Config file for smoothie board And a few tips/notes.

[Flateric]

This is NOT a ZIP file as is indicaed by the ".zip" extension. I simply added the .zip to the file name so that the forums here would allow me to share the file as it is not possible to share a file with no file extension. After downloading the file simply remove the ".zip" from the filename to allow smoothie to use it. File needs to be placed into the root of the SD card that is loaded into the smoothie. But only after reading through this post and making the appropriate changes to match you machine config. I am not responsible for any damage or injury that occurs from the use of this file and it is provided "as is" By downloading you agree to this.

config.zip

remove the .zip extension for the text file.

(12.71 KiB) Downloaded 1005 times

Things to note about my smoothie file just in case you have a different setup and config.

Baud rate = 2500000

Configured for use with Kossel configuration NOT Rostock standard, so x and y towers have been swapped. Otherwise things like text and such will be backwards for example. Simply a matter of unplugging and swapping the x and y stepper connections AFTER POWERING DOWN THE BOARD COMPLETELY or you will blow a stepper driver.

My arm radius is very likely going to be different than yours since I use the magnetic arms with custom carriage mounts and a custom effector. You will simply have to re-measure yours and input the correct value into the arm_radius setting.

I have fairly high acel and movement limits set since my machine is very rigid and tight with tolerances.
I also have my stepper current slightly elevated due to the higher acel and movement settings but nothing that causes any stepper heating of any concern. Default is 1.5.

Please pay special attention to the extruder configuration portion of the config as I use a bulldog extruder and it is far more capable of speeds and retracts than an easy struder or steves. I also run a slightly elevated current on it. Default for all stepper current is 1.5.

You'll also have to adjust all of you steps per mm for the movement and the extruder settings of course. I'm using the old style 15 tooth pulleys with 1.8 degree steppers currently so this is why I get the oddball steps per mm.

I am currently not running a LCD panel on the machine at all.

Don't forget to re-calibrate your z height of course. No doubt it will be different too.

If you find that your smoothie is no longer booting.

When the smoothie does not boot you may not be able to access the sd card on-baord. You'll have to use some other means of getting to the files such as a sd card adapter etc.

The config file MUST be saved without a file extension of any kind at all. "config.txt" is no good, file must be named simply "config"

Also if you have the option or find that the text editor you are using asks the file should be saved in ANSI standard, NOT unicode. Unicode usually works but I did have issue one time. But if you make mods to the config and simply hit save rather than save as you should be golden.

This also occurs when there are sytax errors in the config file. And this can be something as simple as a few characters sneaking down from a previous lines comment section when you change a value. For instance when you modify a alpha trim value like below.


**Original config lines un-altered.
alpha_trim 0 # software trim for alpha stepper endstop (in mm)
beta_trim 0 # software trim for beta stepper endstop (in mm)
gamma_trim 0 # software trim for gamma stepper endstop (in mm)

**Altered config lines.
alpha_trim 10.64 # software trim for alpha stepper endstop (i
n mm)
beta_trim 0 # software trim for beta stepper endstop (in mm)
gamma_trim 0 # software trim for gamma stepper endstop (in mm)

The second line in the altered config has jumped down from the 1st due to the additional characters being of the longer 10.64 value being inserted. This will cause the config file to fail loading and prevent the smoothie from booting correctly. I originally thought I had a bad sd card and this took awhile for me to track down the problem so I thought I would share in-case it happens to you again and I could save you some time and pulled out hair.

Last thing is the smoothie only loads the config file on boot, so any changes will not "TAKE" until it is rebooted. And to prevent windows and/or your host software from bitching and having trouble re-connecting, select disconnect before rebooting your smoothie or you'll have trouble reconnecting until you reboot the smoothie a second time.

You can reboot the smoothie easily after disconnecting by unplugging and reconnecting the USB or by using the little reset switch on the board itself that is located right next to the "MAX Z" connector. Wait for the LED's to flash slowly (reading config file) and then they will return to fast activity, this is a successful boot(communication indications).

Then you re-connect with your host software which if you are using Simplify3D-Creator to run the smoothie should happen automatically. Repetier host you'll manually have to re-connect.

