RepRap Progress

I have all four stepper motors connected mechanically (this design, just like the Prusa Mendel, uses a motor on each side of the Z axis) and driven by EasyDriver boards. I built carrier boards with screw terminals for the motor connection and 12V supply and a 10pin shrouded header to connect to the RepRap motherboard – I used the same pinout as the standard RepRap, no need to reinvent. I wrote a test program to move every axis back and forth one revolution and they all move. OK, I haven’t put the Y axis conveyor belt on yet, and the X axis belt slips. But still....

I then tried to install one of the various firmware packages so I could test more complex patterns that just a diagonal line between opposing corners of a cube. Unfortunately my Arduino sports a 168, which is too small for any of the packages (even Teacup, despite what they claim). I've ordered a 328 from Adafruit, which will double the amount of flash I can use. I will eventually need to buy an Arduino Mega or Uno, but for now I'll get by with a $6 upgrade.

So I've started working on the extruder, which will need it's own controller (so my existing Arduino will not go to waste). I finally managed to get my thermistor and Makerbot temperature sensor board working (more) sanely. And I found some teeny tiny butt crimp connectors to join my NiChrome wire together. This means that I should have a hot end. Now I need an extruder to push the filament through the hot end. But progress nonetheless.

I will be doing the mechanical construction of the hot end today, and maybe try to energize it too (trying not to burn my fingers, literally).