Hi! I want to be able to design an object in autocad and send it to arduino controlled cnc to print. How can I do this? Is there a value autocad can give me like co ordinates maybe? Or are there any other programs which I can use for this?
Thanks
Most CNC systems use Gcode, so you convert the output of Autocad into Gcode and send that off to the Arduino.
This is what I did:-
http://www.thebox.myzen.co.uk/Hardware/CNC_Conversion.html
You need a program that can convert the autocad file into a GCode file. GCode is the usual way to send commands to CNC machines.
This is not an Arduino issue and you will get a lot more information on a CNC Forum.
...R
Thanks! But what kind of code can I write to make arduino process the g code? I think I have to look what kind of data is the gcode.
aerenyasar:
Thanks! But what kind of code can I write to make arduino process the g code? I think I have to look what kind of data is the gcode.
It is worth using Google to find some examples / tutorials about GCode. It is not very complicated.
If you use an off-the-shelf program for your Arduino (such as GRBL) it already understands GCode.
Clearly you can also write your own code to interpret GCode on an Arduino. However my preferred approach is to interpret the GCode on your PC and use it to send simple step and direction data to the Arduino.
...R
But what kind of code can I write to make arduino process the g code? I think I have to look what kind of data is the gcode.
Did you actually read that link and download the code?
It has Arduino code that translates Gcode into stepping motor movement. It has code in Processing that transfers Gcode files from the computer to the Arduino and allows setup.
Here is another link for you not to read, It is some ways of generating Gcode and programs that verify what a Gcode file will do before you commit to using it on a CNC.
http://www.thebox.myzen.co.uk/Mac_Apps/Processing.html
However forget the Arduino altogether if you can't be bothered reading links posted and just get Mach3
http://www.machsupport.com/software/mach3/
aerenyasar:
Hi! I want to be able to design an object in autocad and send it to arduino controlled cnc to print. How can I do this? Is there a value autocad can give me like co ordinates maybe? Or are there any other programs which I can use for this?Thanks
I have not done any development work in AutoCad for a few years, but there are several programming methods for extracting the coordinates of AutoCad entities. If you are not well versed in C or C++ I would suggest that you create a DXF file of the object from AutoCad. The DXF file is a plain text file which you can read with a word processor and see how the coordinates of different entities are stored. There used to be several free programs available to convert the DXF to Gcode. Google is your friend.
Charles
Plot your drawing in AutoCAD to a 7586 HP plotter File.
Look at the file, you will see things like PA, PR, PU, PD etc.
Along with these you will see the coordinates.
take a few minutes to discuss on CNC forums,
autocad stores the drawings as you lay out the lines.
if you started out by drawing the outline, the first cuts will be to cut the outline.
you would have to draw your line at the center of the tool and imagine the edges of the cutting tools.
what is used is used is a program called a post processor. you draw your lines as you expect, then. in the post procesor, you select tool speeds, rough cuts, tool off-sets, finish cuts, etc.
Grumpy_Mike:
Did you actually read that link and download the code?
It has Arduino code that translates Gcode into stepping motor movement. It has code in Processing that transfers Gcode files from the computer to the Arduino and allows setup.
Here is another link for you not to read, It is some ways of generating Gcode and programs that verify what a Gcode file will do before you commit to using it on a CNC.
http://www.thebox.myzen.co.uk/Mac_Apps/Processing.htmlHowever forget the Arduino altogether if you can't be bothered reading links posted and just get Mach3
http://www.machsupport.com/software/mach3/
Thanks Mike, I'll take a look.