{"id":4252,"date":"2021-09-13T14:02:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-13T19:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/?p=4252"},"modified":"2024-12-28T18:06:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-28T23:06:20","slug":"marsh-turret-electronics-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/?p=4252","title":{"rendered":"MARSH TURRET: Electronics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It\u2019s well known that &#8220;electronics is the science of connections.&#8221; I\u2019ve long noticed that few household or semi-professional electronic devices can illustrate this fundamental truth to a DIY enthusiast as effectively as a 3D printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes it seems as though the entire electronics of this infernal machine consist solely of wires and connections. The basic electronic modules for these types of devices have long been standardized and are available in their finalized form. So, even if you\u2019re building a printer entirely from scratch, connecting the modules is essentially all you\u2019ll have to do. But the scale of entertainment you\u2019ll get from this process will be truly apocalyptic! Of course, this is in the context of traditional home tinkering. If you were to peek inside the &#8220;box&#8221; of one of our industrial robots, the 3D printer would let out a pitiful sob and go off to dry its tears of envy with its pathetic bundle of wires. Everything in the world is relative\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Theater begins at the coat check&#8221; \u2014 another fundamental truth. For an electronic device, the &#8220;coat check&#8221; can be considered its connection point to a power source. In this particular case \u2014 the block with the outlet socket and the block with the power switch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" data-id=\"2064\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-1-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-1-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-1-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-1-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-1-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-1.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" data-id=\"2065\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_003-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_003-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_003-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_003-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_003-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_003.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" data-id=\"2066\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When we first got our hands on serious laser engravers at work, I instantly fell in love with their control interfaces:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2067\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_001.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve always adored toggle switches and buttons in their classic form from the era before the mass extinction of technical designers in the late 20th century. Nowadays, you only really find them in industrial equipment\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Naturally, about a year or so ago, during a visit to one of the local shops selling second-hand electronics junk, I couldn\u2019t resist saving a button I found sitting forlornly among a pile of modern plastic garbage. I didn\u2019t even know what I\u2019d use it for at the time, but I just couldn\u2019t leave it behind. It was a bit worn, of course, but industrial-grade components last an incredibly long time \u2014 this button will likely outlive all of us. Until now, it had been resting quietly in my stash, waiting for its moment in the spotlight. I pulled it out, cleaned it up, and washed it with alcohol \u2014 now it looks as good as new:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2069\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2070\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_002-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>As you can see, I slightly bent the truth earlier when I said that all the components for this project were bought specifically for it, with none taken from my stash. This button, however, is the exception. It\u2019s just too good to pass up. I\u2019ve been waiting a very long time for it to find a truly worthy application\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This button is designed to handle high-voltage circuits. It doesn\u2019t just break a single line \u2014 it cuts both at once. That is, it simultaneously disconnects both the live and neutral wires. And the best part? There\u2019s a neon lamp inside it. Literally. Not one of those cheap &#8220;LED backlit button discount 20% special offer&#8221; things. This means it doesn\u2019t require any additional wiring or separate power supply for the illumination. The backlight is powered directly by the same 110 volts from the outlet that the button itself controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the printer, the button occupies its own housing on one of the front corners of the frame:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_008.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2071\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_008-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_008-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_008-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_008-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_008-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_008.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-25_008.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2072\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-25_008-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-25_008-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-25_008-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-25_008-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-25_008-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-25_008.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the time of installation, the printer wasn\u2019t even close to functional \u2014 it couldn\u2019t even &#8220;meow&#8221; on its own. So, the housing parts for the button were printed using a Photon resin printer. Both the base and the cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2073\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2074\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2075\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-3-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-3-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-3-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The outlet block was made in a similar fashion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-08_002.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2077\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-08_002-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-08_002-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-08_002-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-08_002-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-08_002-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-08_002.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2078\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2079\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2080\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-3-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-3-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-3-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2081\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This part is straightforward. It\u2019s just a standard IEC320 C14 &#8220;computer&#8221; outlet with a simple 15A glass fuse (6x30mm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>When power was finally connected to the printer, it was time to load it up with the rest of its components: power supplies, the controller, MOSFETs, and all the other essential elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The space designated for housing all the electronics was located under the printer&#8217;s workbed. There\u2019s plenty of room there:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_004.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_004-640x380.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2082\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_004-640x380.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_004-1024x609.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_004-768x456.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_004.jpg 1415w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although, as you can see, while there\u2019s generally a lot of space, it wasn\u2019t possible to cram everything into one spot. I had to split the electronics into several groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_005.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_005-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2083\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_005-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_005-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_005-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_005-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_005.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Power supply for all heating elements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Power switches (MOSFETs) for controlling the heating elements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Control electronics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Power supply for the control electronics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Display<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, this layout results in slightly longer wiring between some components. On the other hand, no matter how you arrange it, the total amount of wiring would remain the same. A few extra inches of length on some wires don\u2019t really make a difference, especially since most branches already measure in feet. What matters is that the entire setup is unified. It\u2019s a complete, self-contained device \u2014 &#8220;unplug it and carry it away,&#8221; with no external power supplies, detached units, or other add-ons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The foundation for mounting all the internal electronics consists of two large aluminum panels integrated into the printer\u2019s frame:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_006.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"419\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_006-640x419.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2084\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_006-640x419.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_006-1024x671.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_006-768x503.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_006.jpg 1204w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These panels were marked and drilled in advance, before installation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_001-scaled-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_001-scaled-1-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2085\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_001-scaled-1-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_001-scaled-1-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_001-scaled-1-768x374.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_001-scaled-1-1536x747.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-26_001-scaled-1-2048x996.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, there was no &#8220;on-the-spot drilling&#8221; with sudden metal shavings flying over some circuit board. Thanks to standardization, this could all be prepared beforehand, even though some components were still en route in postal trucks at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-27_002-scaled-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-27_002-scaled-1-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2086\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-27_002-scaled-1-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-27_002-scaled-1-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-27_002-scaled-1-768x374.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-27_002-scaled-1-1536x747.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-27_002-scaled-1-2048x996.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And of course, the printer doesn\u2019t rest its considerable weight directly on these panels. It stands on sturdy legs (originally intended for &#8220;garage&#8221; shelving and rated to hold much more than the weight of the printer and its &#8220;considerable heft&#8221;):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-30_003-scaled-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-30_003-scaled-1-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2087\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-30_003-scaled-1-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-30_003-scaled-1-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-30_003-scaled-1-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-30_003-scaled-1-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-07-30_003-scaled-1-2048x995.