Author Topic: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!  (Read 9118 times)

spegelius

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #90 on: July 02, 2016, 01:34:21 pm »
Great! To get the print to the middle, the point of origin (x=0,y=0) needs to be same in Marlin and the slicer you are using. If you use same Marlin config as i do, the origin is in bottom left (home) position. Just confiure the slicing sw to have origin at 0,0.

I'm thinking about changing the origin to the center of the plate because setting z-gap is harder when the nozzle is at the corner. Not a big problem, it's fine now so haven't done anything yet...

spegelius

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #91 on: July 08, 2016, 12:01:50 pm »
I've been tuning Marlin configuration, latest changes are in github.

I enabled Babysteps which is an option during printing where it's possible to do minor adjustments to Z, Y and Z axes.

I also enabled manual mesh bed leveling, but haven't used it yet because it doesn't understand that in Cube the bed should be rised near the nozzle, the bed is left at bottom and it's hard to measure the distance. Anyway the option seems to be similar to Cube's leveling option, but apparently Marlin uses the leveling values during print for leveling, like with autolevel feature.

I also ran PID autotune, which gave me new PID values and now hotend temps seem to be bit more stable.

One of the things i tried was increasing the acceleration values, but it seems that Cube is real bad at that. In one of the guides, a starting value of 3000 was suggested, but at least my Cube cannot do more than 500, Y axis skips steps (a lot) at some point, which ruins the print as Y coords move several cm...

BillyTheGoat

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Any updates on the BOM?
« Reply #92 on: July 20, 2016, 02:56:20 pm »
After looking through all 7 pages I haven't seen a complete list of components considering the different builds people have been using. Before I finalize my list and purchases I was hope to get some questions answered to help with my build. I already have a multimeter and a soldering iron hence why they aren't on the list but please feel free to make suggestions of things I have forgotten that you deem important.

I want to say thanks in advance for any and all help offered during this learning process.


Component Related Questions
  • Should I get getting a 12v power supply or stick with the original power supply?
  • Do I need separate power supplies for electronics and for the fans?
  • How many fans do I need and what should they be focused on cooling?
  • How have people over come the 20v limitation of the Mega? and is it still a relevant issue?
  • Is it more cost effective to use a converter over another power supply?
  • Should I upgrade the stepper drivers? If yes, to what?

Other Questions
  • I plan on get a hotend that works with more exotic filaments. Will this effect the power supply I purchase?
  • Does adding a heated platform effect my power supply?
  • What software do you use with you frakenCube and why? Paid or Free?
  • What are the settings you recommend for the printer?
  • Which custom firmware is currently being recommended?
  • @Spegelius, Did you use the cube to print with Filaflex or another printer? If Cube, what was your settings?

My Draft Theoretical BOM List
  • 1x Mega 2560 Adruino Board
  • 4x Stepper Drivers A4988
  • 1x RAMPS 1.4
  • 1x Pack of 100 Dupont 2.55mm Wire Terminals
  • 1x Pack of 4 pin Dupont Termal Housing (You can cut these in half if you need to make 2 pin housings)
  • 1x v6 HotEnd http://e3d-online.com/E3D-v6/Full-Kit/v6-1.75mm-Universal-Bowden
  • 1x AirTrippers Bowden Extruder (Any version - this is printable and will require a Nema 17 Motor. Make sure you print it BEFORE dismantling your Cube)
  • 1x Nema 17 high current Motor.  There are different types - get one that has high current - this is VERY important.  I got mine from Josh at Cultivate 3d in Australia
  • 1x Dupont Crimper (Not necessary, but makes the job much easier)
  • 1x 12v Power Supply [I'm not sure if this is what I want to use]
  • Zip ties



spegelius

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #93 on: July 20, 2016, 04:36:09 pm »
After looking through all 7 pages I haven't seen a complete list of components considering the different builds people have been using. Before I finalize my list and purchases I was hope to get some questions answered to help with my build. I already have a multimeter and a soldering iron hence why they aren't on the list but please feel free to make suggestions of things I have forgotten that you deem important.

I want to say thanks in advance for any and all help offered during this learning process.


