Best 3d printer interface & driver modules according to redditors

I got the SKR v1.3 board with TMC2209 stepper drivers, ~$56 on Amazon. You can pay slightly less if you want to wait for the slow boat from China. I'm not that patient.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W5S3KVF

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VR975J5

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TeachingTech on Youtube has some great videos on the different version drivers and SKR v1.3 board, as well as install videos. I recommend checking them out for more info and see if you're comfortable with the install.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=729Xglg6hec - 32bit explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNGN2iSQ5j4 - SKR v1.3 install

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOJbSrWVu_Q - TMC2209

Allegro A4988 are the cheapest, whiniest drivers.

TI DRV8825 are a step up in quality.

TMC2130 are usually considered the best.

There is a super-cheap stepper motor for very low-end projects: 28BYJ-48 You can buy a set of 5 from Amazon, with the motor-controller board that your Arduino or RaspberryPi can interface to, for $14.

https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-28BYJ-48-ULN2003-Stepper-Arduino/dp/B01CP18J4A/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=Cheap+stepper+motor&qid=1554555711&s=gateway&sr=8-15

An Arduino Nano is more than sufficient for this project, unless you want to get exotic for the trigger inputs, like voice-commands, Internet-controlled, etc.

You’ll need something that can keep a position so this would mean either a servo or a stepper motor. Both can be found cheaply at a hobby store or online. The servo would be easier to code imo but the stepper would be quieter and likely have a smoother operation. If you chose a stepper motor I would recommend these

ELEGOO 5 Sets 28BYJ-48 ULN2003 5V Stepper Motor + ULN2003 Driver Board for Arduino https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CP18J4A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5ZY0CbGSMG87P

Convert to RAMPs 1.4 Amazon

A RAMPS 1.6* kit would be the cheapest. Best would be something like a Einsy RAMBO* (a board very similar to the one on the Prusa MK3), but that's $120. A good middle of the road solution is the RUMBA+* combined with some stepstick format stepperdrivers. The stock anet uses A4988's*, there's also the option to use DRV8825's* (better resolution, but some people experience resonance related issues) or TMC2130's*. (allows for very silent running) and a screen* (if not included)

In any case, make sure that it has some kind of overcurrent protection. I prefer solutions with blade fuses (also commonly referred to as automotive fuses) It really pays to do some research of your own and to see what you want to get out of a printer. Eventually most A8 frames get converted to other models using the other parts of the kit for the electronics. You should check out the wiki, it contains a couple of good pointers to get you started.

*^(please note that the links provided are meant as illustrations and that I don't necessarily mean to endorse the linked products)

[edit]

As stated before, just toss the melzi and/or anet controller. They're fire hazards. And while you're at it, better improve rather than sidegrade.

Oh, fair enough. Now that you post it, I did have the issue with the Y axis, but I just printed a tiny little part that let me movemy endstop forwards around 10mm :D


I would definitely have picked that too if I had known about it.
If you're willing to spend a small amount extra, you can get them seperately: Board and Drivers

I LOVE MY ENDER 3'S. I have one running stock everything (except the bed) and the other is well, an ender 3 in name only now. (I know you mentioned you are in the EU, but I have provided links to my sources for US based distributors)

Printer setup:

Ender 3

MKS (MKS GEN L V1.0)

TMC (2208's)

Micro Swiss All Metal Hotend ( MS all metal )

Custom Modified heater block (installed 300°c heater cartridge and 450°c capable thermistor from slice engineering) (heater) & (thermistor)

Bantamfeeder Extruder ( bantam design ) ... will be changing this out soon when I decide what next. Works well just not my cup of tea for convenience purposes.

Bullseye Duct ( https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2759439)

3-point bed conversion for leveling made easy (Leveling guide and 3 point leveling adapter). HERE IS A COMPLETED DESIGN OF THESE CHANGES( My bed setup ... < < < this is my stock ender 3)

Borosilicate glass bed w/ PEI (Glass bed & PEI Sheet)

PSU (Mean Well NES-350-24 24V 350 Watt UL Switching Power Supply 120 Volt)

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OCTOPRINT SERVER

RPI 3b+ (raspberry pi w/ octoprint)

Pi Cam (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L2SY756/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

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So now you see why I say not really an ender 3 anymore, only in name

so far i've only put things on the list I've personally bought and tested. I just got a shipment of [these](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LG1MJY2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) in today, and just forgot to add them.


Thanks for the reminder!

Your picture doesn't show the steppers installed, so that's a start. /s

What mode did your steppers come setup with? Some steppers are preconfigured for regular mode while others are configured for UART. For example, when buying these 2208 you can choose which mode to get them in. If you didn't have an option when you bought them and it wasn't specified that they were UART then they most likely are in the regular mode.

