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MarlinFirmware / Marlin

Marlin is an optimized firmware for RepRap 3D printers based on the Arduino platform. Many commercial 3D printers come with Marlin installed. Check with your vendor if you need source code for your specific machine.
https://marlinfw.org
GNU General Public License v3.0
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[FR] Printhead-Dock tool changer support #7075

Open marcossfernandez opened 7 years ago

marcossfernandez commented 7 years ago

Hi all:

I'm trying to do a 3 independent printhead 3Dprinter. I succesfully made the tool change hardware and host script to do the tool change when needed (two dock example):

https://goo.gl/photos/yJVhjMbWb518j42j6

This printer work well with the tool change script from Simplify3D software. Accuracy and repeatibility are great, having less moving mass and one x-y-z-offset for all heads. No blobs, dripping or contamination problems affected. The printed parts (head support, dock) will be made on CNC Mill for better matting accuracy.

I'll like to do a 3+ fixed docks and 3+ detachable heads as shown in the video.

It will be desirable to implement to Marlin fw the necesary function to know where the tool is docked, know what tool need to park and where, and who to catch at tool switch operation. For now I depend on scripts based on host software, and a better solutions would be being hardcoded.

I think it will be a good implementation to multi print head printers. Ultimaker forumdeveloped a system similar to this aproach: Ultimaker-mark2 (Mark2 is an asymmetrical multi-extrusion upgrade for the Ultimaker 2) but with a fixed head and aditional one in tandem. The software develop to integrate it's very good.

Any help is welcomed to achieve the goal. Thank you!

Marcos

mperdue commented 7 years ago

OK, take my money - I want this...

marcossfernandez commented 7 years ago

Thanks mperdue!

Still need some help to do the code to integrate in Marlin Fw, because I'm not programmer. Simplify3D or Cura can integrate some tool change scripts but would be better to do it host independent.

marcossfernandez commented 6 years ago

We already achieved to get the firmware to control the docks and the printheads. Its slicing software independent and it can do any pre or post tool change scripting, or independent XYZ printhead offsets. Still developing some tweaks and sanitize the code but actually is working flawlessly in our CoreXY multi tool 3d printer. E3D guy's showed a similar idea few days ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLgGDq47K1c

When we finish these code will be released as a fork to Marlin.

thinkyhead commented 6 years ago

I had a chance to see the E3D machine up close at MRRF2018. Very cool. Sanjeev said he'd send me one if I promise to get it supported in Marlin.

kevinmce commented 6 years ago

I am interested in this feature also, @marcossfernandez is there are fork already available that could be tested? Or maybe @thinkyhead there was some progress on your side?

thinkyhead commented 5 years ago

I have been selected as a beta tester for the E3D toolchanger. Now I just have to stand by and wait for them to get the beta units built and shipped.