Cupcake "Toolhead 0: Not found."

414 views
Skip to first unread message

Kraig

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 12:27:46 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
I recently bought and built a Cupcake CNC and have been trying to
build my first part. Initially I was having trouble connecting to the
machine reliably but solved that by replacing the power supply with a
higher quality and higher wattage power supply. This allows consistent
connections to the motherboard but I still get the message "Toolhead
0: Not found." Although I can still control the heater, and extruder
controller motor through the control panel. We also soldered a 180 ohm
terminating resistor into the R1 position on the extruder controller
board. Any help, suggestions?

JohnA.

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 1:33:32 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
What version of ReplicatorG are you using, and on what platform?


JohnA.

Kraig

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 3:04:40 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
ReplicatorG is 0023 on Windows 7 although I have also tried Ubuntu
10.10. I've also tried many different combinations of firmware on the
Makerbot but I currently have the newest firmware on both boards.

Koen Kooi

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 3:07:52 PM1/7/11
to make...@googlegroups.com
Have you tried the set toolhead index from the machine menu in repG?

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
> To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>

Kraig

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 4:35:50 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
I have tried to set it to 0, should I try another number?

Kraig

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 4:39:05 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
Ok, I tried again to set it to 0 and got the following output:

Setting toolhead index to 0
Packet response code: Generic Error
Packet payload: empty

Rob Giseburt

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 4:50:00 PM1/7/11
to make...@googlegroups.com
You might try this:

• Disconnect the bot from USB.
• Unplug the bot from the wall. Wait until all of the indicator lights
fade out completely.
• Disconnect the "not ethernet" cable from one end or the other.
• Make sure the HBP/ABP is completely disconnected from the EC.
• Plug the bot in to the wall, turn it on, and make sure it has power.
• Plug the "not Ethernet" cable in. Leave the HBP/ABP disconnected.
• Plug the bot in and connect from RepG.

If all goes well, check your HBP/ABP and plug it back in.

If that fails, do the same with everything connected to the EC. Power
dosn, disconnect it all (thermistor, heater, everything), then power
back up, connect the EC, then USB.

Good luck!
-Rob

Brad

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 5:08:47 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
Hi! I am sitting next to Kraig, working on the same Cupcake ... we
followed both both of Rob's "scripts," but we get the same error. It
still reads "Toolhead 0: Not found."

Some other information: Yesterday afternoon, we were able to run the
pinch wheel extruder motor, and we are able to set the temperature and
heat up the heater head (even though the software said toolhead not
found). We were even able to do a test extrusion from the heater head
and get the motor to feed properly.

When we were able to turn on the heater, the Temperature chart gave
red current temperature readings every 10 or 20 seconds. This made me
think that we might be dealing with an intermittent communications
problem over the RS-485 link. This is what led us to try to use a
more stable power supply and solder on the 180 ohm terminating
resistor on the R1 location.

Hmmm ... we are so close ... this is so frustrating!

Brad

Any other thoughts?

On Jan 7, 2:50 pm, Rob Giseburt <giseb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> You might try this:
>
> • Disconnect the bot from USB.
> • Unplug the bot from the wall. Wait until all of the indicator lights
> fade out completely.
> • Disconnect the "not ethernet" cable from one end or the other.
> • Make sure the HBP/ABP is completely disconnected from the EC.
> • Plug the bot in to the wall, turn it on, and make sure it has power.
> • Plug the "not Ethernet" cable in. Leave the HBP/ABP disconnected.
> • Plug the bot in and connect from RepG.
>
> If all goes well, check your HBP/ABP and plug it back in.
>
> If that fails, do the same with everything connected to the EC. Power
> dosn, disconnect it all (thermistor, heater, everything), then power
> back up, connect the EC, then USB.
>
> Good luck!
>   -Rob
>

Brad

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 5:27:10 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
Oh, and we have a steady green power light light on the EC board, and
a steady green power light on the MOBO, (reprap v1.2). The red debug
light on the is flashing 3 times in about 2.5 seconds, repeating every
6 seconds or so.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

Kraig

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 9:13:54 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
Ok, so we tried a longer Cat5e cable after trying the Makerbot
supplied cable, a short Cat6, and two medium length Cat5 cables. We
can connect and see both boards but have trouble with actually
extruding under Windows 7. We were able to build under Ubuntu 10.10.
Thanks to everyone that helped!

