3DPlatform.com
10
Work Environment & Source Files
Work Configuration
The 3DP Workbench printer is capable of carrying out
the additive manufacturing process under open source
controls, via 3D model output in the .gcode format.
The printer can be operated using the USB computer
interface or independently with the LCD control unit with
SD card slot.
Files can be processed on any workstation and .gcode
delivered to the printer via SD card.
Source Files
The 3DP Workbench printer produces three dimensional
objects using the FFF—type of 3D printing.
The file type
that the 3DP Workbench printer requires is .gcode
,
which is created from 3D model.
Space Clearance
The diagram illustrates the necessary clearance
surrounding the 3DP Workbench workstation.
Workstation Requirements
The 3DP Workbench printer utilizes open source controls.
Computer/workstation requirements are dependent on
the software choice of the operator.
G-code is a numerical control programming
language, which defines instructions on where to
move, how fast to move, and through what path to
move.
3D models can be custom designed in CAD programs
such as
SolidWorks
,
Auto CAD
, or
Google SketchUp
. CAD
models are output in either
.stl
or
.obj
file format.
The .stl or .obj file is loaded into 3D printing software
(see
page 6
for recommended software) where 3D print
parameters are applied. Once print parameters are
applied and the file is processed—commonly called
slicing—the file is output as a .gcode for the printer.
Models designed for 3D printing can be found online at
sites such as:
GrabCAD
,
3D Marvels
,
3D Via
,
Google 3D
Warehouse
,
Turbosquid
, and
Thingiverse
.
//Implemented Codes
//-------------------
// G0 -> G1
// G1 - Coordinated Movement X Y Z E
// G2 - CW ARC
// G3 - CCW ARC
// G4 - Dwell S<seconds> or P<milliseconds>
// G5 - Babystep Movement X Y Z
// G10 - Retract filament according to settings of M207
// G11 - Retract recover filament according to settings of M208
// G28 - Home all Axis
// G29 - Detailed Z-Probe, probes the bed at 3 or more points. Will
fail if you haven't homed yet.
// G30 - Single Z Probe, probes bed at current XY location.
// G31 - Dock sled (Z_PROBE_SLED only)
// G32 - Undock sled (Z_PROBE_SLED only)
// G90 - Use Absolute Coordinates
// G91 - Use Relative Coordinates
// G92 - Set current position to coordinates given
// M Codes
// M0 - Unconditional stop - Wait for user to press a button on the
LCD (Only if ULTRA_LCD is enabled)
// M1 - Same as M0
// M17 - Enable/Power all stepper motors
// M18 - Disable all stepper motors; same as M84
// M19 - Resume SD print from current (or given) Z height (disables
all movements below the current Z position, a file must be
selected to print after executing this M code)
// M20 - List SD card
// M21 - Init SD card
// M22 - Release SD card
// M23 - Select SD file (M23 filename.g)
// M24 - Start/resume SD print
// M25 - Pause SD print
// M26 - Set SD position in bytes (M26 S12345)
// M27 - Report SD print status
// M28 - Start SD write (M28 filename.g)
// M29 - Stop SD write
