3D Printing Stack Exchange
3D Printing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [electronics]

Questions about electronic components for 3D printers or 3D printing electronic components.

For questions regarding troubleshooting, maintenance, setup, etc. of a 3D printers electronics. Or, questions about best practices in designing/printing electronic components.

107 questions
24
votes
2 answers

Do stepper motors require any maintenance?

I've had my printer for almost a year now. Is there something I should be doing to maintain the motors?
kareem
  • 383
  • 2
  • 8
22
votes
5 answers

What is the benefit of using an ARM based electronics?

Most electronics use micro-controllers like an AVR, but I'm seeing ARM chips in new electronics. ARM chips are said to be more powerful, but in what areas related to 3D printing could this help? What are the features that the AVR struggles with and…
Lars Pötter
  • 1,561
  • 1
  • 12
  • 20
10
votes
4 answers

Can a heatbed PCB (Prusa Mk2) be straightened out?

I have a really bent heatbed PCB, the middle is elevated about 3 mm with respect to all edges. I have found this thread Warped PCBs, where a heating method is applied by baking a PCB in the oven, as described here: 3.2 Bow and Twist Repair. Can this…
kamuro
  • 2,854
  • 2
  • 21
  • 42
10
votes
1 answer

Folgertech FT-5 : Does not seem to be reading G-Code correctly

I recently purchased an FT-5 from Folgertech and finished assembly about a week ago. I have yet to accomplish a successful print. It seems like either the file is not being sliced correctly, or that it is possibly reading the G-code incorrectly. It…
T_Robbins
  • 103
  • 5
10
votes
4 answers

Issue with weird heated bed temperature fluctuations

I have a strange issue with my heated bed. It has been working well for a long time, but recently it has developed an issue where the temperature reported by the thermistor will occasionally jump by around 10 degrees. My setup is a 600W, 240V…
Tom van der Zanden
  • 14,588
  • 2
  • 33
  • 60
9
votes
1 answer

Real life stepper speed

I am wondering about the speed that my steppers should achieve in regular operation and what the determining factors are, from theoretical hardware facts/limits to software limitations that can influence performance. I do know about the basic…
kamuro
  • 2,854
  • 2
  • 21
  • 42
9
votes
2 answers

Ultimaker original X-axis not moving - possible electronics problem

I'm writing this question here hoping someone will be able to help me with the fixing process that I'm currently involved in! Last week during a printing session my Ultimaker original unexpectedly stop working. The problem was on the extruder step…
riccardo trevisan
  • 91
  • 1
8
votes
1 answer

Is this fuse a good choice for my Prusa i3's power supply and RAMPS 1.4?

Wondering if this fuse is safe to use in this switch/plug to turn on /off a 12V DC 30A Power Supply 360W Power Supply that will power a RAMPS 1.4 board for a Prusa i3 with an external led display that contains an SD Card Reader. I found the…
leeand00
  • 1,883
  • 1
  • 18
  • 28
8
votes
4 answers

Using CAT6 cables for 3D printer motor / sensors / fans

I'm considering using CAT6 cables to connect my printer's extruder assembly to the control board. They seem like an elegant solution, but I've read conflicting opinions online on whether or not this would be feasible. I would like to know if CAT6…
mhelvens
  • 941
  • 2
  • 12
  • 21
7
votes
1 answer

Identify temperature sensor

Am wondering if anybody knows what type of sensor this is (from a build plate). Perhaps a thermocoupler? The colouring of the wires seems to suggest it is not directional? Would like to know details so that I can make use of it in my own projects.
Tomas By
  • 509
  • 4
  • 19
7
votes
1 answer

Using an Arduino Mega with burnt voltage regulator

Due to a not-given compatibility with Makerbot mechanical endstop wiring (and carelessness on my side) I ended up burning the voltage regulator on my Arduino Mega 2560. Now, powering the Arduino separately from a USB power supply, I can operate the…
kamuro
  • 2,854
  • 2
  • 21
  • 42
7
votes
2 answers

RAMPS 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6?

I'm about to build a Prusa i3 dolly. I am confused whether to use RAMPS 1.4 or 1.5 or 1.6. What is the big difference? Is it only the MOSFETs and the poly-fuses? If that is the case, would it be advisable to upgrade a RAMPS 1.4 board (replacing the…
Jose Ben
  • 165
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
7
votes
2 answers

Inductive kickback protection?

Is there an integrated kickback protection in stepper motor drivers or should I make my own? I am afraid the steppers might fry the driver or the arduino when i turn off the power for them. I do that by turning off the power supply. I haven't had an…
user10014
  • 71
  • 1
7
votes
2 answers

Can a common 3D printer be used to print masks for PCBs which use SMD components?

Common 3D printers (read "cheap") may be used to print masks for PCBs (printed-circuit boards) which use PTH (through-hole) components. But can they be used to print PCBs which use SMD components? I'd like to make boards at least for Arduino-like…
Ronan Paixão
  • 171
  • 2
7
votes
3 answers

What is the influence of a lower BAUDrate?

I am using a BAUDrate of 115200 since I cannot make a connection to my printer with the advised 250000 rate. Are there any downsides or limits I reach earlier given by the lower BAUDrate?
kamuro
  • 2,854
  • 2
  • 21
  • 42
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8