I found it was a DIY rotary axis that used the customized PCB with the Arduino. So, I’m curious if the PCBA can directly replace the customized PCB with the Arduino and related electronic devices.
In my opinion, without changing the software, it won’t work.
The Snapmaker controller will recognize this PCBA as a print head.
But if you used this hardware and created dedicated software (e.g. based on codes from github) it could probably work.
But be careful - at your own risk, etc.
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I would say: It won’t work differently than the printhead without changing software. So if you can map your desired functions to print functions, you can still do a lot of things. For example, if you’d like to build a syringe-style dispenser for chocolate, you’d need to map the E-axis (extrusion) to the motor that presses the stopper down, map the chocolate heater to the nozzle temperature etc. Standard GCode than would be usable. Only if what you want to do is not easily mappable, this PCB will not help you.
But you have already discovered Ronin’s work - I guess this can be the foundation of complex projects, but that certainly will require software development.
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Secret Sauce Is in the can bus communication. Search the forum for some info, it was discussed a lot.
I don’t think snapmaker ever shared the protocol details of their implementation. Weird, there isn’t anything special about can bus. This is the main issue why DIY module development never happened.
There is also a writeup about creating a custom extruder with bondtech and mosquito product using this controller from single extruder. It is here on forum too.
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My guess is more that Snapmaker does somehow not attract that kind of people that go DIY modules. The system is not that closed that you could not develop your own module. Firmware is open source, and the wiring of the ports relatively straightforward.
I’m aware of people like Ronin who created their own modules, people that created DIY controllers, attached 3rd party milling spindles etc.
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But nobody cracked the code of can bus. So all those methods are kind of workarounds. If I remember right, Ronin never even shared how he did it. There is no code available. At least when I was looking into it last time.
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I was about to disagree, but searching the forum I have to admit that Ronin obviously never came around with the writeup he intended to do… Pity!
That said, since the CAN-bus is a parallel thing where every participant gets all messages, CAN bus sniffing should be easy, and I suppose that the firmware source code should also tell what’s happening on the bus. But I admit that I never tried and/or looked myself, so I may be wrong here… My starting point would be Ronin’s setup, i.e. the CAN-bus breakout board + Arduino with a simple CAN message echoing software.
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There were a few attempts in this, people way smarter then me gave up for one reason or another. The can bus implementation in firmware is somewhat not transparent if I remember right. But would be great to have it.
One of the ideas that I preach and cry about to Snapmaker - is to add custom G-Code commands that we could configure ourselves. Prusa does something like this. This would enable us to use timelapse cameras way way easier, or have accessories like 3d chameleon working better with less drag, have up and down motion plotter. Mmmm… the possibilities…
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@Kristall_Wang - found the custom extruder guide for you - The (mostly) Complete Guide to Bondtech, Slice, and the Snapmaker 2.0
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I did some tests with the PCB-based CAN bus that Ronin shared - but without much success.
I read many different ID frames, but I can’t do anything more with this information, I got stuck and gave up.
From Ronin’s posts on YouTube, all I know is that CAN support is very tricky but the method is in the open sources on GitHub. Sending the wrong frame ID (which no CAN bus participant will confirm) leads to avalanche of bus errors, etc.
I suspect that Ronin has some kind of gentleman’s agreement with the Snapmaker people that he will keep the details to himself. When he is asked for codes, he refers everyone to the GitHub repository, maybe he wants to avoid problems.
Yes, that would be great.
By the way, do you know why there are no sources codes for Artisan, Snapmaker Original, etc. on Snapmaker’s GitHub? This isn’t open source?
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My understanding is - the original is just end of life. As for the Artisan - not sure. I didn’t pay attention to it, just don’t have the Artisan. We might get a some type of reply from a support team if. I thought somebody asked them once and posted here… I might be tripping tho.
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