Further hacking work went to step were I had to find how firmware uses cartridges memories. So I check possible text outputs and I have found:
Especially this one: “UpdateCartridgeQntCheckPresent: eWriteCartridgeStatus=%i” was very promising. Actually all this logs was also visible via UART terminal.
So when I went to function which called this log file, I was sure that one of the called functions there do a memory writing magic:
To understand how reading and writing to secured memory is working I read carefully (few times 🙂 ) documentation for DS1963S:
It was very hard but crucial to find all responsible functions used during writing of current quantity. Generally printer is using 2 banks of cartridge memory, both have 32 bytes length. Bank 0 consist information about material type, material color and max amount of cartridge. All of this information is additionally secured with special checksum. Bank 1 have only information about current quantity status.
It took me around 1 month to find how to read cartridges memories, 1 week more to find how to write them and 2 month more to find how to calculate checksum. Finally I have constructed ReCube v1, special tool to “refill” Cube3 cartridges:
This small “stick” is based on Arduino Nano and is able to “refill” fully cartridge with just 1-click or much more via UART console. Some short movie showing enhanced possibilities of this device you can find here:
I decided to share Light version of this device and you can find it here: RecubeV1
In given zip you have all needed files, binaries together with KiCad project for PCB board and STL file for cover.
Read carefully Readme.txt file 😉 and if you like it do not forget to donate. Paypal Link: Tomuro
Here is schematic:
And part list:
R1, R2 – 1k
R3 – 100k
R4 – 4,7k
D3 – LSG_T670
SW1 – micro, tact switch SMD 2,5 mm
There is a cut trace and a zero ohm resistor/jumper in the image above. Is this an update from the board layout? Also, cannot find a parts list; I see 2x 200ohm resistors, a 4.7K resistor, and I can’t read the 4th. Source for switch and dual led (for others)? I’m using ViewMate 11 so it will not pull in the whole PCB that I know of. It does read in the Gerber file, though. This gets me enough to make a schematic.
I am assuming I can just hardwire these additional components directly to the Nano and save a board build. Are you using an official Arduino Nano V3 p/n A000005? Have you tested any of the “compatibles”?
Cut trace is because my Arduino board was broken when I de-solder original gold-pins so it is some kind of workaround. Binary file in zip file is prepared for schematic in KiCad project. I updated post, there is already part list and schematic.
Actually my version of Nano is Chinese clone which is using CH-340 fur USB to UART conversion, but I have tested it on original one.
Many thanks! 🙂
This is VERY useful Tomuro!
I see in the README the listing for material type and material color, but in material type there’s no entry for Infinity Rinse? (there’s InfinityRinse in the color type…why?)
I have taken material types dissasembling application Cube Print, and I didn’t remember if there were such material type, maybe it was some oversight. If I find it I will add it to application.
“I have taken material types dissasembling application Cube Print, and …”
You are saying all these material types and colors were listed in the Cube 3 application code?
I know a lot of this is Cube|Pro related but I find it interesting that all these registers were reserved long ago by 3D Systems. Many of those colors never made it to the Cube 3 palette. Today, the palette is reduced even more. Kudo’s for taking the time to find them all!
My Nano is on the way. This will be interesting. I have Cube 3’s with the firmware “upgrade” that are running 100% cartridges. I suspect they have filled the write buffers and no longer care if the cartridge reads 100% or not. Zero% still fails, of course.
Thanks again, Tomuro!
Ok I check it and there is only lack of enum in description 4-means infinity rinse. It even already implemented, so there will be those enums:
0 = PLA
1 = ABS
2 = NYLON
3 = EKO
4 = INF
5 = WUD
6 = FLX
7 = MET
Thank you, I got an Anrduino board so I’ll test this weekend and let you know!
Well, IT WORKS! Wonderful job Tomuro!
I had to fiddle a little with the Arduino USB drivers for Win7, they refused to install automatically when I installed the Arduino IDE so I had to manually force the 3 parts; then I flashed the ino.hex from the command line; after that I used the serial interface with the commands in the readme to read a chip I knew it was at 0 -zero- Black ABS. It said 0 in the % read command, and a number in the number read command. So, I issued the set % command at 99, and returned 0 errors, then I inserted the cartridge in my Cube and it read 98!(that’s close enough!!)
