DIYElectronics PRUSA I3 Mounting instructions

PRUSA I3 ELECTRONICS
AND SOFTWARE GUIDE
June 2016 | Rev1.0 | DIYElectronics.co.za

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Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 2
1. Helpful Symbols........................................................................................... 2
2 Electronics and Wiring ..................................................................................... 3
2.1 Electronics Wiring Reference Diagram.......................................................... 4
2.2 RAMPS Assembly: ..................................................................................... 5
2.2.1 Installing the RAMPS Shield..................................................................... 6
2.2.2 Connecting Heaters ................................................................................ 8
2.2.3 Connecting Thermistors .......................................................................... 9
2.2.4 Connecting the Endstops....................................................................... 10
2.2.5 Connecting the Auto-Level Sensor Endstop Module(Optional) .................... 11
2.2.6 Connecting Motors ............................................................................... 13
2.2.1 Connecting the LCD (Optional) .............................................................. 14
2.2.2 Connecting the RAMPS Fan ................................................................... 15
2.2.3 Connecting the Power Supply ................................................................ 17
2.2.4 Connect the Hot-End Fan ...................................................................... 18
2.2.1 Printer Firmware for RAMPS Marlin ......................................................... 20
3 Software Setup:............................................................................................ 21
3.1 Install Repetier-Host ............................................................................... 21
3.1.1 Configuring Repetier-Host:.................................................................... 22
3.1.2 A Note on CAD Software and Part Files: .................................................. 25
4 Printer Setup & Testing .................................................................................. 26
4.1 Understanding the Power Supply............................................................... 26
4.1.1 Check Wiring and Turn on Power Supply ................................................. 27
4.1.2 Connect the Printer to the PC ................................................................ 28
4.2 Printer Testing ........................................................................................ 29
4.2.1 Test 1 Thermistors:.............................................................................. 30
4.2.2 Test 2 Heating:.................................................................................... 31
4.2.3 Test 3 End Stops: ................................................................................ 32
4.2.4 Test 4 Motors: ..................................................................................... 34
4.2.5 Test 5 Extrusion: ................................................................................. 36
4.2.6 Test 6 Load and Extrude Filament: ......................................................... 38
5 FAQ............................................................................................................. 42
6 Troubleshooting:........................................................................................... 42

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1Introduction
Welcome to part 2 of your DIYElectronics Prusa i3 kit assembly guide! In this section
we will discuss how to connect your electronics, setup your software and test your
printer. Please follow this guide carefully, especially with the electronics since they
are delicate! Never work on your electronics with the power on or the USB plugged
in and avoid shorting the electronics with anything metallic as this is the fast track
to disappointment.
1.1 Helpful Symbols
Warning! Please read the following text carefully!
Information: Useful tip, note or advice to help you along.

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2Electronics and Wiring
This chapter deals with the installation and setup of your 3D printer electronics.
Warning: Be careful when assembling the electronics, they are delicate!
•Make sure you note wiring and connector orientations correctly and make
sure you have no short circuits.
•If you live in a low humidity area with large amounts of static electricity (E.G.
Johannesburg) we suggest you use an anti-static mat for this part of the
assembly.
Note: Your RAMPS board is assembled with motor drivers installed and the
correct firmware loaded. The assembled boards have been fully tested to ensure you
have a printer up and running with minimal fuss.

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2.1 Electronics Wiring Reference Diagram
Figure 1 - Electronics Wiring Reference

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2.2 RAMPS Assembly:
Note: After the mechanical assembly of the printer in the previous chapter, the
Arduino Mega and Power Supply should be installed on the printer frame.

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2.2.1 Installing the RAMPS Shield
Carefully connect the Ramps
board to the Arduino board. If
any of the pins are bent, gently
bend them back into place with a
screwdriver or needle nose pliers.
Line up the pins and press down.
Once you are happy that all of
the pins are in place, press down
on all edges of the Ramps board
to ensure good connections are
made.
This is what your Ramps and
Arduino assembly should look like
when pressed together properly.
Check all sides are properly
connected.

