Documentation

Upgrading Firmware for The Replicator™ via ReplicatorG

• 1.1
• 1.2
• 1.3
• 1.4
• 1.5
• 1.6
• 1.7
• 1.8

Every once in a while we come out with a new version of the firmware for The Replicator. Uploading the new firmware to your bot will ensure that your bot gets all the latest improvements and operates as smoothly as possible. The most recent firmware released for The Replicator is version 7.0. To check what firmware your bot has now, go to the Info and Settings menu on your bot's LCD panel and select Version Number. If you don't see an Info and Setting menu, you can find Version Number under Utilities -- but we can tell you right now that you will need to upgrade.

Disconnect from ReplicatorG

To upgrade the firmware on your Replicator, you're going to need to disconnect from ReplicatorG. 1.1 Once you've clicked 'disconnect' in RepG, go into ReplicatorG's Machine menu, check Connection (Serial Port) and make a note of which port The Replicator was connected to --- you'll need it later.

Select your new firmware

1.2 Now go back to RepG.Go into the Machine menu and choose "Upload new firmware…"

The next step is to select the machine you’re upgrading. 1.3 In the case of The Replicator, you’ll want to choose ”MakerBot Replicator (Mightyboard).”

Now choose the newest version of the firmware. 1.4 This should be the one at the top.

1.5 Next, choose the correct serial port. This will be the one you noted earlier.

1.6 Finally, you'll see a button labelled "Upload." Do not press it yet.

Locate the Reset switch

1.7 The reset switch is on the back of your Replicator, just to the right of the USB port. You'll probably also need something to press the button with -- most fingers won't fit.

Hit the upload button, press the reset button, and wait

Hit upload, wait a fraction of a second, and then press the reset button. 1.8 It will take a little while, but soon you should see a message telling you that your firmware has been updated successfully.

If your firmware does not update successfully, don't worry -- the timing can be really tricky because it will vary a lot from computer to computer. Try different timings, like pressing the reset switch just before you hit the upload button, or waiting a full second between hitting the upload button and pressing the reset switch. The process of figuring out exactly when to press each button can be frustrating, but you can't harm your bot by getting the timing wrong. And once you have it right, you'll know what works best with your computer and you'll have a head start next time.

Once you see the "Firmware update succeeded!" message, you're set! Go back to printing with your exciting new firmware.