Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] 3D Printing

I got the Arduino/RAMPS combo too - love it and I also use the Pololu
stepper driver boards for other projects - I don't actually "borrow" them
from the printer, since they are so cheap I just bought a few extras :)

Jamie
Check out my CNC projects (and more) at http://www.backyardworkshop.com

On Tue, Dec 18, 2012 at 8:34 AM, Drew <dr00bert@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> On Tue, Dec 18, 2012 at 4:08 AM, Tony Smith <ajsmith1968@...> wrote:
>
> > I think the 3D printer guys all suffer from NIH (not invented here)
> > syndrome.
> >
> > One 'problem' they have is Mach3 et al can't control the head temperature
> > (LinuxCNC apparently can), to which the obvious answer is 'why bother'?
> > Get
> > a $15 PID off eBay or DX and be done with it. They'll send out an alarm
> > for
> > under/over temp, use that to pause Mach3. Feedhold is fine.
> >
> > The rest (XYZ) is standard CNC stuff, the extruder can be the A Axis, it
> > only runs one direction at a set speed so that's not rocket science.
> >
> > Anyway, they all seem happy with their Arduinos and weird & wonderful
> > software.
> >
>
> I think it was more about what the makers could afford, not about trying to
> blaze a trail that was already paved... arduinos are cheap, but CNC
> controllers are *now* only becoming cheaper... And if you want to make your
> own, you need some specialized skills... I can certainly agree that some of
> the maker community suffers from NIH, but most of us want to piggyback on
> existing technology as much as we can to meet our needs. Less time making
> and more time playing!
>
> The 3D printing controller that I use is called RAMPs, and it works as a
> shield on an Arduino Mega. This controller cost me $60 + $50 for the
> Arduino Mega (which can be used for some other project, while I am not
> using the printer) + ~$12 each for the Pololu drivers. And that controller
> does everything I need from heating/sensing the hot end, to heating the
> bed, to controlling up to 5 stepper motors (XYZ + dual extruders). If I
> wanted to have a separate CNC mill and a 3D printer and I didn't expect to
> use it at the same time, then I would only have to invest in 4 Polulus and
> could swap them from my RAMPs board to my GRBL board... I fail to see a
> negative on this...
>
> Drew
>
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>
>
>


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