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Home > Build Instructions > Center 3D Printer

Getting Started with the Azteeg x5 Mini

Getting started with the x5

The x5 is programmed only with a bootloader. The actual program is loaded from the memory card after a reset. All that is necessary to update or roll back the firmware is to replace/rename the file in the root directory of the SD memory card.

What you'll need

Micro SD card, 2 GB is enough
Mini B USB cable
Heat sink (included with the x5)
Jumpers (included with the x5)

The latest firmware and a sample config file for your style of printer from Smoothieware.org.

Preparing the x5

Install the microstepping jumpers. See the wiring diagram for details.

Preparing the SD card

Save the firmware to a file named firmware.bin in the root directory of the SD card. Save the config file to a file named config.txt in the root directory of the SD card. Safely remove the SD card and plug it into the x5.

To test the board with a computer, make sure the INPUT SEL jumper is set to take power from the USB cable.

The x5 will boot up. Look for the firmware. Count and flash the LEDs.

You're done.

Using the x5 with your computer

You can connect to the x5 at any baud rate. If using Windows, you may need to install a serial driver. SmoothieWare drivers. Find more information and download the Windows drivers. Linux and Mac have the required drivers built in. Ignore messages stating that the DFU drivers are missing.

Additional support files

Serial console

If you want to use the x5 with a serial console program, you'll want to enable local echo and linefeed.

Console commands

play {/sd/file} - prints the file on the SD card
ls /sd- lists the files on the SD card
version - displays the current firmware version

Help may be available via IRC at: http://smoothieware.org/irc.

Sample config file

Look here for the latest sample config file.

# Robot module configurations : general handling of movement G-codes and slicing into moves

arm_solution linear_delta # delta selection
arm_length 370.00 # this is the length of an arm from hinge to hinge
arm_radius 203.00 # this is the horiontal distance from hinge to hinge when the effector is centered

default_feed_rate 4000 # Default rate ( mm/minute ) for G1/G2/G3 moves
default_seek_rate 4000 # Default rate ( mm/minute ) for G0 moves
mm_per_arc_segment 0.5 # Arcs are cut into segments ( lines ), this is the length for these segments. Smaller values mean more resolution, higher values mean faster computation
#mm_per_line_segment 5 # Lines can be cut into segments ( not usefull with cartesian coordinates robots ).
delta_segments_per_second 100 # segments per second used for deltas

# Arm solution configuration : Cartesian robot. Translates mm positions into stepper positions
alpha_steps_per_mm 110.02 # Steps per mm for alpha stepper
beta_steps_per_mm 110.02 # Steps per mm for beta stepper
gamma_steps_per_mm 110.02 # Steps per mm for gamma stepper

# Planner module configuration : Look-ahead and acceleration configuration
planner_queue_size 32 # Size of the planning queue, must be a power of 2. 128 seems to be the maximum.
acceleration 1000 # Acceleration in mm/second/second.
acceleration_ticks_per_second 1000 # Number of times per second the speed is updated
junction_deviation 0.05 # Similar to the old "max_jerk", in millimeters, see : https://github.com/grbl/grbl/blob/master/planner.c#L409
                                                              # and https://github.com/grbl/grbl/wiki/Configuring-Grbl-v0.8 . Lower values mean being more careful, higher values means being faster and have more jerk

# Stepper module configuration
microseconds_per_step_pulse 1 # Duration of step pulses to stepper drivers, in microseconds
minimum_steps_per_minute 1200 # Never step slower than this
base_stepping_frequency 100000 # Base frequency for stepping, higher gives smoother movement

# Stepper module pins ( ports, and pin numbers, appending "!" to the number will invert a pin )
alpha_step_pin 2.1 # Pin for alpha stepper step signal
alpha_dir_pin 0.11 # Pin for alpha stepper direction
alpha_en_pin 0.10 # Pin for alpha enable pin
alpha_current 1.0 # X stepper motor current
alpha_max_rate 30000.0 # mm/min actuator max speed
x_axis_max_speed 30000.0 # mm/min cartesian max speed

beta_step_pin 2.2 # Pin for beta stepper step signal
beta_dir_pin 0.20 # Pin for beta stepper direction
beta_en_pin 0.19 # Pin for beta enable
beta_current 1.0 # Y stepper motor current
beta_max_rate 30000.0 # mm/min
y_axis_max_speed 30000.0 # mm/min

gamma_step_pin 2.3 # Pin for gamma stepper step signal
gamma_dir_pin 0.22 # Pin for gamma stepper direction
gamma_en_pin 0.21 # Pin for gamma enable
gamma_current 1.0 # Z stepper motor current
gamma_max_rate 30000.0 # mm/min
z_axis_max_speed 30000.0 # mm/min

# Serial communications configuration ( baud rate default to 9600 if undefined )
uart0.baud_rate 115200 # Baud rate for the default hardware serial port
second_usb_serial_enable false # This enables a second usb serial port (to have both pronterface and a terminal connected)

# Extruder module configuration
extruder_module_enable true # Whether to activate the extruder module at all. All configuration is ignored if false
extruder_steps_per_mm 710.00 # Steps per mm for extruder stepper
extruder_default_feed_rate 600 # Default rate ( mm/minute ) for moves where only the extruder moves
extruder_acceleration 500 # Acceleration in mm/sec^2 only used for retracts
extruder_max_speed 25 # mm/sec NOTE only used for retracts

extruder_step_pin 2.0 # Pin for extruder step signal
extruder_dir_pin 0.5 # Pin for extruder dir signal
extruder_en_pin 0.4 # Pin for extruder enable signal
delta_current 0.7 # Extruder stepper motor current

