Save yourself some time
Before the electronics are installed inside the base of the Thingomatic, first upload the latest version of the firmware to your boards. This step will also serve as an electronics power-on test.
Get the ReplicatorG Software
You’ll be using the built-in firmware uploader in ReplicatorG to update the firmware on the boards. Once you have ReplicatorG installed, can upgrade to the latest version.
New! Install drivers for Arduino Mega 2560
If you’re received a new Arduino Mega2560, the drivers unfortunately do not install automatically the way they usually did for the Arduino Mega 1280.
Take a quick look at your board — it will say “2560″ on both sides, and the back has some cool-looking white decoration on it. If that’s what you’ve got, don’t fear — you’ve already downloaded the drivers with ReplicatorG. They’re found in the “drivers” folder within the distribution.
Install these like any other driver. On Windows, you can follow the prompts the first time you plug in the Arduino board, or go to your device manager and find the Arduino there (look for a big yellow exclamation point.) Installation will be a bit different on Mac, but you should still have the drivers waiting for you in your ReplicatorG download. We trust you Linux types to figure this out on your own.
Install the Firmware on the MakerBot Motherboard
Prepare the MakerBot Motherboard
Disconnect any other USB serial devices your computer’s USB ports. Next, attach the Thingomatic Arduino MEGA to your computer with the USB cable. If you have already created the MakerBot Motherboard v2.4 Stack which locks the Arduino MEGA to the bottom of the MakerBot Motherboard PCB, then you will use the MakerBot Motherboard v2.4 reset button instead of the one on the Arduino MEGA when the directions call for this action. Otherwise the directions for both route are identical.
Installing the firmware
Start ReplicatorG and Select “Machines > Update Firmware…” from the menu.
Select the board and version you’re updating.
Please note: that there is a new, separate set of firmware for the Gen4 Motherboard with Arduino 2560. Most recent (late 2011 and after) should choose MakerBot Motherboard v2.4 with Arduino 2560. Note that Motherboard revision 2.5 uses the same drivers.
Select the version of the firmware you’d like to upload.
This should ordinarily be the one with the highest number, which is the latest version.
Select the serial port that represents your Motherboard.
Your Motherboard will appear as a serial port on your computer. Usually this will be the last one listed. The names will vary from platform to platform.
If you’re not seeing a serial port that corresponds to the board you’re trying to flash, check your driver installation. These drivers will be found within the ReplicatorG distribution, in the “Drivers” folder. The Arduino 2560 has its own driver, and the older Arduino 1280 shares the same FTDI USB driver with the Extruder controller.
Upload The Firmware
This is the tricky step. Try to press the reset button at the same time as you click the upload button.
Be patient; it may take a minute or two to upload the firmware. If the upload succeeded, you should see a message indicating success. If you see a message indicating failure, try again! Getting the timing of the reset is important; it may take a few tries to get right.
Install the Firmware on the Extruder Controller
These instructions are for extruder controllers shipped before 2012. Do not install firmware on any Thing-O-Matic Extruder Controller shipped in 2012. The most recent version of the Extruder Controller comes loaded with the correct firmware.
Prepare the Extruder Board
Installing the firmware
Start ReplicatorG. and Select “Machines > Update Firmware…” from the menu.
Select the board and version you’re updating.
Select the version of the firmware you’d like to upload.
This should ordinarily be the one with the highest number, which is the latest version.
Select the serial port that represents your Extruder Controller.
Your Extruder Controller will appear as a serial port on your computer. Usually this will be the last one listed. The names will vary from platform to platform. Again if you’re not seeing a corresponding serial port, this usually indicates missing drivers. The drivers for the EC will be found in the ReplicatorG distribution, in the “Drivers/FTDI USB Drivers” folder.
Click on the upload button.
You should not have to manually press the reset button on the Extruder Controller.
Be patient; it may take a minute or two to upload the firmware. When you’re done, you should see a message indicating success.
20 Comments so far
Duncan
I am trying to upload new firmware to the extruder controller and I am not getting a USB option.
filemon
I Duncan, you must install driver FTDIUSB
Eric Rohlfs
Few tips from a new user.
