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How to convert G code to motor command?

LinuxCNC is an open source project dedicated to "converting" G-code into motor commands. It is not at all a simple task. The basic steps are: Read the G-Code file into memory Interpret the G code (...
50k4's user avatar
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3 votes

First CNC router, where should my zero position be?

The location of the homing position does not make any theoretical difference, you can zero (or set to any constant value) your axis positions at any desired position. From a pracitcal point of view, ...
50k4's user avatar
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3 votes
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Linear actuators in a cartesian robots

I have worked on a cartesian robot with similar requirements† as your own, and we selected direct drive synchronous linear motors for our x/y stages. In our case, both axes were around 2m in ...
Mark Booth's user avatar
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2 votes

CNC: Linear motion without timing belt or lead screw

If you want to build something that more or less resembles CNC machine, and use a pen as a tool and draw some pictures, then you will probably be fine (as long as you can do programming and have a lot ...
mactro's user avatar
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2 votes

CNC: Linear motion without timing belt or lead screw

CNC controllers, in most cases, control rotary motion and the model of how this rotary motion is tranformed, by the mechanism attached to the motor, to a translational motion is implemented in the ...
50k4's user avatar
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2 votes
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Calculating screw breakaway torque

You can approximate the breakaway torque by considering static friction only. From the static friction coefficient of the lead screw (by knowing the maximum load on the spindle, coming from the ...
50k4's user avatar
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2 votes

First CNC router, where should my zero position be?

This depends on the machine specifically and the software that is being used to drive it, as well as the work placement and holding for the particular cut. Remember, there are typically two different ...
QuadMcFly's user avatar
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2 votes

How to convert G code to motor command?

LinuxCNC is a good example. A simpler example would be GRBL, which runs on Arduinos: https://github.com/grbl/grbl/wiki
Bob Warfield's user avatar
2 votes

How to make a CNC machine from scratch?

How does a controller translate a move x 20 units to moving the stepper x amount of steps and keep dimensional accuracy? If the CAD G-code says move 200 mm in the x direction, how to you translate the ...
50k4's user avatar
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2 votes
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Did I buy the wrong SBR rails?

That doesn’t sound very unusual to me unless you purchased materials that specifically purported to be predrilled and compatible. Sounds like you may need to manually mark out, drill and possibly tap ...
RowanP's user avatar
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2 votes
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Which part handles the acceleration of stepper motors?

The short answer is all components in the chain you described have some effect on the acceleration. The CAM software defines the waypoint through which the tool center point passes. (Let us ignore the ...
50k4's user avatar
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1 vote

How the motor commands are obtained from gcodes?

The main role of the CNC controller is to "convert" G Code to motor commands. This is a highly complex function and many books have been written about this. As a top level overview, the G-...
50k4's user avatar
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1 vote

Which part handles the acceleration of stepper motors?

On my experience working with stepper motor and CNC shield V3 with DRV8255 motor driver, acceleration and decelaration happen on software side. So I have simple trajectory planner and PD controller ...
Albert H M's user avatar
1 vote

Does the Grbl have S-curve or harmonic velocity profiles?

grbl has a trapezoidal velocity profile. It has an acceleration limit (so a ramp on the velocity), but does not set a jerk limit. Jerk limiting would be probably an overkill for stepper-motors. ...
50k4's user avatar
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1 vote
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Sphere-bot CNC that can engrave in a high resolution?

Laser cutters like this Epilog can engrave grayscale images as well as glass and curved surfaces. See some sample images below. But I am not sure how much grayscale you will be able to achieve on ...
Ben's user avatar
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1 vote

How to convert 2D AutoCad drawing into CODE for CNC machine (laser cutter)?

Your question can be generalized as how to "convert: a CAD model to G-Code (or NC Code). Generally CAD is used to design parts and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software is used to design ...
50k4's user avatar
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1 vote

Given this old pin diagram and numbers on this old encoder, what would be a suitable modern encoder to use?

First, you need to find out how the encoder is used in your system. There are two sketches of plugs, I assume your encoder is connected as shown in the upper sketch. Since the company who produced ...
50k4's user avatar
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1 vote
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ShopBot router software crashes after machine moves past limit switch

We have a ShopBot at our Maker Space and have had a similar issue. In short, adjust the distance between your limit-switch trigger screws and your hard-stop. If your hard-stop is too far away from ...
Project Venom's user avatar
1 vote
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Hardware for Industrial-Grade CNC

Arduino and RPI can take the role of control systems hardware. They are not what someone would call industrial grade (although, in some cases, they are used in industrial context). It is hard to ...
50k4's user avatar
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1 vote

How to calculate power supply requirements for Closed Loop Stepper Motors?

So there's a couple of things you need to go through when choosing the power supply for this application. Number one you need to differentiate between the driver capabilities and the motors ...
QuadMcFly's user avatar
  • 141
1 vote

Are S-Curve (constant jerk) motion profiles significantly better than constant acceleration?

Short version, yes having an s-curve profile is beneficial for smoother and more accurate tracking. Longer version: For all real hardware systems I've worked with it has been important to use an ...
ryan0270's user avatar
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1 vote

How to convert G code to motor command?

I suggest you look at the Marlin firmware for reprap 3d printers. Essentially it parses out lines of CNC code and identifies each of them as a command. The trickiest of these are the mutli-axis ...
DrTarr's user avatar
  • 153
1 vote

Are consumer grade CNC machines capable of cutting tile?

Most CNC mills use rotary tools which are not the best choice for material such as tiles. Commercially either diamond saws, which cut straight lines, or in some cases waterjets are used to cut tiles. ...
Jim's user avatar
  • 314
1 vote

What is minimum torque required for CNC stepper motors and spindle for aluminium milling?

Here's the important thing to realize: While many want to size motors based on cutting forces, that approach will almost always leave you with a motor that's too weak for good performance. Cutting ...
Bob Warfield's user avatar

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