Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.

Russ Gries

Yes, i asked him for an example of the gcode,

He did not respond.

I also asked him if he could shate the script. He said he could not share it. Due to restrictions with the company im sure.

This is ok.

We current have built a simple Gcode script that adds the values in for U acording to the vectors. For point to point. My friend Matt has been helping me with that.

However it seems that using arcs and sright lines is going to be the best option.

We will need to require that the U move is done already before the sright line is executed.

This is all fine and from what i can tell he is doing this on his concrete printer. As well as arc moves so it all looks smoth until it gets to a cornner.

But yes. If you can get a sample of his code that would be great. That would help us understand if he is using G2 &G3 commands. I think he is.

Thanks for the input and help everyone!

~Russ

T3P3Tony

@russ-gries Yeah i asked him as well and the post processing is proprietary which is understandable.

That said it sounds like you are on the right track. For straightlines it is simple as you say, take the two end points, calculate the tangent of the vector and then move the U axis accordingly. For a true arc (G2,G3) its more of a pain, probably break it down into segments?

JoergS5

@russ-gries You could try to contact this person also:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZyMd8CaONQ&t=1s
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20170904-researchers-at-singapores-ntu-making-recycled-3d-printable-concrete-that-could-save-the-planet.html
It's a university of Singapore, maybe they are allowed to share code or knowledge.
In one of his articles he told that the 3D model he created was built from splines, so he already knew the values for the 4th axis. He used a CNC gantry printer supporting 4th axis as 3D printer:
http://sffsymposium.engr.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/2017/Manuscripts/ApproachingRectangularExtrudatein3DPrintingf.pdf
chapters 2 and 3.

I searched a bit at the grbl corner, because what you do is similar to using the CNC A Axis, which is used in CNC to control the rotary table e.g., routing gears. There are some starting activities, but I did not find finished code yet.

dc42

To draw a circles in the same direction each time, you would need to increase U from e.g. 0 to 360 degrees for the first rotation, then 360 to 720 degrees for the second, and so on. For linear axes the maximum distance you set in M208 can be very high, so this shouldn't be a problem, although you may get some loss of accuracy when the U coordinate gets very high because of rounding error.

You could use G92 U0 to reset the assumed U position to zero occasionally, however this will have the side effect of causing motion to stop momentarily.

JoergS5

This post is deleted!

Russ Gries

@dc42 said in Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.:

To draw a circles in the same direction each time, you would need to increase U from e.g. 0 to 360 degrees for the first rotation, then 360 to 720 degrees for the second, and so on. For linear axes the maximum distance you set in M208 can be very high, so this shouldn't be a problem, although you may get some loss of accuracy when the U coordinate gets very high because of rounding error.

You could use G92 U0 to reset the assumed U position to zero occasionally, however this will have the side effect of causing motion to stop momentarily.

THANKS,

Can you explain this rounding error.

What is the maximum amount of numbers after the decimal place i can have for the axis?

I also noticed that this might be a problem.

Right now I'm using absolute accordance for U (soon to be A) so yes. There continuing to count up for the pulses.

It should be accurate for the most part but i would like to hear more about this rounding that happens im guessing in the firmware yes?

Becuse after 100's of loops it could get way off...

THANKS!

~Russ

Russ Gries

For those interested, here is what our current script spits out.

This is just a simple circle.

