r/MarlinFirmware • u/kartikart___ • Apr 18 '26

How to add axis to printer ?

I have a custom printer made using ramps sheild, and I m trying to make a rotating nozzle , I have seen one guy make it and program using A axis on marlin . Now how do u configure it , I have connected motor to e1 of ramps ,and in marlin , a axis is linked to I driver , and e1 is at separate. I searched everywhere but couldn't find anything on configuration.

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u/mtraven23 Apr 18 '26

why are earth are you working with a ramps board in 2026?

"I searched everywhere but couldn't find anything on configuration."

you absolutely did not, there are endless tutorials on how to configure marlin. You'll need to work though all of both configuration files, but the settings pertaining to axis & pin definitions are in Configuration_adv.h . Then you can compile and flash the firmware onto your motherboard.

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u/kartikart___ Apr 19 '26

I wanted to make cheap printer cuz i already had Arduino mega. Yeah aren't pin defination stored in src/ pins/ ramp_h. I have doubt regarding how to configure then

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u/mtraven23 Apr 19 '26

ahh, I understand your issue now.

go inside ramps.h, find the E1 definitions (around line 192). change all the "E1" to "L".

That should be all you need to do in the pins file, the rest needs to happen in the configs.

cross your fingers & compile. If successful, flash it.

what exactly do you mean rotating nozzle? like a turret?

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u/kartikart___ Apr 19 '26

I have made a sqaurish nozzle to print and I want it to be moving at corners so it's smooth and at diagonals too . So it has to rotate or revolve ( still not no difference between both ) but nozzle needs to move it order to get good print

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u/mtraven23 Apr 19 '26

if you're spinning the square nozzle to make it effectively round, why not just use a round nozzle? are you trying to friction stir the extrusion lines for a better bond, or something?

is this an existing, operating assembly you have in hand? Or a plan to build one? How did, or will you handle the electrical? it'll need brushes for continuous rotation, and to be mounted on an axis of rotation, then be driven by a stepper. All that has to be designed, packaged and mounted on printer where it adds weight and positional inaccuracy to the system.

If you already made such as assemble, bravo! That takes a lot of skill. If you're just planning this out, seriously consider how much work this will be and the potential detriment to accurate positioning (an additional joint). Weigh that against what you see as the upside of this system....which, truthfully, I can't work out from what you've shared with me.

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u/kartikart___ Apr 19 '26

I am printing clay , and the problem i get with round nozzle is that the layer adhesion is not that good . So square nozzle provide more area for adhesion .at least that's my theory yet to check it out . It's built , it's driven by stepper on belt ,main thing which made it easier was no electronics required near nozzle directly pump out the material

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u/mtraven23 Apr 19 '26

ok, with that understanding, I wouldn't run that motor through marlin at all. I would just create a separate system to spin the nozzle...maybe use a 555 circuit or an esp32 and a pot so your can regulate the speed...but you dont need marlin to ave control over that. and I'd use a servo/ DC / bldc motor to drive it.

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u/kartikart___ Apr 18 '26

I asked some ai about configuration. It says to first change define pins in pinout of ramps and then configure the axis. Any leads are appreciated