T-Bone: A radically new 3D Printing electronics and firmware

Former Member over 11 years ago

Hi,

I am currently working on a project to create a new electronics and firmware for Reprap 3D Printers: The T-Bone.

The T-Bone comes with a comprehensive feature set to drive a 'normal' rewrap 3D printer:

12-24V operating voltage

5 stepper motor driver

10 inputs for end switches

3 inputs for incremental encoders (3 axis supporting closed loop control)

3 inputs for thermistors

1-wire interface for digital tempsensors

2 high power outputs (for extruder and heatbed)

2 mid power output (for fans, LEDs, …)

But the real feature is that it uses Trinamic motion controller chips. By that we can drive the printer with constant jerk - so having smooth acceleration profiles for much higher print and move speeds but much more important: We can reduce the realtime requirements for driving the motion chips. By that we can use a humble BeagleBone Black for as a driver. The 3D Printer Logic is implemented in Python together with a nice web interface and by that much easier to adapt and extend than other solutions which use highly optimized micro controller code.

Currently we a raising fund on indiegogo to produce some boards. And we are happy if you can support us.

What do you think about the project?

What changes would you suggest?

Thanks

Marcus

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Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to fustini +1

Thanks! Yes, that is true. In those old days when element14 was still young I just created an Open Source Hardware group here. But got a bit distracted. But you are doing a great job here! But this is…

fustini over 11 years ago

Awesome, I saw the campaign last week but that is cool to know that it enables constant jerk. We've been enjoying that feature with the TinyG controller at our hackerspace. Cool to know that you're involved - I believe it is you that created our Open Source Hardware group here on element14 Community
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Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to fustini

Thanks!

Yes, that is true. In those old days when element14 was still young I just created an Open Source Hardware group here. But got a bit distracted. But you are doing a great job here! But this is something we are working on too - we are also porting the software for a Shapeoko Mill.

BTW those chips have other great features. I really like that you can leave out the endstop since the drivers can detect it themselves by the motor load. Extremely handy

Did I mention that we are going to release everything about this board as Open Source??
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Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

Your specs look good, although I expect people may have more trouble designing their own framework to include non-regular/non-rectangular electronic elements just from a CAD perspective. Good luck with your design!

Kirk
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