# Laser module configuration
laser_module_enable false # Whether to activate the laser module at all. All configuration is ignored if false.
#laser_module_pin 2.7 # this pin will be PWMed to control the laser
#laser_module_max_power 0.8 # this is the maximum duty cycle that will be applied to the laser
#laser_module_tickle_power 0.0 # this duty cycle will be used for travel moves to keep the laser active without actually burning

# Hotend temperature control configuration
temperature_control.hotend.enable true # Whether to activate this ( "hotend" ) module at all. All configuration is ignored if false.
temperature_control.hotend.thermistor_pin 0.24 # Pin for the thermistor to read
temperature_control.hotend.heater_pin 2.5 # Pin that controls the heater
temperature_control.hotend.thermistor EPCOS100K # see src/modules/tools/temperaturecontrol/TemperatureControl.cpp:64 for a list of valid thermistor names
temperature_control.hotend.set_m_code 104 #
temperature_control.hotend.set_and_wait_m_code 109 #
temperature_control.hotend.designator T #

#P39.98 I5.00 D79.91
# temperature_control.hotend.p_factor 39.98 #
# temperature_control.hotend.i_factor 5.00 #
# temperature_control.hotend.d_factor 79.91 #

# For EPCOS B57540G0104F000 Digikey 495-2125-ND change as needed
temperature_control.bed.enable false #
temperature_control.bed.thermistor_pin 0.23 #
temperature_control.bed.heater_pin 2.7 #
temperature_control.bed.beta 4036 #
temperature_control.bed.thermistor EPCOSB57540G0104F000 # B57891S0104F008 Digikey 495-2164-ND
temperature_control.bed.set_m_code 140 #
temperature_control.bed.set_and_wait_m_code 190 #
temperature_control.bed.designator B #
# uncomment followng to use bang bang isntead of PID for the bed (best for relay conrolled hotbeds)
#temperature_control.bed.bang_bang true # set to true to use bang bang control rather than PID
#temperature_control.bed.hysteresis 2.0 # set to the temperature in degrees C to use as hysteresis when using bang bang

# Switch module for fan control
switch.fan.enable true #
switch.fan.input_on_command M106 #
switch.fan.input_off_command M107 #
switch.fan.output_pin 2.4 #

# switch.psu.enable true # turn atx on/off
# switch.psu.input_on_command M80 #
# switch.psu.input_off_command M81 #
# switch.psu.output_pin 2.13o! # open drain, inverted

# Switch module for spindle control
#switch.spindle.enable false #

# Endstops
endstops_enable true # the endstop module is enabled by default and can be disabled here
delta_homing true # forces all three axis to home a the same time regardless of what is specified in G28
alpha_max_endstop 1.24^ #
alpha_homing_direction home_to_max # or set to home_to_max and set alpha_max
alpha_min 0 # this gets loaded after homing when home_to_min is set
alpha_max 0 # this gets loaded after homing when home_to_max is set
beta_max_endstop 1.26^ #
beta_homing_direction home_to_max #
beta_min 0 #
beta_max 0 #
gamma_max_endstop 1.28^ #
gamma_homing_direction home_to_max #
gamma_min 0 #
gamma_max 430 # change to suit your height

#probe endstop
#probe_pin 1.29 # optional pin for probe

alpha_fast_homing_rate_mm_s 200 # feedrates in mm/second
beta_fast_homing_rate_mm_s 200 # "
gamma_fast_homing_rate_mm_s 200 # "
alpha_slow_homing_rate_mm_s 20 # "
beta_slow_homing_rate_mm_s 20 # "
gamma_slow_homing_rate_mm_s 20 # "

alpha_homing_retract_mm 5 # distance in mm
beta_homing_retract_mm 5 # "
gamma_homing_retract_mm 5 # "

alpha_trim 0 # software trim for alpha stepper endstop (in mm) - moves down
beta_trim 0 # software trim for beta stepper endstop (in mm)
gamma_trim 0 # software trim for gamma stepper endstop (in mm)

# optional Z probe
zprobe.enable false # set to true to enable a zprobe
zprobe.probe_pin 1.29!^ # pin probe is attached to if NC remove the !
zprobe.slow_feedrate 5 # mm/sec probe feed rate
#zprobe.debounce_count 100 # set if noisy
zprobe.fast_feedrate 100 # move feedrate
zprobe.probe_radius 100 # where to probe
zprobe.probe_height 5 # how much above bed to start probe

# Pause button
pause_button_enable true #

# Panel
panel.enable false # set to true to enable the panel code
panel.lcd viki_lcd # set type of panel also viki_lcd, i2c_lcd is a generic i2c panel, panelolu2
panel.encoder_a_pin 3.25!^ # encoder pin
panel.encoder_b_pin 3.26!^ # encoder pin
panel.i2c_pins 3 # set i2c channel to use

panel.menu_offset 1 # some panels will need 1 here

panel.alpha_jog_feedrate 6000 # x jogging feedrate in mm/min
panel.beta_jog_feedrate 6000 # y jogging feedrate in mm/min
panel.gamma_jog_feedrate 200 # z jogging feedrate in mm/min

panel.hotend_temperature 185 # temp to set hotend when preheat is selected
panel.bed_temperature 60 # temp to set bed when preheat is selected

# Only needed on a smoothieboard
currentcontrol_module_enable true #
digipot_max_current 2.4 # max current
digipot_factor 106.0 # factor for converting current to digipot value

return_error_on_unhandled_gcode false #

Kudos and special thanks to Jim Morris, Arthur and the rest of the Smoothieware team for this exceptional product. Thanks guys.