Download the Correct Firmware

Please see solution article for getting the correct firmware: Which Firmware Version do I Need for My Creatr Printer?


Downloading Arduino 1.0.6

Before uploading the firmware, you will need to download the Arduino software. More specifically, you MUST use an older version of Arduino (version 1.0.6.).


Because this has been such a problem with customers not reading this article carefully, we've tried to limit confusion by providing the following links to the download locations only for Arduino 1.0.6. Please click one of the following links based on the PC's operating system:

Windows - Installer (.EXE file) - Arduino 1.0.6

Windows - ZIP for non admin install - Arduino 1.0.6


MacOS - Arduino 1.0.6


Linux - 32-bits - Arduino 1.0.6

Linux - 64 bits - Arduino 1.0.6


If the links fails (since the links are controlled by Arduino's website), you can access Arduino's page that contains these links here:

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/OldSoftwareReleases#previous


Again, if you DO have to visit this site, PLEASE remember to only use 1.0.6 links:

(This image might become outdated if Arduino changes their website format. The point is to only download version 1.0.6.)


Setting Up Arduino


1) Start by connecting the printer to the computer through USB.

 
2) Then open the Arduino software.


3) Next, you will have to choose the correct Serial Port number for the printer. This COM port varies depend on the OS; the correct number for the serial port is the highest number you find available. So if you have for example COM 1 and COM 45 the correct one is COM 45.


4) Choose "Arduino Mega 2560 or Mega ADK" under the Board sub-menu:


5) Choose the "AVRISP mkII" under the Programmer sub-menu:


Opening the Firmware and Setting Your Current X and Y Offsets


1) Go to the sub-menu FILE -> OPEN and search for the firmware folder. In that folder, select the file called: {YOUR_FIRMWARE-NAME}.ino or {YOUR_FIRMWARE-NAME}.pde. 


In the example below, the correct file has the name: Creatr_SW_V1_00.ino:



2) When the firmware opens, choose the "Configuration.h" tab, and scroll down until you see the defining of EXTRA_X_OFFSET and EXTRA_Y_OFFSET:

The default values for the X and Y offset for any Creatr printer are X33.0 Y0.0. The offset tells the printer what necessary values to calculate for YOUR SPECIFIC printer so that one extruder will print directly on top of the other extruder's layer when printing with dual extruders. IF you have a single extruder printer, you do not need to do the next step; you can leave the default values. 

To enter the values, find the sticker (usually located on the bottom of the printer near the front):


(NOTE: The picture above has a random value; please do not input this value in your printer. Input the values written on the sticker found under your printer.)


Replace the default offsets in Arduino with the values written on YOUR printer's sticker.


If you cannot find the sticker, just keep the default values for now. However, after completing this process, please follow the link below and see how to adjust the offset values:
How to Calibrate the Offset for Your Creatr Dual Hot Ends

Uploading and Testing the Firmware


 1) Flash the firmware by press the Upload button, and the firmware should start flashing (uploading) onto the motherboard:

You will see a message telling you the the upload was complete (near the bottom of that same window).


2) Finally, try to connect to your 3D slicing software's printer controls and test the functionality of the printer:

  • Home All
  • Preheat both extruders and the bed
  • Move the X, Y, and Z individually
  • (Once preheated) Extrude some filament from both extruders (even if you do not have filament loaded, you're still just testing the motors on the filament drive units)

Contact Leapfrog Technical Support via the ticketing system if you have questions or difficulty regarding this process.

We thank you for checking out our Leapfrog 3D Printer technical support solutions online! If you were unable to fine a solution in our database, please feel free to open a new support ticket by clicking the following link: I want to open a new support ticket.