[Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Hi all,
I have been trying Octoprint for some time and damn I was impressed. However, the Pi Zero's lack of performance was much less impressive (Octoprint even recommended against using Pi Zeros due to performance concerns). Therefore, I remixed a popular sleeve case on Thingiverse ( https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2840520 ) to allow you to mount your Pi 3 conveniently a few centimeters on top of the Einsy Rambo board, where the Multi Material Upgrade's Superswitch is supposed to be if you have one.
Sadly, the 5V regulator of the Einsy Rambo is not enough to power Pi 3, and you need an external USB Adapter or 5VDC PSU. I am planning, however, to design a new PSU mount that allows you to integrate a USB output into it (Disclaimer: Don't do something like this if it's illegal in your country or if you do not have sufficient electrical knowledge).
The GPIO connectors are the same on both Pi Zero and Pi 3, so you can easily convert the existing Pi Zero connections. To make the connections, you will need six ~200mm male to female breadboard jumpers. Beware that the Pi 3 is mounted upside down in the case I made, so draw some diagrams to help you if you have trouble visualizing the changes. The GPIO ports you will need are Pins 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 16. Be very careful not to mix them up! You can refer to the pictures of connections I have made on Thingiverse. I also recommend removing the pins of GPIO ports you don't need to avoid damage if you know how to solder.
If you connected the GPIOs and 5V power supply properly, your OctoPi shall run without any problems. The setup process is identical to the Pi Zero. You can even directly transfer your SD card from your Pi Zero to your Pi 3 if you have been using Octoprint before.
Happy printing!
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
I am just about to print a Raspi Case for the MK3. Yours is a big contender - BUT:
- Is there access to the Raspi Camera Port?
- Would it not be nicer to have the case "more to the left edge" when looking from the front - so that it is not in the way of the Extruder Cable bundle?
I really like the idea of using the EINSY connectors. I think I will go the same route.
Right now, this the candidate I am about to print:
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Right now, this the candidate I am about to print:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2799219
This looks like a good model. I think I'm going to print this as well. Do you know what the usb cable from the rpi to the board is for?
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Right now, this the candidate I am about to print:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2799219
This looks like a good model. I think I'm going to print this as well. Do you know what the usb cable from the rpi to the board is for?
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Right now, this the candidate I am about to print:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2799219
This looks like a good model. I think I'm going to print this as well. Do you know what the usb cable from the rpi to the board is for?
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Sadly, the 5V regulator of the Einsy Rambo is not enough to power Pi 3, and you need an external USB Adapter or 5VDC PSU. I am planning, however, to design a new PSU mount that allows you to integrate a USB output into it (Disclaimer: Don't do something like this if it's illegal in your country or if you do not have sufficient electrical knowledge).
Any chance of causing damage to either board with a seperate power on the Pi 3...spike or something like that? I agree that you're configuration is the best setup. Pi Zero is just too slow. Though my personal preference would be to keep the Pi always powered on with it's own power supply. Other than that, is there any real advantage to using GPIO pins over USB connector?
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Sadly, the 5V regulator of the Einsy Rambo is not enough to power Pi 3, and you need an external USB Adapter or 5VDC PSU. I am planning, however, to design a new PSU mount that allows you to integrate a USB output into it (Disclaimer: Don't do something like this if it's illegal in your country or if you do not have sufficient electrical knowledge).
Any chance of causing damage to either board with a seperate power on the Pi 3...spike or something like that? I agree that you're configuration is the best setup. Pi Zero is just too slow. Though my personal preference would be to keep the Pi always powered on with it's own power supply. Other than that, is there any real advantage to using GPIO pins over USB connector?
If you are worried about the 5VDC PSU interfering with the Einsy, you could try disconnecting the 5V header wire between the Einsy and the Pi.
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Right now, this the candidate I am about to print:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2799219
This looks like a good model. I think I'm going to print this as well. Do you know what the usb cable from the rpi to the board is for?
His printer was a mark 2s, so it didn't have GPIOs for RPi. He had to use an USB cable.
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
I am just about to print a Raspi Case for the MK3. Yours is a big contender - BUT:
- Is there access to the Raspi Camera Port?
