RepRap for Science—How to Use, Design, and Troubleshoot the Self-Replicating 3-D Printer - Open-Source Lab: How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs - page 155

5.3.4 Software sources
There are five software packages you will need to download (three for the firmware and one
each for the printer interface and slicing). All the software is free and open source:
1. Firmware: Marlin. 16
2. Arduino IDE. 17
3. Melzi driver 18 and instructions. 19
4. Printer interface: Pronterface. 20
5. Slicing software: Cura. 21
The primary repository for 3-D printable designs, as of this writing, is Thingiverse, 22 al-
though it should be noted there is an ongoing discussion for making a more appropriate cent-
ral repository of enabling innovation. 23 I keep two collections of designs updated that will be
of most interest to the readers of this topic:
1. Open-source scientific tools. 24
2. Open-source optics. 25
Both collections are growing rapidly. You can also search Thingiverse by keyword, or by
browsing click Explore, Categories, Learning. Unfortunately, as of this writing, Thingiverse
only has learning broken down into the following categories: biology, engineering, math,
physics and astronomy. If there is something that you want to print that is not up yet, please
design it yourself and post it!
5.3.5 Controller board installation
Although, I would strongly recommend that you move your computer to an open-source op-
erating system like Linux (such as Debian 26 or Linux Mint 27 ) and you can also use your RepRap
with a Windows or Apple computer. If you are not using Linux and a package installer to
install Arduino easily, you can download the Arduino integrated development environment
(IDE) for your operating system 28 and follow their Geting Started guide for your operating
system. Once you are able to open the Arduino IDE, download the Melzi driver from the
above link and follow instructions to save the driver in the Arduino folder. Upon restart-
ing the Arduino IDE, the Mighty 1284P 16 MHz using Optiboot should be an option under
Tools → Board. Select it.
For a Linux installation, plug the Melzi board into an available USB port on your computer
using the supplied cable. Install the arduino and arduino-mighty-1284p packages using your
package manager. Upon starting the Arduino IDE, the Mighty 1284P 16 MHz using Optiboot
should be an option under Tools → Board. Select it. 29
For the windows driver installation, plug the Melzi board into an available USB port on
your computer using the supplied cable. If prompted to install a driver, select manual install-
ation and locate the driver in Arduino folder under drivers under “FTDI USB drivers”
For an Applie installation, follow all operating system instructions, no extra driver needed.
Again on any operating system other than Debian, you will need to ensure mighty-1284p
installed, so Arduino will understand the board.
5.3.6 Firmware configuration
The irmware is writen for Arduino and Arduino-based controllers in a programming lan-
guage known as C++ (as discussed in detail in Chapter 4 ). The firmware used for the MOST
RepRap builds is Marlin, available at the link above. To install and configure, do the following: