As my parts arrived, and I am now building my machine, I need to decide, how I setup the system in my shop. Until now, I don’t completely understand, what happens after I generate the gcode.
What I know: I build stuff in CAD (I am doing this for years for my 3d printer now). I export that as DXF (I’ve done that already, to get stuff milled by a friend). Than I open a CAM Software, setup how each line is cut and generate gcode out of it (what is more or less, what a slicer does for 3d printing, just with more manual work).
And than, I see the use of repetier on the page, that seems to be used only a. control the router manually and b. send the gcode to the arduino to be processed.
Do I have to do that with repetier, or can this also be done directly from Estlcam and/or Fusion 360. If so, are that configuration-examples for those tools?
Sounds like you’re way ahead of the curve. The CAD/CAM stuff took me a while to figure out.
If you have the LCD, then you can put the .gcode file on the SD, and print it from the menu. That’s the best way to get started, IMO.
You can also use printrun/pronterface, I think. I haven’t tried that myself. I’m not sure why you’d prefer that over repetier though. https://www.v1engineering.com/repetier-host/
For what it is worth, Repetier “drips” the gcode to your machine, meaning the entire file is not sent all at once before cutting begins. Similar to streaming video. You may or may not find this useful. The “drip” term is something you may hear among CNC machinists who have a network of machines.
Jogging the machine with the LCD when connected to Repetier does not update the coordinates back to Repetier, you have to update with a G92. However, the LCD is updated when jogging with Repetier.
I often use both Repetier and the LCD controller during a cycle run. Running directly from the LCD does isolate the machine from the computer though. So if the PC crashes, your machine won’t.
Have done my first run with repetier. Drew the vicious logo onto paper with a pen.
I than drew 2 simple pieces in Fusion 360, that should fit together, used Estlcam, because i dont understand CAM in fusion yet, to generate gcode and than milled it with Repetier into 3mm Depron. Yay! It works, but i don’t like the workflow, bit thats mainly because my only windows computer is 2 floors up from my shop in the basement.
I haven’t tried the direct estlcam features, but I have ran estlcam in wine (playon Linux). There’s a post somewhere around here for that… Then there’s virtualization, but that’s a big hammer.
I am just making blind guesses in the dark here, but you might want to re-flash with a lower baud rate and try again. Some MAC’s require this as well for some reason.
As I haven’t flashed it yet, because it was preflashed… What version do i use? The first on you marlin page? No changes other than the baut rate?
I am a little worried to brick the machine on the 2nd day, while it is running good with mac currently.
The computer is a really old atom cpu based machine (that i bought, because it is silent) around 2013. Maybe its to slot and i should try something faster?
If you aren’t sure maybe you should hold off. It is a very easy process once you have done it…the first time is either very easy or a nightmare. Did you get an lcd screen to run it off of then you don’t need a computer at all?
No, but maybe i should buy one. I didnt ordwr one, because my prusa has one, and i think the handling sucks i really dont like the axis controlling of it. I would sooo love a panel with direction buttons!
B16_32-LCD-112515 is the one that you flashed on it?
Machined some 6mm plywood this evening. Did feel the same as before, so everything is good. Thanks again for that great design of the machine and the support! You rock!
