Repetier for RostockMax and RAMBO

[v8tony]

I am Soooooo much happier with this firmware... the motion is smoother and it lays out plastic more evenly... big improvement (IMHO)...

I do have 2 comments:
I get inconsistency on how it "homes"... I had to slow it WAY down from the setting that it was at when I downloaded... also, I don't like how it homes all the axis at once. I prefered (maybe I'm just crazy) the way the Marlin firmware homed each axis slowly one at a time... I get a pretty big swing in Z height now... I think I need to slow it down even more...

The motion seems "finer" to me (if that makes any sense)... when jogging around to find 0 before sometimes the machine would ignore a 0.1mm request and then jump 2 on the next command... I never understood why... now, it's nice and smooth and responds to every 0.1 request... (even sounds happier doing it)...

Tony

[Polygonhell]

I am Soooooo much happier with this firmware... the motion is smoother and it lays out plastic more evenly... big improvement (IMHO)...

I generally agree IMO I think it's got much smoother motion.

I do have 2 comments:
I get inconsistency on how it "homes"... I had to slow it WAY down from the setting that it was at when I downloaded... also, I don't like how it homes all the axis at once. I prefered (maybe I'm just crazy) the way the Marlin firmware homed each axis slowly one at a time... I get a pretty big swing in Z height now... I think I need to slow it down even more...

I run the homing at the speed I uploaded 60mm/s, and after adjusting my bed offset slightly from my Marlin settings, I'm consistently within 0.05mm. FWIW I turned the homing speed down from the 80mm/s that the firmware was originally homing at.
As long as the limit switches can't move, the only speed that should matter is the speed of the second move.
I think the repetier homing code is likely just as robust as the Marlin code, and 3 times faster :p

The motion seems "finer" to me (if that makes any sense)... when jogging around to find 0 before sometimes the machine would ignore a 0.1mm request and then jump 2 on the next command... I never understood why... now, it's nice and smooth and responds to every 0.1 request... (even sounds happier doing it)...
Tony

Marlin has something in the path planner that ignores moves less that 5 (by default) steps, it tries to combine them with a subsequent move, this is why it ignores 0.1mm jogs.
I actually think this code is one of the issues with it not respecting the requested speed/uneven motion, because the delta bot requires none linear moves, the code just breaks down any move into a lot of small sub millimeter moves, and queues them. I believe this results in two issues, the first is that it can flood the planning buffer which causes it to block on the add to the buffer (Repetier deals with this differently), the second is if you're print speed is low enough the majority of moves fall under the 5 step limit and I think the code is really designed to deal with the case as an exception rather than the rule.

[daftscience]

This may seem like a dumb question. But after downloading the Repetier firmware from github what do I need to change in the config file before flashing it to the Rambo board?


Tom

[geneb]

Tom, if you look at the first post in the thread, Polygonhell lists the parameters that need to be changed.

Polygonhell:Do you know if the Repetier-firmware author is planning on adding support for the RRD LCD interface panel? From the notes I read in the code, the interface it supports isn't wired the same as the RRD device.

tnx.

g.

[Polygonhell]

Tom, if you look at the first post in the thread, Polygonhell lists the parameters that need to be changed.

Polygonhell:Do you know if the Repetier-firmware author is planning on adding support for the RRD LCD interface panel? From the notes I read in the code, the interface it supports isn't wired the same as the RRD device.

tnx.

g.

I have an LCD on order, if it arrives before the weekend I'll make the changes, if it doesn't it'll be a few weeks before I can get to it.

[Polygonhell]

This may seem like a dumb question. But after downloading the Repetier firmware from github what do I need to change in the config file before flashing it to the Rambo board?


Tom

If you are using my branch and your machine is wired as in the manual, nothing.
You will need to change the Z height in the EEPROM settings in repetier host and it's no a bad idea to run PID auto tune and change those settings in the EEPROM.

[daftscience]

Thanks, I guess I can't figure out how to clone branches :/ I just downloaded the zip and it worked like a charm.

[kometen]

Thanks for the files for Repetier.
FYI I had to invert the direction for all 3 drives when I switched from the Marlin to your setup.

