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Psycho edited this page Jan 9, 2019 · 2 revisions

How to flash your firmware?

The geek way

  • Download and install Arduino: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
  • Go to tools->board->board manager
  • Install Arduino megaAVR Boards by Arduino
  • Hover over Arduino AVR Boards by Arduino and select version 1.6.21 and install it. This will retrograde the version you have but it will fix a USB communication problem
  • Get the latest release source code: https://github.com/Psychokiller1888/Vertex-Delta-Firmware/releases or use the active branch if you're courageous
  • Open the file called Marlin.ino. This will open the Arduino software
  • Turn of your printer, make sure the main power switch is to 0
  • Connect your printer to your computer using an USB cable. This will start the screen. Your computer will install the new component using the drivers that were installed during Arduino installation. They are fine for Windows 10 at least, and surely before.
  • In tools->ports you should see a COMXXX port now that you've connected your printer. It can be COM3, COM5, COM whatever you want. Select it. If you have more than one printer connected, make sure to select the right port by unplugging the printer you want to flash, check the com ports, reconnect it and check what com prt appeared.
  • Go to file->preferences and check the "Show verbose output during: upload"
  • Click on the icon right under Edit, and arrow pointing to the right, upload, to compile the sketch and upload it to your printer.
  • This process takes a while depending on your computer. You won't see much more than the percentage bar filling up during compiling (if you want to see more, check the verbose mode during compiling in your preferences) and the you'll see the upload. If everything goes fine, you'll see a reading process that is almost instant, a writing process that takes time and a checking process that take a little time. Let's say the upload process is about 1.5 minutes.
  • Once done, your printer will reboot, you'll see the new bootscreen.
  • If during the upload you see times out, make sure you have retrograded the Arduino AVR Boards by Arduino as explained in point 4. Make sure anything printer related is closed! Yes, close Cura, Repetier software and others, as they use and lock the COM ports! It's not the drivers fault!
  • On the printer, go to settings, initialize the eeprom
  • Go to control printer->vertex calibration->calibrate vertex height. This will probe the bed once for the height. It shouldn't crash in the bed, but maybe for a first try you want to have a 1-2mm protection on the bed, just to make sure. Then restart the height calibration procedure. Or don't follow that and have faith.
  • Now control printer->vertex calibration->auto calibration. This process will take some time, usually 7-10 iteration. It is important and the end result is often under 0.01mm
  • Go settings->store settings

You're done!!

The newbie way

  • Use Octoprint to flash using the compiled firmware found in the releases.
  • Install the Firmware Updater plugin
  • Install avrdude. On a raspberry:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install avrdude

  • The path to avrdude in octoprint will be: /usr/bin/avrdude

  • Configs for the plugin: https://puu.sh/CtWBi.png

  • Or use any other flashing tool for Arduino. The important part to keep in mind is that the Vertex delta is an ATmega2560 Arduino

  • Once done, your printer will reboot, you'll see the new bootscreen.

  • If during the upload you see times out, make sure you have retrograded the Arduino AVR Boards by Arduino as explained in point 4. Make sure anything printer related is closed! Yes, close Cura, Repetier software and others, as they use and lock the COM ports! It's not the drivers fault!

  • On the printer, go to settings, initialize the eeprom

  • Go to control printer->vertex calibration->calibrate vertex height. This will probe the bed once for the height. It shouldn't crash in the bed, but maybe for a first try you want to have a 1-2mm protection on the bed, just to make sure. Then restart the height calibration procedure. Or don't follow that and have faith.

  • Now control printer->vertex calibration->auto calibration. This process will take some time, usually 7-10 iteration. It is important and the end result is often under 0.01mm

  • Go settings->store settings

Useful? How about a beer for me?

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