G1 Z0
G1 X12.5629 Y-0.5687 U-92.8147 ( Delta = 42.1853 Val = 267.185 )
G1 X12.3774 Y-1.8196 U-98.4351 ( Delta = -5.62044 Val = 261.565 )
G1 X12.0701 Y-3.0462 U-104.065 ( Delta = -5.62971 Val = 255.935 )
G1 X11.6441 Y-4.2369 U-109.686 ( Delta = -5.62101 Val = 250.314 )
G1 X11.1034 Y-5.38 U-115.315 ( Delta = -5.62889 Val = 244.685 )
G1 X10.4533 Y-6.4647 U-120.936 ( Delta = -5.62107 Val = 239.064 )
G1 X9.7 Y-7.4804 U-126.563 ( Delta = -5.62692 Val = 233.437 )
G1 X8.8508 Y-8.4174 U-132.186 ( Delta = -5.62321 Val = 227.814 )
G1 X7.9138 Y-9.2666 U-137.814 ( Delta = -5.62818 Val = 222.186 )
G1 X6.8981 Y-10.0199 U-143.437 ( Delta = -5.62321 Val = 216.563 )
G1 X5.8134 Y-10.67 U-149.064 ( Delta = -5.62692 Val = 210.936 )
G1 X4.6703 Y-11.2107 U-154.685 ( Delta = -5.62107 Val = 205.315 )
G1 X3.4796 Y-11.6367 U-160.314 ( Delta = -5.62889 Val = 199.686 )
G1 X2.2529 Y-11.944 U-165.936 ( Delta = -5.62211 Val = 194.064 )
G1 X1.0021 Y-12.1295 U-171.564 ( Delta = -5.62795 Val = 188.436 )
G1 X-0.261 Y-12.1916 U-177.185 ( Delta = -5.6211 Val = 182.815 )
G1 X-1.524 Y-12.1295 U-182.815 ( Delta = -5.62956 Val = 177.185 )
G1 X-2.7749 Y-11.944 U-188.435 ( Delta = -5.62021 Val = 171.565 )
G1 X-4.0016 Y-11.6367 U-194.064 ( Delta = -5.62861 Val = 165.936 )
G1 X-5.1922 Y-11.2107 U-199.687 ( Delta = -5.62364 Val = 160.313 )
G1 X-6.3354 Y-10.67 U-205.313 ( Delta = -5.62542 Val = 154.687 )
G1 X-7.42 Y-10.0199 U-210.938 ( Delta = -5.62534 Val = 149.062 )
G1 X-8.4357 Y-9.2666 U-216.563 ( Delta = -5.62459 Val = 143.437 )
G1 X-9.3727 Y-8.4174 U-222.186 ( Delta = -5.62321 Val = 137.814 )
G1 X-10.222 Y-7.4804 U-227.811 ( Delta = -5.62482 Val = 132.189 )
G1 X-10.9753 Y-6.4647 U-233.437 ( Delta = -5.62657 Val = 126.563 )
G1 X-11.6254 Y-5.38 U-239.064 ( Delta = -5.62692 Val = 120.936 )
G1 X-12.166 Y-4.2369 U-244.689 ( Delta = -5.62517 Val = 115.311 )
G1 X-12.5921 Y-3.0462 U-250.31 ( Delta = -5.62052 Val = 109.69 )
G1 X-12.8993 Y-1.8196 U-255.94 ( Delta = -5.62967 Val = 104.06 )
G1 X-13.0849 Y-0.5687 U-261.56 ( Delta = -5.62084 Val = 98.4396 )
G1 X-13.1469 Y0.6944 U-267.19 ( Delta = -5.62944 Val = 92.8101 )
G1 X-13.0849 Y1.9574 U-272.81 ( Delta = -5.6205 Val = 87.1896 )
G1 X-12.8993 Y3.2083 U-278.44 ( Delta = -5.62922 Val = 81.5604 )
G1 X-12.5921 Y4.435 U-284.059 ( Delta = -5.61974 Val = 75.9407 )
G1 X-12.166 Y5.6256 U-289.692 ( Delta = -5.6323 Val = 70.3084 )
G1 X-11.6254 Y6.7688 U-295.309 ( Delta = -5.61706 Val = 64.6913 )
G1 X-10.9753 Y7.8534 U-300.938 ( Delta = -5.62944 Val = 59.0619 )
G1 X-10.222 Y8.8691 U-306.563 ( Delta = -5.62459 Val = 53.4373 )
G1 X-9.3727 Y9.8061 U-312.189 ( Delta = -5.62657 Val = 47.8107 )
G1 X-8.4357 Y10.6553 U-317.814 ( Delta = -5.62482 Val = 42.1859 )
G1 X-7.42 Y11.4086 U-323.437 ( Delta = -5.62321 Val = 36.5627 )
G1 X-6.3354 Y12.0588 U-329.058 ( Delta = -5.6207 Val = 30.942 )
G1 X-5.1922 Y12.5994 U-334.691 ( Delta = -5.63332 Val = 25.3087 )
G1 X-4.0016 Y13.0254 U-340.313 ( Delta = -5.62133 Val = 19.6874 )
G1 X-2.7749 Y13.3327 U-345.936 ( Delta = -5.62364 Val = 14.0637 )
G1 X-1.524 Y13.5183 U-351.56 ( Delta = -5.62413 Val = 8.43958 )
G1 X-0.261 Y13.5803 U-357.19 ( Delta = -5.62922 Val = 2.81036 )
G1 X1.0021 Y13.5183 U-362.81 ( Delta = -5.6205 Val = 357.19 )
G1 X2.2529 Y13.3327 U-368.44 ( Delta = -5.63011 Val = 351.56 )
G1 X3.4796 Y13.0254 U-374.064 ( Delta = -5.62347 Val = 345.936 )
G1 X4.6703 Y12.5994 U-379.686 ( Delta = -5.62211 Val = 340.314 )
G1 X5.8134 Y12.0588 U-385.311 ( Delta = -5.62479 Val = 334.689 )
G1 X6.8981 Y11.4086 U-390.94 ( Delta = -5.62906 Val = 329.06 )
G1 X7.9138 Y10.6553 U-396.563 ( Delta = -5.62303 Val = 323.437 )
G1 X8.8508 Y9.8061 U-402.186 ( Delta = -5.62321 Val = 317.814 )
G1 X9.7 Y8.8691 U-407.814 ( Delta = -5.62818 Val = 312.186 )
G1 X10.4533 Y7.8534 U-413.437 ( Delta = -5.62321 Val = 306.563 )
G1 X11.1034 Y6.7688 U-419.062 ( Delta = -5.62459 Val = 300.938 )
G1 X11.6441 Y5.6256 U-424.687 ( Delta = -5.62534 Val = 295.313 )
G1 X12.0701 Y4.435 U-430.313 ( Delta = -5.62542 Val = 289.687 )
G1 X12.3774 Y3.2083 U-435.936 ( Delta = -5.62364 Val = 284.064 )
G1 X12.5629 Y1.9574 U-441.565 ( Delta = -5.62861 Val = 278.435 )
G1 X12.625 Y0.6944 U-447.185 ( Delta = -5.62021 Val = 272.815 )

