Rapman 3.1 upgrade electronics

[Ralph Loveday]

I've just finished installing a Ramps 1.4 electronics board onto our Rapman. I'd been having lots of errors with the original electronics.

It took a few days to sort out the Marlin firmware, but now I'm getting very consistent performance from the printer using the Pronterface Windows software.

I'd recommend this upgrade path to anyone having issues with their Rapman.

The firmware & software is open source, and I'll share my configuration with anyone who wants it. 

[Unfold]

cool Ralph, looking forward to some settings! 

[Ralph Loveday]

Here are my configuration files.

I'm yet to try faster print speeds.

I also have some post slice gcode, that tries to put the print head in a safe position for power off & restart. I'll post it once I'm more confident in the behaviour ...

[fdbogota]

Hi Ralph. I´ve trying to setup my rapman with ramps electronics. I´ve tried your configuration files but arduino doesn´t compile marlin.pde with your .h files. I downloaded marlin from the web but i think is not the same marlin you are using, maybe it has been updated, Do you have a link where I can download your version or you kindly send me your marlin zip file. Thanks.

[Dustin Williams]

This is music to my ears my main board just took a serious crap z axis extruder controller failure. Would be incredibly thankful if i could get the details of your ramps conversion

[Alex Rizea]

Hi everyone!

After losing my trust in BFB rapman 3.1, when my oled died, and the manufacturer (not supplier BFB) told me that the part is no longer in production, i took the RAMPS 1.4 way.

Installation is pretty simple, can provide a DIY, but the adjustments for Marlin and Pronterface and mechanical pots for smooth printing took me weeks.

As I compared your configs with mine, the figures are close, I'm going to test yours next week, to see if the shaking problem persists.

The other problem I have are the missing steps, the 2nd layer is not perfect overlapped on the first one. Any ideas?

Keep up the good work

[Alvaro Salgado]

Hi, guys.

First of all, excuse my bad English.

The PCB of my Rapman died days ago. And after extensively researching on the web, I decided upgrade to the Ultimaker electronics, that is a similar printer in mechanics, electronics and performance.

I took as reference the configuration files of Ralph and found some bugs.

At this time, I adjusted the steps, the endstops pullups, Arduino pins, autonomy printing, printer control via a 128 x 64 dot matrix LCD display, etc.

If you want the Marlin configuration files and images of the wiring to the board, gladly publish this group.

Best regards.

[Unfold]

Alvaro,

Would love to get a copy of your settings. 

[Alex Rizea]

Dear Alvaro, 

In your post you said that your PCB died, so I kindly ask you to tell me if the OLED is still functional, or it is dead too.

I have the PCB working, but my OLED is dead so I'm looking for a replacement.

Thank you, 

[Alvaro Salgado]

Hi, Unfold.

You must consider that not all versions of Marlin are compatible with Rapman, and not all versions of Arduino allow compile.

I have my Rapman fully with Zalman version, although it could work you with another official version of Marlin. I compiled with Arduino 023.

You should also consider that the correct wiring to the PCB is critical.

I will publish in the coming days, a blog with photos and directions reinforced.

Sure, if you have any additional questions, please consult me.

In attached configuration files may be some minor bug. I hope you serve.

Best regards.

[Alvaro Salgado]

Alex: 

Speak in english o hablamos en español?

[Alvaro Salgado]

Hi, Alex.

I tell my OLED died, and the PCB was not enough and held the temperature. 

The original OLED is discontinued and only achieved a similar one in Bulgaria (Europe) at a very high price. 

I tried to adapt a different LCD (similar you see my message to Unfold), but the language in which components communicate is not compatible (bynary vs. hexadecimal) and had to schedule an extra chip to only show information on the LCD. It is possible, but it is very complicated.

So I decided to change all the electronics for Ultimaker (Arduino Mega+Ultimaker shield+steppers+SmartLCD in ebay: US$50)

And I'm in the glory of God.

Working with Skeinforge 0041, slightly adapted to Marlin (https://github.com/ErikZalm/Marlin) understand the gcode. And with the same workflow that brought the original Rapman.

Attached video clip.

[Unfold]

Thanks Alvaro!

