How to update your Plastruder/Extruder firmware for the 1mm thermistor

Disclaimer:  This is only for Windows XP.  It worked for me and may not work for you.  I’m a complete novice, so use at your own risk.  That said, this procedure completely fixed the “avrdude: stk500_disable(): protocol error, expect=0x14, resp=0x51” errors I was getting in the Arduino environment.

  1. Download and install the Arduino IDE
  2. Download the Sanguino patch
  3. Apply the Sanguino patch to the Ardunio IDE (Directions copied from this page)
    1. Copy “\sanguino-software-1.x\cores\sanguino” to “\arduino-0017\hardware\cores\sanguino
    2. Copy “\sanguino-software-1.x\bootloaders\atmega644p” to “\arduino-0017\hardware\bootloaders\atmega644p
    3. Copy all the folders in “\sanguino-software-1.x\libraries\” to “\arduino-0017\hardware\libraries\” overwriting the existing libraries.
    4. Open the Arduino file located at “\arduino-0012\hardware\boards.txt” and append the text from “\sanguino-software-1.x\boards.txt
  4. Edit the “\reprap-gen3-firmware-1.6\ArduinoSlaveExtruder\ThermistorTable.cpp” file so that it reflects the new table information for the 1mm thermistor. (New table data courtesy of Jet)
  5. Copy the entire contents of “\reprap-gen3-firmware-1.6\libraries\” into “\arduino-0017\hardware\libraries\”
  6. Run the Arduino IDE
  7. Tools -> Board -> “Arduino Diecimila, Duemilanove, or Nano w/ ATmega168
  8. Open “\reprap-gen3-firmware-1.6\ArduinoSlaveExtruder\ArduinoSlaveExtruder.pde
  9. Sketch -> Verify/ Compile
  10. Wait for “Done compiling.
  11. Hold down the reset button on your extruder board.
  12. Click “Upload
  13. Wait for 3 seconds after you’ve clicked “Upload” and then let go of the reset button.

Congratulations!

A huge thank you to Jet and Rick Pollack for walking me through this procedure step by step.

Christmas robot shopping

I went to the hardware store after work today to pick up the items on my shopping list.  Walking to their register I fell victim to their bargain basement aisle.  In the process I dropped the $3 superglue I had found and picked up four times as much for $2.  Sure, its a no-name house brand…  but as long as its reasonably sticky there shouldn’t be any problems.

I also picked up some 3-in-1 oil for the various rods.  I installed the Z-axis rods without cleaning them properly (too enthusiastic to get building).  I also bought a large flexible magnet in sheet form (the kind used for fridge magnets – only in an 8.5″ x 11″ size), work gloves, and another utility knife.