A few questions regarding switching to Duet

siblues · 9 Oct 2018, 09:01

Thanks for all the links guys I see I have quite a bit of reading ahead of me.I will probably be ordering a Wifi from Filastruder in the next couple of days.I really like the configurator tool it seems to really streamline the setup.I hope I don't get stuck like I did with the Smoothie and end up with another board I can't use.I really don't want a brand new printer to just sit here collecting dust.The main issue I think is the steep learning curve for me since I have no prior experience this being my first printer other than the kit I was using that came set up out of the box.

deckingman · 9 Oct 2018, 10:01

@siblues In a way, not being used to some other firmware and different ways of doing things, will be an advantage.

The configuration tool is useful for getting the initial setup and should get you up and running. Beware that it will only output files, commands and parameters based on what you put in. Once you are up and running, but maybe with a few issues that need to be resolved, it's generally best to make minor changes to the configuration files rather than running the entire configuration tool again.

siblues · 9 Oct 2018, 11:06

Well I am guessing that with the tool I can get everything sort of working as it should with the right settings for machine printing area endstops movement and hopefully the BlTouch.That alone would be a great improvement to having a brand new printer just sitting here doing nothing.

deckingman · 9 Oct 2018, 11:34

@siblues said in A few questions regarding switching to Duet:

Well I am guessing that with the tool I can get everything sort of working as it should with the right settings for machine printing area endstops movement and hopefully the BlTouch.............

Yes. The only caveat I would add is that there probably are more threads and posts on these forums from users having problems with the BL touch than any other piece of third party add on hardware. So, be prepared for some issues with that. This would apply to any board you try and configure the BL Touch with - the Duet is probably one of the better ones in this respect though.

siblues · 9 Oct 2018, 21:21

Well I am planning on using the BlTouch just for leveling and I also have three minimum endstops for the three axis so I am assuming that will make setting up and using the BlTouch easier in a way.I am going to continue reading and trying to absorb the massive amount of information on here.

Well my board is on it's way along with an extra connector kit.I will be reading up and trying to get a better grasp of things.

Phaedrux · 10 Oct 2018, 05:04

@siblues The BLTouch can be a very good probe with a few caveats.

it must be wired properly
it must be mounted properly
it must be configured properly

If you follow the instructions linked above, you should be able to get it going.

siblues · 12 Oct 2018, 01:08

I am just going to try to get everything working good enough to print what I need to mount everything neatly and then fine tune everything.I have been reading up on mosfets for the heated bed and lighting.I need lighting for the print bed but I can use a raspberry pi zero to control them with a relay so thats not a big deal.The heat bed mosfet seems to not be needed for a 12v heater for my heat bed with the Duet unlike most other boards.The configuring part is what worries me lol.

Phaedrux · 12 Oct 2018, 01:49

@siblues You likely won't need a mosfet for the bed.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Choosing_a_bed_heater

Configuring shouldn't be too bad since you can get a good base to start with using the configurator.

https://configurator.reprapfirmware.org/

It will help to know the details and specifics of your printer before starting the configurator. Once you have a base config you can post it here along with the details of your printer for a sanity check.

And obviously it helps to be somewhat familiar with the documentation before getting started.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/

dc42 · 12 Oct 2018, 07:49

If the printer is single extrusion, then the heater 2 output will be free, so you could use that to control the lighting.

siblues · 14 Oct 2018, 05:37

Thanks for the links I have a 220 x 220 pcb heater on mine and it is 12v so it shouldn't draw to much power.When the Duet gets here I will test the bed heater and measure what the ohm reading is on it.I will post the config once I have it.

I received the board and I have started switching everything over to the Duet.I am new yto all of this so forgive the simple question I am about to ask.I will need to crimp and add the Duet specific pins and shells to the wiring is there any way I can fry the board if I incorrectly wire the motors?

Phaedrux · 14 Oct 2018, 05:59

@siblues No, you can't fry the board by mixing up the wires.

It's best practice to not unplug the motors while powered up, and don't move the print head or table by hand very quickly when the motors are connected. Motors are also generators and you can move it fast enough by hand to possibly damage something. Best to have belts or motors disconnected if you're testing mechanics.

