1. First things first: you're going to need a copy of Repetier.
If you are upgrading an existing 3D printer to use a Titan, you should try to get a copy of your current firmware from your printer's manufacturer.
2. If you're building a new printer, or simply want to upgrade to the latest version of Repetier, download it at https://www.repetier.com/download-now/
If you download a fresh version of Repetier you'll have to configure more settings than the ones mentioned in this guide so that it will work well with your printer.
3. Almost all printers use Arduino IDE to upload fresh firmware, so download it at https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
4. Unzip Repetier from the zip file you downloaded and put the resulting folder anywhere on your computer for safe keeping.
Inside this folder, navigate to the Repetier sub-folder, and open the file:
Repetier.ino
This should open every file in Marlin.
Find the file
Configuration.h
Rather than manually editing the configuration file, you can also upload it to the online configurator.
5. If your old extruder was ungeared, you'll notice that your new Titan extrudes backwards.
Flip the following line in the file:
Configuration.h
from
0
to
1
or vice versa:
EXT0_INVERSE
If you're using the online configuration tool, navigate to the tab:
Tools
and toggle the box labelled
Invert Motor Direction.
6. The next thing we'll have to update is your printer's E-steps-per-mm.
Your slicer will generate G-Code for your printer, which will tell it to extrude a certain length (in millimeters) of filament. Your printer takes those lengths of filament and calculates how much it should rotate your Titan's stepper motor to push out the expected amount filament. This number is used to make that conversion
7. First, we'll start with a ball-park estimate of your E-steps-per-mm, and then we'll fine-tune it.
If you're using the standard Titan motor, start with
837 Steps-per-mm
8. To set your new E-steps-per-mm you need to edit your firmware and EEPROM
EEPROM are special settings that can be changed without re-uploading new firmware to your printer. Steps-per-mm settings for each axis are included in the EEPROM. If you update your firmware, your EEPROM will overwrite any changes your firmware might have tried to make.
Not all printers have EEPROM settings, so if you can't update them, just update your firmware instead.
9. With Repetier Host:
Connect to your printer and go to:
Config → Firmware EEPROM Configuration
and edit the E-steps setting. Make sure to save afterwards.
10. Over USB Connection without Repetier Host:
Use a printer control software to connect to your printer. Send the command:
M92 E<your number here>
to your printer. Then, send:
M500
to store your settings.
11. In the Online Configuration tool:
In the tab:
Tools
scroll down to:
Extruder
and update the resolution number.
12. If you have EEPROM, go to the tab:
General
and switch the EEPROM usage to a different EEPROM Set to overwrite your printer's settings.
If you don't have EEPROM, or want your firmware to be consistent with your EEPROM:
13. Update the following line with your new value:
#define EXT0_STEPS_PER_MM <your number here>.
Upload your firmware as normal.
14. To get a more exact value for your E-steps-per-mm, measure the exact amount of filament that is pushed out of your extruder.
15. Load filament into your extruder, just until it is gripped by the drive shaft (you can't pull it out without moving the large gear turning)
16. Mark your filament at the top of the idler arm or PTFE tubing with a pen or permanent marker.
17. Tell your printer to extrude 100mm of filament. Use your printer's LCD screen, or send it:
G92 E0
then:
G1 E100
via your printer control software.
18 You may need to heat your HotEnd before your printer allows you to extrude filament. You can use the:
M302
command to get around that.
19. Mark your filament again at the top of your idler arm or PTFE tubing
20. Eject your filament.
21. With a ruler or callipers, measure the distance between the two marks on your filament.
If the distance wasn't exactly 100mm, use a proportion to calculate a more precise E-steps-per-mm value.
Enter that new value into your firmware or EEPROM as you did before.
22. Upload the new firmware to your electronics as you normally would. Typically this means plugging in your printer to your computer, selecting the correct COM port and board type, and pressing the upload button.
If you're unsure of how to update your printer's firmware, check with its manufacturer.