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>So, the panels are essentially suspended beneath the printer&#8217;s frame. However, they do have small additional legs of their own, which can be seen in the area around the central crossbeam (the small black ones). These legs are more for reinforcing the U-shaped assembly of the Z-axis, which is mounted right in that section of the frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The power supplies for the printer were chosen with a significant safety margin. For example, Black Widow, also a 24-volt printer like Turret, only needed a single 600W power supply, which was more than sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Turret has two print heads, adding an immediate 40W to its power needs. Its heated bed is also more powerful and energy-hungry \u2014 220W compared to Widow&#8217;s 160W. Plus, Turret has an additional motor. It\u2019s not a huge load, of course, but an extra 1.5 amps is still an extra 1.5 amps\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By my calculations, a single 600W power supply should have been enough for MARSH TURRET with a 15\u201320% power reserve \u2014 after all, not all components of the printer operate and consume power simultaneously. But, as we all know, everything is made in China. What calculations suggest will give you a 15\u201320% reserve might, in reality, be more like 5\u201310%. Or worse, nothing at all. And when that happens, the power supply might release all of its Magic Smoke and stop working entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An 800W or higher power supply would have been a safer choice. Unfortunately, options of that capacity in the same size as a 600W supply either didn\u2019t inspire any confidence or had prices that shot straight into the Constellation of the Toad. So, I arrived at the solution of using two power supplies, splitting their roles, and ensuring a comfortable power reserve for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>For example, the current setup for the heating elements is as follows: 220W (bed) + 40W (first nozzle) + 40W (second nozzle) = 300W out of 600W. This leaves a 50% power reserve for the heating supply, even when all heaters are running simultaneously. The situation is similar for the second power supply. I can\u2019t overstate how much this simple math improves a DIY enthusiast\u2019s peace of mind during long, multi-day print sessions.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>As planned, both power supplies fit perfectly in their designated spots under the workbed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-08_001-scaled-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-08_001-scaled-1-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2088\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-08_001-scaled-1-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-08_001-scaled-1-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-08_001-scaled-1-768x374.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-08_001-scaled-1-1536x747.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-08_001-scaled-1-2048x996.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of everything else, I really liked the design of these power supply cases. First, no random holes in the walls where debris, screwdrivers, dog drool, or stray fingers could fall through. Air is drawn in through a neat grill at the rear, just above the terminal block (which has an insulating cover), flows through the entire case, and is expelled by a fan at the front. As far as the case and exterior go, there\u2019s absolutely nothing to modify. They are self-contained and perfectly functional as is. Sure, the covers are made from basic thin sheet metal, but the load-bearing walls are solid aluminum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>To control the heaters, I used off-the-shelf modules based on MOSFETs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_007.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_007-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2089\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_007-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_007-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_007-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_007-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-06_007.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>My Black Widow printer had been running for years with its bed controlled by a module like this one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6151ajhYEtL._SL1204_-e1728421713193.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6151ajhYEtL._SL1204_-e1728421713193-640x439.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2090\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6151ajhYEtL._SL1204_-e1728421713193-640x439.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6151ajhYEtL._SL1204_-e1728421713193-1024x703.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6151ajhYEtL._SL1204_-e1728421713193-768x527.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6151ajhYEtL._SL1204_-e1728421713193.jpg 1204w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I have no idea what specific MOSFET it uses \u2014 never cared to check \u2014 but these modules are fairly standard and are considered reliable workhorses for controlling heated beds in printers. They\u2019re often referred to simply as &#8220;MKS MOSFET,&#8221; likely because they were initially developed for Makerbase controller boards. However, nowadays, you can find them in almost any setup, even if the mainboard has nothing to do with MKS. It\u2019s a solid, time-tested option that I trusted for MARSH TURRET\u2019s heated bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For controlling the heating elements of the print heads, however, I considered using such a module overkill. Why would they need such a beast? More importantly, three of these bulky modules wouldn\u2019t fit in the designated area of the frame, unless stacked like a sandwich \u2014 and that\u2019s a terrible idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, for the print head heaters, I opted for smaller, simpler modules:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61bDUE-U-2L._AC_SL1001_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"631\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61bDUE-U-2L._AC_SL1001_-640x631.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2091\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61bDUE-U-2L._AC_SL1001_-640x631.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61bDUE-U-2L._AC_SL1001_-768x757.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61bDUE-U-2L._AC_SL1001_.jpg 1001w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These are supposedly also advertised as being suitable for heated beds. But I seriously doubt they could handle a bed of any reasonable size or power. Sure, they could manage it, but they\u2019d probably heat up as much as the bed itself. However, for the print head heaters, with their modest 40 watts, they\u2019re perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, all three heater control modules found their places:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-3-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2093\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-3-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-3-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since these articles are written retroactively, it\u2019s worth noting that this entire thermal management system has already undergone extensive testing, inspection, multimeter measurements, thermometer checks, Dog sniffs, and Cat stares. It\u2019s been deemed safe, reliable, and fully operational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Why didn\u2019t I power the print head heaters directly from the controller, as is commonly done? After all, the controller has decent (relatively speaking) MOSFETs of its own. The heated bed, sure \u2014 everyone uses an external MOSFET for that. But I haven\u2019t seen many setups that also route print head heaters through external MOSFETs. However, as I mentioned earlier, I was determined from the start to fully separate the power systems for the heaters and the control electronics. Completely. No mixing. Like flies and cutlets. Yin and Yang. Avada and Kedavra. Two power supplies, each powering only its designated group of devices, with no overlap or interconnection. And that\u2019s why.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Strangely enough, the group of control modules is the most boring part of the entire printer setup:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_003.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_003-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2094\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_003-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_003-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_003-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_003-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_003.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The central controller: <strong>MKS-base v1.6 Ramps 1.4<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>TL-smoothers<\/strong> for the motors, one for each axis (Y, Z, X)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dual Stepper Motor Module<\/strong> \u2014 I have no idea how to adequately translate this into comprehensible Russian. It\u2019s a small board with simple wiring that splits the signals from one stepper motor driver to two stepper motors. I\u2019ll go into more detail about it below.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s it. No need to invent or come up with anything. Everything\u2019s already been invented and designed. All you have to do is put it in place and connect the wires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2095\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>About three years ago, I burned out the Widow\u2019s original controller. Essentially, it was the same standard MKS-base Mark-something-or-other from one of the earlier revisions, slightly modified by the manufacturer to suit that specific printer. It was simpler and faster to replace it with a &#8220;standard&#8221; one. By that time, &#8220;standard&#8221; controllers had become much more advanced and capable. Over the years, the new controller proved to be incredibly reliable, bug-free, and required absolutely no attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Back then, upgrading Widow\u2019s controller was a quick, 30-minute plug-and-play operation. I removed the dead controller, installed the new one, plugged in the connectors, flashed the firmware \u2014 done. I even used Widow\u2019s stock firmware, which was essentially a preconfigured version of Marlin. I didn\u2019t have to change a single line of code in the configuration. The only issue was that the mounting holes on the new controller didn\u2019t align with the original mounts. Since I was too lazy to adjust them, the new controller has been hanging off Widow all these years, attached by one screw and a bit of hot glue\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>After scouring the internet to see &#8220;what\u2019s new since then,&#8221; I was disappointed to find that there\u2019s essentially nothing revolutionary. Sure, they\u2019ve been playing with form factors, experimenting with motor drivers, and introducing 32\/64-bit processors that are questionably relevant for this field. But fundamentally, nothing groundbreaking has appeared. It\u2019s safe to say that the technology for simple Cartesian printers has reached a stable, finalized form. Over the past couple of years, it\u2019s mostly been about adding gimmicks like &#8220;now with Bluetooth and banana flavor!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, in this case, I chose not to follow the typical DIY enthusiast path of &#8220;something new, untested, and exciting.&#8221; Instead, I went the boring route of an industrial equipment designer: &#8220;what\u2019s tried, tested, and works well.&#8221; I found the exact same controller model from the same manufacturer that I had installed on Widow to replace its original:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71jrl5uDyL._SL1000_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"2097\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71jrl5uDyL._SL1000_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71jrl5uDyL._SL1000_.