I am finishing up the build and I am getting ready to start hooking up the motors and testing things out. I am trying to figure out the right software for milling/removing material as I do not need another 3D printer. I used to use Repitier for my printer and I now use Cura to slice and Octoprint on a Raspberry Pi to control my printer, so I am familiar with these. I am struggling with Estlcam as I can not connect to the arduino while testing the unit out (three steppers connected to the controller). I was able to control wit Repitier but I am not certain on the settings for the CNC vs the printer.
Do I need to buy a license for Estlcam to get full functionality? Will Autodesk Fusion 360 work? How would I set up Fusion 360 properly as it looks to be made more for printing than cutting out material.
you can use Estlcam as CAM program to create your CNC programs but you still need Marlin or GRBL to actually control the machine. Estlcams integrated controller uses a different pin layout and requires all axis to have the same step/rev setting - which is why you can’t use it in this case.
Use Estlcam to make/slice your project. Save the file, open it in repetier and run it like a print job. Marlin is the amazing firmware that makes all the magic happen in the arduino.
Christian - I found Marlin and GRBl and I could not get either to connect.
Vicious - When I set up Estlcam with Marlin firmware the files export with the .ncg extension which will not load in Repitier. Any suggestions? Also if you are using Repitier can your configuration?
all - I do not have a problem paying for software that I use but I am not certain Estlcam is the right product. Do I need to buy a license to continue testing?
Christian
Repitier will accept .nc . Are you planning on getting your software to control the Arduino Mega? You have done great work and it would be execelent to see your software be the one that we can create and control with.
Curt
clocey- repetier will open .ngc files you can either drag and drop them onto the screen, or use load and select all files instead of just gcode. You can also just change the extension the Esltcam kicks out, simple edit, in the settings.
I used the crown dxf and made a simple .vgc program and it loaded. For the first time the cnc started moving. first positive z, then positive x for a short distance then negative z and the cnc stopped. in the log window in repitier it shows “Communication timeout - reset send buffer block”. baud rate is set to 25000.
You can move it manually using the controls in repetier correct? So the only issue is you gcode files. Try just slicing an stl using repetier and slicer and lets see if your movement is good then. Need to narrow down the issue your having a bit.
I loaded a stl part and “air printed” it fine…or at least I let it run for 10 minutes before stopping it. I recreated the crown test and it dose seem to work, sort of. When I start the unit goes up about an inch then starts to move around the pattern but it did not go down. After the first move was done the unit stopped and now I am getting the same communication error again.
I created a new tool path and this time the z fine. It went up then to the start position and then down like it should but then it stopped and I received the communication timeout again.
Yes baud rate is 250000
Here is the first section of g-code. it does not make it through this before I get com errors. I am using EstlCam 8.064 and Repitier 1.5.6
Project 0102
;Created by Estlcam version 8 build 8.064
;Machining time about 12:45:16 AM hours