The 2 options for running the steppers are Standalone and UART.

Standalone mode can be used without the jumpers wires. In your Config.h just define the steppers as TCM2208_Standalone instead of TMC2208. I'm not 100% sure, but i don't think standalone mode works with M122 or the TMC debug options.

UART Mode requires the jumper wires on the mks boards. Some boards like the SKR boards are setup so you don't need the jumper wires, but the mks boards are not. Also, if you steppers are not already setup for UART mode, then you will need to solder a jumper pad on the bottom of the driver to enable it.

http://www.amazon.com/3D-CAM-StepStick-Electronics-Robotics/dp/B010MZ8SWO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1457990838&sr=8-5&keywords=a4988

Just put this in my maker select with RAMPS. I believe any a4988 stepper drivers will work though.

The link gets a 404 error.

Take a look here and you'll see the boards look basically identical but there should be a jumper already in place on the J2 pins on the bottom side for the UART version.

https://www.amazon.com/BIQU-Printer-Stepstick-TMC2208-Heatsink/dp/B07RLXLW1X

This link is OOS but clearly shows the jumper in place on the J2 pads.

https://www.amazon.com/TMC2208-Stepper-Compatible-Ramps1-4-Printers/dp/B07RTBG8KK

GeeekPi Pack of 4 TL-Smoother Module Kit with Heatsink & Du-pont Wire for Pattern Elimination Motor Filter Clipping Filter 3D Printer Motor Drivers Controller Terminator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QJ1XK3D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cIz3DbK66FNJ3

Get the SKR V1.3 paired with TMC2208, They have some on Amazon and they came in 2 days. As far as setup, it's *mostly* plug and play but do mind you will have to shave down the endstop connectors to get them to fit the board and change a few things on Marlin, but they're really nice!

Here's where I got mine from:

SKR v1.3: https://www.amazon.com/BIQU-Printer-Smoothieboard-Compatible-Ramps1-4/dp/B07P87J274/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=bigtreetech+skr+v1.3&qid=1563046045&s=gateway&sr=8-3

TMC2208: https://www.amazon.com/TMC2208-Printer-Stepper-Driver-Screwdriver/dp/B07Q2YKDWW/ref=pd_sbs_328_2/139-5611230-5256615?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07LG1MJY2&pd_rd_r=46839a50-a5a4-11e9-9331-ed4485755cdc&pd_rd_w=8MpMP&pd_rd_wg=hSGbK&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=FY218K82SEYWVPK1BHTA&refRID=FY218K82SEYWVPK1BHTA&th=1

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Also, here's a good video that Teaching Teach made about installing the SKR on the Ender 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNGN2iSQ5j4

First result on Amazon under Ramps 1.4: WOWOONE CNC 3D Printer Kit for Arduino Mega 2560 R3 RAMPS 1.4 Controller LCD 2004 + 6X Limit Switch Endstop 5 A4988 Stepper Driver 3D Printerarduino arduino https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T8L584W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fL3tDb6HPX6S9

Depends on where you are which is why I didn't give a link but here:

SKR 1.3 with TMC drivers: https://spool3d.ca/bigtreetech-skr-v1-3-control-board/

SKR 1.3 with no drivers: https://www.amazon.com/BIGTREETECH-Smoothieware-Controller-Compatible-With12864LCD/dp/B07VR975J5/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=skr+1.3&qid=1570137421&s=gateway&sr=8-3

TMC 2130 (You will need 5 of them): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32974451176.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.56cb2cfeAuRFb0&algo_pvid=6084e143-e3c3-4b40-bb55-bc1caa01ed7f&algo_expid=6084e143-e3c3-4b40-bb55-bc1caa01ed7f-0&btsid=b36b2b14-ae9e-4229-bfb3-dce2d23bbaa0&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_52

DRV8825 (Comes with 5 per purchase. One for each motor): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32843775594.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1d87401bWZsqiM&algo_pvid=fc8eecd8-3bc2-4982-9040-fcb6a7f36d26&algo_expid=fc8eecd8-3bc2-4982-9040-fcb6a7f36d26-0&btsid=70c1b18c-58eb-47b1-bcd1-70901ca62f88&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_52

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Marlin firmware includes a lot of upgrades that is not available on the A8. Includes critical ones such as thermal runaway and useful features that increases your print quality. Even has stealthchop which makes TMC motors a lot quieter.

For fire risk? Lets put it this way: We've had a melted printers, enclosures, rooms, and even houses because the A8 caught on fire due to cheap components and overheating. Yes I am not joking when I said a house caught on fire due to the A8 before. Not as much "my printer caught on fire" horror stories nowadays since we've switched to the ender 3 as a low cost entry printer and most A8 being used have long been upgraded to be fire safe.