Z LeHericy

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 9:14:52 PM1/7/11
to makerbot
odd... I run Win7 Ultimate and it works great!!! no problems so far other than the standard calibration grumbles...
-Zeno LeHericy

//((=:Z:=))\\
INVENTIONS
Technologies
zinventions.com

Brad

unread,
Jan 7, 2011, 10:53:31 PM1/7/11
to MakerBot Operators
Yeah, this is odd ... I still think that it has something to do with
flakey RS-485 communications. Last year I had some custom electronics
built that relied on RS-485 communications, and the system didn't work
when tested with a 3 ft cable in the lab, only with a 100 m cable
while out in the filed. Weird. Thanks to everyone for their advice!
> > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscribe@googlegroups.c om>
> > .
> > > > > >>>> For more options, visit this group athttp://
> > groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> > Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
> > > > > > To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
> > > > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscribe@googlegroups.c om>
> > .
> > > > > > For more options, visit this group athttp://
> > groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "MakerBot Operators" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscribe@googlegroups.c om>
> > .

Bill Culverhouse

unread,
Feb 21, 2011, 11:10:59 PM2/21/11
to make...@googlegroups.com
Version 1.8 worked for me with the MG stepper when I had this problem.
I fixed the problem by reburning the bootloader on the extruder controller.
Now I use version 2.7 with no problems.
 
External driver for MG stepper extruder. gen 3 electronics. EC 2.7 MB 2.7
 
It does take a tinyISP or other programmer to reburn the bootloader.
 
-b

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 10:27 PM, Greg T. <grego...@gmail.com> wrote:
Any more updates on this? I hit the exact same problem this evening.
After a couple days putting it all together, I was about to extrude
with my Makergear stepper extruder for the first time, but just as the
filament was about to engage the gear, the stepper stopped and the
extruder temps (target and current) dropped to zero. After powering
down and restarting, I began getting the "Toolhead0: Not found"
message.

Oddly, much seems to still work. I can still control the extruder
stepper and turn on both the extruder and HBP heaters, but the current
temperature always reads 0. FWIW, the resistance on the extruder
heater (which was hooked directly to the EC, not a relay) reads about
6 ohms and the extruder controller mosfet that ran the heater looks
fine, too.

I'm tried several things suggested above. Changing patch cables didn't
do anything for me. I successfully reburned the firmware (a couple
versions), but it didn't change the situation. I tried disconnecting
everything and also resetting the toolhead index, to no avail.

I'm running repG 23 on Ubuntu 10.10.

H-E-L-P, please.
> > > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscr...@googlegroups.c om>

> > > .
> > > > > > >>>> For more options, visit this group athttp://
> > > groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> > > Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
> > > > > > > To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
> > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscr...@googlegroups.c om>

> > > .
> > > > > > > For more options, visit this group athttp://
> > > groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>
> > > --
> > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > > "MakerBot Operators" group.
> > > To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscr...@googlegroups.c om>
> > > .
> > > For more options, visit this group at
> > >http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>
> > --
> > -Zeno LeHericy
>
> > //((=:Z:=))\\
> > INVENTIONS
> > Technologies
> > zinventions.com
>
>

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com.

Greg T.

unread,
Feb 21, 2011, 10:27:19 PM2/21/11
to MakerBot Operators
Any more updates on this? I hit the exact same problem this evening.
After a couple days putting it all together, I was about to extrude
with my Makergear stepper extruder for the first time, but just as the
filament was about to engage the gear, the stepper stopped and the
extruder temps (target and current) dropped to zero. After powering
down and restarting, I began getting the "Toolhead0: Not found"
message.

Oddly, much seems to still work. I can still control the extruder
stepper and turn on both the extruder and HBP heaters, but the current
temperature always reads 0. FWIW, the resistance on the extruder
heater (which was hooked directly to the EC, not a relay) reads about
6 ohms and the extruder controller mosfet that ran the heater looks
fine, too.

I'm tried several things suggested above. Changing patch cables didn't
do anything for me. I successfully reburned the firmware (a couple
versions), but it didn't change the situation. I tried disconnecting
everything and also resetting the toolhead index, to no avail.

I'm running repG 23 on Ubuntu 10.10.

H-E-L-P, please.



On Jan 7, 10:53 pm, Brad <bradley.r.st...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscr...@googlegroups.c om>
> > > .
> > > > > > >>>> For more options, visit this group athttp://
> > > groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> > > Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
> > > > > > > To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
> > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscr...@googlegroups.c om>
> > > .
> > > > > > > For more options, visit this group athttp://
> > > groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>
> > > --
> > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > > "MakerBot Operators" group.
> > > To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com<makerbot%2Bunsubscr...@googlegroups.c om>

Andrew Plumb

unread,
Oct 3, 2012, 5:16:02 PM10/3/12
to make...@googlegroups.com
The "termination" bit is just the in-circuit function of that resistor.  It's a 180 Ohm resistor in a 1206 SMD package, e.g http://ca.mouser.com/Passive-Components/Resistors/_/N-5g9n?P=1z0x6ylZ1yzvlv9

Andrew.