Component Related Questions
  • Should I get getting a 12v power supply or stick with the original power supply?
  • Do I need separate power supplies for electronics and for the fans?
  • How many fans do I need and what should they be focused on cooling?
  • How have people over come the 20v limitation of the Mega? and is it still a relevant issue?
  • Is it more cost effective to use a converter over another power supply?
  • Should I upgrade the stepper drivers? If yes, to what?


  • I'm using 12V, simply because i have few old ATX PSUs around that work ok and other components are generally meant for 12V. RAMPS can also control when the PSU is on, although i haven't used that feature yet. Probably in future
  • I don't. But i'm using only one of Cube's original fans and that's 12V fan (the one blowing to the hotend, it has somekind of voltage regulator which I removed). You can use 24V fans @12V, they'll just run slower
  • I have 3 at the moment: one for RAMPS, one for hotend and one attached to the cooling duct i printed, to help with printing PLA
  • Don't think so, but not relevant to me as i'm using 12V anyways
  • Well buck converter costs less than 10 euro, ordered from ebay so yes if it can supply the power needed.
  • You mean upgrade A4988 to something like DRV8825? Don't know, apparently DRV8825 has more microsteps or something so maybe better accuracy... haven't tried them, though

Other Questions
  • I plan on get a hotend that works with more exotic filaments. Will this effect the power supply I purchase?
  • Does adding a heated platform effect my power supply?
  • What software do you use with you frakenCube and why? Paid or Free?
  • What are the settings you recommend for the printer?
  • Which custom firmware is currently being recommended?
  • @Spegelius, Did you use the cube to print with Filaflex or another printer? If Cube, what was your settings?

  • Usually no, but i guess this depends on the heating element on the hotend... I think they usually are similar regards the power requirements
  • Yes, you need ~10-20 amps more power, depending on the heating element. I ordered this few days ago: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271874692313 and now i need aluminum plate. That 180W means it'll draw 15A from 12V so PSU needs to be able to provide that + hotend amps (3-5 I think)
  • Simplify3D (paid), monstly because of the support configurability. Slic3r works fine too, but as you can't manually control supports or support parameters, some models don't work well with it. Also Simplify3D supports are easier to remove IMO
  • Hmm that's a wide question. I'll post my Simplify3D settings later in more detail
  • I'm using Marlin and it's working fine. Also that's the only firmware i've tried, Repetier would be interesting alternative to try at some point
  • Yes, Cube, when it was more in it's original form. Very slow (10mm/s max speed) but it worked. I haven't had time to try with current setup, but the Airtrippers extruder will be a problem with flexibles and i'm going to print different extruder

My Draft Theoretical BOM List
  • 1x Mega 2560 Adruino Board
  • 4x Stepper Drivers A4988
  • 1x RAMPS 1.4
  • 1x Pack of 100 Dupont 2.55mm Wire Terminals
  • 1x Pack of 4 pin Dupont Termal Housing (You can cut these in half if you need to make 2 pin housings)
  • 1x v6 HotEnd http://e3d-online.com/E3D-v6/Full-Kit/v6-1.75mm-Universal-Bowden
  • 1x AirTrippers Bowden Extruder (Any version - this is printable and will require a Nema 17 Motor. Make sure you print it BEFORE dismantling your Cube)
  • 1x Nema 17 high current Motor.  There are different types - get one that has high current - this is VERY important.  I got mine from Josh at Cultivate 3d in Australia
  • 1x Dupont Crimper (Not necessary, but makes the job much easier)
  • 1x 12v Power Supply [I'm not sure if this is what I want to use]
  • Zip ties


Good list, but i'd change these:
- with 12V supply some 12V fans might be needed
- Airtrippers extruder is only one option, thingiverse has many good extruders even for flexible materials. Like this: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:711401
- E3D V6 hotend (or any other hotend) replacing Cube's own will need some kind of attachment to the X arm, Dan's hackish way probably won't work with E3D V6 or J-HEAD that i'm using. I have one printable version that i've been using with JHead for months now, but i'm going to upgrade it to support E3D too sometime.
- some 4mm bowden tube in case the hotend doesn't have it in the package

soso2

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #94 on: July 28, 2016, 09:27:50 am »
Hey everyone
Anyone have a copy of firmware, that works with ramps 1.4 with the reprap smart discount lcd?  with the configuration h. already configued, for the frankedCube?
Please, and Thanks

BillyTheGoat

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #95 on: August 06, 2016, 04:27:42 pm »
@spegelius, I don't know much about power supplies other than voltage. What else should I be looking for to make sure that it will able to run my hotend and an additionally heated bed?