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71jrl5uDyL._SL1000_-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71jrl5uDyL._SL1000_-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71jrl5uDyL._SL1000_-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/711L9xJWfpL._SL1000_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"2098\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/711L9xJWfpL._SL1000_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/711L9xJWfpL._SL1000_.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/711L9xJWfpL._SL1000_-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/711L9xJWfpL._SL1000_-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/711L9xJWfpL._SL1000_-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/718jDr039L._SL1000_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"2099\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/718jDr039L._SL1000_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2099\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/718jDr039L._SL1000_.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/718jDr039L._SL1000_-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/718jDr039L._SL1000_-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/718jDr039L._SL1000_-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, I had to configure the firmware for it from scratch. By now, a solid second version of Marlin had been released. And, of course, the new printer\u2019s setup was quite different. So, I had to dive deep into the configuration file and meticulously adjust almost everything in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, onto TL-smoothers \u2014 what they are and why they\u2019re necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bipolar stepper motors, which move the entire printer, are notoriously noisy. Personally, I couldn\u2019t care less about the noise itself. However, that loud whining is merely a symptom of a bigger issue. The motors don\u2019t just produce audible noise \u2014 they &#8220;scream&#8221; electronically, too. The interference they generate in the circuit is enough to make you want to lie down and give up. Currents jump back and forth, inducing, reflecting, and ricocheting off each other \u2014 chaos! This affects print quality. The parasitic microvibrations (the ones you can hear) cause visible artifacts on the printed surfaces \u2014 &#8220;waves,&#8221; &#8220;ghosting,&#8221; &#8220;reflections,&#8221; and other well-documented defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A TL-smoother, placed between the motor and its driver on the controller, is designed to suppress much of this noise and interference. This not only quiets the motor\u2019s operation but also significantly reduces the aforementioned print defects. At its core, it\u2019s an extremely simple filter assembly made up of a bunch of diodes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"198\" height=\"348\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DRV8825-fix.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2100\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You could easily put one together <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thingiverse.com\/thing:2292540\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">yourself with whatever components you have lying around<\/a>. It would work just as well. But as a ready-made module, it\u2019s more convenient and compact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61tPCjmhcFL._SL1001_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61tPCjmhcFL._SL1001_-640x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2101\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61tPCjmhcFL._SL1001_-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61tPCjmhcFL._SL1001_-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61tPCjmhcFL._SL1001_-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61tPCjmhcFL._SL1001_.jpg 1001w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of such a module is negligible \u2014 around six to nine dollars for half a dozen of them. However, it\u2019s highly recommended to add a heatsink on top of the SMD diodes because they tend to heat up quite a bit during operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether TL-smoothers are needed in a printer is a purely personal choice. Many keyboards have been smashed in debates among DIY enthusiasts over this. On one hand, the motor driver on the controller is supposed to handle all this &#8220;nonsense&#8221; on its own. If it doesn\u2019t, it\u2019s a lousy driver. And I agree with that. However, from personal experience, even with a good &#8220;quiet&#8221; driver, having this module in the circuit undeniably improves print quality. I\u2019ve had the chance to test this both with Widow\u2019s original controller \u2014 equipped with drivers so terrible it\u2019s unclear why they were even there \u2014 and with the new controller, which had decent drivers. In both cases, having the TL-smoother in the circuit made a difference you could both hear and see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For me personally, I\u2019ve decided that TL-smoothers are a must-have in my printer, no matter what controller or motor drivers I use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>And finally, the last component in this group \u2014 the Dual Stepper Motor Module:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/513UHyNKigL._SL1000_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/513UHyNKigL._SL1000_-640x544.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2102\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/513UHyNKigL._SL1000_-640x544.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/513UHyNKigL._SL1000_-768x653.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/513UHyNKigL._SL1000_.jpg 876w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a trivial piece, honestly. Nothing you couldn\u2019t rig up with a soldering iron and some wire. In fact, calling it a &#8220;module&#8221; feels like a stretch. It\u2019s really just a convenience tool for wiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Z-axis on my printer is powered by two motors working in sync. However, the controller only has one driver and a single output for the Z-axis motor. There are two ways to connect two motors to one driver: wiring their windings either in parallel or in series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both options are viable, but each comes with its own caveats. With parallel wiring, you maintain a lower (half of the nominal) but consistent torque at any speed. With series wiring, both motors achieve maximum torque at start and stop, but the torque drops significantly as speed increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a 3D printer, where &#8220;better to be steady than strong&#8221; is often the guiding principle, parallel wiring tends to be the better choice. If one motor can handle the entire axis on its own, two should manage it just fine, even at half power each. On the other hand, this is the Z-axis we\u2019re talking about, which moves far less frequently than the other axes, and its travel distances are measured in millimeters or fractions thereof. For the Z-axis, the ability to deliver strong bursts of torque at start and stop points becomes more relevant, making series wiring seem more appropriate. But then again\u2026 the Z-axis typically uses a leadscrew, whose properties make questions about &#8220;start and stop bursts&#8221; more theoretical than practical. If the motor drivers on the controller can supply enough power for two motors, why impose limits on Z-axis speed and travel length?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, I decided to go with parallel wiring, as it\u2019s the simplest solution. Thankfully, there\u2019s a handy module available for contact routing. If it turns out that parallel wiring doesn\u2019t provide enough power and the driver can\u2019t deliver additional current, I\u2019ll rewire everything in series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Unfortunately, I couldn\u2019t find any pre-made modules for series wiring, so I\u2019d have to make one myself if needed. Not a particularly complex project \u2014 just a board with three connectors and a few traces\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>As it turned out, everything worked perfectly in the simple parallel configuration. I didn\u2019t even need to crank up the driver\u2019s output power (though, for safety\u2019s sake, I increased it by 30% above what\u2019s needed for a single motor). At the same time, the driver doesn\u2019t heat up any more than it does when running a single motor (as mentioned earlier, the Z-axis doesn\u2019t operate often or for long). Still, I added heatsinks to all the drivers and set up active cooling for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The printer has already been tested in a relatively &#8220;long run&#8221; (continuous printing for 3.5 days). No overheating, no missed steps, no anomalies of any kind. The Z-axis moves up and down with a speed I\u2019ve never seen before, not even on the Widow. For now, everything stays as it is \u2014 the parallel wiring setup works flawlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The Display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The display is positioned separately from the rest of the control electronics, on the front part of the printer\u2019s frame:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_001-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2103\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_001-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_001-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_001-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_001-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_001.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Years of experience have shown that when using a Raspberry Pi with OctoPrint as part of a printer setup, the role of the printer\u2019s onboard display becomes almost negligible. It\u2019s always easier, more convenient, and faster to control and configure printing from a large computer screen with a mouse using an intuitive interface, rather than scrolling endlessly through a million text menus on a tiny printer display. For the same reason, I see no point in having a graphical touchscreen onboard. Even though it\u2019s a bit more advanced, it\u2019s still small, and its interface is never as convenient as an app on a proper computer. Not to mention, such screens cost twice as much and come with so many quirks that configuring the controller firmware to support them could drive you mad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, the printer still needs an onboard display with basic controls, at least as a backup system. If the network goes down or some other issue severs the printer\u2019s connection to the outside world, the onboard Raspberry Pi with OctoPrint becomes useless. And, let\u2019s be honest, having a dedicated display on the printer simply looks cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This &#8220;coolness&#8221; was my guiding principle. Touchscreen color graphical displays don\u2019t fit my highly unconventional sense of aesthetics. They\u2019re instantly disqualified without discussion. That leaves the standard &#8220;pixel&#8221; LCDs. However, most of them are just plain ugly, especially those horrid blue-backlit rectangles that are considered &#8220;standard.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, persistence paid off, and I stumbled upon a very charming display from the <strong>Mini12864 <\/strong>series:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71MVf9XQloL._SL1500_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"569\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71MVf9XQloL._SL1500_-640x569.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2105\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71MVf9XQloL._SL1500_-640x569.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71MVf9XQloL._SL1500_-1024x910.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71MVf9XQloL._SL1500_-768x682.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/71MVf9XQloL._SL1500_.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s smaller than the typical displays for printers of this type, but that\u2019s perfect for a backup control element. The rotary encoder is on the side, not underneath the screen like on &#8220;standard&#8221; displays (which used to drive me nuts!). Plus, it has RGB backlighting for both the screen and the rotary encoder, allowing for color customization to suit any twisted taste\u2026 or so I thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality \u2014 yes and no. Well, yes\u2026 but also no. More precisely, yes, it\u2019s RGB backlighting, and you can configure it. But no, because you might not want to. If you connect this specific display (or a compatible model) and enable it in Marlin firmware, the default behavior is to have the display\u2019s backlighting change color according to the printer\u2019s current operation. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Red for heating the bed or the print heads (orange for the print heads, with the color shade shifting as the target temperature is approached).