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Author Topic: Use of 3d printer with Mach4 and pokeys 57CNC  (Read 604 times)

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Use of 3d printer with Mach4 and pokeys 57CNC
« on: March 20, 2020, 11:41:13 AM »
I have the following equipment ;
Modern PC running Windows 10
licensed copy Mach4
A Pokeys 57CNC
Creatity Ender 5 3d printer w/ single extruder head.

I have spent years learning LUA and the Mach4 system
Would like to use mach4 on the 3d printer.
What I would 'like' to do is connect and run the steppers and end switch's
directly from the Pokeys 57CNC. That part seems simple.
QUESTIONS ;
How could I  run a extruder step motor from mach4/pokeys. How could the extruder know how much filament to extrude.

How could I control the two heaters (base plate and extruder) from mach4/pokeys. There are several thermistors on the printer to feedback temperatures.

I am hoping if I cannot run it all from MAch4, I could use the Smoothie board for the heaters and extruders and  mach4/pokeys for the Steppers.

Existing control system. The original  board in the printer was replaced with a network smoothie board and Smoothieware software
After much trial and error it works but pain in the  ....

any hints , ideas greatly appreciated.  stay safe.

Offline smurph

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Re: Use of 3d printer with Mach4 and pokeys 57CNC
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2020, 04:49:38 PM »
How could I  run a extruder step motor from mach4/pokeys. How could the extruder know how much filament to extrude.
Use a step dir spindle and control the motor with the S word, M3 for start, and M5 for stop.  See the Spindle tab in the configuration dialog.
Quote from: machiner
How could I control the two heaters (base plate and extruder) from mach4/pokeys. There are several thermistors on the printer to feedback temperatures.
Bring the thermistors into a compatible ADC (analog input).  Then implement a heater control in the screen's PLC script or even a PMC ladder script. 
Quote from: machiner
I am hoping if I cannot run it all from MAch4, I could use the Smoothie board for the heaters and extruders and  mach4/pokeys for the Steppers.
Mach can do it.

Steve