For any DIY 3D printer enthusiast, the controller board is the brain of the operation. The GalaxyElec RAMPS 1.4 (RepRap Arduino Mega Pololu Shield) is a classic, highly popular board designed to house all the necessary electronics for a RepRap-style 3D printer on one compact shield. It’s a go-to choice for new builds, repairs, and educational projects due to its open-source nature, extensive documentation, and incredible affordability.
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Brand
This controller board is offered by GalaxyElec, a professional distributor of electronic components. They emphasize that to ensure product reliability and customer support, purchases should be made directly from them, as other sellers may not be reliable. They are committed to customer satisfaction and encourage buyers to reach out with any questions.
Basic Product Information
- Product Name: GalaxyElec RAMPS 1.4 3D Printer Control Panel
- Compatibility: Designed for RepRap, Mendel, Prusa, and other DIY 3D printer builds.
- Shipping: Standard delivery is 7-18 days for the USA and 8-25 days worldwide. An expedited DHL service (3-7 days) is also available for urgent needs.
- Seller Guarantee: Sold exclusively by the GalaxyElec brand to ensure authenticity and quality.
- Price: ~$10.99 (Please check the latest price on Amazon as it may vary).
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Buyer Guide: 3D Printer Controller Boards
When selecting a controller board for your 3D printer, consider the following factors to ensure you make the right choice for your project:
- Compatibility: Ensure the board is compatible with your printer frame (e.g., RepRap, Prusa) and the firmware you plan to use (e.g., Marlin, Repetier).
- Expandability: Look for extra pins and ports for future upgrades like dual extruders, bed leveling sensors, or LCD screens. The RAMPS 1.4 is well-known for its expansion capabilities.
- Power Handling: Check the board’s capacity to handle the current required for your heated bed and hotend. A robust power design prevents component failure.
- Driver Sockets: Sockets for stepper motor drivers (like A4988 or DRV8825) are crucial as they allow for easy replacement and upgrades without soldering.
- Community Support: Boards like RAMPS 1.4 have extensive documentation and a large online community, which is invaluable for troubleshooting and finding guides.
Real-World User Experience
The GalaxyElec RAMPS 1.4 is generally well-regarded by the DIY 3D printing community, especially as a reliable and cost-effective solution for repairs or budget builds. Many users have successfully used it to resurrect older printers where the original control board failed. A key highlight mentioned in reviews is the board’s robust power management, particularly the separate, fused power input for the heated bed. This design choice directly addresses a common failure point in other boards where the high current for the bed can cause components to overheat and fail.
While it is a powerful tool, it’s not a simple ‘plug-and-play’ device. Success with the RAMPS 1.4 requires a willingness to learn and tinker. Users point out that there is a learning curve associated with configuring and flashing firmware like Marlin. However, the vast amount of online documentation and tutorials makes this process manageable even for determined beginners. It’s an older 8-bit technology, so while it’s perfect for standard printers, those seeking high-speed or complex printing might eventually look towards more modern 32-bit controllers.
As user ‘Jim’ noted, “Good, inexpensive RAMPS shield… The original and the next replacement… both suffered from the heated bed MOSFET desoldering itself from the board. This board with it’s separate power input for the heated bed will fix that problem for good. Works perfectly with Marlin.”
Another ‘Amazon Customer’ shared, “Worked fine, a lot of information online to set up if you are unfamiliar. I ended up upgrading to a 32bit board shortly after because these are a bit outdated. but for a standard 3d printer this works great.”
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable Solution: This board is an incredibly inexpensive way to get a 3D printer running or to repair an older machine. For many builders, it’s a budget-friendly lifesaver that delivers solid performance without a high price tag.
- Reliable Power Design: From real-world experience, users consistently praise the separate power input for the heated bed. This thoughtfully engineered feature prevents the common issue of the MOSFET overheating, which is a major point of failure on many other budget boards.
- Excellent Community Support: As one of the original RepRap boards, the RAMPS 1.4 has a massive amount of documentation, video tutorials, and forum posts online. If you run into a problem, it’s almost certain someone else has already solved it and shared the solution.
- Highly Customizable: The board is a tinkerer’s dream. It’s compatible with the highly versatile Marlin firmware and has numerous pins for expansion, allowing you to add features like auto bed leveling, filament runout sensors, and more.
Cons:
- Outdated Technology: At its core, this is an 8-bit controller powered by an Arduino Mega. While it works perfectly for standard printing, it lacks the processing power for the complex calculations needed for high-speed printing or advanced features like linear advance, which modern 32-bit boards handle with ease.
- Requires Technical Skill: This is not a product for someone looking for a simple, out-of-the-box experience. You’ll need to be comfortable with wiring, compiling and flashing firmware, and basic electronic troubleshooting to get it working correctly.
- No Onboard Drivers: You must purchase and install the stepper motor drivers (e.g., A4988s) separately. While this adds modularity, it’s an extra step and small additional cost that isn’t required with some all-in-one boards.
Conclusion
The GalaxyElec RAMPS 1.4 controller board remains a titan in the world of DIY 3D printing for a reason. While it may not have the raw processing power of its 32-bit successors, its simple, robust design and incredible affordability make it an outstanding choice. It is the perfect heart for a first-time printer build, a reliable replacement part for a workhorse machine, or a fantastic educational tool for learning the ins and outs of 3D printer electronics. Its modularity and the colossal amount of community support ensure that you’re never truly on your own during setup and troubleshooting.
If you’re looking for a no-frills, dependable, and highly customizable controller that gets the job done without breaking the bank, the RAMPS 1.4 is an unbeatable value. This product is a popular choice, and stock can be limited. We recommend checking out this month’s promotion to secure one for your project before they’re gone. It’s a small investment for a component that has powered countless creations in the 3D printing community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What firmware is compatible with the RAMPS 1.4 board?
The RAMPS 1.4 is most commonly used with the Marlin firmware due to its extensive feature set and strong community support. It is also compatible with other open-source firmware like Repetier and Sprinter.
Do I need a separate Arduino board for the RAMPS 1.4?
Yes, the RAMPS 1.4 is a ‘shield’ that is designed to plug directly on top of an Arduino Mega 2560 board. The Arduino Mega acts as the main processor, and the RAMPS board handles the power distribution and connections for the motors, heaters, and sensors.
What kind of stepper motor drivers can I use with this board?
The board has five sockets designed for common plug-in stepper drivers. The most popular choices are the A4988 and DRV8825 drivers. Other drivers with the same standard pinout are also compatible.
Can the RAMPS 1.4 support a dual extruder setup?
Yes, the RAMPS 1.4 board provides all the necessary connections to support a second extruder. It has a port for a second hotend heater (E1), a second thermistor input, and a socket for a fifth stepper driver to control the second extruder motor.
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