I posted earlier about a few of the pins being bent on the stepper drivers and the headers.
As the assembly went on I noticed more and more issues.
After the pins I discovered the red LED's where far smaller then the green LED (I suspect 0603). This made soldering them harder and much trickier.
As I neared the final steps I noticed RepRapWorld had supplied me with 6x 8pin headers (for the stepper drivers) as opposed to 2x 24pin header. This meant I had to file the middle headers and slightly force it in, both of which are risky to do.
On top of all this the Arduino Mega 1280 (a clone..) doesn't even come with a USB cable or feet. To make matters a little more confusing (to a newbie at least) its preloaded with the blink example.
Add all this to the fact it took them 13 working days to even dispatch the order, I'm not happy with them.
To top it all off when I mentioned RepRapWorld on the IRC channel Kliment instantly said RepRapWorld had caused people no end of hassle and he was getting annoyed with RepRapWorld.
Honestly if my RAMPS board ever works I'd be surpised.
OK I'll be honest some of the trouble is down to be and my tools*, but RepRapWorld have caused way more then there fair share of issues.
*I know the common phrase a poor workman blame his tools, but in my case my soldering iron tip was fubar and it seems like my soldering iron overheats.
Showing posts with label Delay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Delay. Show all posts
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Arrg, damn you 0805 resistors.
On Monday when I started soldering the smd parts I had managed to drop one of the resistors on the floor which luckily I found a few minutes later.
However last night I managed to lose 2 of them.
First it was a 4.7k resistor, which like the night before, shot out of the tweezers and off the desk. I did manage to find this later.
Second and most baffling lost resistor was a 10k. I opened the package on the plastic side, I resealed it then went to tin the connections. When I went to pick up the resistor there were only 4 in the packet where there should have been...
I looked everywhere, but couldn't seem to find it.
In the end I managed to find someone on eBay selling a set of 10 for £1.30 (with 1% accuracy compared to others on eBay with 5% or higher).
On top of this I noticed my soldering irons "hotspot" no longer seems to be the tip, but about 5mm down from the tip. I had tried sanding the tip then re-tinning, but it didn't do anything.
So I ended up ordering a set of replacement tips at £3 for 3.
While I was in a buying mood I purchased a loupe so I can check the finished soldering and properly read the resistor numbering (in case I ever need to change them).
Looks like I won't be done soldering until this weekend.
However last night I managed to lose 2 of them.
First it was a 4.7k resistor, which like the night before, shot out of the tweezers and off the desk. I did manage to find this later.
Second and most baffling lost resistor was a 10k. I opened the package on the plastic side, I resealed it then went to tin the connections. When I went to pick up the resistor there were only 4 in the packet where there should have been...
I looked everywhere, but couldn't seem to find it.
In the end I managed to find someone on eBay selling a set of 10 for £1.30 (with 1% accuracy compared to others on eBay with 5% or higher).
On top of this I noticed my soldering irons "hotspot" no longer seems to be the tip, but about 5mm down from the tip. I had tried sanding the tip then re-tinning, but it didn't do anything.
So I ended up ordering a set of replacement tips at £3 for 3.
While I was in a buying mood I purchased a loupe so I can check the finished soldering and properly read the resistor numbering (in case I ever need to change them).
Looks like I won't be done soldering until this weekend.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Still no electronics
I've not posted any updates in a while as I've not been able to make any progress.
I currently have a full frame, set of stepper motors and assembled extruder (including hot end), however I'm missing the electronics.
From my experience building computers one of the first things you learn is check everything works outside of the case. Its too easy to screw everything in and cable tie the wires in place, only to find one part doesn't work. Leading to dis-assembling the whole thing just to find the issue.
For this reason I've not fixed in any of the stepper motors or hot end.
I ordered the RAMPS Full DIY kit along with some PLA on 16th October . On the 22nd I sent an email asking for a quick update and recieved the following message:
Dear Joseph,
There was a little problem with the RAMPS board. I will shipp it Monday by priority airmail and you will receive it within a few days!
I am sorry for the inconvenience!
Martijn
Shortly followed by:
Ok! Thanks.
Your board is now fully tested!
Kind regards,
Martijn
So I was expecting the order to be shipped on the Monday (24th) and arriving within 3 to 5 days.
I kept checking the order status on RepRapWorld and it never changed.
Now 15 days after I placed my order the status is still the same as it was only a few minutes after placing my order.
Below is a screen shot of the order.
I currently have a full frame, set of stepper motors and assembled extruder (including hot end), however I'm missing the electronics.
From my experience building computers one of the first things you learn is check everything works outside of the case. Its too easy to screw everything in and cable tie the wires in place, only to find one part doesn't work. Leading to dis-assembling the whole thing just to find the issue.
For this reason I've not fixed in any of the stepper motors or hot end.
I ordered the RAMPS Full DIY kit along with some PLA on 16th October . On the 22nd I sent an email asking for a quick update and recieved the following message:
Dear Joseph,
There was a little problem with the RAMPS board. I will shipp it Monday by priority airmail and you will receive it within a few days!
I am sorry for the inconvenience!
Martijn
Shortly followed by:
Ok! Thanks.
Your board is now fully tested!
Kind regards,
Martijn
So I was expecting the order to be shipped on the Monday (24th) and arriving within 3 to 5 days.
