Questions on switching from RUMBA to smoothie

Controllers Smoothie
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Hi everyone, I am a fairly experienced 3D printer user/ repraper (2 years) and I am considering using a smoothie instead of my RUMBA in my new printer build. Currently, it is based off a solidoodle but it might eventually change into a coreXY machine. I have a few questions remaining after reading thru the 3D printer guide:

  1. list item Is there any way to get 32X microstepping? I really want this on my extruder motor, it produces noticably better results and less moire than 16X. Using an external driver at this point is pretty far out of my comfort zone, I have no idea how to go about this. I use DRV8825’s on the RUMBA and they are great. Can I get 32X without going to an external driver?
  2. I Is it possible to get a smoothie board running on my printer without any soldering if I order the 5 XC? I am particularly confused about the mosfets power input. I surely do not want to run a line from the PSU to each mosfet power input, so can I just use jumpers to bring the power in? Will the XC version already have the pins on JP28, JP11 and JP27? Does it come with jumpers that fit? Am I even making sense? Also, can the E3D V6 hot end be run off the small mosfet? It has a 25w heater cartridge.
  3. Running an AC heated bed with an SSR. This schematic is still listed as to do on the guide page. I’m pretty lost on connecting to a GPIO pin. Why not just connect it to a mosfet out that I would use to run a lower power DC heated bed and let the SSR do its thing to switch on the AC when needed? Is there anyone who could do a quick sketch of their wiring if you are running an AC heated bed from a smoothie?
  4. Is there login built into smoothie ware to run my fans only when the printer is actually printing? I don’t want to just wire them directly into any 12v source because then my printer is loud all the time, not just when printing.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Imported from wikidot

2

Hey !!

Is there any way to get 32X microstepping? I really want this on my extruder motor, it produces noticably better results and less moire than 16X. Using an external driver at this point is pretty far out of my comfort zone, I have no idea how to go about this. I use DRV8825’s on the RUMBA and they are great. Can I get 32X without going to an external driver?

You can’t get 1/32 with the on-board drivers.
However, wiring an external stepper drivers is -trivial-, it’s documented, it’s very simple ( it’s just 4 wires to connect ), and if there is any difficulty, you can get help here, or via email at wolf.arthur@gmail.com. Many people do this, including people with less experience than you have.

I Is it possible to get a smoothie board running on my printer without any soldering if I order the 5 XC? I am particularly confused about the mosfets power input. I surely do not want to run a line from the PSU to each mosfet power input, so can I just use jumpers to bring the power in? Will the XC version already have the pins on JP28, JP11 and JP27? Does it come with jumpers that fit?

There is no soldering required. It does come with jumpers that fit, for JP28 ( the small mosfets input ).

Here’s the situation : you can skip using an external input for the small mosfets ( via JP28 and a jumper ), but you can’t for the big mosfets.
You -have- to provide power to the big mosfets via the external input ( you can’t use jumpers there, your bed would make them melt ). That just means two wires going to your PSU, it’s very easy.

Also, can the E3D V6 hot end be run off the small mosfet? It has a 25w heater cartridge.

Yes.

Running an AC heated bed with an SSR. This schematic is still listed as to do on the guide page. I’m pretty lost on connecting to a GPIO pin. Why not just connect it to a mosfet out that I would use to run a lower power DC heated bed and let the SSR do its thing to switch on the AC when needed?

Sure, that’s about as easy/simple as connecting directly to a pin, and it’ll work as well.

Is there anyone who could do a quick sketch of their wiring if you are running an AC heated bed from a smoothie?

  • on the SSR goes to GND on the Smoothieboard. + on the SSR goes to a GPIO pin on the Smoothieboard, or to + on a mosfet output.
    and then the other side just switches the AC load.

Running an AC heated bed with an SSR. This schematic is still listed as to do on the guide page. I’m pretty lost on connecting to a GPIO pin. Why not just connect it to a mosfet out that I would use to run a lower power DC heated bed and let the SSR do its thing to switch on the AC when needed? Is there anyone who could do a quick sketch of their wiring if you are running an AC heated bed from a smoothie?

Sure, just control your fans using a mosfet, and a switch module ( http://smoothieware.org/switch ).

If you need further help with -any- of this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Cheers.