RalphFerro
commented
10 years ago ORD has a 5 extruded machine. I am not sure what electronics it uses. I am not sure if their electronics are proprietary.
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On Jan 6, 2014, at 2:23 PM, mrbi11 notifications@github.com wrote:
E3d-online is developing a 4 color print hot end. The rambo can handle 2 extruders. (colors)
So several questions, 1) Is anyone contemplating card versions that can handle 4 (or 6 or 8) colors?
2) The rambo has 2 z motor plugs, but apparently they are simply parallel connections for convenience? Not two independently controllable outputs?
I note that although one could implement 4 extruders by 4 motor controllers, that never are more than one motor active.
If there were a way of selectively enabling/disabling motors in hardware, one could use a single motor controller for any number of extruders. Software switching heads could output a different "selector" to say 2 pins to select 1 of 4 motors, all driven by 1 motor controller.
There are multiplexers to handle the logic, but... 3) Are there solid state switching devices (like mosfetts) able to handle current flowing either direction to use as switches (meaning able to also handle full current and no power drop).?
(I am unclear what mosfetts can do if they do not have a stable voltage at their source for the gate voltage to be relative to. Motor controllers I see seem to have mosfetts operate in pairs. Motor controller ic's may be as simple as a switching device get to connect or not to a motor. One could use external mechanical relays but that seems inelegant.)
4) Are there any un-dedicated logic pins that could be used for selecting extruder? (2 pins for 4, 3 pins for 8, etc.) 4a) Could the outputs driving the Rambo extruder 1 be re-purposed as multiplexer pins?
5) Is there a map of "unused" pins anywhere? Pins as yet not dedicated to other functions?
If the multiplexer selection of motor approach was taken, the primary issue is how to get enough extruder connectors. Little board rel estate and no need for more logic outputs for each motor.
Anyone interested in developing a new board with electronics design skills to do so, I would be happy to hear from you.
ps- by multi-color applies to filament, not the printed circuit board:-)
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kakaroto
mrbi11
anderwm
E3d-online is developing a 4 color print hot end. The rambo can handle 2 extruders. (colors)
So several questions, 1) Is anyone contemplating card versions that can handle 4 (or 6 or 8) colors?
2) The rambo has 2 z motor plugs, but apparently they are simply parallel connections for convenience? Not two independently controllable outputs?
I note that although one could implement 4 extruders by 4 motor controllers, that never are more than one motor active.
If there were a way of selectively enabling/disabling motors in hardware, one could use a single motor controller for any number of extruders. Software switching heads could output a different "selector" to say 2 pins to select 1 of 4 motors, all driven by 1 motor controller.
There are multiplexers to handle the logic, but... 3) Are there solid state switching devices (like mosfetts) able to handle current flowing either direction to use as switches (meaning able to also handle full current and no power drop).?
(I am unclear what mosfetts can do if they do not have a stable voltage at their source for the gate voltage to be relative to. Motor controllers I see seem to have mosfetts operate in pairs. Motor controller ic's may be as simple as a switching device get to connect or not to a motor. One could use external mechanical relays but that seems inelegant.)
4) Are there any un-dedicated logic pins that could be used for selecting extruder? (2 pins for 4, 3 pins for 8, etc.) 4a) Could the outputs driving the Rambo extruder 1 be re-purposed as multiplexer pins?
5) Is there a map of "unused" pins anywhere? Pins as yet not dedicated to other functions?
If the multiplexer selection of motor approach was taken, the primary issue is how to get enough extruder connectors. Little board rel estate and no need for more logic outputs for each motor.
Anyone interested in developing a new board with electronics design skills to do so, I would be happy to hear from you.
ps- by multi-color applies to filament, not the printed circuit board:-)