I kept checking the order status on RepRapWorld and it never changed.
Now 15 days after I placed my order the status is still the same as it was only a few minutes after placing my order.
Below is a screen shot of the order.
 |
| Note the order is still processing and was placed on the 16th. |
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Waiting, Anti-Climax and Delay
Waiting
The last 5 parts of my build, admittedly 4 of the big 5 needed to build a reprap, have been ordered and I'm patiently waiting for them.
I say patiently, its more like a child waiting for a birthday present.
Anyway the electronics, hotend and hardware where all ordered on Sunday (16/10/2011). I was expecting them arrive ready for the weekend. That way would have 2 days to soldering, frame and extruder build.
I figured 2 to 3 days to process the order (they were all paid for via paypal when I ordered) and 2 to 3 days shipping. Leaving them arriving any time from Thurday onwards.
With all the trouble I had sourcing the stepper motors I was expecting those to be last. I contacted ruben-ikmaak on the #reprap IRC channel on Friday, he said they had been shipped and should be arriving in 2 to 3 business days.
Anti Climax
On Thurday I got an email from my sister (currently out of work) telling me a brown smallish package had arrived for me.
Great I thought that will be the electronics, so I borrowed a multimeter from work and walked home with a smile on my face.
I looked at the package and instantly thought it couldn't be the electronics. I was right it was just a non-reprap related cable.
On Friday I received a similar message from my brother (bruised the bone in his leg, so he's off school), largish package with my name on it. Again I got excited, borrowed the multimeter and waited for my shift to finish.
About an hour before I was due to leave I received another message, Oh it was just that item I ordered in your name.
Today I was planning on staying in waiting for the postman (as all 3 items are fairly large), however I was persuaded (with food) to go shopping.
As soon as I got back I checked for post or any packages which the postie might have put safe. Nope nothing.
Delay
I checked my order status on both Thingfarm and RepRapWorld, Thingfarm had the same message it had had all week Payment Accepted, RepRapWorld also had the same message it had had all week Order Processing.
I was a little concerned about this as apart from 8 extra bolts, washers and nuts added to the Thingfarm order, everything else had been in stock at the time I ordered.
So I sent an email to both Thingfarm and RepRapWorld (only few hours ago at around 6pm GMT+0).
Within an hour or so I got a reply from RepRapWorld.
There was a little problem with the RAMPS board. I will ship it Monday by priority airmail and you will receive it within a few days!
Not the best of news, but atleast they where making sure he board works and there wasn't any massive issues.
As I was righting this post I thought I best check to see if Thingfarm had replied. Nothing yet however I did get another message from RepRapWorld
Your board is now fully tested!
My reaction :-D
So fingers crossed by mid next week I'll be ready to start my build or soldering.
Depending on how soon the parts arrive I'll either start posting the build or post how I came to pick the other parts of my build.
The last 5 parts of my build, admittedly 4 of the big 5 needed to build a reprap, have been ordered and I'm patiently waiting for them.
I say patiently, its more like a child waiting for a birthday present.
Anyway the electronics, hotend and hardware where all ordered on Sunday (16/10/2011). I was expecting them arrive ready for the weekend. That way would have 2 days to soldering, frame and extruder build.
I figured 2 to 3 days to process the order (they were all paid for via paypal when I ordered) and 2 to 3 days shipping. Leaving them arriving any time from Thurday onwards.
With all the trouble I had sourcing the stepper motors I was expecting those to be last. I contacted ruben-ikmaak on the #reprap IRC channel on Friday, he said they had been shipped and should be arriving in 2 to 3 business days.
Anti Climax
On Thurday I got an email from my sister (currently out of work) telling me a brown smallish package had arrived for me.
Great I thought that will be the electronics, so I borrowed a multimeter from work and walked home with a smile on my face.
I looked at the package and instantly thought it couldn't be the electronics. I was right it was just a non-reprap related cable.
On Friday I received a similar message from my brother (bruised the bone in his leg, so he's off school), largish package with my name on it. Again I got excited, borrowed the multimeter and waited for my shift to finish.
About an hour before I was due to leave I received another message, Oh it was just that item I ordered in your name.
Today I was planning on staying in waiting for the postman (as all 3 items are fairly large), however I was persuaded (with food) to go shopping.
As soon as I got back I checked for post or any packages which the postie might have put safe. Nope nothing.
Delay
I checked my order status on both Thingfarm and RepRapWorld, Thingfarm had the same message it had had all week Payment Accepted, RepRapWorld also had the same message it had had all week Order Processing.
I was a little concerned about this as apart from 8 extra bolts, washers and nuts added to the Thingfarm order, everything else had been in stock at the time I ordered.
So I sent an email to both Thingfarm and RepRapWorld (only few hours ago at around 6pm GMT+0).
Within an hour or so I got a reply from RepRapWorld.
There was a little problem with the RAMPS board. I will ship it Monday by priority airmail and you will receive it within a few days!
Not the best of news, but atleast they where making sure he board works and there wasn't any massive issues.
As I was righting this post I thought I best check to see if Thingfarm had replied. Nothing yet however I did get another message from RepRapWorld
Your board is now fully tested!
My reaction :-D
So fingers crossed by mid next week I'll be ready to start my build or soldering.
Depending on how soon the parts arrive I'll either start posting the build or post how I came to pick the other parts of my build.
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