LCD interface board for Gen4 Eletronics / Thing o Matic
LCD interface board for Gen4 Eletronics / Thing o Matic
by PedroR
Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:17 pm
Hi all
Makerbot is now selling an interface for the Thing o Matic / Gen4 electronics. It features an LCD and control buttons so you can just take your SD card with your models, insert it on the machine and start printing without the need to ever connect it to a computer.
MIB 1 ("Makerbot Interface Board") on Makerbot wiki http://wiki.makerbot.com/mib1
"The MakerBot Gen4 Interface Board Kit v1.1 is a DIY addition to your MakerBot that will allow you to interact directly the machine. It has multiple buttons, multiple LEDs, and a 16x4 character LCD screen to provide feedback directly to you. Using this board, it is possible to run your Generation 4 Electronics enabled MakerBot independently with no computer attached. You can set and read the temperature, view the progress of a build, and even start a new build from a file stored on the SD card. Of course you can also hack the firmware to make this great kit control anything else you might want as well."
We'll be receiving a few of these with our next batch from Makerbot. (I'll post the link as soon as they're available).
Also bear in mind the kit is DIY (in line with Makerbot's philosophy) and requires some soldering.
I must say there is a certain "vintage" or "retro" charm on the whole thing (as opposed to the whole high tech scene) but personally, I like it!
Pedro.
Makerbot is now selling an interface for the Thing o Matic / Gen4 electronics. It features an LCD and control buttons so you can just take your SD card with your models, insert it on the machine and start printing without the need to ever connect it to a computer.
MIB 1 ("Makerbot Interface Board") on Makerbot wiki http://wiki.makerbot.com/mib1
"The MakerBot Gen4 Interface Board Kit v1.1 is a DIY addition to your MakerBot that will allow you to interact directly the machine. It has multiple buttons, multiple LEDs, and a 16x4 character LCD screen to provide feedback directly to you. Using this board, it is possible to run your Generation 4 Electronics enabled MakerBot independently with no computer attached. You can set and read the temperature, view the progress of a build, and even start a new build from a file stored on the SD card. Of course you can also hack the firmware to make this great kit control anything else you might want as well."
We'll be receiving a few of these with our next batch from Makerbot. (I'll post the link as soon as they're available).
Also bear in mind the kit is DIY (in line with Makerbot's philosophy) and requires some soldering.
I must say there is a certain "vintage" or "retro" charm on the whole thing (as opposed to the whole high tech scene) but personally, I like it!
Pedro.