I know that maybe interface is not perfect, because it was planned that there will be additional application for settings managemen so I used CmdMessenger library from Arduino. But as you already proved it is not a fake 🙂
You don’t sell it
Actually it was plan, but it doesn’t have sense because of cost of transportation 🙁
You could do a refill chip service. We send you our chip and you fill it at 99% and then you resend it to us
Check a price of transport to Poland and back, if it is ok for you we can do that way.
Maybe this will help; ReCube Arduino NANO Shield.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wmi2VAhf2EAHj4sy7
Faithful to Version 2 of ReCube Light.
These are my first run prototypes.
I don’t envision any changes.
I’ve put the first recube light wand up on ebay; search “recube light” while the auction is active. I’ll add more as Nano’s are delivered. More information on the print3dforum “Building Tomuro’s Circuit”.
I coulden’t open the download link (it automatically redirected to http://threadsphere.bid/-1ZPXD/1o9ihC?rndad=2429182765-1521568765 and nothing happend). Could you send it to my e-mail? Thank you a lot.
In right up corner you will have “Please wait…” with counting down, when counting finish you will have “Skip Ad”. Please click it and you will be redirected to download link.
My Ekocycle Pro breadboard version using an Elegoo nano clone with their CH-340 USB driver is working fine! I’ve used it with Windows 7 and 8.1.
Ekocycle is very limited as to material (one: a PETG + soda bottle concoction) and colors (three: red, white and natural).
So I’m (im-)patiently awaiting the grand improvement that may be able to convert cartridges.
;o)
Nice work, Tomuro! Thank you for doing this.
Hi will this work with the ekocycle printer?, if it works can i use normal pla on it?, how much will it cost me one dongle to Mexico?
Hi so currently I have working version with Ekocycle cartridges. Regarding work with normal PLA it is rather not possible, but ReCube pro version is able to change cartridge memory of Cube3 printer to Ekocycle and back. I know that there is also possibility to change Ekocycle printer firmware to Cube 3, so your printer will work as Cube3. Regarding sending dongles, I do not offer that because of parcel costs from Poland, but I offer my help when you mount dongle by yourself. It is very easy construction based on Arduino Nano, if you have any other I am able to prepare firmware for other Arduino board.
Hi Tomuro, I have an Ekocycle that I have modified the firmware to no longer update the percentage remaining in the cartridge, but what you just said intrigues me. How can I turn my ekocycle into a cube3 with the firmware?
This was taken from :
http://www.print3dforum.com/archive/index.php/t-1237.html
———————————
Here’s how to switch Ekocycle to Cube 3:
http://www.print3dforum.com/showthread.php/900-Cube3-Filament-*SOFTWARE*-Hack-is-here!!!?p=43833&viewfull=1#post43833
In the description,
flash drive #1 will contain the “ekocycle V1.05.ar” file,
and
flash drive #2 will contain the “cube V1.14B.ar” file (either stock, or modified) renamed to “ekocycle V1.05.ar”
Be aware that when the firmware upgrade process reaches 100%, the machine will turn off and look like it is dead for about 20 seconds (don’t do anything, just wait!) – then it will power up as a Cube 3.
The process to modify the “cube V1.14B.ar” file to prevent updating the cartridge “% used” starts here:
http://www.print3dforum.com/showthread.php/900-Cube3-Filament-*SOFTWARE*-Hack-is-here!!!
—-
Good luck.
there should be a way to stop the machine from caring about that chip in the first place isn’t it?
so that it doesn’t either read or write tot he chip
like some kind of firmware hack or something
Yes it shall be possible to hack firmware to do not read cartridge at all.
Tomuro,
I have followed your hard work with great interest and will gladly support your work.
I have a CubePro Trio and now that it is discontinued, need a solution for using bulk filaments.
I would be happy to test your Beta version if that woud help. … all I need to know is how to back up the existing firmware because it does work.