On this one we keep the U on the same line, just for testing.

Indeed if we wanted to do it correctly we would need to have the U on its own line, so its going the correct direction before the move. we have tested both. I just dont like waiting for every stop.

Currently my U stepper has a gear down ratio of something like 1:100 . this makes it compact but it can not spin fast... I think if i had it moving faster it would look more smooth.

Say is there something I can do with the Jerk settings or anywhere else to make the moves smother? Even tho there are stops at every point with U on its own line in the code?

Thanks!

~Russ

Kulitorum

@Kulitorum here.

I tried to use G2 and G3 but they are not interpolated very nice in current firmware and pausing during a G2 or G3 messes up and the printhead moves in random directions. I talked to dc42 about this, but I guess the current use of G2 and G3 is too low for him to spend time with it.

So I use very short lines of a max of 5 mm. With good jerk and acceleration parameters, that moves smoothly and allows me to pause a print at any time within 25mm, in regards to 4-5 commands being buffered in firmware.

Your slicer should keep an eye on overflow (crossing 360 degrees) and if needed "rewind" the rotation back to 0 to untangle your wires.

Now watching thread, if you need more help. Unfortunatly I can't share my code.

Kulitorum

Russ Gries

@kulitorum

Hello! Wonderful to see you here. And thanks for any help you can give.

Can you post your jerk settings?

So you are using G1 commands for everything?
If so. Are you using U commands on a new line? Or are you just using them on the same line as the XY accordance? It seems that it depends on if its a cornner or not...

Any thing i should look out for that you had trubble with would be greaty appreciated if you could note those here.

I would like to run at higher speeds, so i may have more trouble than you have had getting things to run smoth.

Again thanks for sharing what you can!

~Russ

Kulitorum

Well, my machine is a lot larger then yours, so comparing acceleration and jerk settings don't really make much sense.

Yes, I use G1 for everything, and have the U coordinate together with my XY coordinates. Ofcause my U coordinate is a tangent to a half vector between the line before and the line after the vertex, so you need to do some calculation there. You will need to have the coords XYU on the same line to get anything smooth. Increase your jerk until you start loosing steps, then increase your power on each motor until they reach 50-60c and lower the jerk until it don't fail no more.

Hope this helps. If you need more help, setup remote control of your computer and a webcam, and I can control your computer and we can adjust it together over skype

Kulitorum

dc42

@kulitorum said in Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.:

I tried to use G2 and G3 but they are not interpolated very nice in current firmware and pausing during a G2 or G3 messes up and the printhead moves in random directions. I talked to dc42 about this, but I guess the current use of G2 and G3 is too low for him to spend time with it.

Have you tried using G2/G3 with recent firmware versions? If you still have problems with G2/G3 when using firmware 2.02RC2, please let me know what they are.

dc42

@russ-gries said in Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.:

Can you explain this rounding error.
What is the maximum amount of numbers after the decimal place i can have for the axis?

The calculations are done using 32-bit floating point values. See https://www.exploringbinary.com/decimal-precision-of-binary-floating-point-numbers/ for info about the precision.

Danal

Quite a bit has been said since the original question... still, if it helps:

@russ-gries said in Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.:

@danal said in Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.:

Russ,

Given David's answer that RepRap does not distinguish axis, and given that G-Code (and RepRap) ensure that all axis in a given single move reach their individual endpoints in sync, this all adds up to doing EXACTLY what you want for a coil winder.

That is, if the current XYZ position of the "control point" is somwhere around a coil, ready to make the next coil, and the U axis is "pointed aft" to correctly lay the wire, then a G2 arc move that specifies a next XY 1/4 of the way around the coil, and a U that specifies 90 degrees from where U starts (in the correct positive or negative direction)... that move will smoothly rotate U as XY accelerate, move, deccelerate.

Personally, I'd do 1/4 arcs while debugging so that you can "see" what is happening better.... but once you've confirmed how this all should work, and "good" g-code, then G2 moves that do full circles, one entire coil per G2 line, should be easy.

