Help Finding Arduino Hardware to Fit My Specific Needs

Projects General Guidance
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Hello,

I have been trying to find a 3d printer that meets my needs for a while but have had little success so I figured I would ask what it might take to make my own. I am very new to this but have tinkered slightly with an arduino printer before.

As a beginner, I really appreciate any help I can get. I dont really know how to gather info about Arduinos and their ecosystems.

I was thinking of getting a Giga but I was unsure if it is compatible with the shields and boards (ramps1.4 and etc) used for 3d printing. I also really hate turning the potentiometer on the ramps 1.4, if anyone has alternatives then I am all ears.

I would like to know:

  1. What board works best for my application?
  2. What shields and additional electonics are required to achieve my goals?
  3. What power source unit will be sufficent or better for my needs?

I am not asking for determining what use for heaters, motors etc, just what psu, Arduino, and all other hardware/circuit boards that are needed before plugging in the heaters, motors, etc.

My needs:

  1. Dual extruder(s). Either 2 in and 2 out, or IDEX
  2. Hoteneds must be able to both accept pt100 or pt1000
  3. I prefer 24v hotends just because it gives me the option of using a pt100 E3D Revo
  4. Autobed leveling
  5. usb or sd card in printer or on the controller screen.
  6. The more options on the controller the better
  7. Heating bed capable of easily reaching 100C and bonus for higher. I am will to compromise and use an externally powered and externally controlled silicone heater if needed.
  8. An arduino that will not have have to pause to think mid print.
  9. An arduino ecosystem capable of more precise stator motors than average. But not so precise that I overheat electronics or skip steps. If the extra detail is unnoticable for fdm then ignore this need.

Bonus if:
-the setup can have a filament flow sensor
-the setup can run liquid cooling for for the hotends
-the components are upgradable for future tinkering

I dont need:
-Wifi
-Camera monitoring or AI print failure detection
-a RGB LED setup to put disco to shame, just some basic lights if possible
-An integrated filament drying chamber

Context that might help
-I live in the US so that may limit PSU options
-I want to reach hotend temperatures accurately around 360c. I dont see a reason to go higher currently but higher is welcome
-I need direct drives capable of flexible filament and hopefully as low a shore hardness as 65A.
-I want to be able to have powerful enough motors to reliably move the heavy direct drive Extruders, Motors, and Hotends at a max speed of 60mm/s print and 80mm/s move/jog

  • I plan on printing pet-gf, pet-cf (brittle), pla, abs, flexible filaments (as soft as 65a), disolvable support filaments.

Please dont take my slowness to reply wrong. I will respond when I can and realy appreciate any help I can be given in finding out if there is a feasable Arduino foundation for making my own printer, rather than buying one and having to heavily modify it. I have tried researching so many common and uncommon 3d printer brands and their forums for modifications. The combo of reliable dual extruders with >300C capability, smooth prints, large build volume, reliable heating bed, CF and GF capable nozzles, and extruders capable of soft flexible filament appear to be extremely rare. Thank you!

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That sounds like an interesting project that could be a lot of fun! However, what you're asking for is quite a complex task. I’d recommend hiring someone to help you with the work. Please keep in mind that we’re not a free design or code-writing service. We’re happy to assist with your design or code, but we need you to make an initial attempt. Please design and write your code, then post it along with an annotated schematic and an explanation of what’s not working properly.

**Suggestion Obtain the following:

Arduino Cookbook and complete several of the projects. Many of them will help you achieve parts of your goals

Course Electronics For Beginners (eBook)

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@adamant80 did not ask for that. They asked for advice.

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I did not we offered that!

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We offer much of that, indeed. Some is even worth twice what is paid for it. :wink:

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Hover over the Project Guidance link :wink:

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Your title is "Help Finding Arduino Hardware", but you really haven't given enough specifics to help you locate any parts.

I am aware of motor shields available for the Uno and Nano, and I see complete kits on AliExpress including the Mega2560 board; but these only have support for GRBL (AFAIK), which is why all the dedicated board makers have moved on to using 32-bit processors. You can buy a number of these boards, but that isn't Arduino.

Many (most?) 3D printers use NEMA 17 stepper motors, but you may want to consider a NEMA 23 for your X axis if you think moving two extruders is that difficult.

Beyond that, consult the plethora of online robot shops for things like aluminum extrusion, rails and lead screws, etc. Some of these sites support Arduino, while others don't.

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Thanks I appreciate it. A lot of good info and a good starting point. I did not know that there were other boards that were useful for 3d printing other than arduino boards.

Sorry, I more meant help determining a good arduino ecosystem of parts for the title, I dont know the technical terms for most things as I am very much a beginner

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Sorry, when I switched apps on my phone while writing my post, it changed the category to programming. I was hoping I was quick enough to fix it, but I guess not. Thank you for the resources though. They will likely be needed when I figure out what hardware works best for my situation.

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I am sorry I thought I was clear. Let me try to summarize:

  1. I need to know what arduino boards are capable of or beyond capable of 3d printing with more than 1 hotend, and capable of the extra power and pins needed for pt100 or pt1000 for both hotends.

  2. I also need to know what shields, ramps, and psu are compatible with said item.

I am looking for starting point advice. This would be my first build. I have no idea if my extensive needs lists are 100% relevant but I included it just incase it made a difference.

I havent had much luck in searching for setups relating to my needs and there are so many boards out there I dont know where to begin, therefore I figured I would try asking.

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