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Gigabot Firmware Installation

Overview

Installing the correct firmware for your Gigabot is crucial to machine functionality and print quality. The firmware acts as the translator between the hardware and the software for your Gigabot.

This article contains the following sections:

 

Download Firmware Files 

Google Drive download:

If you're directed to Google Drive, just download the Zip or Hex file by clicking on the download button in the top right corner.

GitHub download:

If you're directed to a GitHub release, click on the Source code link beneath the Assets section to download the zip file.

mceclip0.png

 

Your Gigabot model, your Viki Controller version, and your Azteeg version will determine which firmware you will select from the list below.

Select your Gigabot model and download the corresponding firmware version: Terabot | GBX | GB3+ with PRO Controller and Dual Y Limit Switch | GB3+ with PRO Controller | GB3 and GB3+ | GB2 with Filament Detection | GB2 without Filament Detection | GB2 with Viki 1.0

Viki 1.0 Viki 2.0

X3 Controller X3 PRO Controller 

*** Please note: Before updating to the latest firmware, record your X and Y Dual Extrusion calibration numbers (T1X and T1Y values found on the Viki menu - Control -> Motion) to insert into the new firmware. 

- Are there additional features you'd like to see in upcoming firmware versions? Request them here! 

- Have questions about what has changed? Our Firmware Change Log is found here.

 

Terabot:

Terabot X:

Gigabot X

Gigabot 3+ with PRO Controller and Dual Y Limit Switch

Gigabot 3+ with PRO Controller and Single Y Limit Switch

Gigabot 3 and Gigabot 3+

Gigabot 2 with Filament Detection

Gigabot 2 without Filament Detection

(No longer supported) Gigabot 2 with Viki 1.0

Exabot:

 

Upload to Your Gigabot

There two methods of uploading: using Arduino, and using the re:loader tool. The re:loader tool is only available for PC users, and it uses the HEX files above. If you need or want to use Arduino, you will need to download the Zip file of the firmware.

 

Uploading with Arduino:

  1. Once your ZIP file finishes downloading, extract the files.
  2. Open the "Marlin.ino" file with you most recent version of Arduino. The Arduino application will open.
    1. The most recent version of Arduino is 1.8.19, found here: Link
    2. Previous versions of Arduino are found here: Link
  3. In Arduino, add U8glib to Libraries: Arduino -> Sketch -> Include Library -> U8glib
    1. If U8glib is not visible in the menu, go to Sketch -> Include Library -> Manage Libraries.
    2. The Library Manager window should pop up. In the search bar, type "U8glib"
    3. Locate the U8glib library in the search results and select the most recent version from the dropdown. Click Install.
    4. Once installed, close the Library manager and navigate back to Sketch -> Include Library. U8glib should now be selectable.
  4. Connect your Gigabot's USB cable to your computer and power on your Gigabot.
  5. Go to Tools -> Serial Port and choose the COM port your Gigabot is currently using.
  6. Go to Arduino IDE -> Tools -> Board and choose "Arduino Mega or Mega 2560".
  7. IMPORTANT: Clear the controller memory before uploading a new firmware file.
    1. Do this by going to File -> Examples -> scroll down to EEPROM -> select eeprom_clear. A new instance of Arduino will open.
    2. Go to Arduino IDE -> Sketch -> Verify/Compile. When the firmware is successfully compiled, you will receive a message on the bottom of the screen: "Done Compiling" and no errors are indicated.
    3. Click on the "Upload" button. Then power off your Gigabot, and power it back on. The Viki should be blank.
    4. Close out of the clear_eeprom sketch so that you're only in the main firmware sketch.
  8. Go to Arduino IDE -> Sketch -> Verify/Compile. When the firmware is successfully compiled, you will receive a message on the bottom of the screen: "Done Compiling" and no errors are indicated.
  9. If you are having trouble getting it to compile, try downloading the most recent version of the Arduino IDE (1.8.19 at the time of this being written)
  10. If you are still having trouble, copy and paste your error messages and send them to support@re3d.org
  11. In Arduino IDE, click on the "Upload" button. While the new firmware is uploading to your Gigabot, the Tx and Rx lights on the Azteeg X3 will blink. Upon completion of the upload, you will receive a message from Arduino on the bottom of the screen: "Done Uploading" and no errors are indicated. The Viki screen will blink one second while the controller reboots.
  12. You might need to power off your Gigabot and power it back on. You should see the display message on the Viki: "Gigabot Ready."

Uploading HEX files with re:Loader

  1. Use this firmware upload tool and the Hex files above: (reloader.exe)
  2. IMPORTANT: Clear the controller memory before uploading a new firmware hex file. You can clear the controller memory by first uploading this hex file: clear_EEPROM. Once you have cleared the memory, power cycle your Gigabot and upload your new firmware.