After you help me figure out which power supply I need from ebay, I'll be adding it to my order of terminal crimps and ramps board.

I'm hoping to start on this project before the end of the month depending on when everything gets here from China.

Anything else you can thing of that I might need so everything can arrive on time? Anything I can to prepare while I'm waiting for the parts to come.

Thanks again for all you help. If we can get this up and running I will be so happy. Next I'll just have to get better at 3D Modeling.

So Excited to make this happen. 

spegelius

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #96 on: August 07, 2016, 04:04:50 am »
@spegelius, I don't know much about power supplies other than voltage. What else should I be looking for to make sure that it will able to run my hotend and an additionally heated bed?

After you help me figure out which power supply I need from ebay, I'll be adding it to my order of terminal crimps and ramps board.

I'm hoping to start on this project before the end of the month depending on when everything gets here from China.

Anything else you can thing of that I might need so everything can arrive on time? Anything I can to prepare while I'm waiting for the parts to come.

Thanks again for all you help. If we can get this up and running I will be so happy. Next I'll just have to get better at 3D Modeling.

So Excited to make this happen. 

If you don't have ATX power supply to use, something like this would be a good choice: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-5-12-24V-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply-for-LED-Strip-3D-Printer-/111544566393?var=&hash=item19f8930279:m:mgXbKNkedYP0vXZS6rgAhtw. Select at least 200W model if you are going to be using heated bed. If not, 100W or 150W should do fine. Do a search for '12V power supply' in Amazon or Ebay, there's lot's of options for brands. Needles to say, the cheaper ones might not be as robust as the more expensive (better) brands.
I don't have any experience of that type of power supply, i've used ATX type because i have some old ones that I put to use.  But i've seen them being used in 3D printers and basically any 12V power supply will do as long as it outputs enough power.
Also with ATX power supply there's the option of turning the power supply on and off in Marlin, but I haven't used that system yet.

For other bits on bobs: I suggest ordering a RepRapDiscount Full LCD controller with the RAMPS. Has SD card slot so printer can be used without PC. Shouldn't cost much, i think i got a RAMPS+Full LCD less than 50eur last time i ordered from Amazon...

Other stuff:  I have a good set of assorted tools that I use when fixing stuff etc. so it's hard to say exactly what to buy. But generally if you have hw store nearby and find that you need some tool, then it won't be a problem.

If you can print parts now, wouldn't hurt printing them beforehand. These are what i've printed (not necessarily for Cube, i've got other printer projects going on):
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:861360
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1223730
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:737701
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6599
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:87250
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:217253

There's also some parts i've designed myself, i'll post them someday...


JAMTX

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #97 on: October 22, 2016, 01:44:01 pm »
Greetings Everyone!

You all have been extremely helpful in getting my frankencube setup from a cube 2nd gen. I am trying to setup a direct drive for the extruder. I am currently using a J head hot end direct feed (https://www.amazon.com/3D-CAM-Printer-Filament-Extruder/dp/B010MZ8RKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477161693&sr=8-1&keywords=hotend)

Any tips on existing direct drives extruder mounts on thingiverse that I could print on my other 3D printer?

Thanks for any tips and for all the help you have provided already!  ;D


spegelius

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #98 on: November 12, 2016, 09:27:38 am »
Greetings Everyone!

You all have been extremely helpful in getting my frankencube setup from a cube 2nd gen. I am trying to setup a direct drive for the extruder. I am currently using a J head hot end direct feed (https://www.amazon.com/3D-CAM-Printer-Filament-Extruder/dp/B010MZ8RKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477161693&sr=8-1&keywords=hotend)

Any tips on existing direct drives extruder mounts on thingiverse that I could print on my other 3D printer?

Thanks for any tips and for all the help you have provided already!  ;D



I dont think there's any direct drive extruders that would fit Cube 2 directly. Cube 2 has it's own kind of X-arm that's probably not meant to adhere to any existing design. So the only option is to pick a extruder design and modify it to fit Cube. Or design one yourself :).

I designed this E3Dv6 mount for Cube 2, but it's bowden: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1886522. Currently it attaches to the metal arm that is attached to the rail. I've been thinking that the metal arm could be removed if something bigger is needed. But current setup works fine and I'm in no need for direct drive extruder, so not going to be changing things any time soon.

For extruder i use this: http://www.thingiverse.com/make:242182. Very reliable so far.


bolsoncerrado

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #99 on: November 28, 2016, 11:43:10 am »
Hi all!

Glad to see the community on Cubes is still alive.

I've set up a wiki specifically for the Cube 3 for others to contribute with hacks like this.

Please check it out at cube3.print3dforum.com



Thanks!
« Last Edit: November 28, 2016, 11:47:41 am by bolsoncerrado »

Martha Breed

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My Cube3 prints bulk filament!
« Reply #100 on: December 21, 2016, 07:40:27 pm »
Here is a video with the details!

Martin Molina

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #101 on: February 02, 2017, 12:41:23 pm »
i need help i transform a cube 2nd generation in afrankencube. but my z dont mouve upto star

gcurtis79

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #102 on: March 30, 2017, 02:34:38 am »
I Frankencubed mine as well, with excelent results. I used a dremmel to cut off the portion of the original board with the power/usb/fuse and used it in place to keep things looking nice. I did the same with the portion that had the USB port, as both had nice screw mounts to utilize for this.

I used every stock part, including extruder/hot-end, only replacing the control board with an MKS-BASE 1.0.

The fans had 12v regulators on them already, so running on the original 24v power supply was not a problem. Just make sure you observe and/or test the wires prior to powering them, or you'll blow up the regulators with reverse voltage. (I'll need to replace my cooling fan regulator because I did this.)

I set the stepper drivers with a multimeter on ground, and while touching the positive lead to the driver adjustment screw, I set them all to 2v (I think, I used an analogue multimeter, and I'm not sure if I was reading the scale properly), this made the motors run much quieter, and they don't get too hot.

I used Z-MAX since the limit switch is at the bottom, but MIN plug for both X and Y.

I'm currently using up the remainder of the spool of 1.6mm green it came with, but it will accept 1.75mm filament as well, you just have to remember to change the setting in your slicer.

The original screen is disabled currently and in place only for asthetics, but I plan on getting the 2.8 inch MKS-TFT and possibly the WiFi module, unless I find room for an Octo-Pi.  So far I enjoy that it still looks so clean.

Below you'll find my Marlin v1.1.0 RC8 Configuration.h, Slic3r config export, and CuraEngine config export. I've done a couple test prints with slicer, and a 'parts fit' test with cura, and the parts slid together whith little to no effort.

Edits for spelling and info aditions. Photos to come.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2017, 02:47:38 am by gcurtis79 »

chandto

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #103 on: May 17, 2017, 08:54:51 pm »
Congrats on jail breaking and opensourcing the cubex printers.  I'm a disappointed owner of a stock cubex duo and am beginning the journey of converting my printer.  I was wondering if anyone has documented the items needed and steps to perform to get the conversion done.  I would greatly appreciate any documentation that exists or any help for that matter. 

Thanks all for any advice and assistance, I haven't had a chance to read the entire thread so if I've missed what I'm looking for, please just let me know and I'll go back and find it.

Regards,
Charles

ShadowedR

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Re: FrankenCube v0.1 Its ALIVE!!!
« Reply #104 on: March 25, 2018, 11:23:48 am »
For those interested, I finished making and replacing the stock extruder on my cube with an E3D V6.
All in all I can max out Z at 133, so I lost a few mm, but it works great.



Check it out here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2839509