Five second flamming glory of the stepper motor controller

I have installed the motor controllers into the shield electronics( yes, it has finally arrived from oversee). Two cable short circuited so one of the stepper motor controller burst to flames, literally! ;) It had about an inch tall flame, what is pretty impressive if you see how tiny the chip is ;) 

I was too eager to see the printer come to live, so I was rushing things and I didn't properly insulated the Z axis cables at the plug. 


I had a few problem with the end-stops wiring, but I got quick help from the Reprap community. So I could fix my firmware settings inverting the end-stops. I would like to thank for them as well to recommend the RAMPS electronics the first place. Because if I go for Gen 6 electronics now I would have a burned out main board. But with Ramps I can just get a new controller, what is around £10 only. I did order two right away, just for being on the safe side. ;)

By the way, installing a main switch was a really good idea, I could cut the power in seconds, when it was on fire. Preparing an extinguisher is recommended, for next time. ;)  

Thanks guys!

Stepper motor controllers

I have soldered the stepper motor controllers. They are now ready for action ;) I had to order them from Australia as everywhere else it is out of stock.

Home Stretch

The printing bed has been installed as well the hot-end of the extruder. I had a bit of problem mounting of the hot-end, because the cold part of the extruder didn't had the right mounting holes pre drilled for my arcol.hu hot-end. It looks I had an older version of the Wade's extruder. But a little drilling and filing solved the issue. I installed the Arduino Mega 2560 board to the printer. I configured and uploaded the firmware software onto the board. I run a "virtual" printing test with the board, all looks good. Now, I'm waiting for two more piece of electronics from oversee.

Wired Up

Here is my 3th video about my 3d printer. I have wired it up, but I stile have some soldering to do. I still waiting for the electronics, what partly has arrived. See my previous post. Some parts coming from oversee so it may take 2 weeks.

Arduino Mega 2560 and stepper controlers

My Arduino Mega 2560 board has arrived. I installed the firmware on it last night.

Also my stepper motor controllers has arrived, I will have some soldering to do with them.Unfortunately these are much larger than it should be, I will have some issues inserting them to the shield


The shield electronics has not arrived yet.

Stepper motors has been installed

I have finished installing the stepper motors, and I finished the cold part of my extruder.

Extruder cold part

I started to assembly the extruder. I have Wade's geared extruder. But a few parts is missing. Hopefully I can get them before the weekend, and I can finish it up soon.