You can identify the motor coli pairings with a multimeter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0pGKgos498

This may help you out as well.
https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Choosing_and_connecting_stepper_motors

Identifying the stepper motor phases
Here are two ways you can pair the stepper motor wires into phases:

Use a multimeter. There should be a few ohms resistance between two wires that belong to the same phase, and no continuity between wires that belong to different phases.
With the motor wires not connected, spin the spindle between your fingers. Short two of the wires together, then spin the spindle again. If it is much harder to spin than before, those two wires belong to the same phase. Otherwise, try again with a different pair of wires shorted together.

siblues · 14 Oct 2018, 07:47

I meant more along the lines of wiring them incorrectly and powering up the Duet with the wires to the motors being wired wrong.I never unplug anything while it is powered on.The motors I have aren't the kind with the pigtail coming out of the motor they have plugs on them so I will have to cut the plugs off one end and crimping and inserting the pins into the plug shells.I was just wondering if the wires are wired up wrong can I fry the board when I power it on?

dc42 · 14 Oct 2018, 08:21

It's possible to damage the motor drivers by connecting the motors to them incorrectly. I did that one, although more usually the motors just vibrate if you do that. So I suggest you check the pairing of the wires to make sure you connect them correctly. See the post by Phaedrux.

siblues · 16 Oct 2018, 00:38

I am currently reading up on quite a few things all at once so it is a bit difficult to absorb everything.I haven most of the wiring done I just need to crimp all of the ferrules and slide them into the plug shells.

The lighting I am deciding on how and what to use at the moment but that isn't very high on my to do list so it can wait.

I do need some advice on using a relay to power on and off my printer.I have a few Sainsmart 5v relays laying around and I was wondering what you guys recommend using for turning on and off a Meanwell psu?The specs on the relays I have are

5V 2-Channel Relay interface board, and each one needs 15-20mA Driver Current
Equipped with high-current relay, AC250V 10A ; DC30V 10A
Standard interface that can be controlled directly by microcontroller (Arduino , 8051, AVR, PIC, DSP, ARM, ARM, MSP430, TTL logic)
Indication LED’s for Relay output status
It activates on low level.

I don't know if I should make multiple threads or keep this one going to keep everything together and not clutter the forum with tons of random threads?

Phaedrux · 16 Oct 2018, 01:29

@siblues said in A few questions regarding switching to Duet:

I don't know if I should make multiple threads or keep this one going to keep everything together and not clutter the forum with tons of random threads?

A new focused thread with a new title might get the attention of someone who knows the answer to what you're asking.

dc42 · 16 Oct 2018, 13:09

@siblues said in A few questions regarding switching to Duet:

5V 2-Channel Relay interface board, and each one needs 15-20mA Driver Current
Equipped with high-current relay, AC250V 10A ; DC30V 10A
Standard interface that can be controlled directly by microcontroller (Arduino , 8051, AVR, PIC, DSP, ARM, ARM, MSP430, TTL logic)
Indication LED’s for Relay output status
It activates on low level.

That sounds like a standard relay module with a driver and an optically-isolated input. If it is then it is suitable.

siblues · 31 Oct 2018, 02:02

I have everything wired up and sort of working.The motors and endstops are all working fine except for the extruder that hasn't been tested yet.I am working on the BLTouch right now.I have a few questions regarding setting it up.What do I need to do after using the RepRap configuration tool.I am assuming the pins the sensor is hooked up to are set with the configurator when the BLTouch is chosen and assuming you use the wiring diagram from the documentation.I am guessing that I need to manually enter the lines to deploy and retract the probe along with clearing the alarm on the sensor?I also am guessing that I need to set up a user defined macro to have a button for bed compensation/leveling.Thanks

Here is my deploy and retract probe files

; deployprobe.g
; called to deploy a physical Z probe
;
; generated by RepRapFirmware Configuration Tool on Tue Oct 30 2018 20:32:38 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
M280 P9 S10 I1

; retractprobe.g
; called to retract a physical Z probe
;
; generated by RepRapFirmware Configuration Tool on Tue Oct 30 2018 20:32:38 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
M280 P9 S90 I1

This is the Z Probe section in the config.g files

; Z-Probe
M307 H8 A-1 C-1 D-1 ; Disable heater on PWM channel for BLTouch
M558 P9 H5 F120 T6000 ; Set Z probe type to bltouch and the dive height + speeds
G31 P25 X0 Y0 Z5 ; Set Z probe trigger value, offset and trigger height
M557 X15:205 Y15:205 S20 ; Define mesh grid

Phaedrux · 3 Nov 2018, 02:51

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Connecting_a_Z_probe#Section_BLTouch

This should get you going on the BLTouch.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/BLTouch_Troubleshooting

And if you have issues.

For bed compensation and leveling you can use bed.g. That gets called by G32. If you have a paneldue there is also a button on the screen that will call it. It can also be ran from the DWC.

siblues · 3 Nov 2018, 02:51

@phaedrux Thanks for that I will try to get that sorted out this weekend.I am very new to all of this so when setting up a cartesian style printer where the extruder's home position is in the lower left hand corner and the actual nozzle sits below and to the left of the actual bed how or what offsets need to be changed?I am assuming the simplest way of setting those up would be to accurately measure them and entering them as a negative into wherever the offsets are set?

Phaedrux · 3 Nov 2018, 03:01

Probably best to start with this.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/ConfiguringRepRapFirmwareCartesianPrinter