Above it is written that the values in the configuration or eeprom can be changed from Repetier. How is
that done?

Br Poul

[Polygonhell]

Thanks for the files for Repetier.
FYI I had to invert the direction for all 3 drives when I switched from the Marlin to your setup.

Above it is written that the values in the configuration or eeprom can be changed from Repetier. How is
that done?

Br Poul

The direction is correct if you wired the motors as described in the manual.
The Marlin drop was incorrect for a while, I think John has since fixed it, so if you adjusted the motor wiring to work correctly in the marlin drop then yes they run the wrong way.
I run Repetier Host on a Mac the key to edit the EEPROM values is Command-E, it's also a menu item, I would assume the Windows version is similar.
EEPROM values do not cover all Configuration.h values, but if there is an EEPROM value then it overrides the corresponding Configuration.h value.
You can change all the EEPROM values to match the Configuration.h values by sending M502 to reset to the Configuration.h values and M500 to store those in the EEPROM.

[halopend]

I was able to fix the LCD by mapping out the extra pins in the fastio.h file and modifying the pins_arduino.h file as outlined in http://www.reprap.org/wiki/RamboLCD

I put the firmware up at
https://github.com/Halopend/Repetier-Fi ... evelopment

You can download the modified pin mappings for Arduino 1.0.3 from
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?0m1zt8o8cqwpm1t
or http://www.reprap.org/wiki/RamboLCD for versions 0022 or 0023

This goes into /Applications/Arduino.app/Contents/Resources/Java/hardware/arduino/variants/mega/pins_arduino.h on the mac for version 1.0.3
and /Applications/Arduino.app/Contents/Resources/Java/hardware/arduino/cores/arduino/pins_arduino.c on the mac if using the file from http://www.reprap.org/wiki/RamboLCD

I'm not a huge fan of the layout repetier uses for the LCD as it seems to have many layered menus, but it looks like it might have some really useful features within. Manually controlling the position seems really studdery, and somehow trying to mess with the leveling feature has reversed the direction it homes at for me (!) but overall Im impressed with its smooth operation over marlin.

[geneb]

Awesome. I'll have to give that a shot this weekend.

Thanks!

g.

[kometen]

A question for the Repetier software (works great):
Configuration.h

// maximum positions in mm - only fixed numbers!
// For delta robot Z_MAX_LENGTH is maximum travel of the towers and should be set to the distance between the hotend
// and the platform when the printer is at its home position.
// If EEPROM is enabled these values will be overidden with the values in the EEPROM
#define X_MAX_LENGTH 363.0
#define Y_MAX_LENGTH 363.0
#define Z_MAX_LENGTH 363.0

Can I use these setting to adjust the level instead of the 3 screws at the end stops?

how to understand the (only fixed numbers) ??

/Poul

[Polygonhell]

Can I use these setting to adjust the level instead of the 3 screws at the end stops?

/Poul

It's my understanding that yes that works and it's how the auto bed leveling works from the LCD controller. Having said that I haven't tried it and I haven't looked at the source code in enough details to verify, if it does work, please let me know.

[kometen]

ok, I will revert when tested.
/Poul

[Polygonhell]

ok, I will revert when tested.
/Poul

BTW You'll need to set the values in the EEPROM settings, not in configuration.h.

[kometen]

thanks, however I have switched the eeprom funktion off for the moment. it is more convenient.
/poul

[jesse]

Version 0.83 of Repetier-Host supports circular build areas.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/jGVmHFF.png[/img]

[barnett]

From the Changelog.txt file on github, this seems to be true for 0.83:

Code: Select all

Version 0.83 22-01-2013
  Slic3r 0.9.8 included
  New translation: Latvian from www.ajmotion.lv
  Rostock shape (circular)
  Searches slic3r also in PATH environment.
  Search python/pypy in PATH if not defined.
  Show printer name in status bar if connected.
  Switch ETA between duration/end time if clicked in status bar.
  Fixed some multi-extruder issues.
  Recheck port list on every call of printer settings.
  Some small bug fixes.

but not yet for 0.52 for MacOS:

Code: Select all

Version 0.52 under development
  Slic3r 0.9.8
  Remove comments for M/G Codes > 255.
  Emergency kill now sends reset signal and M112.
  More baud rates.
  Select extruder from manual control.
  Show multiple temperatures for Repetier-Firmware 0.80 or higher.
  Switch ETA between time left and end time.
  Fixed possible dead lock.

