printrbot

Embedded systems are created to perform specific tasks with real-time computing constraints. The program instructions written for embedded systems are referred to as firmware, and are stored in the ROM. Using both the by using the software and hardware components, embedded systems can solve programming problems with a programmable device. This paper describes how we implemented and examined the development of an embedded system, namely the Printrbot: Simple Maker’s Edition (Model 1405). It is a 3D printer that is manufactured by Printrbot Inc, an American company that specializes in embedded 3D printers. A Printrboard acts as the motherboard for the 3D printer. Other parts include wooden parts, motors, etc... The mission is to assemble the 3D printer, create a blueprint for an object to be printed, and print the object.

Team Members:

Coordinator: Dr. Stefan Andrei

Lamar University
Department of Computer Science
Beaumont, Texas

About The Instructor:

Stefan Andrei received B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Computer Science from Cuza University in Iasi, Romania in 1994 and 1995, respectively, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Hamburg University, Germany in 2000. Upon completing his Ph.D., Dr. Andrei returned as an Assistant Professor in Romania at Cuza University of Iasi. He worked from 2002 to 2005 as a Research Fellow under the Singapore-MIT Alliance and as a Visiting Assistant Professor with the National University of Singapore's School of Computing from 2005 to 2007.

He joined Department of Computer Science at Lamar University as an Assistant Professor in 2007 and he became an Associate Professor in 2010 and the Department's Chair in 2013. His research interests are in real-time embedded systems, software verification, and programming analysis. He has published more than eighty refereed scientific papers and co-authored eight textbooks. In addition, he has nineteen years of computer science teaching experience. His papers have more than 150 non-self citations.

Dr. Andrei has been a program committee member or a co-chair for more than 32 international conferences, mainly from the real-time embedded systems and software engineering area. He is a member of the Editorial Board of Scientific Journals International (SJI). He has given invited research seminars at several universities and private industrial organizations.

An Embedded System is a specialized computer system that is part of a larger system or a machine. An embedded system is implementing on a single microprocessor board with the help of some programs, stored in ROM. Many appliances likes watches, microwaves, Video Camera Recording (VCR), cars are utilizing embedded systems. Some embedded systems also include an operating system, but many are so specialized that the entire logic can be implemented as a single program.

The Printrbot: Simple Maker’s Edition (Model 1405) is a 6 x 6 x 6 inch 3D printer with an emphasis on minimalism. This 3D printer only comes with the bare necessities to get started in 3D printing. It is a functioning and conveniently sized 3D printer that does it job excellently. The Printrboard, which acts as the motherboard for the system, contains a micro-USB port and micro SD slot to allow easy print access. This board controls the other parts of the printer, including the fan, motors, and sensor.

The printer is made from laser cut parts to allow easy assembly. The frame is made from wood, while the other parts are mostly made from metal and wiring. A fan is included to help with cooling the system.

2. Related Work

Printrbot Play Edition

The Printrbot Play Edition has won “Best 3D Printer for Schools” in Make Magazine’s 2015 Digital Fabrication Shootout. The Printrbot Play is a 4 x 4 x 5 3D printer made specifically for students and teachers, but it is well-suited for home use as well. Being low-cost and safe for children make this printer a great option when looking for a 3D printer.

Printrbot Plus Edition

The Printrbot Plus Edition is a 10 x 10 x 10 inch 3D printer that is constructed of powder coated metal and aluminum. This edition of Printrbot is the ultimate 3D printer. It is larger than the other 3D printers they offer, and more advanced in certain aspects.

Ultimaker 2+ 3D Printer

The Ultimaker 2+ 3D (13.5 x 14 x 15.3) Printer is one of the best 3D printers on the market. Because Ultimaker also made Cura, the software that most 3D printers use, the printers works excellently with the software.

3.1 Software Development Environment

The printrbot simple maker uses AutoCAD stl files for its input, we must convert the cad files into “.stl” as an input file for the printrbot to understand and print the 3d model based on it. We use the software CURA to calibrate printer’s XYZ axis and extruder. The cura uses the ‘.stl’ files to make a virtual presentation of a mock up 3d print model which we can use to create and orient the 3d models. Imagine, if we are trying to print a 3d model of a star we can use the 3d printer to orient the 3d model in such a way that it uses as less as an effort as possible to make the model, in this example make the star lying down instead of standing up. Such sort of things save power plc and other such valuable resources to help create a 3d model in a efficient manner.

Hardware specifications:

The Printrbot Simple Maker’s Edition’s Printrboard acts as the motherboard of the embedded system. This board communicates to the motors, auto-leveling probe, extruder, and thermistor. This is the piece of hardware that the software will interact with.

4. Design and Implementation

The steps we used in assembling the 3D printer include:

1. Attach frame pieces together.

2. Attach important parts such as the Printrboard, motors, etc..

3. Connect wires to correct slots

4. Manage wires with rubber tubes

5. Attach metal bed

Conclusion and Future Works

In this project, we assembled and created an object with the Printrbot Simple Maker’s Edition 3D printer.

In the future, we can print parts for infinitely other projects. One possible project, for example, could be creating another 3D printer using this 3D printer to print the parts.

. References

1. Dr. Stefan Andrei: Lectures notes for ‘Embedded Systems’ Class (COSC-4301-01/COSC- 5340-01), Summer of 2016: Embedded Systems. Lamar University, Department of Computer Science, Beaumont, Texas

https://printrbot.com/project/simple-makers/