Repetier host has some features disabled in the GUI for the speed and feed control, you can issue "m220 sxx"and "m221 sxx" console commands for these functions however. The "xx" portion being the value of desired speed of course. I have told the dev of repetier about this issue and it will be corrected in the next release of repetier host. It has to do with the host not recognizing the firmware specifically and in the past with older versions of firmware that were in use such as teacup this caused problems.

The last thing I have found is that the smoothie may lock and become none responsive without a small amount of cooling being blown across it when you push it really hard. High speeds and feeds only for extended duration prints. At normal speed and feed there was never any problem at all. I just have a small fan blowing across the length of the board and this has solved all problems with this. I suspect the steppers drivers. The could also be likely fixed with the small driver aluminium coolers such as commonly used on polo drivers. I have not found the time to test this however and since my small fan is working to correct the most extreme punishments I have sent the smoothies way so far I have not tested the theory. I would like to rid myself of yet another fan adding noise to my world however so when I do figure it out I will let you know.

Hope all this helps with some of the potential problems anyone may run into!

Flatteric

[lordbinky]

You can change some settings without reloading the config file.
http://smoothieware.org/supported-g-codes
Important ones for calibration are
M665 L### R### Z###
- L<arm length> R<arm/delta radius> Z<max height>
M666 X#.# Y#.# Z#.#
- Software endstop adjustments /trimming

The changes from these commands take effect after you home.
These are lost if you reset unless you save (M500) and reload them (M501) upon reset. Better to just enter it into your config file after you get calibrated.

Edit: I also use Notepad++ when editing these files. I love it as a text editor without having to go into an IDE

[mhackney]

Flateric, right after I replied to your email I figured it out. Someone on the smoothieboard group asked if X triggered the X endstop. I assumed it did and had actually checked Z since that tower is the same on Rostock and Kossel deltas. Not sure how you would test of X tower triggers X switch so I just did the simple thing and powered down and swapped the stepper connectors on X and Y and now I am homing perfectly.

cheers,
Michael

[lordbinky]

I have aluminum heat sinks on the stepper drivers, they repeatedly say not to do this though. They say the IC package is designed to dump the heat out the bottom of the chip and the board is designed to assist this. So the the recommended cooling is actually to have airflow under the board / on the back of the board.

I also was having issues with locking up as well with cooling. I haven't tested if I got rid of it completely, but I got a successful 8hr print from the SD card after I added in the 5V rail from the power supply to the optional 5V input into the board.

[gestalt73]

Wow, this board is kinda amazing.

I'm throwing test prints at it at absurd speeds, and the machine is just doing it.

Usually, I print client jobs at 15 perimeter, 20 infill, 30 sparse infill because any faster and the finish quality suffers.
I'm printing out bubbasnow's E3D dual extruder parts right now at 120mm/s, and they look good.

A tip to other users, don't transfer files over during a print, doesn't seem to like that, and causes lots of stuttering.
It seems to be faster to render your file on your local drive then saving off to smoothie directly.

Also, this board does seem to run hot. I never really checked the RAMBO, but I agree, this one may need a small cooling fan.

I've just been working with it through a terminal window for now, the LCD kit should be here next week.

[lordbinky]

I'll post a picture tonight, but I got an interesting result for the first time, moiré pattern in the horizontal layer....

[gestalt73]

Hey LordBinky,

I'm seeing a much lighter moire pattern in high speed prints (120mm/s), but they're still so much better than with the rambo.
I think I saw them with a slower, 40mm/s print as well.

I'm still thinking of moving to 0.9 steppers, and am curious if anyone else has tried running everything (extruders, bed, steppers) at 24V.
There's a Meanwell RSP-500-24 looks like it would fit the bill

Here are the settings that I'm curious about messing with for future prints:

Code: Select all

mm_per_arc_segment                           0.5  # Arcs are cut into segments ( lines ), this is the length for 
                                                              # these segments.  Smaller values mean more resolution, 
                                                              # higher values mean faster computation
                                                              # default is 0.5, I see flateric has his set to 0.25
                                                              # mine is currently set to 0.25

delta_segments_per_second                  100  # for deltas only same as in Marlin/Delta, set to 0 to disable
                                                              # and use mm_per_line_segment
                                                              # default is 100, I see flateric has his set to 600
                                                              # mine is currently set to 1000

                                                              # default is 1.5, steppers maybe increasing current would help?
alpha_current                                      1.5  # X stepper motor current
beta_current                                       1.5  # Y stepper motor current
gamma_current                                    1.5  # Z stepper motor current

[JohnStack]

Thank you very much for posting this. Going to start config this weekend.