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gray during preparation (e.g., homing or probing the bed).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amber during printing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Green when printing is complete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And honestly, I liked this much more than a static, manually chosen color &#8220;to suit my taste.&#8221; I decided not to change anything in the configuration. I left all the backlighting settings as they were in the firmware. This kind of dynamic indication is far more intuitive than any text could ever be. A quick glance at the display is enough to understand what the printer is currently doing and why it hasn\u2019t started printing yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_003.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2108\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_003-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_003-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_003-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_003-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_003-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_003.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2109\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-29_001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2110\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-29_001-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-29_001-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-29_001-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-29_001-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-29_001-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-29_001.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2112\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-24_003-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A sleek, unobtrusive display that has been officially recognized as a fantastic choice for my MARSH TURRET\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The display has also been certified by the Cat. Unlike the Dog, the Cat\u2019s color perception is perfectly fine. He sat and stared at it for several minutes, watching the colors shift. At one point, he even pawed at the rotary encoder. He left with a very satisfied look on his face.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s one more set of components I forgot to mention in the previous articles of this series. While these components belong to the electronics, they are still an integral part of the printer\u2019s axes rather than the overall system. So, I should have written about them earlier. But here we are\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Endstops, or limit switches \u2014 I\u2019ll call them &#8220;endstops&#8221; for simplicity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/China_Micro_Switch20114271532543.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/China_Micro_Switch20114271532543.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2113\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/China_Micro_Switch20114271532543.jpg 400w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/China_Micro_Switch20114271532543-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Printers need these to determine the zero coordinate, the reference point from which all printing will be based. For printers of this type, it\u2019s customary to set the origin point here, in this corner of the bed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_001-640x412.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2114\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_001-640x412.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_001-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_001-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_001.jpg 1462w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The printer itself doesn\u2019t care where the origin is. Humans, however, decided it should be here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You may encounter printers where the origin is at the center of the bed or the far left corner, but this is rare. Such setups are usually dictated by technical features of the machine, where there\u2019s no other viable option.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The printer doesn\u2019t mind where it starts counting coordinates, but it must know exactly where to begin. It can figure this out in one of two ways: either a human tells it, or it tries to find an extreme position by itself and assumes that as the origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Humans \u2014 lazy meatbags that we are \u2014 don\u2019t enjoy manually setting the printer to its zero position every time. We\u2019d rather let the poor robot do that job for us. And that\u2019s where endstops come in. The robot moves one axis until it hits an endstop. When the endstop is triggered, the robot considers that point as the zero position for that axis. Then it moves another axis until it triggers its endstop\u2026 and so on for all axes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Endstops themselves come in different types. They can be mechanical and contact-based, or &#8220;sensor-based&#8221; and non-contact. My Widow had the latter. They were absolutely dreadful! If you accidentally nudged them even slightly \u2014 just a hair\u2019s width \u2014 they\u2019d stop working. Worse still, if a magnetized screwdriver happened to be lying nearby, the sensor would fail to detect proximity and wouldn\u2019t trigger. I\u2019ve lost count of how many teeth were stripped off the belts because of that nonsense. This time, I decided: no sensors, absolutely not. Old-school, reliable &#8220;lever microswitches&#8221; \u2014 as the forefathers intended. And industrial-grade ones at that, built to last! Tough enough to chop firewood with or to use on space shuttles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>V-166-1C25:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/s-l640-e1728421962865.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"386\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/s-l640-e1728421962865.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2116\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I got the idea from one of our workplace CNC mills during a maintenance session. These exact switches were used there. I\u2019m not sure if they\u2019re standard for all parts of the machine, but they\u2019re definitely installed on the tool carousel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>For the Y-axis, installing the endstop was the simplest task. An adjustable aluminum plate was mounted on the frame, and the endstop was attached to it. It sits in place, waiting for the bearing block of the bed to bump into it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" data-id=\"2117\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_002.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2118\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In normal circumstances, the endstop is adjusted once and left as-is permanently. For this reason, I didn\u2019t bother with any complicated adjustment mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The X-axis endstop, however, turned out to be a bit of a mess. The initial mounting design I came up with ended up being completely useless. I don\u2019t even have the model for it anymore, just a couple of photos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2119\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2120\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What I was thinking when I made that &#8220;ear,&#8221; I\u2019ll never know. Securing something like that to a polished, well-oiled steel rod is obviously not a great idea. It would rotate, sure, but worse \u2014 it had a tendency to slide backward whenever the carriage bumped into it. Inevitably, I tightened the screw too hard, and the mount simply cracked\u2026 which isn\u2019t surprising given that it was made of photopolymer resin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, by that point, MARSH TURRET had already started attempting its very first prints. I temporarily taped the remains of the first mount in place and modeled a new one \u2014 more robust and reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not entirely sure anymore, but this might actually have been the very first functional part that Turret ever printed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_003.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" data-id=\"2121\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_003-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_003-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_003-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_003-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_003-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-09_003.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2122\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-18_008-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2123\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2124\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-19_008-2-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>All the usual test prints like boats and other random stuff came after this mount. The print quality at that time was absolutely atrocious, but it worked nonetheless!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This mount solved all the problems. Unlike resin, the plastic is more flexible and doesn\u2019t crack as easily \u2014 I can tighten the screws as much as I like. Now, the endstop stays firmly in place and doesn\u2019t budge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Z-axis endstop was even more interesting. It also needed to be mounted on a rod, so I printed a mount for it using photopolymer resin:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"498\" data-id=\"2125\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-3-1024x498.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-3-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-3-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_008-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"498\" data-id=\"2126\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-2-1024x498.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_008-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the rod for the Z-axis is much thicker, and the mount itself is bulkier. Overall, this version sits in place quite securely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s interesting here is that this endstop isn\u2019t even necessary! That\u2019s because of BLTouch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"720\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1280 \/ 720;\" width=\"1280\" controls src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-14-12.53.09.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Z-axis mechanical endstop was included in the design purely for system uniformity and serves only as a backup. In fact, it\u2019s currently positioned below the contact zone, and the Z-axis carriage never even reaches it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Of course, this is pure paranoia on my part. The voices in my head keep going, &#8220;<em>Ooooh\u2026 BLTouch is just an electronic gadget\u2026 Who knows how long it\u2019ll last\u2026 What if there\u2019s a war and it breaks\u2026 blah-blah-blah, ke-ke-ke\u2026<\/em>&#8220;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>So, it\u2019s there, just hanging around, not asking for much. Serving as a backup\u2026 just in case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Wiring. Lots of wiring. A LOT of wiring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This time, I decided to pay special attention to the wiring \u2014 even more than to the electronic modules themselves. The spaghetti of cables sprawling in all directions drove me mad with Widow. This time, everything had to be tidy. Nothing sticking out, nothing dangling, nothing catching on anything. Everything had to be organized, accessible, and repairable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For this project, I relied heavily on JST SM connectors. In my personal experience, they\u2019re the most reliable and convenient for this purpose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_015-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2128\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_015-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_015-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_015-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_015-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-04_015.