I have two BFB3000 machines that were refurbished by BFB themselves after having suffered from dead OLEDS. BFB replaced the OLED with another screen that came from the TOUCH version of Rapman/ BFB3000 (touch does not work though). The screen is soldered to the SPI interface and runs a custom firmware (4.2.2D) which should be available somewhere. This repair was an official repair for which there's even a manual: http://cubify.s3.amazonaws.com/public/bfb/bfb_rapman_30_31_screen_replacement.pdf

The direct link in the PDF is dead but it leads here and I guess it is 4.2.2 as screen replacement is mentioned: http://3dpedia.3dsystems.com/display/BFBCustTechRes/Download+firmware

If anyone needs pictures of the screen assembly itself let me know.

But indeed, replacing the entire thing with RAMPS isn't that difficult actually. I had an intern replace the BFB300 controller with an Ultimaker one (which is RAMPS) and that was rather straightforward. Attached is the Marlin version running on that machine. I did not do this myself so I am not up to date with everything needed in Marlin and keep in mind that this is for a BFB3000 which has slightly different dimensions and endstops. This is also based on a 2y old version of Marlin but you could use it as reference.

[Alvaro Salgado]

OK, Unfold.

Already I knew the replacement option screen, but I decided on Ultimaker because it is a standard electronic, and we haven't to rely on the whims of a provider that does not exist.

And it can be replaced at any time. 

The hard part was adapting Marlin configuration files, because they are very precise technical specifications and can damage the printer if they are misconfigured.

Best regards.

[Alvaro Salgado]

Questions:

You are working with a thermistor 100K?

If the logic of all the endstops is reversed, you can have loss of steps in the homing?

The Z-axis steps give you an accurate measurement?

[scott dodds]

Hi,

 I've just been given a Rapman 3.2 with a broken screen, and i intend to replace the board with Ramps 1.4. do you have any pictures of your board, for wiring references?

many thanks

[Alvaro Salgado]

Hi, Scott.

Here you clear your doubts with the wiring the Ramps to Rapman structure:

http://www.cooking-hacks.com/documentation/tutorials/3d-printer-step-by-step-tutorial-guide-prusa-it3/#setting-marlin

If you want, you may have to consider the setting Marlin indications (message of May 4).

Regards.

[Alvaro Salgado]

Hello everyone.

I just start a group, to discuss the details of the Ultimaker electronic upgrade to revive the Rapman Printer 3.1.

You will also find access to the blog where I will publish all the instructions to restore the full functionality of this printer.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/how-i-relived-my-rapman-with-standard-electronics/CBZBUT4uZuQ

I welcome your comments, Contributions and improvements.

Good luck!

[Unfold]

cool! I'll dive into it rather sooner than later.

Small question, why a new group and not post here? This group isn't that crowded :)

[Alvaro Salgado]

Hello everyone.

I already published in my blog the final steps to revive the printer, with electronics replacement Ultimaker + Arduino (Firmware-Slicer software).

http://3drevival.blogspot.com

Good luck!

[vitaly van de dronker]

I had problem with the OLED screen  its just a matter of bad contacts  there are four bolts and nut squeezing the OLED rubbin cable onto a connector,,,just thight them up

your screen will work

[Ryan Garrison]

Hey guys,

So I know this group is about upgrading electronics to the Rapman printer, but I can't find many people who actually USE a Rapman these days to help me with a question I am having!

I'm a mechanical engineering student with limited electronics experience and I'm (re)building a Rapman printer that I bought on craigslist. The guy claimed it was working completely, and it just had a few broken supports. I got all the supports fixed (printed and installed new ones from thingiverse) and I've gotten everything on the electronics side to work except for ALL 3 motors will only move away from the endstops. However, when the endstops are depressed, they will move in any direction. I'm no good with electronics, so I've looked into some other forums and some people have said it could be a problem with the firmware? I've updated the firmware, but I don't know that much about it so could that still be the issue? Or is it maybe a wiring issue?

I've also tried connecting the older 3.1 board to it and it had the exact same problem.

[Alvaro Salgado]

Hello everyone!

A few days ago I made a protective box for electronic replacement Ultimaker + Arduino:

Made of clear acrylic 5mm to have the same style of printer design and reusing parts of PSB, such as screws, washers, bushings.

