Makerbot Repairs

[matthew.juranitch]

Hey guys I want to both update everyone on the makerbot repairs and I want to make this an action item at tonight's meeting so we can get this repair done and we can get back to 3D Printing.

Here is where we are at, we have two choices.  We can either try to repair the electronics board which will be minimal cost (probably under $60) or we can try to retrofit the machine with a RAMPS based board which will be labor intensive and costly ($190 at the bare minimum).  Obviously we have been trying to repair the board first as this would be most cost and time effective.  A bunch of people have looked at the board so far and what we have been able to do is get the voltage regulator replaced with a switching regulator and we can get it to power on.  Even though it powers on it is still glitchy, this is likely due to a safety circuit which was blown up and may have taken other components with it.

What I need, is a list of possible blown components and links to where to purchase them, so electronics experts please put something together.  Ideally we can pool our resources to purchase these items communally, but if that proves too difficult I will purchase them myself; we need to get the printer up and running again, a makerspace should have at least one functioning 3D printer, its almost obligatory at this point (the Stratasys is an awesome machine but I am not including it here as the space does not own it).  Once we have these components, if the electronics experts at the space feel capable installing them, then by all means.  Otherwise I know someone that frequently does surface mount components on xbox's and he has already indicated he would be willing to help us on this project.

If we fail to resuscitate the Makerboard Rev E, this is what will have to happen.  The space will need to buy a $190 RAMPS compatible motherboard to replace the Makerboard.  Now its not a strait drop in by any means the Makerbot runs off a 24v system so if we run a true RAMPS 1.4 board attached to an Arduino the Arduino will need to be powered separately by a voltage regulator.  Also we will need to replace all the existing wire harnesses and all existing thermocouples and we will need to replace them with thermistors as RAMPS can not read thermocouples and adding another circuit to RAMPS to enable it to do so would be getting into difficult uncharted territory.  Design modifications to the Makerbot hardware would likely have to be made to accommodate the thermistors.  Also converting a Makerbot to RAMPS is also untested, as far as I could find it has never been done.  It would be an expensive gamble; hence my insistence on going route #1.

With all that in mind if you would like to help with this project, speak to me at tonight's meeting.  The board layout and schematics for the Mightyboard Rev E are sorta open source and are available at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16058

Best Wishes,

Matthew Juranitch

[Pete Prodoehl]

Thanks Matt!

I agree that attempting to repair the Makerboard is probably the best/cheapest route.

(If we do need to go with RAMPs though, I am positive we could do it for well under $190.)


Pete

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[Matthew Juranitch]

If we went with RAMPS we would be best off using the RAMBo board since its integrated as one board, it is the latest version of RAMPS, and natively supports 24v.

https://ultimachine.com/rambo $180

We would need 3x 100k Thermistor

https://ultimachine.com/content/thermistor-100k $8.25

Take those plus shipping and plus misc. unforeseen problems and your over $190.  Now granted we could theoretically make the board ourselves but that is well beyond my capabilities.  Also while I think hacking stuff together is excellent for most things, I am a bit hesitant to use a hacked together board as the processor is pretty much the only thing keeping those extruders from setting fire to the nice box of laser cut kindling surrounding the board.

 Matthew Juranitch

[jason gessner]

Has anyone contacted makerbot or checked out their forums? What would a replacement board be from them?

-jason

[Joseph Bozarth]

I just emailed them.

Joseph Bozarth

boz...@gmail.com

1(262)498-9762

[Tom Gralewicz]

The biggest problem with rebuilding the existing board is the MEGA8U2 that handles USB interfacing.  

The chip is $3.80 form Digikey, but it would need to be programmed, there is a program header on the board so its just a matter of getting the code.

Two thermocouple interface chips   MAX6675   $14.33 each

NOR latch safety cutoff   $0.53

LED driver chip  PCA9553  $1.79

Five  MCP4018 digital pot  $0.63 each

Five Botstep 17E - these are the stepper controllers, we should test them before we replace them.

I can't find a replacement board, the chip is A4982  $3.46 each

As far as I can see these are the devices on the 5V rail that are likely bad.  Total parts cost about $60 once you add in shipping.

