An open source collection of Python scripts for creating and modifing rotary axis G-code, cylindrical probing and performing cylindrical auto-leveling.
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Probing
- pre_probe_cylinder.py - Script to create a G-code file for probing a cylinder before machining
- pre_probe_cylinder_edge.py - Script to create a G-code file for probing a cylinder edge before machining
- pre_probe_cylinder_plot.py - Script for plotting pre-probe results
- probe.py - Python module containing common probe functions
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Create G-Code
- cut_groove_cylinder.py - Script to cut a groove (one tool width) into a cylindrical part. Can either be a constant depth or interpolates from a pre-probe file
- cut_recess_cylinder.py - Script to cut a recess (greater than one tool width) into a cylindrical part. Can either use a constant depth or interpolates from a pre-probe file
- drill_holes_cylinder.py - Script to drill holes circumfrentially around a cylinder at a specific X location
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Modify G-Code
- apply_cylinder_autolevel.py - Reads in a G-code file, and writes out a new G-code file with cylinderical autoleveling applied
- convert_to_inverse_time.py - Take G-code using G94 feedrate and convert it to inverse time mode (G93)
- Scripts assume the rotary axis (A) rotates around the X-axis ( Y=0, Z=0 )
- All of the scripts take inputs via a python dictionary at the beginning of the script
- Script outputs have feed rates specified in Inverse Time mode (G93)
- Groove is assumed to be one tool width wide
- Recess is assumed to be greater than one tool width wide
- Pre Probe Cylinder (pre_probe_cylinder.py) This script creates a G-code file for probing a cylinder, which is the first step for cylindrical auto-leveling. The user specifies the number of linear and radial divisions and the script generates the G-code for performing the probe operation.
The code outputs the results to a text file, with the default name probe_results.txt. The resulting data file containing can be plotted using the pre_probe_cylinder_plot.py script.
This script relies on the M40 and M41 macros for the probe operations. Macros for Mach4 are included in the /mach4 folder.
- Pre Probe Cylinder Plot (pre_probe_cylinder_plot.py) Plots the probe results using matplotlib. The script detects if the data is 2D or 3D and plots the data accordingly.
specified in the script, or omitted and the script will used the current X location when the script is run. Can interpolate from a pre-probe file for cylindrical autoleveling
- Cut Groove Cylinder (cut_groove_cylinder.py) Used to create a groove of a constant depth. A groove is considered the width of one tool (no travel in the X direction). The X location can be specified or not.
Can interpolate from a pre-probe file for cylindrical autoleveling
- Cut Recess Cylinder (cut_recess_cylinder.py) Used to create a recess of a constant depth. User species the start and end X location.
Can interpolate from a pre-probe file for cyl:qindrical autoleveling
- Drill Holes Cylinder (drill_holes_cylinder.py) Used to drill holes circumfrentially around a cylinder. The X location can be specified or not. Script assumes the holes are spaced evenly around the cylinder. User specifies the angular increment. If holes are bigger than the tool, then multiple passes will be made to widen the hole.
Can interpolate from a pre-probe file for cylindrical autoleveling
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Apply Cylinder Autolevel (apply_cylinder_autolevel.py) Script to apply cylinder autolevel process. Modifies a G-code file to adjust the Z-axis height using the probe_results.txt file obtained from the pre-probe process. Requires the user to specify the nominal OD of the part to be cut.
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Convert to Inverse Time (convert_to_inverse_time.py) An easy way to generate rotary-axis G-code is to take a "flat" G-code file and wrap it in a cylindrical manner. G-code-Ripper by Scorchworks is a great tool for doing this. One issue with wrapping code is that the default feedrate mode (G94) is used and it doesn't differentiate between linear (length/min) and rotational (deg/min)units and the resulting tool path can be very slow(see video for a great explanation).
A better option is to use Inverse Time Mode (G93). In this mode, the total time of a move is computed and the inverse of the time is then specified as the feedrate.
The script convert_to_inverse_time.py takes an existing G-code file (likely built using a wrap tool), assumes that the input was built assuming G94 and modifies it to use the inverse time mode (G93).