The design is attached in PDF, laser cutting.

These days, I will post on my blog general construction details, although the design is very simple.

Enjoy!

[Alvaro Salgado]

The file of design:

[Alvaro Salgado]

As I promised, I posted on my blog how to synchronize Skeinforge with Repetier software, to improve the speed of generation gcode and manipulate real-time layers:

English:

http://3drevival.blogspot.com.co/2016/10/iii-sinchronize-skeinforge-with.html

Spanish:

http://3drevival.blogspot.com.co/2016/10/iii-sincronizar-skeinforge-con-repetier.html

Good luck!

[Alvaro Salgado]

Hi.

I made some changes (fine tuning) in Marlin for the printer to operate more smoothly and can have greater control of the movements with the dsiplay knob. The corrected file "configuration.h" can be downloaded in this post.

I also corrected the respective articles in my blog:  3drevival.blogspot.com

Good luck.

[Anar]

Hi Alvaro,

and thanks for sharing !

I'm about to revive my Rapman and everything is now connected to my Ramps + Arduino Mega but I'm a bit afraid to run it.

My concern is about the end-stop switches.

Did you keep the original ones ?

Will your configuration file work with the original end-stops ?

Cheers.

[Ioan Festeu]

Hi Anar,

I will try myself to help you until Alvaro is answering: don't be afraid to power it. It is working without problems. Just make sure you have modified the settings Alvaro posted.

 I bought an ramps 1.4 with a full graphic controller like this: https://www.amazon.com/3D-CAM-Graphic-Controller-Electronics/dp/B00THZK5JU and uploaded the latest Marlin. It's working like charm. 

Also changed the hotend with a 3mm E3D clone and mounted it with minimum intervention.

I will post my changes later today.

Regards,

Ioan

[Anar]

Hi Ioan and thanks for the help. I need some...

I'm now at the point where everything is connected (Arduino Mega + Ramps1.4) but my motors won't move.

I tuned the voltage of the pololu steppers and the status of my end-stops is correct.

But what I'm not sure is which colors of the motors go where on the Ramps ?

I've done it red/blue/green/black when the power is on the left (so red is the closest to the power).

Is that correct ?

When I try to have them turn they just do a whistle noise without moving.

Any idea ?

Cheers.  

[Anar]

My problem is solved.

Special thanks goes to Ioan who helped me for the motors wiring.

Cheers.

[Anar]

Ooops... I also forgot to thank Dries (Unfold).

Sorry about that !

[SURFARAZ]

Hi Dries,

About how you got one of your bfb 3000 machines replaced with ultimaker RAMPS. 

1. Was it a single extruder or a dual? 

2. Was it a success and was the print quality as good?

3. I have been looking at Alvaro Salgado's blog where he has described the process for converting a rapman 3.1 single extruder. 

But I am skeptical about trying to implement it as I have limited knowledge and I am consulting someone for this. Primarily because mine is a dual extruder with slightly different settings than the rapman. 

On the group, I see you have share the marlin configuration. Is it possible for you to share the exact hardware replacements that were used to get your printer up and running?

[SURFARAZ]

The BFB 3000 dual has 6 motors in total. 1 for Xaxis, 2 for Yaxis, 1 for Zaxis( rather bigger than the rest) and 2 for 2 extruders.
Will the ultimaker 1.5.7 board be able to support these. Am wondering especially about the bigger Z axis motor.

[Unfold]

1. Single extruder. While I did extrude some plastics during testing, the machine was converted to a ceramic 3d printer so havent done much plastic printing with the converted machine. But almost all Ramps and other printer boards support 2 extruders so I see no problem here.

2. As mentioned, looked really good for the few plastic prints I did, obviously some room for improvement. The huge benefit is that you'll be released form using Axon, Cura and Slic3r are MUCH better and have way more room to improve your print quality than Axon ever did. Other bonus is that you could even upgrade the extruder. The BFB3000 was designed for ABS and with PLA it was sometimes tricky (filament snapping in the tubes sharp bends, too much grinding of the extruder). So with open electronics and firmware, you could mount whatever extruder you want. I have a Viscotec extruder for soft pastes mounted on mine...