 

Upload with Arduino: firmware V4.1.2 and V4.1.3:

  1. Download and unzip the selected firmware version above.
  2. Download and install the latest Arduino software version here.
  3. Connect your Gigabot's USB cable to your computer and power on your Gigabot.
  4. Go to Arduino IDE (the program application, not the firmware folder) -> Tools -> Serial Port and choose the COM port your Gigabot is currently using.
  5. Add Liquid TWI2 to Libraries: Arduino -> Sketch -> Include library -> Add .ZIP library -> Desktop Icon -> Arduino Sketchbook -> Arduino Sketchbook -> Libraries -> LiquidTWI2
  6. Add U8 Glib to Libraries: Arduino -> Sketch -> Include library -> Add .ZIP library -> Desktop Icon -> Arduino Sketchbook -> Arduino Sketchbook -> Libraries -> U8 Glib
  7. If you can't find the above libraries, continue on and try compiling without them.
  8. Go to Arduino IDE -> Tools -> Board and choose "Arduino Mega 2560".
  9. IMPORTANT: Clear the controller memory before uploading a new firmware file.
    1. Do this by going to File -> Examples -> scroll down to EEPROM -> select eeprom_clear
    2. Click on the "Upload" button. Then power off your Gigabot, and power it back on. The Viki should be blank.
  10. In Arduino IDE, go to File -> Open -> Marlin -> Marlin.ino (Browse for the Gigabot firmware version 4.1.2 or 4.1.3 you downloaded above.)
  11. Go to Arduino IDE -> Sketch -> Verify/Compile. When the firmware is successfully compiled, you will receive a message on the bottom of the screen: "Done Compiling" and no errors are indicated.
  12. If you are having trouble getting it to compile, download and unzip Arduino Sketchbook to your computer, then go back to step 5 and 6 to add the new libraries using the add .ZIP
  13. If you are having trouble getting it to compile, try downloading Arduino version 1.8.8
    1. Previous versions of Arduino are found here: Link
  14. If you are still having trouble, copy and paste your error messages and send them to support@re3d.org
  15. After successfully compiling the firmware, click on the "Upload" button. While the new firmware is uploading to your Gigabot, the Tx and Rx lights on the Axteeg X3 will blink. Upon completion of the upload, you will receive a message from Arduino on the bottom of the screen: "Done Uploading" and no errors are indicated. The Viki screen will blink one second while the controller reboots.
  16. You might need to power off your Gigabot and power it back on. You should see the display message on the Viki: "Gigabot Ready."

Upload with Arduino: V3.52

  1. Download and install the Arduino software version 1.6.6.
  2. Download and unzip Arduino Sketchbook to your computer.
  3. Connect your Gigabot's USB cable into your computer and power on your Gigabot.
  4. Open Arduino and go to File-> Preferences. Under "Sketchbook Location" click on Browse. Navigate to the Arduino Sketchbook folder you unzipped above. Click on the unzipped Arduino Sketchbook folder and click "Open". The file path displayed should end in "Arduino Sketchbook". Click OK, exit out of Arduino, and restart Arduino.
  5. Add Liquid TWI2 to Libraries: Arduino -> Sketch -> Include library -> Add .ZIP library -> Desktop Icon -> Arduino Sketchbook -> Arduino Sketchbook -> Libraries -> LiquidTWI2
    1. *NOTE*: Some versions of Arduino do not list this -- you can find it here: Link to Liquid TWI2
  6. Add U8 Glib to Libraries: Arduino -> Sketch -> Include library -> Add .ZIP library -> Desktop Icon -> Arduino Sketchbook -> Arduino Sketchbook -> Libraries -> U8 Glib
  7. Verify the Libraries were added as shown in the picture below:

 Library.jpg

  1. Go to Arduino -> Tools -> Board and choose "Arduino Mega 2560."
  2. Go to Arduino -> Tools -> Serial Port and choose the COM port your Gigabot is currently using.
  3. In Arduino, go to File -> Open -> Marlin -> Marlin.ino (Browse for the Gigabot firmware version 3.1 or 3.3 you downloaded above.)
  4. Go to Arduino -> Sketch -> Verify/Compile. When the firmware is successfully compiled, you will receive a message on the bottom of the screen: "Done Compiling" and no errors are indicated.
  5. Connect your Gigabot's USB cable to your computer and power on your Gigabot.
  6. In Arduino, click on the "Upload" button. While the new firmware is uploading to Gigabot, the Tx and Rx lights on the Axteeg X3 will blink. Upon completion of the upload, you will receive a message from Arduino on the bottom of the screen: "Done Uploading" and no errors are indicated. The Viki screen will blink one second while the controller reboots.
  7. You should see the display message on the Viki: "Gigabot Ready."
  8. You can now connect via Pronterface following the instructions here.

 Questions or concerns? Reach out to our support team at support@re:3D.org or open a support ticket. 

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