I am looking for a reference document that explains how the machine interprets gcode. I am going to use this to validate or modify as needed the existing Inkscape gcode generator plugin so that I can generate gcode from inkscape in linux, without having to run windows. I will be happy to share whatever I learn or produce with the community.
I downloaded some sample gcode from fireshare, and it does look like the codes being used are documented on the above page. But different 3D printer firmwares have slightly different uses for certain codes, and I would prefer to reference an authoritative document for this machine to avoid any mishaps. We are targeting the Crossfire XR if that matters.
Or are these machines running an open source firmware such as Marlin or grbl with a known gcode set?
I don’t think there is a document for the commands used by Firecontrol, since it is a Langmuir only program. I posted the following listing of the commands that begin each cut loop in another thread with added descriptions of each command:
G92 Z0. - Set Z axis zero at the current location
G38.2 Z-5.0 F100.0 - Drive the Z axis down (up to 5 inches) until it opens the IHS switch on the Z axis
G38.4 Z0.5 F20.0 - Raise the Z axis (up to .5") until it closes the IHS switch
G92 Z0.0 - Set the Z axis zero at the current location
G0 Z0.02 (IHS Backlash) - Raise the Z-axis .02" to account for backlash
G92 Z0.0 - Set the Z axis zero at the current location
G0 Z0.15 (Pierce Height) - Raise the Z axis to pierce height
M3 - Torch on
G4 P1 - Pause for pierce delay
G1 Z0.06 F70.0 (Cut Height) - Lower the Z axis to cut height
H1 - turn on the Torch Height Controlller
Additional commands include:
H0 - turn off THC
M5 -torch off
M30 - end program
The last line must be the program speed in parenthesis like (PS120)
This is great thank you! I am feeling pretty confident I will be able to make Inkscape work for this. I will try to look through existing gcode and see if there are any other undocumented commands. This does seem like the kind of thing the company should provide, but we can help them a bit. My boss asked me what happens if the company disappears. I’d rather buy a machine that comes with all the commands documented so we can manage a worst case scenario. But also since we don’t use Windows or Mac it is a practical matter to make sure we can use our preferred Linux tools.
@TomWS we’re looking at buying the Crossfire XR, which I mention in my original post.
Are you planning on modifying the Inkscape plugin? You’ll need to add a form to control Pierce Height, Pierce Delay, THC voltage, maybe some others that I can’t think of at the moment.
