Yesterday was a long day with the printer.  I arrived at the lab at 10:00am and started working on the printer.  First I took the latest Marlin program I had already modified for the PIII, compiled it and uploaded it to the Arduino.  I open repetier host and tried to heat the bed.  No luck, however, all the lights on the Arduino were functioning and the RAMPS board didn't have any issues.  Also, I was able to heat the extruder and get feedback temperature.  Something else was wrong.  Also, I was not able to move any of the stepper motors.  The Y-stepper had some chatter.  After hours of troubleshooting, I found that the Arduino was not plugged into the RAMPS properly.  Once I made that change everything started working as predicted.  Getting there was a trial of fire that also required a pound of flesh!

Next, the wires on all the stepper motors were sideways.  So I had to repopulate all of the connector housings.

So I was able to setup the z-axis and stops the x-axis and I'm in the process of setting up the y-axis.  It turns out that need to print a new motor bracket.  I left the lab at 11:30pm

Programming the Arduino for my printer and for the school printer purple rain.  and I got the stepper motors to move on the purple rain printer.

I did not have a chance to work on my printer.  I did work on my spirograph model this weekend and plan to print something to show in class on Tuesday.


Without the power attached.
Happy day!

Spirograph

So I'm working on Spirographs today so I can add something eye-catching to my printer frame.  I like the purple lines on the black background

These are fun to do however my goal is to print a 3d model of a Spirograph so I will need to start this process in  cad software like Rhino or AutoCAD then import it to a 3d modeling package like Inventor create a stl file and print it.

All wired dot com

Yes as the title suggest I have fully wired my road dog which is a good thing.  Next, I need to do a "plugs out" test of the controller board to check to see if the display lights up.  Then I drop in the program.  Note I have not put the drive belts on yet but plan to after I test with all of the components plugged in.  I hope to have the printing this week! 

Note I have included a picture of my printers at home as well.

 

Sunday wiring

Got the wiring very close to complete.  See the attached pictures.

wiring and other printed parts

I substituted 16ga wire for the 14ga for the 12-volt wire going from the power supply to the controller board.  They fit nicely into 1/4" black plastic flexible conduit.  I printed a bracket for my display, however, the nozzle clogged so I need to reprint it tonite.  So the plan is to do all of the wiring tomorrow while monitoring (i.e.on both of the printers).

I leave you with this->

Road dog wiring progress

Road dog things completed;

1. y-tensioner assembled 
2. new heat bed glass
3. assembled Arduino 
4. assembled display box final
5. all 3d parts are printed
6. z-axis end switch assembled
7. y-axis end switch assembled

Need to wire the hot end and heated bed.

Need to test and electronics then put on belts.