1. When upgrading the firmware fro the extruder, turn the power supply on. I don’t think it has to be on for the motherboard.
2. If your prints come out really bloby or smushed in one corner… check to make sure you didn’t accidentally bump one of the dip switches on the drivers – I did this and it was printing in 1/4 steps on my z-axis when it should have been 1/8.
Alex
Try pressing the reset button on the motherboard a few times, that worked for me to get firmware to upload.
Ben Harris
“. When upgrading the firmware fro the extruder, turn the power supply on. I don’t think it has to be on for the motherboard.”
I was able to update the firmware for the extruder without power applied to it. It seemed to get power from the usb.
I am having trouble with the motherboard though.
Misha
I tried to update the firmware and can not find v2.5 from the motherboard list. I’m guessing I already have the latest build?
Forrest
I see
Makerbot motherboard v 2.x (gen 4)
and
Makerbot motherboard v 2.x (gen 4) with Mega 2560
What is the difference between these 2 options? Which one do I use for the latest version of the TOM kit?
Jonny B
For the motherboard:
If pressing the reset button at the same time or slightly before update doesn’t work (I didn’t get a failed message, my machine just hung), try pressing reset after update. Worked for me.
Updated both boards without connecting to a power supply.
andrewt
It’s odd, but, turning on the power supply worked for me. I had tried 20 times to update the extruder controller to v3.1 . . . pressing reset . . . not pressing reset . . . but, it didn’t work until I turned on the power supply.
Ethan
Thanks for the comments, I’ve made some edits based on these.
We have heard that turning on the power supply can help with flashing the extruder controller in certain cases. Also, experiment with the timing of the reset button press if you’re having issues flashing your motherboard — with certain computers, you’ll actually need to hit reset button significantly before or after clicking the upload button in ReplicatorG.
John Zolkos
Toolhead 0: Not found.
Make sure the toolhead is connected, the power supply is plugged in and turned on, and the power switch on the motherboard is on.
This is the error message I keep getting…Please help
LED’s on cut off switch do not light up.
John
Mark Fiscfella
Firmware updates. My machine came with installated v3.0 for both motherboard and stepperstrud. I am having some problems getting my machine to print. I tried to update the firmware to v3.1, but it fails to load through ReplicatorG. I was thinking it is a driver issue with the USB to comport driver, but I can move my stepers motors around. This is a new machine shipped to me in January. I have a software problem, but have not been able to identify what is wrong?
Mark
Jude Sturman
I’ve also had luck updating the firmware trying both windows/mac if you have that option.
Beth
Do I need to take the motherboard out of the thing-o-matic to update the firmware? I am really confused by the instructions. This seems to be for installation when building the thing-o-matic. What about updating? And when updating, how do I know which motherboard I have?
Greg
I cannot get the extruder controller to update firmware. I got the motherboard to update successfully but the EC does not work. When I plug in the usb, the LEDs appear as two solid green ones and one flashing red led.
I have tried a ton of different configurations, including plugged in, unplugged, connected to everything and disconnected from everything.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
clint
Finished the build, updated the firmware, calibrated. Went to do my first print (whistle) and it pushed the platform all the way to the back left corner, seems to skip on the stepper motor for a min and eventually starts the print on the left side of the platform off the belt. Help anyone?
clint
Sorry, I was tinkering and it appears that when I use the control panel in rReplicatorG my x-axis is reversed. (I press left, platform moves right and vice versa) So lost…
klang
I have finished building a Thing-O-Matic. When I connect the machine I get message: Couldn’t find a port to use. I can see that the usb is connected. Please help me…
Ben
What OS you’re using Windows, linux or Mac. I have recently finished my ToM. Have no problems with all the OS. You might have to click on the “Connect” button. The is some bug on replicator0034. Sometimes it is not connected and have to manually click it. Sometimes it does not connect al all and have to restart both replicator0034 and ToM.
Melody
@ klang — Have you tried clicking the Connect button in Replicator G? If you have and that hasn’t worked, go into the Machine menu and make sure you have the correct machine type selected. Also rescan the serial ports and make sure you’re connected to the right one. Then try connecting again. If that doesn’t help, please contact support@makerbot.com