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2.2.2 Connecting Heaters
Connect the heated bed wires to the D8
port and make sure they are secure.
The heated bed has no polarity; the
order of the wires does not matter.
Insert the HotEnd heater cables into
terminal D10. Tighten and ensure a
good connection.Once again the heater
has no polarity.

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2.2.3 Connecting Thermistors
Place the two pin connector for
the Hotend thermistor into the
T0 position on the RAMPS board
as shown.
Do the same for the Heat Bed
thermistor into T1 position

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2.2.4 Connecting the Endstops
NOTE: If you have purchased the auto-level sensor upgrade, please skip to the
next section for endstop wiring with the auto-level board.
Connect the endstop connectors
to the RAMPS board.
Use the two LEFT MOST pins
(Just like the images).
If you connect using the
right most pins, you risk
damaging the board.

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2.2.5 (Optional) Connecting the Auto-Level Sensor
Endstop Module
NOTE: This section only applies to you if you have the auto-level upgrade.
The inductive auto-level
upgrade probe will come
pre-wired with a small
circuit board module.
Connect the auto-level
adaptor module to the
RAMPS board as shown.
Make sure you connect it
to the 5th and 6th row of
pins from the bottom of
the endstop connectors.
As shown in the second
image, the bottom four
rows are still exposed for
the X and Y endstops.
Connect the X and Y
endstops to the locations
as shown in the second
image.
Remember to connect
the RAMPS fan to one of
the three 12V headers.
Orientate the fan
connector so the positive
(red) wire is at the top.

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Connect the 12V lead
from the auto-level
module to the 12V Aux
connector on the RAMPS
board.

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2.2.6 Connecting Motors
Place the four pin stepper motor
connectors into the Ramps board as
shown.
Note: Try to orientate with the
black wire side at the bottom of the
connector. Handy tip: When you get the
printer running and IF one of the
stepper motors operates in the incorrect
direction, all you need to do is flip the
stepper motors connector 180 degrees.
IE. the side with the RED wire at the
bottom. See troubleshooting for more
info.

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2.2.1 Connecting the LCD (Optional)
If you have the LCD panel upgrade use the following instructions to install it:
NOTE: Ensure that you connect EXP1 port on the LCD to the EXP1 port on the
adaptor and the EXP2 port to the EXP2 port. These ports are shown in the images
below.
The procedure is the same for the Graphical LCD module. Please note however that
you will need to use the graphical LCD enabled firmware. If you purchased the
graphical LCD as part of your kit, this should be loaded for you from the factory.

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2.2.2 Connecting the RAMPS Fan
Connect the supplied fan 60mm fan to
the printed RAMPS fan brackets. Use 4x
M3x20 screws + nuts.
Insert the two pin Ramps fan connector
to the 12V pins on the ramps board as
shown. Make sure that the black
(ground) pin is on the right.
Alternatively; If you have the Auto-
Level upgrade kit you must use the 12V
supply pins on the top of the adaptor
module. (see section 2.2.5)

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Finally clip the fan mount onto the
edges of the RAMPS board.
Be careful not to disturb any of the
wiring or components.

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2.2.3 Connecting the Power Supply
Plug the Green 12V power connector
from your Power Supply into the
RAMPS.
Make sure it is seated Firmly. Also
make sure none of the power cables are
loose.

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2.2.4 Connect the Hot-End Fan
NOTE: We are currently working on a much better method of connecting the
fans, we realise this is not ideal! Please contact us if you have any issues, we would
be happy to assist you.
Now you need to connect the Hot-End
fan to the 12V power supply connector.
Unscrew the terminal screws, remove
the two right hand side power wires
(brown and blue).
Next insert the hotend fan wires. Make
sure that wire with the black mark or
black wire (ground) is on the right most
connecter positon, so that the polarities
match.
Insert the Brown (12V) and Blue
(Ground) power leads back into the
terminals along with the hotend fan.
Tighten and make sure the connections
are secure.

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You have now wired up your electronics! Please check the wiring diagram in section
2.1 at least twice and confirm your connections before turning on for the first time!
The next sections will cover what to do before turning on for the first time.