas from Prusajr, Kliment, Maxbots, Rick, and many others in the RepRap community.

Mendel printed RAMPS wired to Mendel.	Mendel with RAMPS in enclosure mounted.	screen capture of 2-sided RAMPS layout	commercially fabbed 2-sided RAMPS wired to Mendel
RAMPS1.3

Features

• It has provisions for the cartesian robot and extruder.
• Expandable to control other accessories.
• 3 mosfets for heater / fan outputs and 3 thermistor circuits.
• Fused at 5A for additional safety and component protection
• Heated bed control with additional 11A fuse
• Fits 5 Pololu stepper driver board
• Pololu boards are on pin header sockets so they can be replaced easily or removed for use in future designs.
• I2C and SPI pins left available for future expansion.
• All the Mosfets are hooked into PWM pins for versatility.
• Servo style connectors are used to connect to the endstops, motors, and leds. These connectors are gold plated, rated for 3A, very compact, and globally available.
• SD Card add on available -- Available now made by Kliment - Sdramps
• LEDs indicate when heater outputs on
• Option to connect 2 motors to Z for Prusa Mendel

Safety Tip

Once you start putting electricity into your RepRap - even at just 12 volts - you have to take basic, common sense precautions to avoid fires. Just in case these fail, test your workshop smoke detector. Got no smoke detector? Get one!

Support

The primary channel for RAMPS support is the RAMPS Forum

Safety Tip

Once you start putting electricity into your RepRap - even at just 12 volts - you have to take basic, common sense precautions to avoid fires. Just in case these fail, test your workshop smoke detector. Got no smoke detector? Get one!

Build and Use

See the page that corresponds with the version you are building RAMPS1.4,RAMPS1.3 or RAMPS 1.2

Ingredients

Schematic

Current schematic shown. For older versions click the image. Click again for full image.

Source

FILE ID#	TYPE	DESCRIPTION	DOWNLOAD
File:ArduinoMegaPololuShield.zip	Eagle Files	These are the files you need to make the board.(Use the File: link to the left to access older versions of the file.)	media:ArduinoMegaPololuShield.zip
File:RepRapjr.lbr	Eagle Libraries	The components used in this board are here. see Eagle_Library	media:RepRapjr.lbr

Custom Versions

Grogyans

Will have locking connectors for the motors. Uses the MAX6675 thermocouple sensor, which essentially replaces the AD595. Less vias, which should also increase building time. Bottom only, to enable the possibility of a RepRap or toner transfer method to fabricate the board. Moved the power LED to the front for easy identification. Providing the user has a proto-shield for Mega, there is plenty of pins left for them to play with. By using another tiered board, will alow the possibility of more extruders and LCD all of which can communicate over the I2C protocol.

Showcase

printed on a RepRap Mendel with the etch resist method Using_cad.py	attempt at printing labels with sharpie	Two-sided PCB Built v1.0	messy back of the first prototype of RAMPS -- built on a generic megaproto shield with point to point wiring, rather than a custom RAMPS PCB
RAMPS with standard pin headers

Change Log

• 1.4 August 4, 2011

1. Changed capacitors and resistors to surface mount components
2. Added LEDs to mosfet outputs
3. Added bulk capacitors for each stepper driver
4. Added pull up resistors to enable to override the Pololu drivers default enabled state
5. Added mosfet gate resistors
6. Added pull-ups for I2C
7. Servo1 connector moved to pin 11 to free 7 for ADK
8. Fixed thermals
9. Servo 5V supply is only connected to VCC if a jumper is added
10. Reset switch changed for small footprint
11. Moved Aux conectors around a bit and increased board size ~0.1"
12. Added some space around Q3 for a small heatsink

• 1.3 May 13, 2011

1. Added 5th stepper driver socket
2. Added 3rd thermistor circuit
3. Added Heated bed circuit w/ 11A PTC fuse, changed to 4 position pluggable input jack to accommodate additional current
4. Increased board size to 4"x2.32"
5. Pin order on heater outputs changed
6. Increased spacing increased to accommodate different connectors
7. Added connectors for optional 2 motors on Z driver
8. Added connector for PS control
9. Improved expansion connector layout
10. Moved LED towards corner and added resistor to LED circuit
11. No longer optimised for home etching :(
12. License changed to GPL v3 or newer