Tom

Tom Gralewicz
Miller Electronics Recycling
(414) 380-1716
www.deadcomputers.com

[Joseph Bozarth]

I got an email back from Makerbot this morning. I told them what I knew from what was said on the boards and they said that it may have also been a short in the x end stop cable and that may have to replaced along with the board. They said that they need the following and they will do what they can to help us get it back up and running. I assume this means that they would sell us a new board. They need:

- Your original order number
- The Replicator's serial number
- Your current shipping address
- The best telephone number to reach you during the day

[Matt Wittmann]

I'm sure as we have 100 members and a 3d printer meet up that they will be very helpful.

Matt Wittmann

[Joseph Bozarth]

If someone is at the space now could you get me the Serial number off the printer? Jason, do you still have the order number? Did you even get one. I remember someone saying you got it at a Maker Fair so I am not sure how they would handle the purchase in that case. I am sure if we do not have it they could work without it.

[Royce Pipkins]

Interesting. I pulled the schematic and the raw 5V rail and ground do indeed head out together on those limit switch cables.

The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.
B. F. Skinner

[Pete Prodoehl]

Ha ha ha ha!

[Pete Prodoehl]

We need jason g. as he was the dude who bought it.


Pete

[Ron Bean]

>If someone is at the space now could you get me the Serial number off the
>printer?

I'm at the 'space now. If the serial number is the one laser-etched on
the bottom left of the back panel, it's 10675

[Joseph Bozarth]

Thank you, Ron.

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[jason gessner]

Thanks for contacting them, Joe!

I doubt I have a makerbot order number. I picked it up at maker faire and I am pretty sure the order was processed through the maker shed, makerbot directly. I can check tonight to make sure, though.

-jason

[Joseph Bozarth]

No problem, Jason. The only reason I had not contacted them up to this point was I assumed someone already had. I just heard back from them again. They said:

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for that information! I will set up your shipment right now. Once the item goes out, you will receive tracking information and part replacement instructions. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Best,

Jessica
MakerBot Support

They did not ask for any payment so I am not sure how exactly this works. Do they have some sort of free fixing deal?

[Joseph Bozarth]

Also, I gave the address of the MakerSpace. We can get packages there, correct? Or should I ask them to ship the parts to my address?

[Pete Prodoehl]

We have a mailbox, so shipments via USPS are ok, as long as someone checks the box often enough and grabs it.

For FedEx, UPS, or anything else, someone may need to sign for it, or you'll need to be OK with them leaving it on the steps. May not be ideal...

I always ship stuff to work because I know someone will be there every day between 8am and 6pm to sign for it.


Pete

[jason gessner]

joe: awesome!

something that small probably fits in our mailbox, but ups or fedex would probably have a hard time.  your address is probably better.  thanks!

also, i verified that the purchase was through makershed, not makerbot directly.

-jason

-jason

[Joseph Bozarth]

Okay. I talked to them and they updated the mailing address to mine. I will let you all know when they ship the parts.

[Joseph Bozarth]

just got the shipping information. They also attached the information on how to replace everything.

Shipping,

Please ship:

1 x MakerBot MightyBoard rev E (MP02729) 
1 x MakerBot Endstop Cable, 1 m (MP2603)

for RMA 3128R1, sn 10675 to: 

*My Address*

[Paul Sisneros]

Awesome, did they say anything about charging for it?

Thank you, Ron.

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Joseph Bozarth

boz...@gmail.com

1(262)498-9762

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Joseph Bozarth

boz...@gmail.com

1(262)498-9762

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Joseph Bozarth

boz...@gmail.com

1(262)498-9762

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-jason

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Joseph Bozarth

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[Joseph Bozarth]

They did not. At this point I am assuming it is free because they are shipping it and did not ask for money.

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[jason gessner]

the tl;dr to this thread is:

 - engineers tinkering on and off for a coupe weeks - no success

 - 1 email sent to manufacturer == success

:)

Joe, thanks for staying on top of this!

-jason

-jason

[Ed Hagopian]

If they did send it on for free a shout out to Makerbot on the blog might be nice. Don't know if you'd mention it being free but the awesome customer service for sure.