Firmware Marlin-1.1.0-RC6 - My Latest Version
Posted: June 13th, 2016, 10:02 am
Have downloaded the latest Marlin source code located on Github mid last week. The files are from the latest versions from the RCBugFix source.
Appears to be working fine on my HIC i3 at the current time; have noted no further improvements nor any printing or operational issues, so I will be sticking with this source code for now. In the mean time here is a archive file of my current source code, you can read the Configuration.h file for any comments I have made from the original source. The only changes in source code structure was the new file [Version.h] that replaced [ Defaultversion.h ] in the RC5 release.
As always this archive ONLY includes the source under the ../Marlin-1.1.0-RC6/Marlin/*.* directory. If you need added ../Marlin-1.1.0-RC6/ misc. files and reference, etc. then download it from Github above, install the files and directories on your ../Marlin-1.1.0-RC6 path. Those other files are NOT required to compile this source code.
All I had to do was to sort through the <configuration.h> to set proper #defines and other data to work with the HIC i3. Instead of using the Arduino IDE to edit the code, I use the Atom code editor as have come to like the GUI and it's functions (I'm an old Emacs fan) and like to look/edit/compare the <configuration.h.orig> file at the same time I am working on the new <configuration.h> file. Observed the Marlin code developers have moved the LCD expansion definitions (auto expand) and control for the type of LCD control panel defined in <configuration.h> to => <conditionals.h>. So an edit also of <conditionals.h> is in order to ensure proper LCD operation.
Current firmware updates and bug fixes:
1) Edit the Default HIC i3 Configuration Files =COMPLETED V1.1.0-RC3 : completed initial testing after re-compile for heat, end-stops, home function, temperatures, etc. appear to be working correctly.
2) SD Card was not recognized /bug =FIXED : after attempts at re-formatting the SD card, banging my head on the table (it _used_ to work, if you power on the printer with the SD card installed), finally narrowed down what was causing it not to work. After debug, you can now actually insert and remove the SD card with the power on, get the 'Card inserted' and 'Card removed' message on the LCD, and printing from the card has been without issues. THAT was a main bug to fix!
3) EEPROM writing has been enabled /improvement=FIXED : The factory version did not have the option and you could not even write to the EEPROM form a host program over USB. Once you have your default parameters set, you can now store your data to the EEPROM using the host program or menu selection using the LCD control panel. This saves a lot of time as you can now power off the printer and next time you power it up, you no longer have to go edit all the default all over again. You do however still have the option of loading 'fail-safe' or factory options from the LCD panel.
4) Default Parameters Stored /improvement =COMPLETED : Have set some default accelerations and feed rates to a more acceptable level for the HIC i3. You can of course change these to match your own printer hardware capabilities.
5) LCD Rotary Control /improvement =COMPLETED : the control on the LCD panel was was too sensitive, it was hard to set proper values as on click would up increment/decrement the selected parameter around 4 units. That has been fixed. It may take some more knob rotations to get to a value such as moving an axis, but worth it.
6) Main menu /improvement =COMPLETED : on boot the LCD screen will show a Marlin splash screen and then a current firmware version screen prior to the main screen menu. Main screen menu now reads "HICi3 Mendel Ready.". May add firmware version there until the code is finalized.
Current firmware status:
It appears so far to be working so far with no major issues found.
If you use this source to compile and update your HICi3 printer, please let me know how it works for you.
You DO have a source code backup from your last firmware update, right? Good luck!
Chip
---
Appears to be working fine on my HIC i3 at the current time; have noted no further improvements nor any printing or operational issues, so I will be sticking with this source code for now. In the mean time here is a archive file of my current source code, you can read the Configuration.h file for any comments I have made from the original source. The only changes in source code structure was the new file [Version.h] that replaced [ Defaultversion.h ] in the RC5 release.
As always this archive ONLY includes the source under the ../Marlin-1.1.0-RC6/Marlin/*.* directory. If you need added ../Marlin-1.1.0-RC6/ misc. files and reference, etc. then download it from Github above, install the files and directories on your ../Marlin-1.1.0-RC6 path. Those other files are NOT required to compile this source code.
All I had to do was to sort through the <configuration.h> to set proper #defines and other data to work with the HIC i3. Instead of using the Arduino IDE to edit the code, I use the Atom code editor as have come to like the GUI and it's functions (I'm an old Emacs fan) and like to look/edit/compare the <configuration.h.orig> file at the same time I am working on the new <configuration.h> file. Observed the Marlin code developers have moved the LCD expansion definitions (auto expand) and control for the type of LCD control panel defined in <configuration.h> to => <conditionals.h>. So an edit also of <conditionals.h> is in order to ensure proper LCD operation.
Current firmware updates and bug fixes:
1) Edit the Default HIC i3 Configuration Files =COMPLETED V1.1.0-RC3 : completed initial testing after re-compile for heat, end-stops, home function, temperatures, etc. appear to be working correctly.
2) SD Card was not recognized /bug =FIXED : after attempts at re-formatting the SD card, banging my head on the table (it _used_ to work, if you power on the printer with the SD card installed), finally narrowed down what was causing it not to work. After debug, you can now actually insert and remove the SD card with the power on, get the 'Card inserted' and 'Card removed' message on the LCD, and printing from the card has been without issues. THAT was a main bug to fix!
3) EEPROM writing has been enabled /improvement=FIXED : The factory version did not have the option and you could not even write to the EEPROM form a host program over USB. Once you have your default parameters set, you can now store your data to the EEPROM using the host program or menu selection using the LCD control panel. This saves a lot of time as you can now power off the printer and next time you power it up, you no longer have to go edit all the default all over again. You do however still have the option of loading 'fail-safe' or factory options from the LCD panel.
4) Default Parameters Stored /improvement =COMPLETED : Have set some default accelerations and feed rates to a more acceptable level for the HIC i3. You can of course change these to match your own printer hardware capabilities.
5) LCD Rotary Control /improvement =COMPLETED : the control on the LCD panel was was too sensitive, it was hard to set proper values as on click would up increment/decrement the selected parameter around 4 units. That has been fixed. It may take some more knob rotations to get to a value such as moving an axis, but worth it.
6) Main menu /improvement =COMPLETED : on boot the LCD screen will show a Marlin splash screen and then a current firmware version screen prior to the main screen menu. Main screen menu now reads "HICi3 Mendel Ready.". May add firmware version there until the code is finalized.
Current firmware status:
It appears so far to be working so far with no major issues found.
If you use this source to compile and update your HICi3 printer, please let me know how it works for you.
You DO have a source code backup from your last firmware update, right? Good luck!
Chip
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