• v1.2 January 04, 2011

1. Added 0.1" motor connector to RAMPS for each driver (motors no longer have to be connected on top of stepper drivers)
2. Added breakouts for serial and I2C
3. Changed extra power and pin headers around for easier connection to extra boards.
4. Lost most extra analog breakouts
5. More silk screen and bottom layer fixing

• v1.1 September 30, 2010

1. Replaced power barrel jack with plug-able screw terminal
2. Added jumpers to select micro-stepping on stepper driver boards
3. Added debug LED
4. Changed mosfet pins to be compatible with FiveD firmware
5. Reduced number of 100uF capacitors to 1
6. Added 100nF capacitor to 12V input
7. Put auxiliary 12VIN and GNDIN pads in a straight line
8. Silk screen and bottom layer cleaned up

• v1.0 Original RAMPS PCB design

• v0.1? Point to point wired Arduino MEGA Prototype shield

How to get it

Bare PCB and components are available from

1. Ultimachine
2. Brupje - see items for sale
3. ReprapSource
4. German RepRap Foundation (GRRF) - seller of Ramps electronics, plastruder parts, stepper motors, plastics (ABS), mechanics kits.
5. XYZ-Printers
6. Reprapworld.com

Fully assembled board are available from

1. Ultimachine
2. Brupje - see items for sale
3. XYZ-Printers
4. MixShop RAMPS 1.4 Pre-Assembled
5. A2APrinter RAMPS 1.4 Pre-Assembled
6. BCNdynamics store
7. 2PrintBeta
8. Reprapworld.com

Wish list

This shield would like to replicate with the following external boards

1. Additional Stepper Driver.
2. Replace the resettable fuse with a traditional 15A blade fuse and holder?
3. DC Driver
4. Two additional Thermistors (for a second extruder and heated chamber)
5. Include a second resistor in parallel to the thermistor to reduce self heating. See here
6. Thermocouple
7. SD Card -- Available now made by Kliment - Sdramps
8. Control Panel w/LCD
9. Ethernet
10. Host USB

Trouble Shooting

• Check List

1. RAMPS shield firmly seated on Arduino MEGA
2. No stray wires/metal to cause short
3. All connections firmly seated, screws tight
4. Power connection oriented correctly, connected to RAMPS shield (only USB is connected to MEGA)
5. Thermistor connected to T0
6. Firmware uploaded
7. Stepper driver potentiometers to a sane setting (maybe 25% from CCW to start, adjust to enough power to drive axis + not overheat)
8. Heater wires properly connected

• Cannot connect?
  • Verify firmware and host software baud rate matches
  • Disconnect USB, reconnect, and retry
  • It may be a problem with the software you're using (repsnapper). Try using pronterface.

• Stepper motor getting too hot?
  • Adjust the potentiometer (small screw) on the stepper driver in question by rotating the screw counterclockwise to decrease the current going to the stepper motor.

• My fan is not working.
  • If you have RAMPs 1.3+ and sprinter firmware (set with the default pins for RAMPs 1.3), try attaching the fan to D9 output.
  • In pronterface, the fan can be turned on by using the M106 command and turned off with M107.

Stepper Driver Testing

If you are not sure whether you have a problem with your RAMPS or the stepper drivers you can test that the driver is getting the power and signals it needs to work.

• Stepper motors getting too hot?
  • Adjust the potentiometer (small screw) on the stepper driver by rotating the screw counterclockwise to decrease the current going to the stepper motor.

Use a meter of some sort to test the signals at one of the motor drivers. Be careful not to short anything out. You can use a (-) pad in AUX-1 for ground and test the voltage on VMOT, VDD, EN, STEP, and DIR. If all of these are working correctly then the stepper driver is likely bad.

                    High(5V) when disabled, Low when enabled  EN-|     |-VMOT  12V (or voltage at 5A side of input power connector
                                              Set by Jumper  MS1-|     |-GND 0V                 
                                              Set by Jumper  MS2-|     |-1A     ---------------| <Motor Coil A   
                                              Set by Jumper  MS3-|     |-2A     ---------------|____
                                     Not used (tied to SLP)  RST-|     |-1B      -----------------/  |  <Motor Coil B
                                     Not used (tied to RST)  SLP-|     |-2B      -------------------/
                                  Pulse High for each step  STEP-|     |-VDD  5V
Switches between High and Low when driven direction changes  DIR-|     |-GND 0V

Q&A

• What power supply you recommend for your ramps board. I have just finished assembly and looking at the diagrams for a pc power supply and wondering about the separate amperages for the extruder and heated bed. Can they be higher amps without damage?