On 2012-10-03, at 4:26 PM, Michael Abbott wrote:

Can you tell me what resistor you used?  I have been searching all day trying to figure out what 180 ohm resistor people have been using but the only thing I find is that it is a 180 ohm resistor and some call it a terminating resistor.  I searched mouser.com and they have thousands that match those search terms.  Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks,
 
Mike Abbott
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MakerBot Operators" group.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/makerbot/-/oQCm7EwH_9wJ.

To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.

--

"The future is already here.  It's just not very evenly distributed" -- William Gibson

Me: http://clothbot.com/wiki/



John D'Ausilio

unread,
Jan 14, 2013, 9:11:12 AM1/14/13
to make...@googlegroups.com
When I went about resurrecting the DaveBot, I had toolhead errors
until I finally desoldered all of the RJ45s from the MB, cleaned up
the mess there and resoldered a single RJ45 which has been working
fine ever since. The easiest way to troubleshoot this kind of problem
is with an oscilloscope ..

Having said that, you're still going to be unhappy until you get a
stepper-based extruder and get rid of the ABP ..

On Sun, Jan 13, 2013 at 1:23 AM, Brad Stone <bradley...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Honestly ... after two years ... I still can't get the damn thing to
> recognize the toolhead. I am feeling pretty ripped off by MakerBot ...
> especially since all of their documentation (except the assembly
> instructions) are offline. Anyone want to by a Cupcake with Gen 3
> 1.2motherboard, 2.2 extruder Mk4, and ABP that has never made a single
> print?
>
> :-)
>
> Brad
> --
>
>

Jetguy

unread,
Jan 14, 2013, 9:32:13 AM1/14/13
to MakerBot Operators
Brad, yes, please email me. First off, I likely can fix your boards.
Part 2 is that you have no idea of the value of those boards. Let's
say the RS485 chip is blown, those are $0.75 each. You could buy any
number of electronics but only Gen3, Gen4, and Mightyboard can run
Sailfish. In other words, there are lot's of options out there, Ramps,
Rambo, and others. They all have decent firmware. The issue is
software and support for a Cupcake config. Sailfish solves that but
only works with what you have.

You cannot find Gen3 and Gen4 just dried up at MakerBot so these old
bots actually have some value.

In particular http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:35372

With that said, I have a couple of first gen frames (prototypes) that
are perfect for a gen3 setup. If you need your electronics repaired,
and are willing to take a chance, you could be the proud owner of a
new bot. All I'm asking for is to cover shipping which might be around
$30-40. The box alone costs me $10. Consider this the deal of a
lifetime.




On Jan 13, 1:23 am, Brad Stone <bradley.r.st...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Honestly ... after two years ... I still can't get the damn thing to
> recognize the toolhead.  I am feeling pretty ripped off by MakerBot ...
> especially since all of their documentation (except the assembly
> instructions) are offline.  Anyone want to by a Cupcake with Gen 3
> 1.2motherboard, 2.2 extruder Mk4, and ABP that has never made a single
> print?
>
> :-)
>
> Brad
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, October 3, 2012 2:16:07 PM UTC-7, Andrew Plumb wrote:
>
> > The "termination" bit is just the in-circuit function of that resistor.
> >  It's a 180 Ohm resistor in a 1206 SMD package, e.g
> >http://ca.mouser.com/Passive-Components/Resistors/_/N-5g9n?P=1z0x6ylZ...
> > To post to this group, send email to make...@googlegroups.com<javascript:>
> > .
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > makerbot+u...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>.
> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
>
> > --
>
> > "The future is already here.  It's just not very evenly distributed" --
> > William Gibson
>
> > Me:http://clothbot.com/wiki/- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Lyndondr

unread,
Jan 15, 2013, 6:10:35 AM1/15/13
to MakerBot Operators
I might be interested in one of those frames. How much to add the
vitamins?

On Jan 14, 9:32 am, Jetguy <barrych...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Brad, yes, please email me. First off, I likely can fix your boards.
> Part 2 is that you have no idea of the value of those boards. Let's
> say the RS485 chip is blown, those are $0.75 each. You could buy any
> number of electronics but only Gen3, Gen4, and Mightyboard can run
> Sailfish. In other words, there are lot's of options out there, Ramps,
> Rambo, and others. They all have decent firmware. The issue is
> software and support for a Cupcake config. Sailfish solves that but
> only works with what you have.
>
> You cannot find Gen3 and Gen4 just dried up at MakerBot so these old
> bots actually have some value.
>
> In particularhttp://www.thingiverse.com/thing:35372
> > > Me:http://clothbot.com/wiki/-Hide quoted text -
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages