Avrdude is a command line tool for uploading to and downloading from AVR microcontrollers. It is used in the background by Arduino to upload sketches.
It’s also the tool we used to upload the bootloader to all of the atmega644p chips provided in the TVRRUG OMC electronics kits.
Here are some useful commands when using avrdude. Continue reading Useful avrdude commands
In order to compile and upload Arduino sketches to custom boards like the TVRRUG OMC the configuration of the board must be specified, for example what chip it uses at what clock speed etc.
In version 1.6.4 the Arduino IDE changed the way custom boards are defined and managed in order to support a wider range of chip architectures.
TVRRUG member Bo has figured out the changes and made it as simple as can be for the rest of us to use the latest versions of Arduino with our OMCs and provided instructions at the TVRRUG githhub repo. Thanks Bo!
Here follows an idiot’s version of Bo’s instructions.
The default set up for RepRap Z endstops seems to be a minimum Z microswitch. It’s easy to set up, but soon becomes a right pain when you need to make an adjustment of a fraction of a millimetre – pretty tough to move your microswitch that small a distance. One alternative is to fix the microswitch at the maximum of the axis and adjust the known position of the endstop in the firmware.
Here are instructions on how to configure the TVRRUG Marlin firmware for a maximum endstop.
Continue reading Configuring TVRRUG Marlin for maximum Z endstop
Finally, after 24½ years, I have apparently become fed up of living in chaos and am on a bit of an organisation kick. Unfortunately everything seems to have got worse before it has got better, but I can take heart in one thing at least being tidy – my scarves. Continue reading Scarf Organisation
Photo credit: Teentech
TeenTech is a series of one-day events for schools which aim to inspire teenagers to follow careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. Since May Dad, myself and/or various members of TVRRUG have taken along our RepRaps to several of these events around the country and put on a short activity for the students to customise and print the word “RepRap”. We try to demonstrate that not only is technology fun and amazing, but also attainable – you don’t need to be part of a massive company and spend lots of money to get involved, and it is possible to build incredible technology yourself. Continue reading TeenTech – Inspiring Tomorrow’s Innovators
I am a meta-cognitive, 230 axis, 3D printer.
Josh Bitelli is a recent Design graduate from the University of Brighton who we met at Brighton Mini Maker Faire last year. His work ‘3D Drawings‘ returns the craftsmanship to the additive manufacturing process by creating the objects by hand, using trigger-based extrusion tools such as glue guns or mig welders. It was exhibited as part of the New Designers 2012 exhibition in London, which sadly we didn’t manage to attend.
I love the texture of the pieces. Josh told us that for the stainless steel mig welded items, the nature of the arc welding process creates a unreproducible surface finish every time for truly unique objects.
This also raises exciting possibilities for 3D printers – these trigger-based extrusion tools could open doors to new affordable materials, such as stainless steel. Anyone up for building a mig-welder 3D printer?
Michel Pollet’s amazing Sappho’s Head print
At least three of our 20 first round TVRRUG printers are producing prints!
First past the post was Michel Pollet, and the quality he has achieved in just a few short weeks is absolutely incredible. As a reward, Michel has been helping us test and fix the electronics and give the rest of the group a helping hand. Continue reading First TVPrusa printers are printing!
It’s hard to believe that it has been over a month since our eagerly awaited “Introduction to 3D Printing” weekend at South Hill Park, and we’re still basking in the after-glow of a successful event (if I may say so myself).
The excitement began with the preparation when in the week before the event we were down to zero working printers. The Sanguinololu electronics on our trusty old workhorse Prusa had given up the ghost yet again with the heated bed, and the second machine (the TVRRUG demo) was yet to be calibrated. Fixing the Sanguinololu took us down to the wire, which left the Saturday morning while 3D masterpieces were being designed for me to get the second machine up and running.
Time has flown since the last TVRRUG post announcing the release of issue 3, and we’ve been beavering away to get all the last bits and pieces together to complete the kits. Here are the latest developments. Continue reading TVRRUG Update: Extruders, Electronics and Workshops
Tuesday night saw TVPrusa Part 3 released into the wild, and as ever instructions are up on the TVRRUG website.
This instalment contains the previously missing motors and belts, along with the X carriage and some other bits and bobs. With this, you will be ready to take over the world! Or at least be one step closer. Continue reading TVPrusa Issue 3 is Go