The machine has bee used extensively and I am happy with it. It does have some “quirks”, but does the job.
Please let me know how to help.
Have a Safe Day,
David Cowden
VP Engineering
Technology Resources, Inc.
cell: (707) 889-2385
email: dctech19@earthlink.net
—————————————————————————————
Does it work with Cube trio?
If cartridge for Cube trio is same like Cube Pro then it shall work. If not I need firmware for Cube trio to get secure code from it.
Interesting finding regarding bootloaders…
All the NANO’s received to date have had old bootloaders according to Arduino IDE.
These NANO’s have had ReCube Light loaded using a 57600 baud rate in the batch file when the bootloader is set to “old bootloader” in Arduino IDE.
Today I got 5 more NANO’s that have a current bootloader on them. Uploading a test program from Arduino IDE worked fine using the current bootloader setting but the ReCube Light batch file failed to connect the ISP. Turns out the baud rate in the batch file has to be set to 115200 baud. That alone solved my issues today. I did learn that the Serial Comm has to be set to 115200 in either case. Other settings for the serial monitor baud rate produces Gibberish.
I also made a big dumb mistake… Considering ReCube Pro can change Cube2 chips to supported Cube3, Ekocycle, and CubePro/CubeX printers, you cannot go backwards to Cube2. I suspect an attempt to refill Cube2 chips will simply hose the functionality of the chip. I only have one good Cube2 chip right now so I don’t even want to try this. If I ever get another Cube2 harvest cartridge, I’ll test this to make sure.
Live and learn 🙂
I am able to provide functionality for cube2, but I need some data from cartridge and secret code. I need to check firmware from Cube2 if there is some information available.
I am not sure Cube2 support is all that important at this stage of the Cubify story.
I retracted the Cube and Cube2 support and contacted the buyers to make sure they understood my error. There is no call for this at the moment.
But for completeness, these are the reading I get from the chip:
[2,0] 36, 31, 33, 38, 34, 31, 36, 35, 32, 4b, 53, 00, 31, 31, 31, 32, 31, 39, 31, 32, 10, f4, 01, 00, 96, b6, 0a, 23, 00, 00, 00, 00;
[6,0] 2f1c95de000000fa;
cartridge number: 350168 (likely Cube original, not Cube2) ABS TAN
Cube and Cube2 cartridges are probably interchangeable like the CubePro and CubeX chips are.
And of course, anything one needs for a Cubify file of all kinds, they are almost certainly to be found here: http://cubify.s3.amazonaws.com/ …just add the path and filename to the root address.
do you think it would be possible to develop something like this for projet 1200? Or do you think this device could work on projet 1200 cartridges?
Regards
I wanted to add another huge ‘Thank You’ directed to Tomuro for his generous sharing of the ReCube Light code. I have been offering ReCube Light Wands on eBay for much of this year. At 100 pieces, this special offer will end. I sincerely hope that Tomuro has benefited with sufficient Pro upgrade sales to help make this effort worthwhile.
FWIW – I am in discussions to continue this offering through another party.
Thank you all that have helped, purchased, or otherwise contributed to this endeavor.
I don’t know if you ever thought about creation this tool for another printer? Seems that I have found secure key for ProJet 1200 but unfortunately I have no possibility to test it, I have no cartridge or memory available. I need memory banks information from memory to prepare special ReCube version.
If you remember, this was an offering for the community. It has been a lot of work but the project has been a great success. I am not planning to continue the offering. However, there is an interested party that may take this on.
I will encourage anyone with a ProJet 1200 to work with Tomuro. And I also want to invite interested parties to review the “Building Tomuro’s Circuit” thread on the Print3DForum-dot-com. This project has been the highlight of my 2019 endeavors.
And again, a sincere thank you Tomuro.
Hello Tomuro. I hope this message finds you well in this trying time. Could you give a shout out to let us know you are still hosting ReCube light and taking orders for ReCube Pro? The ReCube light link is broken. Thanks. Be safe.
Hi. I updated link to ReCube Light.
Thank you. Be safe!