Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
6
Time Required
- 3. Makelangelo 5 to HUGE upgrade 6 steps
In Progress
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Quiz
0
Introduction
This guide will show you the hardware and software upgrades needed to convert a Makelangelo 5 to a Makelangelo HUGE. Once you're done you'll be able to draw as before but now bigger than ever!
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Makelangelo HUGE is 1366mm wide and 2m tall. Some assembly will be needed to convert M5 to HUGE. An M3 hex head screwdriver will be needed.
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The firmware code in the robot's brain needs to be adjusted to compensate for the new size. The Windows version of the Makelangelo Software can make this change.
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Some cables will need extensions for the HUGE size. These are included in the upgrade kit.
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The assembled belt and counterweights need to be replaced with the belts for the HUGE.
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There are two cables from the left side motor. A 4-wire stepper motor cable...
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and a 3 wire limit switch cable.
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Follow these wires back to the motherboard. If you like, take a picture of how they are connected.
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Notice the 4 wire cable is connected to the left stepper driver with the blue wire on the left.
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Notice the left limit switch cable is connected to the X- pin with the red wire on the left.
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With power off, gently disconnect them.
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Using an M4 alan key (hex key), undo the screws that hold the left and right sides together.
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Add the extension bar and refasten the screws.
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Use the provided screws in the HUGE kit to fasten the left side motor to the other end of the extension bar.
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There are three cables that need to be extended.
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The 4-wire stepper cable has a matching 1m extension in the upgrade kit. The color match of the connection does not matter as long as the end result is the same - whichever color wire is connected to the stepper blue wire is also connected to the driver left side.
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The 3-wire limit switch cable has a matching 3-wire 1m extension. Same as the stepper, the important thing is to get the red wire of the limit switch to connect to the left side of X- connection.
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The 3-wire servo cable should have matching color extensions. These can be added at the loose tail end of the wire. The colors should match.
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By default the M5 comes with 1m timing belt pre-assembled for ease of use. The upgrade kit comes with 2m belts.
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Take careful note of the position of each belt in their connectors and match the fit for best performance (square drawings free of curvature).
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Also note the disc on the top should be a snug fit with the long side of the hole touching the belt.
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By default all Makelangelos are tested as 5s. The latest edition of Makelangelo Software for Windows includes an upgrade tool. It is located under `File > Update firmware`
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In avrDude path, click the '...' and surf to C:\Program Files\Makelangelo\App
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In *.hex file, do the same thing and then click on firmware-huge.hex
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Connect the USB cable to the robot on the left side of the motherboard. Turn on power. Click the turning arrow button to the right of "port". A COM port should appear in the dropdown box.
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Press Start. The application should take about 20 seconds to upload the firmware.
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If it immediately says "finished", something has failed. Please contact us for more help.
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