Inkscape PlasmaC g-code generation
- radek_marko
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I'm a total newbie in the whole CNC subject - I've built CNC bed, I've attached plasma torch to it, I can do test cuts in X and Y axis from PlasmaC GUI and now I'm trying to move to cut a project created in Inkscape (v1.0.1).
I've generated a simple text, processed the text outline so letters like "O" will not fall from the rest of the cut. Then I've generated the g-code. I've checked it in one of the on-line g-code viewers and discovered that LinuxCNC cannot accept it
Is there a g-code validator for PlasmaC that will tell me what commands are allowed and what are not?
G-code attached
Attachments:
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- tommylight
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After that do the usual extensions>gcodetools>path to gcode.
In the folder where the gcode will be saved create a new empty file and name it "header", save it. That will get rid of the first M3 at the top of the gcode so it does not mess up the material.
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- radek_marko
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I have a floating Z sensor - do I need to add special code for that or M3 code will take care of the lowering the torch and firing it when required?
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- tommylight
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- radek_marko
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I'm totally confused.
First of all - initially I've loaded g-code and LinuxCNC was not throwing any errors to the file content and displayed the image of expected work. Then I've started the job and it didn't use the plasma torch
Next, I've executed few test cuts to check if the plasma is still operational... and it was...
So, I've tried the g-code again and this time the torch was activated (move to approx 30 sec mark on the video below):
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- AgentWD40
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How are you handling that and material selection?
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- radek_marko
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I tried to get fancy and change the feed rate to #<_hal[plasmac.cut-feed-rate]> but it threw an error and reverted back to the default 400. The script expected a numeric instead of a string.
How are you handling that and material selection?
I have done some test custs and created material list - I've selected material from the dropdown list (3mm steel was used in my case).
In Inkscape I've changed from
to
I think I know where I've screwed up
The feed rate on my 3mm steel, from tests is 4800!!! I've left Inkscape params unchanged so the g-code was generated for 10mm with feed rate 400...
Am I right?
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- AgentWD40
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fwiw I've poked around the gcode extension's python code and figured out how to make it output #<_hal[plasmac.cut-feed-rate]>. Untested and I don't recommend it but hey, maybe it'll be fine.
Around line #3337 change:
f = " F{:f}".format(tool)
to
f = " F{}".format(tool)
Line 5158 change:
"feed": 400.,
to
"feed": "#<_hal[plasmac.cut-feed-rate]>",
(you can change the rest of your defaults here too)
Line 5347 just comment it out:
self.tool["feed"] = float(self.tool["feed"])
to
#self.tool["feed"] = float(self.tool["feed"])
Line 3091 change:
"feed": 400.0,
to
"feed": "400.0",
I think that's all the changes I made... again, I don't recommend it
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- phillc54
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- AgentWD40
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