[kometen]

Can I use these setting to adjust the level instead of the 3 screws at the end stops?

/Poul

It's my understanding that yes that works and it's how the auto bed leveling works from the LCD controller. Having said that I haven't tried it and I haven't looked at the source code in enough details to verify, if it does work, please let me know.

No... It didnt work. You cannot use these 3 variables to adjust the 3 towers. Still have to use the screws or metallic tape as I do.
/Poul

[Eaglezsoar]

The development version of Repetier has a lot of Delta support and generally seems better than the current Marlin Delta support.
I've been having a couple of problems with the current Marlin build which I believe are related to the way the Delta code interacts with the planner, notably, it's not always respecting the speed requested, this is most visible when a skirt is being used or a raft is being used, where the extruder motion is notably jerky.

I spent some time yesterday setting up Repetier, it requires a lot of changes in configuration.h, and a bug fix in pins.h, but the result is IMO much better than the current Marlin support, you can literally hear the difference, motion is much smoother.

You can download it from here
https://github.com/polygonhell/Repetier ... evelopment

Make sure you are pulling the development branch.
Repetier host will let you set most of the important settings in the EEPROM
The X/Y/Z max lengths (X_MAX_LENGTH etc in configuration.h if you don't just change it in the EEPROM) should be set to your Z height.
If you're not familiar with firmwares that use EEPROM values they override any changes you make in configuration.h, so if you are making changes there you have to send M502 to reset to the configuration.h values and M500 to store those in the EEPROM.

The thermistor is reading low, by about 10 degrees at about 220C, currently I'm just setting temperatures hotter, at some point I'll mess with the Beta value to improve the accuracy.
I had to disable the LCD screen, I don't have one to test yet, it caused issues when I tried it enabled, it may work if you do have one, and it has some nice Delta specific features, most notably the ability to level the bed without touching the endstop screws.

Disclaimer - I've printed all of 2 parts with this so YMMV.

I am building the Rostock Max very soon and I am considering using the repetier firmware and host, especially because of your recommendations. Have you had a chance to correct the firmware to work properly with the smartlcd
display? Hopefully you will let us know via this thread when everything is working. I want to personally thank you for your hard work and I'm sure that there are a lot of unknown users reading this and are looking forward to a
repetier that works with the printer and the Lcd. I also appreciate all of your other postings on this forum, I've learned a lot from you and others by reading the contents of what was written. My plans are also to use Ramps 1.4,
I'm not in favor of these all in one boards that cost a fortune because of one driver failing.

[Polygonhell]

I'm traveling on business until the end of this week, I have an LCD waiting at home, I'll probably be hideously jet lagged this weekend, so it may be next weekend before I get to it.

[v8tony]

For what it's worth I upgraded to the new version of Repetier (with the round build space) and the LCD enabled version of the firmware and all is well... I haven't had much time to print much, but, I did do a 3 hour print overnight last night with no issues...

FYI

Tony

[Eaglezsoar]

For what it's worth I upgraded to the new version of Repetier (with the round build space) and the LCD enabled version of the firmware and all is well... I haven't had much time to print much, but, I did do a 3 hour print overnight last night with no issues...

FYI

Tony

Did you get the LCD to work and if so is there anything special that needs to be done?
Which version of Repetier and possibly a link to it? Thanks!

[halopend]

Did you get the LCD to work and if so is there anything special that needs to be done?
Which version of Repetier and possibly a link to it? Thanks!

He probably means the one I posted earlier here

[v8tony]

Yes, it's the firmware referenced above and the 0.83 version of Repetier

http://www.repetier.com/download/

I didn't do anything special. I did have it working with the Marlin firmware already, but, it stopped working when I first switched over to the Repetier firmware until the latest changes...

The menu's are a little different, but, it's the same basic thing... I haven't tried printing from an SD card since I changed everything over, but, no reason to believe that wouldn't work...

Tony