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>All the wires in the printer were meticulously grouped into independent branches. I still remember the time with Widow when I needed to replace just one wire on the print head. I ended up having to disassemble half the printer! That one long, continuous wire couldn\u2019t just be pulled out of the tangled mess. Never again! Even if it meant wearing out my crimping tool to the handles, I vowed to never deal with something like that again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some wires were hidden directly inside the printer\u2019s frame \u2014 the ones that, realistically, would never need replacement or repair. This mostly applied to wires connected to non-moving parts of the printer, such as the Y- and Z-axis endstops, which are mounted on the frame and remain stationary for years. Similarly, signal wires between MOSFETs and the controller fall into this category. Another example: the high-voltage wires running from the outlet through the power switch to the power supplies. These are thick, multi-strand 14-gauge wires that, given the printer\u2019s loads and voltages, are practically indestructible. All of these wires were tucked away inside the frame, out of sight and out of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a different story with the mass of wires running from the controller to the moving parts of the printer. There are far more of these than the &#8220;stationary&#8221; ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only non-moving part of the printer is the frame itself. There\u2019s hardly anything to connect to it, except for a couple of extruder motors and the ambient lighting (which I ultimately decided not to install). All other parts of the printer are in constant motion, and to route wires to these parts, you need flexible cable chains like these, which look like tiny tank treads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-3-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2129\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-3-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-3-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Even these chains can\u2019t fully protect the wires. I\u2019ve already mentioned the periodic need to replace or repair wires. Even in these chains, where wires are seemingly secured and bend gently, they still occasionally break. This is especially true for the X-axis. In the photo above, you see the chain for the Z-axis. The Z-axis moves slowly and rarely, so I haven\u2019t had any wires break there yet. But the X-axis darts back and forth like a squirrel being chased by a rottweiler, and the wires for that axis systematically fail from constant rapid bending and unbending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lately, I\u2019ve been using flexible silicone-insulated wires in my projects. They\u2019re far more durable in this regard than standard wires. In my previous printer, as I gradually replaced broken stock wires with these silicone ones, the number of issues decreased significantly. Not a single silicone wire has broken since. Unfortunately, I never fully transitioned Widow to the new wires, so things kept breaking here and there until the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this printer, I exclusively used silicone wires from the start, in 18, 20, and 24 AWG, depending on the load. Even so, I designed the wiring with the concept of modular replacement in mind, allowing individual sections to be swapped without having to run new wires from the controller to the component every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each branch has a connector before entering the chain and another upon exiting. If a branch transitions between chains, it gets another connector at each transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-12 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2130\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2131\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-5-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-5-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-5-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-5-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-5-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-5.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2132\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m aware of the general electrical engineering philosophy that &#8220;fewer connectors mean fewer problems.&#8221; Any connector adds complexity and reduces reliability in a circuit. But in this case, it\u2019s justified. Wires aren\u2019t cheap, and replacing a one-foot section is far preferable to replacing three or four feet of an entire branch. Not to mention it\u2019s technically simpler. It\u2019s much easier to troubleshoot a broken wire in small segments using connectors than to guess where it failed in a long, continuous stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, it\u2019s always possible to disconnect an entire chain, take it to a workbench, and work on it comfortably rather than fumbling inside the printer, standing on one leg with a soldering iron in your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2133\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-07_015.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, organizing all this spaghetti took two boxes of JST connectors, and I dreamed about my crimping tool for several nights. But it was worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from the long, tedious process of routing wires, I also had to tackle the issue of securing the chains. For the frame, these mounts were 3D-printed from photopolymer resin:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-4-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2134\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-4-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-4-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-4-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-4-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-05_015-4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These are for the stationary ends of the chains, which don\u2019t bear any significant load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a different story for the mounts on the moving parts. Here, I had to put aside the epoxy and return to working with metal. This was especially true for the X-axis chain mounts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-13 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-10_015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2135\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-10_015-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-10_015-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-10_015-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-10_015-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-10_015-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-10_015.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2136\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026and the &#8220;hot bed,&#8221; aka the Y-axis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The latter required some creative problem-solving. The bed was pre-assembled, and I didn\u2019t want to drill holes in it (there was a risk of damaging the heating element inside). So, I had to craft a custom-shaped mount that attached to the stock screws used to secure the glass clips to the bed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-14 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2137\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2138\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-3-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-3-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-3-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2139\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-4-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-4-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-4-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-4-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-4-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-11_015-4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bit by bit, the printer\u2019s spaghetti was tidied up to the point of being nearly invisible while remaining accessible for maintenance (and out of reach for nibbling):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-15 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2140\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_015-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_015-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_015-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_015-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_015-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-06_015.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-12_015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-id=\"2141\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-12_015-640x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-12_015-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-12_015-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-12_015-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-12_015-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-12_015.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although wire-chewing is mainly the Cat\u2019s vice \u2014 I\u2019ve mentioned before that he once ate the wires in a mechanical dog\u2019s head. He\u2019ll have fewer opportunities to do that with the printer. Then again, cats are notoriously mischievous. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll figure something out. However, the hours of flight practice he received as punishment last time should keep him deterred for at least six months. We\u2019ll see\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>And finally, the protective covers for the electronics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was no need for anything overly elaborate in this regard. Most of the main components are located within the printer&#8217;s frame and are largely protected by it. Elements like the power supplies don\u2019t require any additional protection at all. They\u2019re practically monolithic aluminum bricks as it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only the components mounted at the rear of the printer required some sort of top cover. On top of that, they needed airflow to dissipate heat from the heatsinks, and a cover proved to be a convenient way to mount fans:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_002.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_002-640x329.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2142\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_002-640x329.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_002-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_002-768x395.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_002-1536x789.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-10_002.jpg 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, Turret started making parts for itself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-16 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2143\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-26_009.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2144\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-26_009-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-26_009-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-26_009-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-26_009-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-26_009-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-26_009.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2145\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_009-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-27_009.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2146\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-27_009-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-27_009-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-27_009-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-27_009-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-27_009-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-27_009.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I used up the remnants of old plastic stock for this. It needed to be &#8220;written off&#8221; anyway since it had been sitting in storage for so long that it was starting to dry out. And since the covers were going to be painted, the color of the plastic didn\u2019t matter at all. It was a good excuse to refresh my material supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The protective grills for the heatsinks could have been printed by Turret at this stage, but they were actually made earlier, alongside the mounts for the endstops, using photopolymer resin \u2014 back when Turret wasn\u2019t capable of producing anything like that yet. At the time, I just set them aside for later. When &#8220;later&#8221; arrived, all that was left was to paint them and install them in place:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-17 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2147\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2148\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-5-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-5-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-5-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-5-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-5-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-5.