3D Printer Advancements

A lot more work on the 3D printer.

• Learned a lot more about the firmware making the thing run. Attempted to get the Arduino Mega + Pololu Stepper Motors work with the Makerbot Extruder Controller, but they are just different enough to be beyond my current firmware capability. In the interest of getting this done in a timely manner, I've decided to adopt the complete Arduino Mega/Pololu Rep-Rap, schema.
• Waiting for AD595 Thermocouple Amp to arrive.
  
• Decided to abandon Makerbot Extruder Controller Board, gear motor. Different enough to be a pain to configure.
  
• Continuing using Arduino Mega, Pololu/Easydriver Stepper Motor Drivers, AD595. Thermocouple.
  
• Procured Parts: 12" Linear Stage, 1" Pitch Ball Screw, shipping.
  
• Using existing limit switches for endstops, instead of opto endstop.
• Procured X-stage Bearings, Rod, Shaft Supports, shipping.
• Need to design/buy floating Y stage.
• Need to spec pulleys/timing belts.
• Need to Design print head adaptor.
  

Summer Happened

Not much advancement on the Arduino since the fall. Moving->Summer=Not A lot of time spent inside twiddling with electronics.

• Spliting CNC Endeavors. I have accumulated a mini lathe, so I am looking to retrofit it for EMC2 CNC Controls, using Xylotex System. If that ever dies, I will probably go with and Arudino Based System, new advancements on GRBL.
  
• Spent a lot of time trying to get my Makerbot Extruder/Controller, to work with Xylotex CNC Driver/EMC2. Abandoned because difficulty/not enough know-how to make work with Linux/Time.
• Adopted Arduino Mega/Pololu Stepper Driver Method - better documentation,
  
• Currently attempting to edit Motherboard/Extruder Controller to work with each other.

Current Challenges:

• Connecting Makerbot Extruder to Arduino Mega - Have to alter the Firmware for both extruder and motherboard/pololu to make work. It seems I have just the right number of motors to make the lathe CNC, and the 3D Printer. Let's just hope they are strong enough to provide the right power.
  
• No other Arduino Mega + Makerbot Extruder (DC Gear Motor vs. Stepper Motor) + Pololu Stepper Drivers, existing. More anxious to get the thing printing than ambitious to get into the firmware, so I am going to forgo for now.
  
• Need Opto-EndStops.
• Need to build physical machine - have held off on the machine, until I get the extruder working - but the extruder is getting close.