Simple Metal Help needed

[critical1]

Hi All,
I'm new to Printrbot and have a Printrbot Simple Metal, I'm wondering if I need to update the firmware and if so how and to what version, I'm on a Mac but not sure as if I need to update the firmware or not. Any advice would be most welcome.

Simple Metal with what looks like Version 1
One entering M115 I get the reply: READ: FIRMWARE_NAME: Marlin V1 FIRMWARE_URL: https://github. com/Printrbot/Marlin/PROTOCOL_VERSION: 1.0 MACHINE_TYPE: Printrbot Simple

On entering M105 I receive
Stored settings retrieved READ: echo:Steps per unit: Steps per unit: READ: echo: M92 X80.00 Y80.00 Z2020.00 E96.00 M92 X80.00 Y80.00 Z2020.00 E96.00 READ: echo:Maximum feedrates (mm/s): Maximum feedrates (mm/s): READ: echo: M203 X125.00 Y125.00 Z5.00 E14.00 M203 X125.00 Y125.00 Z5.00 E14.00 READ: echo:Maximum Acceleration (mm/s2): Maximum Acceleration (mm/s2): READ: echo: M201 X2000 Y2000 Z30 E10000 M201 X2000 Y2000 Z30 E10000 READ: echo:Acceleration: S=acceleration, T=retract acceleration Acceleration: S=acceleration, T=retract acceleration READ: echo: M204 S3000.00 T3000.00 M204 S3000.00 T3000.00 READ: echo:Advanced variables: S=Min feedrate (mm/s), T=Min travel feedrate (mm/s), B=minimum segment time (ms), X=maximum XY jerk (mm/s), Z=maximum Z jerk (mm/s), E=maximum E jerk (mm/s) Advanced variables: S=Min feedrate (mm/s), T=Min travel feedrate (mm/s), B=minimum segment time (ms), X=maximum XY jerk (mm/s), Z=maximum Z jerk (mm/s), E=maximum E jerk (mm/s) READ: echo: M205 S0.00 T0.00 B20000 X20.00 Z0.40 E5.00 M205 S0.00 T0.00 B20000 X20.00 Z0.40 E5.00 READ: echo:Home offset (mm): Home offset (mm): READ: echo: M206 X0.00 Y0.00 Z0.00 M206 X0.00 Y0.00 Z0.00 READ: echo:PID settings: PID settings: READ: echo: M301 P22.20 I1.08 D114.00 M301 P22.20 I1.08 D114.00 READ: echo:Min position (mm): Min position (mm): READ: echo: M210 X0.00 Y0.00 Z0.00 M210 X0.00 Y0.00 Z0.00 READ: echo:Max position (mm): Max position (mm): READ: echo: M211 X152.00 Y152.00 Z152.00 M211 X152.00 Y152.00 Z152.00 READ: echo:Bed probe offset (mm): Bed probe offset (mm): READ: echo: M212 X20.00 Y0.00 Z0.00 M212 X20.00 Y0.00 Z0.00 READ: ok

What would you suggest?

[RetireeJay]

Are you having a problem? Like the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Printrbots very rarely require having their firmware re-flashed or upgraded.

Valid reasons for re-flashing:
(1) Truly flaky behavior that absolutely cannot be traced to mechanical or electrical faults
(2) There's a feature that you know is implemented in a different version of the firmware but not in yours.
(3) You were shipped a firmware version that doesn't match your printer.

[critical1]

Thank you RetireeJay for your comprehensive reply.

[cbxbiker61]

There's actually one more reason to upgrade. The newer firmware works better. A person has to realize that software progress is made over a sequence of years. Over that sequence of years the programmers learn how to do things better and more efficiently. For example does the old firmware have over-temp protection? In my mind that is an essential feature for anyone intending to run their printer overnight/unattended. Movement algorithms and such get better, for example linear-advance.

I'm not suggesting everyone update their firmware, but for those of you who don't see it as a daunting task, it's worth the effort. My firmware, which is linked on this site, is significantly better than anything shipped by PrintrBot for the Simple Metal.

[critical1]

Thank you cbxbiker61 for your informative reply.
Would you mind posting the link to your file, I am wary that I may totally mess things up, is there a remedy if I fail to install your Firmware, can I revert to the original? I'm no expert I'm using a Mac.

Thanking you

[cbxbiker61]

viewtopic.php?f=115&t=11462

Read through that thread and see if you feel comfortable with it. You can ask questions on that thread. If you use the pre-compiled firmware you need to have a heated bed and a metal hot-end.