Something people forgot about 3D printer design is just how many THINGS went into early 3D printer hardware.
The early Reprap hardware was comprised of at least 8...10 discrete hardware devices, all speaking RS485 at each other. The Generation 3 (first MakerBot generation) hardware required a separated, feedback-enabled stepper driver for each axis including extruder.
The early Reprap hardware was comprised of at least 8...10 discrete hardware devices, all speaking RS485 at each other. The Generation 3 (first MakerBot generation) hardware required a separated, feedback-enabled stepper driver for each axis including extruder.