- Would it not be nicer to have the case "more to the left edge" when looking from the front - so that it is not in the way of the Extruder Cable bundle?
I really like the idea of using the EINSY connectors. I think I will go the same route.
Right now, this the candidate I am about to print:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2799219
I might add a camera port in a later remix, but you can remix the mount so it's offset to the right if you want to; I prefer to have the Pi hanging in the center.
The problem with offsetting this case is that the screw holes on the frame are already offset to the right. Since this case is a one-piece design, the screw holes must be on the side of the case. Offsetting the case on the right means that the screw holes will have to be on the other side of the case, and the case will protrude out of the frame's boundaries, interfering with the X-axis motor.
You could of course turn the case into a two-piece design to allow the screws to be directly under the case, but then it defeats the purpose of this design and you might not be able to make it screwless without some sort of fitting problems.
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
So the idea is to mount the Pi right above the regular motherboard, and use regular jumper wires to connect the more powerful Pi directly to the motherboard, just like a mounted Zero would, but in actuality, above the motherboard box? That's great! I wondered if that would be possible. Curious, though: What's the actual advantage of direct connection vs. simply using the USB interface?
If you can use the USB, seems to me the Pi could be mounted over the power supply instead of the motherboard, and the wires routed over below, which keeps them out of the way of the spiral cable bundle MUCH better.
If there's some big advantage to the direct connection (I'm still learning about all this, as I literally fired up my OctoPi on my B+ for the first time ever tonight), I wonder if the Pi case would be less in the way if it was rotated to be parallel to the frame rather than perpendicular?
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
So the idea is to mount the Pi right above the regular motherboard, and use regular jumper wires to connect the more powerful Pi directly to the motherboard, just like a mounted Zero would, but in actuality, above the motherboard box? That's great! I wondered if that would be possible. Curious, though: What's the actual advantage of direct connection vs. simply using the USB interface?
If you can use the USB, seems to me the Pi could be mounted over the power supply instead of the motherboard, and the wires routed over below, which keeps them out of the way of the spiral cable bundle MUCH better.
If there's some big advantage to the direct connection (I'm still learning about all this, as I literally fired up my OctoPi on my B+ for the first time ever tonight), I wonder if the Pi case would be less in the way if it was rotated to be parallel to the frame rather than perpendicular?
It just a matter of personal preference, I prefer to use the shorter and thinner breadboard wires on the GPIO (the USB connectors are kinda big). You can of course mount it somewhere else and connect it with a USB-A to USB-B cable.
The Pi case is a little bit in the way of the spiral wrap, but it doesn't affect the X axis at all. I have printed some very large objects with it and it's just fine. There is enough clearance for the extruder to maneuver.
The problems with mounting the Pi on the PSU is that there aren't really any mounting holes there. I used the only pair of M4 holes on the back for my 5VDC PSU. You don't want it on the left because it will obstruct the extruder, and you won't want it on the right because the PSU is already hot enough without a Pi blocking its vent holes.
In case you are curious about the 5VDC PSU, I cut open a USB charger and printed a case with the M4 holes for it. Then I wired the AC through the PSU vent holes on the back and connected it to the PSU's AC inlet. Don't do it yourself if you aren't experienced with wiring AC!
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
If there was a photo attached to that post, it doesn't seem to be showing correctly. :/
So there's no advantage to connecting directly via the GPIO wires, other than using a smaller connector? A regular USB connection is 100% as good, wiring aside?
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
So there's no advantage to connecting directly via the GPIO wires, other than using a smaller connector? A regular USB connection is 100% as good, wiring aside?
Just use USB. It works perfectly fine.
I use https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2799219 with a 6" USB cable, and a bed mounted Pi camera, LED Strip lightbars overhead and adding another webcam and there are no issues with it getting in the way or anything.
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
So there's no advantage to connecting directly via the GPIO wires, other than using a smaller connector? A regular USB connection is 100% as good, wiring aside?
Just use USB. It works perfectly fine.
