I finally got some time to try some 3D ABS prints using Mach3. First some backgroun
d. There are quite a few people using Mach3 and using replicato
rG to generate G code for mach3. I know of two configura
tions using a stepper motor for extruder control. Seemecnc use the (m3 AND m5) spindle in a step and direction mode, Gnex uses the A axis using it in the linear mode. It allows for retractio
n of the filiament to prevent over runs. I have settled on the Gnexlab's version.
The most difficult part of 3d printing is the startup configura
tion of the speed of the axis and the flow rate of the extruder. That coupled with the numerous setting for skeinforg
e is at first daunting. The first few prints were horrible. As I learned from my mistakes and doing addition research the prints keep on getting better. I hve posted pictures of some recent prints that are not perfect but are getting there. One thing that did impress me so far was how hard the ABS plastic was . The bevel gear was created with GM and when I correct a few things think I can make some pretty fair gears
My setup is basically a precision 10X10 XY stage that I had laying around . It uses ballscrew
s. The Z axis is also very good but uses a 20 tpi rolled leadscrew
. The xtruder is the stepper Plastrude
r. I currently am using a PID termperat
ure controlle
r from GNEXLAB. It controls the temperatu
re of the extruder using a thermocou
ple. I don't have it set up yet but it also supports a heated build platform. The motion control is old stepper motors on the XY and a 4 axis G540 to control all 4 motors.
The G540 will run the motors at 1500 MM
Dan Mauch
I found the plastrude
r cool also, still concern about the hanging tabs though. Reversing the direction may not necessari
ly clip the tab exactly where you want it to... Also, what could the max feedrate be if we used this type of temperatu
re controlle
r for extruding plastic?
Bob
[/quote]