This is all very hard to put into words... does it make sense?

p.s. I'd still recommend you define your rotational axis as A (not U). This is a widespread standard for extra axis in CNC. It also MIGHT make the Web interface display it better.

Hi Danal,

Thanks for all your feed back,

what your saying makes sense. but let me get something correct.

If i send "G2 X90.6 Y13.8 I5 J10 U45"

David is saying that as the arc move is happening, The U will slowly move around the arc. and the motion will be fluid on the U along the direction of the arc?

Yes, that is the correct fundamental idea.

however, doing it point to point i will need to add the U on the line before the move so i know its going in the right direction. correct?

I would phrase it more as "U is needed on every line". Same idea.

Danal

@russ-gries said in Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.:

Also, are you able to make a simple script program that has an in interface for such a G code generator?

Probably. Let me "check assumptions" on my end. Inputs to such a generator for "cylindrical" coil wraps would need to be:

Core diameter (what the wire would be wrapped around, even if removed post wrapping).
Core "length" or "height". In other words, first wrap at z=0 and last wrap at Z=this parameter.
Wire diameter
Number of layers
Packing - even or offset (see below)
Fudge factor for packing density. Could be called "tightness".

What else?

Even Packing:

OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO

Offset Packing(would really be half spaced, characters will not show that properly)

OOO    OOO
 OOO  OOO
OOO    OOO
 OOO  OOO
OOO    OOO
 OOO  OOO
OOO    OOO
 OOO  OOO

And, is there a need for "non cylindrical" winds? Donut/Torus or similar? Those are probably beyond a simple script. Examples:

     OO    OO
    OOO    OOO
  OOOOO    OOOOO
 OOOOOO    OOOOOO
  OOOOO    OOOOO
   OOOO    OOOO
     OO    OO

     OO    OO
   OOO      OOO
 OOOO        OOOO
OOO            OOO
 OOOO        OOOO
   OOO      OOO
     OO    OO

Russ Gries

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I will reply to comments sooner than later I hope.

In the meantime I decided to use a stepper motor directly as my tool end. This mainly to reduce any backlash and confusion between how many steps per revolution Ect. Right now I'm using an unknown stepper motor with a very large gear reduction which I cannot tune correctly. (I also re built it for bipolar). It also has a tremendous amount of backlash in the gears and renders it almost useless for this application. It's also not fast enough so I decided to dig through my Box of steppers and I found these really nice point 9ﾟ steppers. I ended up drilling a hole down the center and I'm going to attach my tool end directly on the shaft. This is a nema 17 which is quite large and heavy, but this is to prove the concept it will work, and because it was free in my bin of parts.

Yeah that hole sucked to drill... but i got it!!

Here's a few photos
I'll post more later
Thanks
~Russ

Russ Gries

Ok, still haven't had time to sit down and respond to posts... will do shortly.

However i have managed to get this done.

https://youtu.be/lqoa55_MOiY

A proper video will be posted on my main YT when its time...

~Russ

Russ Gries

One step closer...

https://youtu.be/2Jksxj-7JEM

https://youtu.be/5zuiqzTgi_U

But still alot to do.

~Russ

Russ Gries

@danal said in Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.:

@russ-gries said in Requests for help: Gcode cam follower/ tangential knife control.:

Also, are you able to make a simple script program that has an in interface for such a G code generator?

Probably. Let me "check assumptions" on my end. Inputs to such a generator for "cylindrical" coil wraps would need to be:

Core diameter (what the wire would be wrapped around, even if removed post wrapping).

Core "length" or "height". In other words, first wrap at z=0 and last wrap at Z=this parameter.

Wire diameter

Number of layers

Packing - even or offset (see below)

Fudge factor for packing density. Could be called "tightness".

What else?

Even Packing:
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
OOO   OOO
Offset Packing(would really be half spaced, characters will not show that properly)
OOO    OOO
 OOO  OOO
OOO    OOO
 OOO  OOO
OOO    OOO
 OOO  OOO
OOO    OOO
 OOO  OOO
And, is there a need for "non cylindrical" winds? Donut/Torus or similar? Those are probably beyond a simple script. Examples:
     OO    OO
    OOO    OOO
  OOOOO    OOOOO
 OOOOOO    OOOOOO
  OOOOO    OOOOO
   OOOO    OOOO
     OO    OO
   
     OO    OO
   OOO      OOO
 OOOO        OOOO
OOO            OOO
 OOOO        OOOO
   OOO      OOO
     OO    OO
   

I will sendyou a PM and descuss this further!!

Thanks
~Russ

Russ Gries

wow, that's all i have to say...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPXUmXTCtok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq7Zv-7jEf8

~Russ

Russ Gries

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfoMRPy4bJk

still a lot more to do... but its looking good.

~Russ