I finally received the Ramps 1.4 kit via amazon today.
Unfortunately it came with an empty CD. i read online and download the marlin arduino code to my system, and it seems like to needs a lot of configuration to get things started. Is there a write up somewhere that can walk me through what do to here. I have already installed the shield and the stepper drivers on the board. The next seems to be to program it and connect my steppers to it, but not sure where to start.

thanks

there is Marlin Firmware for the SD3/4 available through the Wiki page.. (see link at the top)
The only thing you will need to configure in that particular version is what board you are using.
that is a pretty simple change to make. if the rest of the printer is stock, that should be the only change you need to make.

-Kevin

thanks

https://www.printedsolid.com/blogs/news … 3d-printer

Here is a link to all the UltiMachine boards. The even have a usa made ramps board.
Most of there boards come with built in drivers
so if plug in drivers is important you will want a different choice.

https://ultimachine.com/

I run Azteeg X5 mini boards (smoothie firmware) on my Solidoodle and Geeetech (Solidoodle clone) printers. The workfow for updating firmware is very easy with smoothie based boards. You just make changes to a text file on an SD card and then put it back in the board.  All config options go in the one file. They're more expensive than a RAMPS but I like them. Don't know that performance is any better though.

Sounds like you are already familar with the the arduino tools so maybe you'll manage ok with a RAMPS. RUMBA, etc.

PS With MKS, read carefully what you are getting. I'm pretty sure they make a smoothie based board as well as an Arduino based one.

I use an Azteeg X5 GT (smoothie based as well) and if your connect your PC to the board through USB you can edit the text file as if it was on an external drive. The SDcard on the Azteeg is seen as an external drive. You don't need to remove the card from the board.

Sounds like you are already familar with the the arduino tools so maybe you'll manage ok with a RAMPS. RUMBA, etc.

PS With MKS, read carefully what you are getting. I'm pretty sure they make a smoothie based board as well as an Arduino based one.

I am also reading about this DUET board. Dont know anything about it? People recommend its better

It's better but overkill for your machine. A RAMPS 1.4 or MKS is more than sufficient for your machine. The MKS is simply an Arduino and RAMPS shield all combined on one board.

Kronikabuse wrote:

ammarqs wrote:

I hope this works. Would this also work on the same PC software?

that setup will get you started. You can use the same open source software to run the printer as before. Repetier and slic3r work really well for solidoodles

But then this wont be Solidoodles anymore once i replace the controls on it. So with the above kit, i would still be able to use Repetier?

Repetier works with any printer and is used by most printer owners. In fact there are very few host programs out there that are machine specific. The only machines that have a dedicated host are the XYZ machines and a few other obscure brands.

ammarqs wrote:

I hope this works. Would this also work on the same PC software?

that setup will get you started. You can use the same open source software to run the printer as before. Repetier and slic3r work really well for solidoodles

But then this wont be Solidoodles anymore once i replace the controls on it. So with the above kit, i would still be able to use Repetier?

I hope this works. Would this also work on the same PC software?

that setup will get you started. You can use the same open source software to run the printer as before. Repetier and slic3r work really well for solidoodles

all of these will run Marlin firmware and are pretty easy to set up with very little fuss.

I know very little of the Smoothie based boards, so someone else would have to chime in on those...

price wise, Ramps & MKS are probably the cheaper alternatives, with Rumba being at the higher end of the scale.

as far as actually installing.. it is basically just a matter of moving everything over to the appropriate connections on the new board, flashing the firmware to the board using Arduino, and making sure you have the board mounted properly on/in the printer. not that difficult really.