I would like to initiate prints remotely, and have almost completed the set-up to do that. if anybody has knowledge of the “confirm button” connections (OR, better yet, a basic electrical schematic of the Formlabs 1+, OR EVEN BETTER the manufactuer and part number of the button (really only need the schematic of the button, itself)) that would save some testing and fooling around. ALSO OF CONCERN is if this button assembly is entirely digital / electronic and it sends a signal to other components in the printer, and thus would not even respond to (or worse get damaged by) a dry contact closure across two of its terminals. This paranoia is why I am posting this question on the board.
Application: Medical modeling - preparing the anatomical segmentation in my “spare time” at home, then drop-boxing it to the office computer driving the Formlabs 1+ and initiating the typically 5 hour print so that it is ready when I get to the office the next morning.
Have set up login with a remote desktop application and a webcam to make sure the platform is in place. But that does not solve the need to “push the button”. So, have set up a mechanical relay that i can actuate through remote desktop. The final challenge is to connect the relay contacts across the correct terminals on the “confirm” button.
Here is a closeup of the connections on that button:
You can see the wires are red, yellow, black, and grey.
So, my question is: does anybody know the correct terminals to create a parallel connection between the dry contact closure of the relay and the actual contact closure that occurs when you confirm your print (without any damage or other undesirable effect on the printer)?
Incidentally, i talked to Formlabs support regarding whether or not this would void the warranty. They said that as long as the modification is reversible, no problem. They acknowledged that alligator clips or other mechanical connector would be permissible, but soldering would not (warranty-wise).
I’ll take a stab. Maybe Orange/Grey run the light, and Black/Yellow are the switch. I base all this on the fact there is an unused terminal and what I think it is for. SO now you need to test…
First, disconnect a wire, let’s say orange. I recommend doing that with the printer unplugged to protect against bumping another terminal. Then plug it in and see if the light is non-working, or if the button-press is non-working. I am guessing the light. Then disconnect the grey. If the button still works, you just disconnected the two light wires. If that is true, you now know which pair powers the light, and which pair makes the connection when pressed. Hack away.
CLEARLY I don’t know how the wires are paired, I am guessing. But using this method you should be able to figure out how they are paired. If you figure it out, please post.
Your post just gave me a thought. The fact that there is an unused terminal implies that the switch assembly is an “off-the-shelf” product, not a custom part ordered by Formlabs. Therefore, better probability of finding the specs / pin-out / schematic of the switch module. Will try that avenue first, then if dead-end, will start disconnecting and testing per your post. Thanks!
You need to sort out what 2 wires are for the led and what are for the contacts. Then you need to make a deviation of those lines to a relay. Use a arduino or similar to actuate the relay that will simulate the same operation as pressing the button.
Do you have a multimeter?
I’d unhook everything and try connecting to each terminal with the meter set to resistance or continuity. Check each pair while the button is pressed and while not. The pair that has a difference between being pressed and not pressed is the pair to connect the relay across.