[Flateric]

I'm putting 0.9 steppers onto my machine over the next few days. I feel the smoothie will be able to feed them properly at speed which my arduino solutions could not.

[mhackney]

The statement about dumping heat from the drivers out the bottom of the board is why I designed my mount with large open areas in the back. This allows better airflow and/or a fan can be directed at the bottom of the board.

[img]http://thingiverse-production.s3.amazon ... atured.jpg[/img]

[Flateric]

I like the wire hooks too.

[lordbinky]

I'm running my 0.9° steppers at 24V, doesn't seem to be a problem with the smoothieboard or my questionable ebay steppers. I think I have the current at 1.125 or something. I think with 1.25A I was skipping steps forward by making the steppers overshoot.

[Flateric]

Interesting.

I'm curious if my dual damped steppers will help with that sort of thing, they are supposed to.

[lordbinky]

OOOoo You do you mean you have noise AND inertia dampers on a stepper? *eyes twinkle*

[Flateric]

I specifically picked these 0.9 steppers for this very reason!

[lordbinky]

Awesome! I can't wait to see how those print.

Did they come with the inertia dampers? I couldn't find any four wire dual shaft 0.9° steppers that weren't a significant increase over the cheap motors I ordered, much less ones with dampers. If you don't mind, where'd you get those ones from?

[geneb]

Inertia dampers?! Dude, sign me up RIGHT NOW.



g.

[mhackney]

Ah, I just love birthing pains...

I have my Kossel nicely calibrated - seat level movement across the build platform. I've done a few test prints with mixed results all related to filament starving. When the filament flowed though, the print surface quality was ver nice. Long story short, my ezStruder is not generating enough force. I have a Kyson 1124090 stepper - the same as I used on the towers and also they are tried and true by the RepRapers. If I disconnect the Bowden and extrude say 50mm, I can easily make the stepper skip without a lot of effort. I just did this test on one of my Rostock ezStruders and I couldn't stop the filament for love nor money! I checked my config file for the smoothie board and gamma_current is set at 1.5amps. I'm running my Rostock from repeater firmware and RAMBo with a current setting of 230 (which is about 1.35A).

Of course I discover this after I have all of my wiring neatly routed and wrapped and "look'n purty". I tried testing another ezStruder and a different stepper (the ones SeeMeCNC sells) by hooking it up to the smoothieboard and it was equally anemic. Of course, this one has not been put in service so this is not a definitive test. As I write this, it occurs that I could hook the extruder up to one of the tower ports, say alpha, and test. But again, not sure if that is a definitive test given that a lot less force is needed to move the carriages.

I'm assuming the config file "1.5" setting is in actual amps but didn't actually check the web site.

[mhackney]

Well this sucks. My CF card has gone south and can't be reformatted. I got on the Smoothie iRC channel and it turns out that these are known issue. Apparently they are a Chinese knock-off of inferior quality. I have a new card on order. In the meantime, a chatter told me how to recompile with my custom config file and flash the smoothie board without the CF card using dfu_util (I had to grab the sources and compile on the mac along with a usb library dependency). Now I can flash the board directly from the terminal. This will keep me going until the new CF arrives.

Meanwhile I'm still trying to sort my extruder stepper issue. I checked the pin crimps and they were all perfect. Someone on the IRC offered that I might have a bad phase in the stepper, I have a few things to test tomorrow when I have a little time.

[Polygonhell]

I'd check the actual Vref on the drivers to verify that the Smoothie board is actually setting the digipot for 1.5A. Be VERY careful with the multimeter probes, all the driver variants I've looked at are enormously sensitive to being shorted etc.

Assuming you have one of the earlier SeeMe Steppers, they are usually wired Black Green Blue Red, or Red Blue Green Black if you want it to go the other way, IME when they are wired wrong they rarely move in the intended direction for very long.

[mhackney]

Thanks, the suspect stepper is actually a Kysan stepper. The other stepper I tested is identical to the ones i have on the Rostock so I mimicked the wiring I used on the Max. There are enough variables that I need to go back and diagnose from the start. That's a job left for tomorrow.