Kiln Controller

Turns a Raspberry Pi into a cheap, web-enabled kiln controller.

Features

• easy to install and run on most Raspberry Pi versions
• easy to create new kiln schedules and edit / modify existing schedules
• no limit to runtime - fire for days if you want
• view status from multiple devices at once - computer, tablet etc
• firing cost estimate
• NIST-linearized conversion for accurate K type thermocouple readings
• supports PID parameters you tune to your kiln

Standard Interface

Curve Editor

Hardware

• Raspberry Pi
• MAX 31855/6675 Cold-Junction K-Type Thermocouple
• GPIO driven Solid-State-Relay

Installation

Raspbian

Download NOOBs. Copy files to an SD card. Install raspian on RPi using NOOBs.

$ sudo apt-get install python-pip python-dev libevent-dev python-virtualenv
$ git clone https://github.com/jbruce12000/kiln-controller.git
$ cd kiln-controller
$ virtualenv venv
$ source venv/bin/activate
$ pip install greenlet bottle gevent gevent-websocket

Note: the above steps work on ubuntu if you prefer

Raspberry PI deployment

If you want to deploy the code on a PI for production:

$ cd kiln-controller
$ virtualenv venv
$ source venv/bin/activate
$ pip install RPi.GPIO

If you also want to use the in-kernel SPI drivers with a MAX31855 sensor:

$ pip install Adafruit-MAX31855

Configuration

All parameters are defined in config.py, just copy the example and review/change to your mind's content.

$ cp config.py.EXAMPLE config.py

Usage

Server Startup

$ ./kiln-controller.py

Autostart Server onBoot

If you want the server to autostart on boot, run the following commands

$ /home/pi/kiln-controller/start-on-boot

Client Access

Open Browser and goto http://127.0.0.1:8080 (for local development) or the IP of your PI and the port defined in config.py (default 8080).

Simulation

Select a profile and click Start. If you do not have a raspberry pi connected and configured, or if you don't install the Adafruit-MAX31855 library, then your run will be simulated. Simulations run at near real time and kiln characteristics are defined in config.py.

License

This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program. If not, see http://www.gnu.org/licenses/.

Support & Contact

Please use the issue tracker for project related issues.

More info: https://apollo.open-resource.org/mission:resources:picoreflow