Hi, i'm building my own 3d printer,

3D Printing
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1

Hi, i’m building my own 3d printer, allready bugth a chinese extruder that comes all togheter with the sttepper motor, fan and resistence. But what i don’t know how to control is the temperature, i mean, what do i need to control it?
It’s a 12-24v resistence and it comes with the themocouple.
Thanks for your help!

2

hi, the extruder comes with a termocuple, but i want to know how do you guys actually control it.
Been checking for thi item http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-PID-Digital-Temperature-Control-Controller-Thermocouple-0-to-400-Degree-REX-C100-TK0374/1664699782.html
But didn’t see it on any other video

3

You need to pick from one of a half-dozen or so Controllers. It’s a Brain (Arduino), plus power control, and the ability to drive several servo-motors, heaters (for the extruder and optionally a heated bed), and the other ‘brain like’ things a printer needs. I used this one:
http://www.reprapdiscount.com/electronics/55-rumba-board-incl-drv8825.html

4

I have had good luck with the Printrboard although there are many similar ones. There are some newer boards coming out with ARM instead of Arduino chips. In theory you could control with a PC and enough I/O (stepper motors, temp, etc.) but it would be difficult to keep up, I think. This might be of some use to you: http://reprap.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Electronics

5

I think you need to step back and take some time to study how 3D printers work and what are the major components. If you start buying things before you have a good picture in your head you’ll end up with a lot of expensive useless junk.

Specifically what you are asking about here is the controller, which is the tiny computer that runs the printer.

I suggest finding a HackerSpace near you and going there to see and talk about their printers.

6

Thanks for your suggestions, but i allready have a CNC DIY machine running, what i don’t know is if i could use something like this http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Ship-REX-C100-Dual-Digital-F-C-PID-Temperature-Controller-Control-Thermocouple-0-to-400/602778500.html
or i need the software to control the T, i though not, becaus the T is fix rigth?