I actually managed to load  the bootloader on to the 1284pu. and that was half the problem. all the bootloaders and tutorial are made for the 1284p-pu. so after almost 3 weeks of failing miserably at trying to upload the firmware I figured out that I need to change the chips ID or something in the fuse section of the bootloader. 

in the struggle to get the bootloader loaded I purchased a AVR MKII programmer to eliminate problems that might occur while setting up an arduino as  isp programmer. 

with that said and done the avrstudio that came with the programmer made the uploading of the bootloader a breeze. 

now that I have flashed the bootloader and the firmware I can start with the configuration of the stepper drivers, software etc.

frame build

After spending the entire day yesterday in the workshop this is what I came up with.

I got so carried away with the build that I completely forgot that I 'am supposed to take pictures 

during the build process.

Well this is what I did.

I used 30 mm square tubing for the frame cut to 420 mm lengths for the sides and 400 mm for the height.

in the corners I mounted four 40x40x10 pieces of mild steel with 20 mm inner diameter.

The Z axis will be moved by four M12 threaded rods.

I placed two guide plates on the inner sides with holes drilled and tapped for M6 bolts.

These will be used to adjust the threaded rod.

two roller bearing will hold the threaded in place and allow it to move freely. 

The X- Y-axis are mounted on linear roller bearings.

I will still be able to have a printable area of 214x214 when all is done

I ordered an extruder from a local vendor I found online will be getting it in the next few days.

Ok so I have assembled my Gen7 Board.

I am still checking all the tracks to make sure that there are no short circuits.

I still need to get the boot loader onto the 1284 before I can use the board.

Spoke to a local vendor he is more that willing to load the boot loader onto the chip and 

ship it to me. 

If I don't manage to load the boot Loader this weekend I will  take this course of action.

I've received all the parts and assembled my Gen7 board. I've spend the last few days trying to figure out how to load the boot loader on an atmega1284p-pu chip. All the tutorials I have found online is for the atmega 644. I downloaded the data sheet for the 1284 and it seems that all the pins on the two chips has the same functions. so the upload of the boot loader will be done in the same manner as the tutorials for the 644?

The next step is to find the proper boot loader: If I understand all the blogs and tutorials correctly the boot loader for the Sanguino should work on the Gen7 board.

The next crucial step is to get the proper boot loader for the crystal you are using, if 16 MHz crystal is used on the bread board when you load the boot loader you must use the 16 MHz boot loader file.

Next you must load the actual firmware to the chip, Teacup or what ever. This is done via the Arduino IDE.

So this is all theory will try to get the board to work on the week end.

Ok so I received some components today I won't be able complete the board though I still need the MOSFET IRLB 8743 I have plenty of MOSFET IRFZ 44N used in the version 1.4 board. Along with this I still need the 24 pin ATX power plug.I will have to wait for those components.I will continue to assemble the board up to the point of installing the Atmega and the MOSFETs this will give me time to start with the frame.

I did some reading and apparently the 8743 MOSFET is recommended because of a lower operating temperature.


you can read more at:  http://reprap.org/wiki/Gen7_Research

Ok so I managed to get the PCB layout printed to the photo paper in the proper size took half a Forrest to get to the point where I can transfer the print to the blank board.

The printer photo paper next to the blank before I cleaned it.

                                                The photo paper in water to aid with removal.

About 10 minutes in the water and we have.....

Will need to go back into the water.

not 100% happy with the result , but then again its my first attempt ever at it.

                                             A few places to touch up and then the ferric chloride.

And my first ever home made PCB not have bad....

will be better with the next one..

the components should a arrive tomorrow and then we can begin to assemble the board!!!!

Ok... so what will we build then?

Reprap?

Lets consider a few thing:

1 availability of parts.
2 ease of construction.

with that in mind lets start with the electronics.

The most popular boards at the moment is the RAMPS,Sanguinololu and Generation_7_Electronics.

My first choice was the RAMPS and the the availability problem kick in. same was the case with Sanguinololu, none available in South Africa.

I decided to go with the Gen7 ver 1.5 board found all the detail needed the edge the board at home.
next I will need to get all the components required to assemble the board,
Gen7 Board-AVR 1.5  for all the detail needed to build the board.

  The Gen 7 v 1.5 has on board USB so no need for the add on USB interface.

with this board I will use #
Pololu DRV8825 Stepper Motor Driver Carrier, High Current 2.2A
4 NEMA 23 1.0 NM Stepper motors and 1 0.5NM stepper for the extruder.

next step get all the parts.

lets get started.....

3D printing is taking the world by storm and everyone is jumping on the band wagon. 

For the last couple of weeks I have been looking at the entry level commercial units from main stream companies, the DIY kits and every thing in between and have come to the following conclusions.

1. These things are expensive

2. Being in the ass end of the world parts are hard to come by.

3. Building your own will "probity" cost more than buying a commercial unit.

So why am I creating this blog?????

I like to tinker with things?????

I have no engineering training everything I know is self taught or knowledge gained in unconventional ways....

I would like to try and use what I have available and  and see whether or not I can get working 3D printer

with the same better print quality than a commercial machine costing R14 000.00.

 and with that said in the words or Richard Brandson 

 "Screw it lets Do it"