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2149\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-4-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-4-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-4-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-4-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-4-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-11_005-4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Installing these grills on the covers for the electronics blocks became, in effect, the final touch of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>In principle, a printer only needs its mechanical components, a single controller, and a power supply to function. All the MOSFETs, BLTouch, colorful screens, and other features are essentially upgrades that enhance the printer\u2019s capabilities or make its operation more reliable. It\u2019s great to have them, but they\u2019re not critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same can be said for connecting a Raspberry Pi with OctoPrint and a camera to the printer. You can absolutely get by without it \u2014 I\u2019d estimate that around 80% of 3D printer owners manage just fine without this setup. However, for me personally, the additional functionality that a microcomputer brings to the system turned out to be so convenient and irreplaceable that it became a &#8220;must-have&#8221; feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/0b19280c-32ba-42d4-b5d6-96c8be1a5a0a.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/0b19280c-32ba-42d4-b5d6-96c8be1a5a0a.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3524\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/0b19280c-32ba-42d4-b5d6-96c8be1a5a0a.webp 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/0b19280c-32ba-42d4-b5d6-96c8be1a5a0a-640x640.webp 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/0b19280c-32ba-42d4-b5d6-96c8be1a5a0a-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/0b19280c-32ba-42d4-b5d6-96c8be1a5a0a-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>During the printer\u2019s design phase, equipping it with a Raspberry Pi running OctoPrint was considered from two fundamentally different perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In one scenario, the microcomputer could act as the &#8220;central hub,&#8221; making the rest of the printer\u2019s electronics \u2014 including the main controller \u2014 peripheral to it. The printer wouldn\u2019t be able to function without this system, as OctoPrint would handle all interface functions, and the printer\u2019s original screen and rotary knob would be eliminated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the other scenario, the microcomputer wouldn\u2019t serve as the central hub but would instead become a peripheral component itself, offering additional functionality.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The first scenario \u2014 where Raspberry Pi + OctoPrint take center stage \u2014 was how Black Widow operated. Although Widow retained its original screen as a vestige of its factory configuration, it was practically useless. The SD card slot for loading print files, for instance, wasn\u2019t even accessible from outside the printer\u2019s casing. The information displayed on the screen wasn\u2019t reliable, as TEVO\u2019s stock firmware had disabled controller feedback. The controller could only blindly execute commands received through the port, without attempting to interpret or visualize them on its display. All control and monitoring were handled exclusively through the Raspberry Pi and its interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Raspberry Pi itself, equipped with a large touchscreen, built-in SSD, and other goodies, looked like a full-fledged computer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-18 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2155\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2156\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-22_017-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It could not only control the printer and stream video from its camera to the internet but was also packed with utterly over-the-top features like built-in online radio with a stereo system (because why not listen to music while printing?), a torrent downloader (hey, it\u2019s going to be printing for days, might as well download something in the meantime), and even a media player for watching movies. It also had an HTTP server, of course\u2026 Yeah, it was <em>a lot<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You might laugh, but at one point, I even added a microphone and taught the Raspberry Pi to respond to voice commands like &#8220;Preheat for PLA\/ABS&#8221; or &#8220;Start\/Stop\/Pause.&#8221; But this feature was eventually disabled because the Pi struggled to handle everything at the CPU level. It would either ignore commands, lag video, or even pause printing for a few seconds while it internally &#8220;thought&#8221; about something.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The custom interface I developed for this monstrosity could awe and terrify any unprepared guest who happened to stumble upon it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-19 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" data-id=\"2157\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-640x425.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-640x425.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" data-id=\"2158\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-2-640x425.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-2-640x425.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-2-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-2-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-2-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2019-02-10_002-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s face it \u2014 with such a powerful onboard computer, not only did print control cease to be the printer\u2019s primary function, but the entire printer itself turned into little more than a decorative stand for the Raspberry Pi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I can\u2019t clearly explain how it escalated to this point\u2026 Initially, I just wanted the printer to display the camera feed onboard as well as externally. But then, as they say, &#8220;<em>that madness could no longer be stopped.<\/em>&#8220;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>With MARSH TURRET, after careful consideration, I decided not to follow the same path as with Black Widow. This time, the Raspberry Pi would serve as a purely utilitarian tool dedicated solely to the printer. It would act as a network interface with enhanced capabilities, as originally intended by the developers of OctoPrint. No displays or touchscreens with &#8220;wow!&#8221; interfaces, no SSDs, and no additional programs or scripts unrelated to the printer&#8217;s operation. Just a bare-bones Raspberry Pi, OctoPrint, and a camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, one useful idea from past experience was carried over: a Z-axis-mounted camera holder that allows the camera to rise along with the printed part as it &#8220;grows&#8221; on the bed. This way, the current printing layer remains in view up close, avoiding the situation where the camera\u2019s focus drifts out of frame and becomes useless for monitoring. This solution proved surprisingly effective in the past and made sense to include in Turret\u2019s setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, here it is: the Raspberry Pi and camera in their minimal configuration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_001-640x380.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2159\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_001-640x380.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_001-1024x608.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_001-768x456.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_001.jpg 1370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The decision to mount the Raspberry Pi on the Z-axis was driven by the choice of a proper Raspberry Pi camera with a wide-angle lens instead of a modified PC webcam this time around:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61wI9fqe4lS._AC_SL1412_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61wI9fqe4lS._AC_SL1412_-640x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2161\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61wI9fqe4lS._AC_SL1412_-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61wI9fqe4lS._AC_SL1412_-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61wI9fqe4lS._AC_SL1412_-768x769.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61wI9fqe4lS._AC_SL1412_.jpg 895w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While the camera has many advantages, it also has a drawback: a wide, fragile ribbon cable that I absolutely didn\u2019t want to run through two flexible cable chains to a section of the frame where the Raspberry Pi could be mounted stationary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6108caRbmBL._AC_SL1001_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6108caRbmBL._AC_SL1001_-640x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2162\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6108caRbmBL._AC_SL1001_-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6108caRbmBL._AC_SL1001_-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6108caRbmBL._AC_SL1001_-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/6108caRbmBL._AC_SL1001_.jpg 1001w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That ribbon cable wouldn\u2019t last long under constant bending and unbending. Unfortunately, I couldn\u2019t find a version of the ribbon in the form of a simple multi-core cable of sufficient length. I\u2019m not even sure if such a thing exists. Making such a cable myself seemed overly tedious. Moreover, there was no reason not to place the Raspberry Pi in close proximity to the camera, and doing so solved\u2026 well, everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, the Raspberry Pi\u2019s power cable and the USB cable connecting it to the printer controller still had to be routed through the flexible cable chains along all the axes to the power supply section in the frame. However, these aren\u2019t fragile ribbon cables as thin as a hair. They\u2019re regular cables, durable enough to withstand repeated bending and unbending during the printer\u2019s operation, making this setup entirely practical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>To simplify things even further, I decided not to bother with making a custom case for the Raspberry Pi. Instead, I used a heatsink case that serves the same purpose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-20 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/612X1zqjcBL._AC_SL1000_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"579\" data-id=\"2163\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/612X1zqjcBL._AC_SL1000_-640x579.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/612X1zqjcBL._AC_SL1000_-640x579.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/612X1zqjcBL._AC_SL1000_-768x695.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/612X1zqjcBL._AC_SL1000_.jpg 932w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61iGEHmq4pL._AC_SL1000_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"455\" data-id=\"2164\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61iGEHmq4pL._AC_SL1000_-640x455.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61iGEHmq4pL._AC_SL1000_-640x455.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61iGEHmq4pL._AC_SL1000_-768x546.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61iGEHmq4pL._AC_SL1000_.jpg 876w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61qfYkYkRNL._AC_SL1000_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"527\" data-id=\"2165\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61qfYkYkRNL._AC_SL1000_-640x527.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61qfYkYkRNL._AC_SL1000_-640x527.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61qfYkYkRNL._AC_SL1000_-768x633.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/61qfYkYkRNL._AC_SL1000_.jpg 836w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This heatsink case, made entirely of aluminum, covers all the Pi\u2019s internals and even has built-in fans. This means there\u2019s literally nothing else to do! Just screw in four bolts, connect the power, and you\u2019re good to go. Simple, reliable, and cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incidentally, I opted for the third-generation Raspberry Pi. The same version was used in Widow to handle its chaotic zoo of features, and it performed admirably \u2014 as long as I didn\u2019t go overboard during my bouts of &#8220;creativity.