I am currently building a simple flatbed plotter/laser plotter using a flatbed scanner as a base.
The hardware side of things is progressing without issue. I am using 2 x SparkFun Stepper Drivers and an arduino and all seems well.
I'ts not finished by a long shot but I am now beging to think about how it will eventually interface with the PC.
My ideal scenario is that I can draw out what I need to plot/cut in a standard CAD package (I use AutoCAD) and:
Best case scenario (probably too much for my programming skills) would be to essentially hit print/plot in the software and have the machine do it's stuff.
More likely scenario would be to convert the postscript file into somthing that the arduino can handle.
My question is does anyone have any insight into how to go about such a thing?!?
I have been looking at this site: Motöri the Plotter, the machine here is essentially what I am trying to acheive.
This machine uses the HPGL language to go between the CAD package and the cutter.
Has anyone done anything similar using an arduino and is there a method which would be suitable for someone with limited PC programming experience??
Any and all comments and sugestions welcome....Thanks,
Postscript and HPGL are not very CAD orientated. What is probably better is G code. Have a look at the Reprap project and the replicatorG application. http://replicat.org/
Grumpy Mike you are a god!! (don't let that go to your head!)
This is exaclty the the kind of system which I hoped but didn't know existed!
It all makes perfect sense and I can't wait to get the machine finished now.
I have been looking through the wiki, specificly at how to setup the firmware, and only one problem presents its self is....
The firmware files can be configured for the type of motors and the scale you're working with to ensure they move correctly and accuratly. However when it comes to the acual tool being used they appear to use an "always on" approach.
As I need to either lift/drop the pen or turn on/off the laser (or even adjust the lasers power) I'm not sure how that can be implemented using this software....but that said, I can't wait to find out!
I'm off to get the mechanics finished, thanks again!
The G code stuff that Grumpy_Mike referred to should really be M & G code. The G codes are for motion with the cutter/inker/whatever engaged/on/down, and the M codes are for motion with the cutter/inker/whatever disengaged/off/up.
It's up to you to convert an M or G code to the appropriate values to move your stepper motors the right amount, and set the appropriate pin HIGH or LOW to turn on or off the cutter/inker/whatever.
Also worth keeping in mind is that the M & G codes are designed to control 3 or more axis machines. You'll need to use the Z value appropriately (which can include ignoring it).