I want to enable not-used pins for UMO double nozzle

[SpecialKrio 0]

Hello everybody,

My Ultimaker Original Has some modifications like DIY Hot Bed (with 100K thermistor), axes motors outside the machine and so on. I generally modify my firmware from the "firmware builder" provided by this website.
I'm now working on a new concept for a better usage of my second nozzle and I need to activate the pins from 8 to 13 that are not used by my board so far (version 1.5.7.).
I've wired them to make some experiments: I've connected a LEd to see if they can be activated, they blink twice when I turn my printer on. But I don't know how to use them, I guess I need to make some adjustement on the firmware. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME ON IT?

(My final intention is to activate them when my printer passes from a nozzle to the other, I will add some line of Gcode in the  cura's options in machine settings)

Thank you.

[gr5 2,172]

Which firmware builder?  This one:?

https://bultimaker.bulles.eu/

 

Can you just check the "dual extrusion" box?

 

If you need something different then you need to write your own code to decide when to turn the signals on and off.  Which means you need to build from scratch.  more details here:

==============

source code is on github in several places.  UMO was built from the erik zalm version

https://github.com/ErikZalm/Marlin/

Yes, no commits since 2015 - but that's exactly what you want as that's the latest UMO firmware.

 

There are instructions that come with the erik zalm download in the "README.md" text file.

Basically you download and install arduino ide:
http://arduino.cc/en/main/software

Then copy the sanguino software as explained in README file.  Open Marlin.ino file in Arduino IDE by double clicking it (not pde file as stated in README - I think that's old).  Select board as "Mega 2560" as explained in README file.  Go to "file" "preferences" and select "verbose output" so you can find your hex file.  Then build it by clicking the check box in the upper left corner.  At the bottom you will see it compiling Marlin.  At the end of this it says where the hex file is.  If you are currently connected to your UM through USB you can just click "file" "upload" and you are done!  But you should locate that hex file and save it somewhere along with the Configuration.h file used to create it so you can recreate the same version with maybe one change.  Also you can upload the hex file using Cura in expert menu.

The actual ultimaker firmware is built with make file and doing it that way generates a smaller more compact firmware but doing it through the IDE works fine. I've done it many times.

Alternatively you can build Marlin with somewhat more detailed step by step instructions the command line way (which I don't prefer):
http://www.extrudable.me/2013/05/03/building-marlin-from-scratch/
 

[SpecialKrio 0]

Hello and thank you for your message.
Yes I generally make my firmware from that link.
What I'm now working on, is basically a rotary sistem to switch from a nozzle to the other, the concept is not so new, I'm just try to make my own design.
All the hardware parts are already made, in attached a link of a 3D simulation video
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5ldv04cqo05ydcc/rotary double nozzle6.mp4?dl=0
As you can see from the video at the early beginning, I wanted to swich the nozzle  meccanically with a specific movement of the head (as the UM3 does). My early idea was to type the gcode for that movement using the option in Cura that allows you to modify the g-code at the start and end of every nozzle.
What I would like to do now is to trig the movement via two electromagnets. Imagine on top of the head two little magnets that atract the nozzle's holder.
On my board, close to the USB port, there are 8  pins: ground, 5volt, and 6 free pins (from 8 to 13). They are connected with Arduino board but they are not used by the ulti board.
My idea is to use them to give curent to the electromagnets.
Hope the idea is clear.
Thank you for your tip I will try even if I'm more skilled in harware mod than software XD! I used arduido IDE just to make some leds blinking, nothing more....
Can I count on your help if I'll find any difficulties to make it?
Thks

[gr5 2,172]

not me.  Here's what you do:

1) Get the UMO version to build successfully and install and mostly work.  I don't mean use the builder, I mean build it yourself using arduino compiler.

2) Create your own fork of Marlin on github.

3) Make your changes or make the minimum changes until you get stuck.  Maybe that means simply assigning a few pins.

4) At that point contact me and also @tinkergnome for advice and link to your repository so we can see what you did so far.  git makes it easy for anyone to see your changes.

 

Until you can build your own Marlin, you will be considered too "hopeless" to be worth helping.  But if you get that far then the changes you need are pretty easy.

 

[SpecialKrio 0]

Thank you

 

[tinkergnome 927]

16 hours ago, SpecialKrio said:

My idea is to use them to give curent to the electromagnets.

 

Just to be sure and because you don't mention it:

I hope you are aware that this needs some more electronics in between (some kind of amplifier circuit, perhaps plus a relay or SSR).

Arduino pins only provide a few mA... don't connect anything to it without a look at the datasheet.

 

one of those should work: https://www.amazon.com/McIgIcM-Channel-Raspberry-Optocoupler-Expansion/dp/B07Q13VTP5

Edited May 28, 2019 by tinkergnome

[SpecialKrio 0]

Hi and thank you for your message!
Well actually, since this idea is at its very first stage, I would consider the hardware design after I will solve the software issue.
But thank you for your tip, I will take in mind!
At this stage my goal is to turn some leds on, through theese pins, using a specific G-code command.
I want to double check the pin first, if they are really not active by the firmware or they are, and I've simply put a wrong G-code command.

Thanks for your help

[tinkergnome 927]

Correct, it should be possible to switch unused I/O-pins with a simple G42 (gcode-) command.

[gr5 2,172]

Oh!  I'm getting old.  I forgot about the M42 command.  That's good news as then you probably don't need to build your own firmware.

[SpecialKrio 0]

good news! (at least for me lol) I've launched the M42 command with Repetier host and I have found all the pin enabled.
Now I must understand how to write the Gcode properly In the Cura Propeties: Machine settings - Extruder Start G-code.
What I wish is to do is:
1- Retract the filament while it hops on the Z axes;
2- Activate the corresponding pin so the changing nozzle sistem is trigged via the electromagnet;
4- come back to the print position while the filament goes foward;

5- continue with the normal G-code
Since cura lets me to write G-code at the beginning and the end of each nozzle movement I have now to Understand what is better to write at the start and what at the end. And How to write it in G-code properly.
I'll be out for a while... hope to find some time soon to test it.