3D printing with Matlab

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi,
For my senior project design I would like to create a 3D printer controlled by matlab. To make things easier I would like to use the Ramps 1.4, Arduino Mega 2560 and Pololu Stepper Drivers, but I'm not sure if they can all be controlled by matlab since I new to the subject. I know that the arduino can be controlled but I am not sure how the other two devices interface with each other. Does the arduino control the ramps and the pololu?

The other question that I have is how would matlab have the arduino print the 3D part? I know matlab can read stl files, but would I have to create a code that can take the stl file and send each xyz axis coordinate to the arduino?

I've been doing some digging for the past couple of days regarding matlab and arduino but I cant find anything on the subject. I'm only looking to get on the right path, get some answers and see if a project like this is worth doing. I know I could buy or put together a printer with software that can print the parts for me but that's not what I want to do. I would like to integrate and have matlab print the parts for me.

Thank you

2

Hi,
I'm starting to dig into using Matlab with Arduino; I'd like to have some how-to page(s) on the http://ArduinoInfo.Info WIKI.

Start here:

and details here:

Matlab usually sees Arduino as an IO device, in their simple approach. You need to be able to write your own Arduino software Sketch to control your Stepper system and also interface to the Matlab API on the PC... I expect someone has done this.. ??

I'll keep checking on this....

3

Do 3D printers use GCODE the same as 3D CNC machines? If so then maybe load a GCODE interpreter onto the Arduino and convert the STI file to GCODE and stream over serial.