Would these work?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BND65C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_B5JxDbXDQ21V4

This is the bracket I used. It works fine in PLA, and mounts in the control box to the same screwholes as the mainboard. It fits the extremely common style of mosfet board like this one, which comes from a bunch of manufacturers but are all the same size and shape.

While you're at it, you'll probably want to pick up a set of assorted lengths M3 screws like these ones - both the mosfet and Z brace mods will require you to replace some of the screws with longer ones.

Thanks!

Would it be possible to use these motors/drivers with the NodeMCU?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CP18J4A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2WWHQ25ENKVJ1

"Elegoo 5 sets 28BYJ-48 ULN2003 5V Stepper Motor + ULN2003 Driver Board for Arduino
"

I was thinking about getting the NodeMCU, that motor pack, and this conglomeration of parts to get started:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ERPEMAC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2WWHQ25ENKVJ1

What do you think?

This is the one I bought for my HE3D. I couldn't find the exact one on amazon that I bought for my A6, but this one worked just as well. There's a ton of random RAMPS 1.4 kits and boards on amazon from different sellers; I honestly just picked this one only because it came with drivers, an LCD, an LCD adapter, and cables.

Could you suggest a MOSFET and explain how it would be wired in using your wiring described below:

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White wire from the Button to the + terminal of the Power Supply Connector. Red wire from the Button to the + terminal of the Induction Heater. Split Brown wire from the Button to both the - terminal of the Power Supply and the - terminal of the Induction Heater.

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Would this be a suitable MOSFET? I have a 12v 5a momentary switch, but a 12v 10a power supply. Would this MOSFET driver work?

https://www.amazon.com/SMAKN-IRF520-Driver-Module-Arduino/dp/B00Z8UF6AQ/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=mosfet+driver+module&qid=1563827676&s=gateway&sr=8-15

Would theses work ?
https://www.amazon.com/RepRap-Champion-StepStick-Electronics-Robotics/dp/B010MZ8SWO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474406486&sr=8-1&keywords=A4988

Would this one be OK? [3D CAM] 5 PCS DRV8825 StepStick Stepper Motor Drivers for 3D Printer Electronics, CNC Machine or Robotics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010MZ8T5K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_XUAhzbBE8F5K8

Thanks for the reply!
https://www.amazon.com/Kuman-Printer-Controller-Arduino-Starter/dp/B016D6DSBW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474921649&sr=8-2&keywords=ramps+controller
would this be a good Ramps to go with?

For $5 more you can get a whole lot more. I have bought 2 of these and have had no problems.

http://www.amazon.com/Kuman-Printer-Controller-Arduino-Starter/dp/B016D6DSBW?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

This is one example, but there are many others.

A brand called Keyestudio has apparently gotten pretty big.

Those would be the stepper motor drivers that plug into your Ramps on the Arduino Mega. See them on Amazon

Also, as a note, these are the stepper motors I picked up: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CP18J4A/ref=od_aui_detailpages01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Oh boy
So it sounds like this was just a malfunction waiting to happen. Well I knew what I was getting into when I bought the printer so I can't really complain.
Does the RAMPS kit (I'm looking to purchase this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016D6DSBW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) provide some sort of protection against the motors frying it? Or is moving the motors just a big all around no-no?

Sorry for the crap video, but let me know if anyone is interested in bi-directional double stepper motor control script I wrote for these guys:

Elegoo 5 sets 28BYJ-48 ULN2003 5V Stepper Motor + ULN2003 Driver Board for Arduino https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CP18J4A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_W6KYxbJXP0NT1

Edit: Just started learning python so I probably have some funky code haha

It's a single very small stepper motor:

https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-28BYJ-48-ULN2003-Stepper-Arduino/dp/B01CP18J4A?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2,

Only other things connected are an IR receiver, a limit switch, a microphone, and might run it all through a sound shield.

28BYJs are cheap steppers that you can control using a few different arduino libraries.

5 of them for 13 bucks with controllers.

https://smile.amazon.com/Elegoo-28BYJ-48-ULN2003-Stepper-Arduino/dp/B01CP18J4A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1526995439&sr=8-2&keywords=stepper+motor

arduino library

https://github.com/tyhenry/CheapStepper

If you outgrow those simple servos, you may also want to check out small stepper motors. I have some that include a gearbox which reduce the rotation rate by 64x, so something like 4000 steps per rotation--and theoretically you can do smaller steps.

I've been playing with these, and they're good, but much more difficult to configure in code.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CP18J4A

Since there are 4 coils, you need to individually flip them high and low, and if you do it wrong it will move the wrong way, still stutter and jump, or just sit still. But, if time isn't an problem...

Best of luck on your project.

Amazon has this one available with one-day shipping (awesome if you have Prime.)

It's not as cheap as one from eBay would be, but you could get it tomorrow easily and be printing again. =)