&#8221; For running OctoPrint alone, the Pi 3 is more than sufficient. So, I decided against purchasing the newer &#8220;Pi 4,&#8221; and the few dozen dollars saved from the project budget were redirected toward buying a quality camera arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>As the &#8220;arm&#8221; for the camera, I chose a flexible modular channel from Loc-Line:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/0977780-23.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"397\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/0977780-23.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2166\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:contain\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Originally, these channels are used for directing fluids or air to the working area of tools (most commonly in various machines, engravers, etc.). However, DIY enthusiasts have long repurposed these modular channels for all sorts of creative projects \u2014 from desk lamps and &#8220;third hands&#8221; for soldering to photo stands and robotic manipulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At first, everything in this project was going so smoothly that Fate decided to throw me a curveball. In the plan, I envisioned the camera arm being made of black segments. This was the color included in the model:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_002.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_002-640x318.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2167\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_002-640x318.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_002-1024x509.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_002-768x382.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_002-1536x764.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_002.jpg 1713w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality, however, black modules were only available in 1\/2-inch or smaller sizes. With those, the arm would have been too thin and likely unable to reliably hold the camera. The project specified an arm built from 3\/4-inch modules. I searched everywhere! On Amazon, I found some black-colored options, but they were all Chinese knock-offs of the original Loc-Line, with mixed reviews and absurd prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the deadline loomed, I begrudgingly had to buy a set of segments in the &#8220;standard&#8221; obnoxious blue-and-orange color shown in the photo above. It didn\u2019t fit the printer\u2019s color scheme at all, but it was a reliable, original Loc-Line. I decided to take a philosophical approach and resigned myself to the color mismatch, hoping I\u2019d figure out a solution for this aesthetic issue later. I had a couple of ideas\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The camera housing was designed to use the same standard joint as the rest of the &#8220;arm&#8221; segments, making it just another module in the chain while retaining full freedom of motion for bending and rotation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_003.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"285\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_003-640x285.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2168\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_003-640x285.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_003-1024x455.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_003-768x341.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_003-1536x683.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-20_003.jpg 1660w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The funny &#8220;ears&#8221; on the sides of the front cover are meant for attaching LED strips to illuminate the camera\u2019s field of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The entire mounting system for the Raspberry Pi and the camera was printed by Turret itself. By that point, Turret was more than capable of providing everything it needed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-21 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2170\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-2-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2171\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-3-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-3-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-3-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2172\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2173\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-4-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-4-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-4-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-4-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-4-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-28_017-4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This mount serves as a single attachment point for both the Raspberry Pi and the camera. Easy to remove, easy to reattach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh! I found a &#8220;behind the scenes&#8221; photo:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Raspberry Pi on the printer was already operational, with OctoPrint controlling the print and streaming video online. While Turret was printing a proper camera mount, a &#8220;temporary substitute mount with a flavor identical to the real thing&#8221; was being used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-30_017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-30_017-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2174\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-30_017-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-30_017-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-30_017-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-30_017-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-08-30_017.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As Adam Savage says, &#8220;Every tool is a hammer.&#8221; You use whatever you have on hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The front section of the camera housing was printed using photopolymer resin since its shape was more critical than its strength:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-22 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-03_017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2175\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-03_017-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-03_017-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-03_017-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-03_017-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-03_017-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-03_017.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" data-id=\"2176\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For lighting, I used four pieces of the same &#8220;dot-less&#8221; LED strip that I had already used in the printhead assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s it! Despite my near-uncontrollable urge to add lights and my insatiable desire to turn every device into a Christmas tree, this is all the lighting this printer has. Just one strip of LEDs under the printhead nozzle and four strips on the camera\u2019s sides. And that\u2019s more than enough!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-5-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2177\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-5-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-5-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-5-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-5-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-5.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Forcing myself not to wrap LED strips around the entire printer frame was the hardest part of the project. But I managed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, I made a bit of a mistake with the &#8220;ears&#8221; on the camera housing. The LED strips mounted on them create severe side glare, which floods the wide-angle (170\u00b0 FOV \u2014 practically fish-eye) camera lens. I didn\u2019t account for this during the design phase and didn\u2019t think about it until I saw the first video after assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This issue was fully resolved by adding a lens hood to the camera. If you look closely at the photo above, you\u2019ll see a strip of masking tape around the lens. That was me testing the hood\u2019s height to ensure it wouldn\u2019t appear in the frame while still blocking the side glare. The final hood looked like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-6-640x311.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2178\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-6-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-6-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-6-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-6-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-6.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At that point, one more issue remained, which I mentioned earlier \u2014 glare caused by printing with white filament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a brightly lit room, it\u2019s somewhat manageable. But when I\u2019m not in the room (i.e., when remote monitoring is actually needed), the lights are turned off. During the day, the room is almost as dark as night because its windows face the &#8220;sunny side,&#8221; and if I don\u2019t close the blackout curtains completely, the temperature inside quickly becomes incompatible with human life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a dark room, the printer\u2019s camera produces this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-3-640x296.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2179\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-3-640x296.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-3-1024x474.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-3-768x356.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-3-1536x711.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-3.jpg 1834w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The printed object becomes overexposed, making it impossible to discern any details. This essentially makes remote visual monitoring of the print process useless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This issue wasn\u2019t caused by the camera or its housing but by system-level software settings. For some reason, the camera doesn\u2019t enable automatic exposure mode by default. The image is adjusted based on the initial lighting conditions detected when the printer starts \u2014 typically an empty matte black bed. The camera doesn\u2019t adapt when a bright object starts &#8220;growing&#8221; on the bed, resulting in overexposure since the printed object is usually much lighter than the black bed the camera was originally calibrated to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I haven\u2019t yet figured out how to adjust this at the system initialization level, but I found the necessary settings in an OctoPrint plugin. The overall frame became darker, but the object now has the necessary detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a dark room with general lighting off:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-5-640x295.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2180\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-5-640x295.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-5-1024x471.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-5-768x353.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-5-1536x707.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-5.jpg 1834w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With room lighting on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-6-640x295.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2181\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-6-640x295.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-6-1024x472.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-6-768x354.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-6-1536x709.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-6.jpg 1840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The images are only needed for monitoring the print process: checking for layer shifts, skips, progress, or whether it\u2019s printing at all. There\u2019s no need to take these photos to an art auction or set up a gallery exhibit. It\u2019s purely a matter of technical necessity, and for now, it looks almost the way I want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>That said, there\u2019s still room for improvement in the settings. I\u2019m not a fan of relying on extra plugins. I\u2019m confident that the same results can be achieved directly by editing the config during startup. I just need to read the documentation\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>And finally, the problem of the obnoxious blue color of the &#8220;arm&#8221; holding the camera. This wasn\u2019t a technical issue but an aesthetic one \u2014 the blue segments drove me absolutely insane!