Introduction
Explore the advanced capabilities of smarter extrusion with the orbiter toolboard series. These toolboards simplify your wiring setup and introduce new features like input shaping directly onto the toolboard, several protection features, and an advanced thermal management design.
The toolboard series will continue with exciting new features...
Orbitool O2
·
Optimized
for Orbiter v2 & v2.5 shape and features
·
STM32F042
microcontroller, LIS2DW12 accelerometer
·
TMC2209
stepper driver
·
2x PWM
controlled fan outputs
·
DC-DC hot-end fan driver, 12/24V fan types with RPM
·
Hot-end
temperature sensor, standard NTC or PT1000
·
I/O
for bed level sensing
·
X-Stop
sensor input
·
RGB
LED driver output
·
Advanced
electrical and thermal protection system
·
Protected USB communication to RPI
Orbitool SO3
·
Optimized
for SO3 v3 shape and features
·
STM32F042
microcontroller, LIS2DW12 accelerometer
·
TMC2209
stepper driver
·
1x PWM
controlled part fan outputs
·
DC-DC hot-end fan driver, 12/24V fan types with RPM
·
Hot-end
temperature sensor, standard NTC or PT1000
·
I/O
for bed level sensing
·
X-Stop
sensor input
·
RGB
LED driver output
·
Advanced
electrical and thermal protection system
·
Protected USB communication to RPI
RotoTool
·
Optimized for E3D Roto shape and features
·
STM32F042
(48MHz), LIS2DW12 accelerometer
·
TMC2209
stepper driver
·
1 x
PWM 24V controlled part cooling fan output
·
1 x
PWM 5V controlled heatsink fan output with RPM
·
NTC
or PT1000 temperature sensor compatibility
·
I/0
for bed-level sensing
·
X-stop
sensor input
·
Tool-board
and extruder temperature sensor
·
Advanced
electrical and thermal protection system
Useful information, tips and tricks
Correct operation of the toolboards and
basically any 3D printer electronics depends on the environment they
are used. Even if these toolboards have lots of protection circuits, it does not
mean that improper installation or usage cannot cause damage or malfunction.
Below is a list of recommendations when wiring
DIY 3D printers:
· The printer frame must be connected to mains earth and GND.
· Aluminum bed shall be connected to frame and GND. A severe crash of the toolhead into the bed or print piece causing the toolhead to brake may cause short circuits between the bed and any input or output of the toolboard (like heater, fan outputs or end-stop, temperature sensor inputs, etc). If the bed is not connected to GND, then it can have any voltage potential level even in the range where the toolboard protection circuit is not effective anymore, leading to loss of functions or total damage.
· Toolhead made with metal parts shall be connected to GND with extra wire using electrical connection washer (washer with ribs or teeth, and hole for wire soldering). Not grounded toolheads will build up static charge, eventually, this will arc over the toolhead which may cause electrical damage to the toolboard (less likely) or disturb communication between the toolboard and RPI causing toolbord disconnection error (very likely scenario).
· When connecting wires to printer frame or any aluminum parts, special
washers with toots or ribs shall be used! Aluminum oxide is very good
electrical insulator, therefore using only a flat washer connector will not ensure proper electrical contact.
· The small adapter board must be supplied with 5V, not less! The adapter board version v2.xx is taking the 5V supply from the USB-C connector. This voltage is used to supply the onboard USB protection circuit. If this voltage is less than 5V, the protection circuit may disturb the USB communication, causing toolboard disconnection failures. Note that using an improper power supply for the RPI (especially RPI 3 & 4) will lead to a lower USB voltage than 5V. The original power supplies of these PRI boards are actually providing 5.5V to compensate for the voltage loss over the internal voltage regulator and protection circuits of the RPI.
· USB cables are not the best choice to supply the RPI due to high drop voltage over them. The best is to supply the RPI with 5V via the GPIO pin header pins with a proper cable. This ensures the supply voltage of the RPI is stable during sudden current load increases. Remember that when the adapter board is connected to the RPI, the supply voltage of the USB protection circuit is taken from the RPI, any disturbance in that is a potential communication disturber.