I use https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2799219 with a 6" USB cable, and a bed mounted Pi camera, LED Strip lightbars overhead and adding another webcam and there are no issues with it getting in the way or anything.
That's funny, that's the same case I settled on earlier today, as well. (just now saw your message) 🙂
I've added a Logitech C270 and a Pi camera is coming next, as soon as I settle on a mount. A mount for LED lights is printing as I type this...
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
So there's no advantage to connecting directly via the GPIO wires, other than using a smaller connector? A regular USB connection is 100% as good, wiring aside?
Just use USB. It works perfectly fine.
I use https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2799219 with a 6" USB cable, and a bed mounted Pi camera, LED Strip lightbars overhead and adding another webcam and there are no issues with it getting in the way or anything.
Did octoprint detect both cameras automatically?
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Did octoprint detect both cameras automatically?
Yes and no. So Octoprint only uses 1 camera. BUT you can make it so you can toggle between the two (I can find a guide if you'd like). The thing is, I don't monitor octoprint from its Web interface and instead I use Printoid (I ended up with paid version - so worth it) on my phone and that DOES support accessing both cameras.
Here's what I see through Prointoid:
Other option for 2 cameras is 1 lowres one for streaming, 1 hires one to use for timelapse photos.
One issue I am having is with the 2 lightbars and the heavy Logitech C615 camera hanging from them, they vibrate a lot. I'm probably going to put Pi Cam on top and use the C615 as the bed camera instead.
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Did octoprint detect both cameras automatically?
Yes and no. So Octoprint only uses 1 camera. BUT you can make it so you can toggle between the two (I can find a guide if you'd like). The thing is, I don't monitor octoprint from its Web interface and instead I use Printoid (I ended up with paid version - so worth it) on my phone and that DOES support accessing both cameras.
Here's what I see through Prointoid:
Other option for 2 cameras is 1 lowres one for streaming, 1 hires one to use for timelapse photos.
One issue I am having is with the 2 lightbars and the heavy Logitech C615 camera hanging from them, they vibrate a lot. I'm probably going to put Pi Cam on top and use the C615 as the bed camera instead.
Thanks, does Prointoid work off the octopi install? Sounds like it is worth it. Does octoprint still capture one camera for timelapse as well? Thanks again for sharing.
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Printoid runs on Android phone but just remotely connects to the Octoprint server to manage it.
And yes, Octoprint only captures one camera still.
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
Printoid runs on Android phone but just remotely connects to the Octoprint server to manage it.
And yes, Octoprint only captures one camera still.
Cool thanks!
Re: [Guide] Mounting a Raspberry Pi 3 for Octoprint
On the question, whether there are advantages USB versus a 6 wire (or 5 wire when you omit +5V and feed through USB power) header cable:
It indeed works fine using an USB cable, but given the fact that "future" firmware might do a better job of reacting to power failure and/or switching of the printer, the pins might be essential for that to work. Remember: the serial connection "just" needs and uses pin 8 and 10 (UART: GPIO14, TXD and GPIO15 RXD).
This "leaves" pin 15 and 16 GPIO22 and GPIO23 for other use. I have not found any current documented use of these pins, it was suggested that they indicate "power failure" and "reset" from printer to raspberry pi. This doesn't have to stay that way, Prusa could decide to elaborate this and use these pins in combination with software functionality plugged in to octoprint.
Maybe Prusa can indicate if there is any use for these pins ❓ And/or plans to use these pins ❓
Other pins could even be added, the raspi's I2C on pin 3 and 5 are within reach, just do not know for sure if the Einsy board has those wired up there as well, soe documentation suggests "not". 4 more GPIO pins are available on that 14 pin header: same story though: what is on the Einsy side?
One diagram of Einsy Rambo suggests that pin 9-14 can fuinction as a ICSP for the arduino mega on the einsy board. The same information suggests that the pins where the raspberry has the I2C, there is a 12V on pin 1 (so pin 3 of the pi) as well as a power failure detection on pin2 (pin 5 of the pi).
Without further information from Prusa, it is difficult to say whether "simply connect to USB" is not going to hurt lateron.
Allthough: you could always make / reconnect the 5 pins lateron as and when it happens.