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After trying several solutions, I found that the least unsightly option was to cover the &#8220;arm&#8221; with a black nylon cable sleeve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-23 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"498\" data-id=\"2182\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-3-1024x498.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-3-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-3-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-3-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-3-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"498\" data-id=\"2184\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-2-1024x498.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-2-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-2-640x311.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-2-768x373.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-2-1536x746.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_017-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These sleeves are already used extensively in the printer for wiring, so while it does look a bit odd, at least it matches the overall style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>MARSH TURRET as a whole looks strange anyway, so it fits. I\u2019m still undecided about whether I like this solution or not. On the one hand, it feels like a &#8220;duct-tape fix&#8221; and a bit crude. I should\u2019ve been more persistent in my search for better options. On the other hand, there\u2019s something charming about it \u2014 reminiscent of an old space suit\u2019s &#8220;hose&#8221; leading to its external life-support system. I don\u2019t know\u2026 for now, it\u2019s staying as it is.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>To round off the OctoPrint topic, here\u2019s a list of all the plugins I use. Some of them might be useful to others. Every plugin in this list has been deemed valuable after years of use, with a couple of recent exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exception 1: <a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/plugins\/bedlevelvisualizer\/\"><strong>Bed Visualizer<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This plugin shows just how uneven your print bed is and helps you level it more effectively. Previously, I didn\u2019t use it because my printers lacked an automatic probe for bed leveling, so leveling was done the old-fashioned way \u2014 with a piece of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the addition of BLTouch and this plugin, the process became much faster and more precise. I also discovered that MARSH TURRET\u2019s bed has a slight hump in the center along the Y-axis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Capture.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Capture-640x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2185\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Capture-640x350.jpg 640w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Capture-1024x561.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Capture-768x421.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Capture.jpg 1123w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing I can do about it \u2014 it\u2019s a defect in the glass itself. No amount of &#8220;four-point&#8221; leveling will fix it. The chart exaggerates the issue for clarity; the actual deviation is measured in fractions of a millimeter. In any case, the bed\u2019s unevenness is accounted for and compensated during printing. It could\u2019ve been much worse\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exception 2: <a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/plugins\/camerasettings\/\"><strong>Camera Settings<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another new plugin for me. It allowed me to fix the issue with enabling automatic exposure for the camera, as mentioned earlier. It\u2019s fun to tinker with, offering a ton of camera settings. However, once I figure out how to enforce auto-exposure at startup through the Raspberry Pi\u2019s configuration files, this plugin will become redundant and will be removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Editing \/boot\/octopi.txt and the camera_raspi_options config lines didn\u2019t fix the issue. Clearly, there\u2019s another setting somewhere\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Trusted and Longstanding Plugins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/plugins\/DisplayLayerProgress\/\"><strong>Display Layer Progress<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A simple plugin that sends service messages via M117 to the printer\u2019s internal display, showing how many layers have been printed out of the total. On Widow, the original firmware stripped away progress bar functionality from the display, leaving it permanently stuck at 0%. This was infuriating. This plugin provided at least some feedback by displaying the layer count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/plugins\/m73progress\/\"><strong>M73 Progress<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This plugin actually updates the progress bar on the printer\u2019s display. However, it requires modifications to the firmware (by default, Marlin disables external control of the progress bar via M73). Eventually, I gave in, updated the firmware, and used this plugin to get a functional progress bar on the display. That said, this plugin doesn\u2019t replace the previous one, as knowing the exact layer count is often just as useful as seeing the overall percentage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/plugins\/tempsgraph\/\"><strong>OctoPrint-Tempsgraph<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An alternative to OctoPrint\u2019s native temperature graph, this plugin offers more detail, better controls, and the ability to zoom in on specific sections of the graph \u2014 a feature I use frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/plugins\/taborder\/\"><strong> OctoPrint-TabOrder<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A purely &#8220;decorative&#8221; plugin that lets you rearrange the interface tabs into a more compact view and order them according to your preferences. You can even remove tab names entirely and replace them with icons from the built-in set:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Capture-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"593\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Capture-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2186\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/plugins\/themeify\/\"><strong>Themeify<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This plugin lets you change the interface theme. By default, OctoPrint\u2019s interface is overly bright and white \u2014 painful to look at in a dimly lit room. Using this plugin, I switched to a darker theme. There\u2019s a whole library of pre-made themes available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, it lets you customize or override existing CSS styles. For instance, by default, the interface is designed to fit mobile screens. While that\u2019s great for phones, on a wide computer monitor it results in a narrow column in the center of the screen. By tweaking a few CSS rules, you can stretch the interface to fill the entire window (including temperature graphs and video streams). Here\u2019s what I usually adjust:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Selector = &#8216;.span8&#8217;; CSS-Rule = &#8216;width&#8217;; value = &#8216;70%&#8217;<br>Selector = &#8216;.container&#8217;; CSS-Rule = &#8216;width&#8217;; value = &#8216;100%&#8217;<br>Selector = &#8216;.span4&#8217;; CSS-Rule = &#8216;width&#8217;; value = &#8216;25%&#8217;<br>Selector = &#8216;.row&#8217;; CSS-Rule = &#8216;margin-left&#8217;; value = &#8216;0&#8217;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can tweak other elements to your liking as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>While it\u2019s possible to directly edit the CSS file on the HTTP server, I find it tedious, and updates might overwrite your changes. It\u2019s much simpler to use this plugin, click a couple of buttons to choose a dark theme, and adjust four styles.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/plugins\/octolapse\/\"><strong>Octolapse<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most popular and visually stunning OctoPrint plugins \u2014 and also the most useless from a practical standpoint. But it\u2019s undeniably beautiful. No one can resist its charm. The most common feature is taking a snapshot at the end of every layer, moving the printhead aside so it doesn\u2019t block the view, and then compiling the images into a timelapse video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"720\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1280 \/ 720;\" width=\"1280\" controls preload=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021-09-04_000.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, I should\u2019ve moved Turret\u2019s printhead to the other side for the snapshots. By the time I realized this, it was too late. Still, it serves as a demonstration. Normally, I keep this plugin disabled. Beyond its hypnotic effect, it offers little practical value while consuming significant resources. It\u2019s fun but resource-hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are all the plugins I use with OctoPrint. Of course, the community has created <a href=\"https:\/\/plugins.octoprint.org\/\">a vast number of additional plugins<\/a>. But remember, <em>not all plugins are created equal<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s how it all came together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking back, I realize I made a significant mistake with Black Widow by tying its functionality entirely to the Raspberry Pi, with its overly flashy, bloated interface and excessive features. Keeping that zoo in working order took far too much time and effort. In hindsight, I fell into the classic trap many 3D printer enthusiasts do \u2014 turning a practical household tool into a &#8220;printer for the sake of the printer.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With MARSH TURRET, this mistake was corrected. The Raspberry Pi with OctoPrint and the camera is a useful addition to the device&#8217;s functionality, but it doesn\u2019t overcomplicate its overall design. If necessary, I could remove this add-on entirely by unscrewing just four bolts and disconnecting two plugs. MARSH TURRET would lose its remote control and monitoring capabilities but would retain its full local functionality as a 3D printer. It\u2019s a finished product. There\u2019s no need to invent anything else for it. No need to &#8220;upgrade&#8221; it further. No need for constant maintenance (apart from regular nozzle replacements and cleaning the bed). It\u2019s a sturdy, reliable workhorse \u2014 exactly what I needed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>This series of articles has two more planned entries. One will focus on secondary accessories, designed more for fun than for practical use. The other, final article, will provide a thorough post-project breakdown. I\u2019ll attempt to evaluate how well expectations matched reality, showcase staged photos of the finished printer, share examples of prints (including dual-nozzle printing), and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s the plan\u2026 <a href=\"\/?p=4258\">Stay tuned for the continuation<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s well known that &#8220;electronics is the science of connections.&#8221; I\u2019ve long noticed that few household or semi-professional electronic devices can illustrate this fundamental truth to a DIY enthusiast as effectively as a 3D printer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2212,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[279],"tags":[242,246,310],"class_list":["post-4252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tools-en","tag-marsh-turret-en","tag-3d-printing-en","tag-machines-en"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/d1dfbad5-6a45-473a-ba00-a08269cef4d6.webp","author_info":{"display_name":"Jim","author_link":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/?author=1"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4252","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4252"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4252\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4252"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4252"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jimsghost.place\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}