Yes, the power supply being capable of more amps than required is the desired configuration. The current shown are the max supported by RAMPS and is the minimum the power supply should be capable of. It is also OK to have both of the inputs on RAMPS connected to one PSU with enough capacity. If you are not using a heated bed the entire thing can run off the 5A side (D8 will just not work).

• I got a RAMPS V1.3 as part of a kit, but it doesn't have any installation instructions - just a schematic. Can you point us to a good tutorial for connecting everything? (i.e. stepper motors, opto flag pcb's, power, data, etc) Some of it (like the single USB port) is obvious, but some of it isn't.

See RAMPS1.3 for instructions for version 1.3. There is a version navigation bar at the top of the RAMPS pages that allow you to jump to a specific versions instructions. There is a very helpful graphic under Final Check section.

• For RAMPS V1.3 the power section of the schematic shows several places with GND/12V (C4/C6, X4-2/1, X4-4/3, VCC/D12). Which one is the GND/12V from the power supply? Is it the round power plug like a laptop power plug? Also, is the outside of that plug GND while the inside is +12V? My kit came with a note warning not to reverse the input power or it would cook the board . . . and a plug adapter with no labels that can be installed either way.

See the connecting power section of your version's page. The round plug is on the Arduino MEGA and will only power the MEGA. You need to power the green pluggable connector, it should not be reversible and the board should be marked (+) and (-). If for some reason your board is not marked you can follow the diagrams and pictures in the wiki.

Sanguinololu

Sanguinololu is a low-cost all-in-one electronics solution for Reprap and other CNC devices. It features an onboard Sanguino clone using the ATMEGA644P though a ATMEGA1284 is easily dropped in. Its four axes are powered by Pololu pin compatible stepper drivers.

The board features a developer friendly expansion port supporting I2C, SPI, UART, as well as a few ADC pins. All 14 expansion pins can be used as GPIO as well.

The board is designed to be flexible in the user's power source availability, allowing for an ATX power supply to power the board, or the user can choose to install the voltage regulator kit for use with any power supply 7V-30V.

Generation 6 Electronics

Generation 6, or Gen6, can be described as a dedicated, Plug-&-Play, single board solution for FFF/FDM 3D Printers. It is designed to be professionally manufactured, with many small surface mount components, as opposed to Generation 7 which is designed to be printed on a Mendel(among other design goals).

Another major difference with Gen6 electronics is that they use Texas Instruments DRV8811 chips to drive the stepper motors. This means they require firmware modifications from the normal Polulu-based electronics which use Allegro A4983 chips.

Generation 7 Electronics

This is a complete set of electronics designed to be replicable and do-it-yourselfable. Replication is what makes RepRap unique, so this is now extended to electronics. All Gen7 PCBs can be manufactured on a RepRap, on a general CNC milling machine, etched with the toner transfer method or they can even be bought. A long term future goal is to print the electrical tracks directly.

The circuitry design is very similar to other single board solutions, like RAMPS or Sanguinololu. Generation 7 Electronics can drive the same hardware, using the same firmwares. Additionally, it comes with a few nice details to make it more flexible, as well as more reliable.

Generation 3 Electronics

The electronics are the 'brain' of the system. They control all the various motors and actuators, read all the various inputs (endstops, temperature, etc) as well as communicate with the host system to get directions, report status, etc. The Generation 3 electronics are our latest attempt at improving these systems. The stepper drivers are smaller, more powerful and cheaper. The main processor has been upgraded from an atmega168 (Arduino) to and atmega644p (Sanguino). Likewise, the extruder controller boards have been consolidated onto a single board which itself contains an atmega168 (Arduino) which allows it to pursue its own individual tasks without the constant attention of the main board. The Generation 3 electronics also introduces an RS485 communications bus which allows the Motherboard to talk to the various extruder controllers in a nice, simple way.