3. There's really is not much difference between these machines. But I understand it can be a bit of a daunting project, but if you're up for it, it's rewarding. And there are a few more people who've had succes with a conversion. 

I'm not sure I shared a Marlin config, any case that would be really old and I would go from a fresh Marlin download, it will be worth years of improvements. Marlin is not that complex to setup.

In regards to motors, as mentioned 2 extruders is no issue. Also the 2nd Z motor is no issue. Many Ramps boards have two connectors on the Z driver as this is not uncommon. Even if you only have one, you can find a ways to wire both to the same connector as those two motors run from the exact same stepper driver.

I did have to change one thing to the hardware though. Since the end stop cables are routed together with the stepper cables, this created electromagnetic noise and triggered the endstops randomly. The BFB electronics seem to have some noise suppression features my Ultimaker one did nod have. So I had to route the endstop cables away from the stepper cables and I added my own small noise suppression circuit on the end stop cables. I can document that but maybe it's already in other people's docu (or their boards featured it).

[Unfold]

I used an Ultimaker shield as that was what I had lying around but this is a fairly standard RAMPS board. So no need to hunt down an Ultimaker one since you can find RAMPS 1.4 boards worldwide, it's one of the most standard boards. Here's a diagram of Ramps: https://reprap.org/mediawiki/images/6/6d/Rampswire14.svg

I made a mistake about the double motors, those are often found on the Z axis but you are right, they are on the Y axis on the 3000 but makes no difference. In fact, just checked on my 3000's and the two Y motor wires are soldered together close to the left motor. So there is already only one wire running down to your board. So you can treat those 2 as just one motor.

[SURFARAZ]

Is using the Rumba controller an option in my case? It seems to ge an all integrated board (12v to 35v) and supports upto 6 motors.
Will it also still need to be paired with an arduino mega 2560?

[SURFARAZ]

I see, then I can treat the 2 y-axis motors as one, driven by the same driver (the same as in the ramps diagram for z-axis)

All in all, I will need :
1. Ramps 1.4,
2. Arduino mega 2560 (do i need this?),
3. lcd controller and
4. stepper drivers with heat sink - 5 nos.

[SURFARAZ]

How about this? A full kit.

https://www.amazon.in/Seasiant-India-Geekcreit-Mega2560-Controller/dp/B07TY6N2X8/ref=sr_1_47?crid=1N3HQILJGTIE5&keywords=ramps+1.4&qid=1566217838&s=electronics&sprefix=Ramps+%2Celectronics%2C356&sr=1-47

[Unfold]

Yes that looks like a great Ramps 1.4 kit. As you can see, you need an Arduino Mega (or clone) for it to work, RAMPS is just a shield for Arduino.

You can probably use the Rumba too, it's a more integrated RAMPS derived kit that has the Arduino integrated into the board (it's referred to as ATmega2560 which is the Arduino processor). I'm not sure if you can get it as a kit with the stepper drivers and screen?

I hope you're not afraid of a bit of soldering as the wires are all soldered to the BFB board. You'll need to cut them all off and replace them with headers so you can plug them into the Ramps Board. With the Rumba board, it looks like that is not needed as it has screw terminals extra in which you can just insert the separate cables and screw them tights. So that's a benefit of the Rumba.

[SURFARAZ]

Phew! Looks like I am getting a hang of it :)
I liked the rumba too, for its compactness and ease of connectivity and more for its 6 stepper drivers! But at least 3 times more expensive!
My next concern would be regarding the marlin firmware. Would anyone have the configuration files ready for replace? I haven't the faintest idea how I can do this.
The learning curve would be steep.
Another concern is about damaging any parts or the new electronics if something goes wrong in the compilation.

[SURFARAZ]

Actually its not 3 times expensive..my bad.. Its 20-25 percent more than the Ramps kits.

[SURFARAZ]

What are the specs of the stepper motors( larger Z axis motor as well) used in the bfb3000? I tried looking but there is no info.

[SURFARAZ]

Please check the image attached. This is so confusing. 

The connection sequence followed ( Blue, Red, Green, Black) for X and Z axis is peculiar. The Y axis connections seem to follow convention.

I am also wondering how the fused wires of the 2 Y-axis motors receive mirrored (inverted) directions of rotation.