RUG/Pennsylvania/State College/Printers/PSU Fab@Home

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Revision as of 12:27, 29 April 2012 by Mtg5072 (talk | contribs) (Future Projects)
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Progress

4/29/2012:
Fab@home is now fully operational in all axes. The next step in its developement will now be to undergo print testing, or alternatively, convert the electronics to RAMPS1.4 with Marlin Firmware now that all electrical components have been confirmed opperational.

2010:
Pennsylvania State University (PSU) Fab@home is in operational mode and continue to be in diagnostic form. Within next week, we have an idea how to approaching for the future project.

Fab@home current status

Build Notes

The majority of the initial PSU Fab@home build was completed by original owner, before it donated by after prolonged difficulties regarding its initial operation.

Electronics

We were fortune enough to have all the working electronic kits and installed as instructed. Microcontroller for Fab@home model 1:Microcontroller Olimex Philip LPC-H2148 (under ARM) Apparently, we are missing the JTAG cord which is important for flashing the microcontroller. I believe we are specifically looking for OpenOCD with firmware v4. However, the board were flash for firmware v3. Firmware module

Software

Currently, PSU Fab@home is using Fab@home v.23 made by cornell university for mendel 1 and driver [email protected]. Both are externally uploaded into the computer, and communicate with the PSU Fab@home.

  • Future project:
    • Convert electronics to RAMPS1.4 with Marlin firmware. This would allow Fab@home to our ultilize our RepRap slicing and control software, since original Fab@home software relies on .Fab files (developed by Fab@home), instead of standard gcode.

Material

Currently we have Acrylic Winsor Blue available for part to print. More to come on order and check out vendors for harware and material

Diagnostic Notes

Currently, Fab@home machine has a working X axis and Z axis. Y axis does not function very well because there is something wrong with the motor not being adjusted. Also, the X axis seem to be driven itself after the program are close, which is not good. With in this week, we can expected to get the Fab@home ready for future project.

Future Projects

  • Electronics and Software:
    • Convert electronics to RAMPS1.4 with Marlin firmware. This would allow Fab@home to our ultilize our RepRap slicing and control software, since original Fab@home software relies on .Fab files (developed by Fab@home), instead of standard gcode.
  • Tools
    • Develope and print L-bracket carriage adapter for Wade's Extruder. This would allow PSU RUG to utilize the machines precision linear movement for prints requiring higher tolerances.

Reference