Save yourself some time
Before the electronics are installed inside the base of the Thingomatic, first upload the latest version of the firmware to your boards. This step will also serve as an electronics power-on test.
Get the ReplicatorG Software
You'll be using the built-in firmware uploader in ReplicatorG to update the firmware on the boards. Once you have ReplicatorG installed, can upgrade to the latest version.
New! Install drivers for Arduino Mega 2560
If you're received a new Arduino Mega2560, the drivers unfortunately do not install automatically the way they usually did for the Arduino Mega 1280.
Take a quick look at your board — it will say "2560" on both sides, and the back has some cool-looking white decoration on it. If that's what you've got, don't fear — you've already downloaded the drivers with ReplicatorG. They're found in the "drivers" folder within the distribution.
Install these like any other driver. On Windows, you can follow the prompts the first time you plug in the Arduino board, or go to your device manager and find the Arduino there (look for a big yellow exclamation point.) Installation will be a bit different on Mac, but you should still have the drivers waiting for you in your ReplicatorG download. We trust you Linux types to figure this out on your own.
Install the Firmware on the MakerBot Motherboard
Prepare the MakerBot Motherboard
Disconnect any other USB serial devices your computer's USB ports. Next, attach the Thingomatic Arduino MEGA to your computer with the USB cable. If you have already created the MakerBot Motherboard v2.4 Stack which locks the Arduino MEGA to the bottom of the MakerBot Motherboard PCB, then you will use the MakerBot Motherboard v2.4 reset button instead of the one on the Arduino MEGA when the directions call for this action. Otherwise the directions for both route are identical.
Installing the firmware
Start ReplicatorG and Select "Machines > Update Firmware…" from the menu.
Select the board and version you're updating.
Please note: that there is a new, separate set of firmware for the Gen4 Motherboard with Arduino 2560.
Select the version of the firmware you'd like to upload.
This should ordinarily be the one with the highest number, which is the latest version.
Select the serial port that represents your Motherboard.
Your Motherboard will appear as a serial port on your computer. Usually this will be the last one listed. The names will vary from platform to platform.
Upload The Firmware
This is the tricky step. Try to press the reset button at the same time as you click the upload button.
Be patient; it may take a minute or two to upload the firmware. If the upload succeeded, you should see a message indicating success. If you see a message indicating failure, try again! Getting the timing of the reset is important; it may take a few tries to get right.
Install the Firmware on the Extruder Controller
Prepare the Extruder Board
Disconnect your MakerBot Motherboard from your computer's USB port. Now, attach the Extruder Controller v3.6 to your computer with the USB cable. You're ready to go!
Installing the firmware
Start ReplicatorG. and Select "Machines > Update Firmware…" from the menu.
Select the board and version you're updating.
Select the version of the firmware you'd like to upload.
This should ordinarily be the one with the highest number, which is the latest version.
Select the serial port that represents your Extruder Controller.
Your Extruder Controller will appear as a serial port on your computer. Usually this will be the last one listed. The names will vary from platform to platform.
Click on the upload button.
You should not have to manually press the reset button on the Extruder Controller.
Be patient; it may take a minute or two to upload the firmware. When you're done, you should see a message indicating success.
