G-Code writing program

[dwsouthwick (David W Southwick)]

Writing gcode for shapeoko 5 pro with spindle.

Is it possible to write a g-code file for my Shapeoko 5 pro? I want to do a raster program for flattening projects with the grain rather than starting in the center and circle my way out to the edges.
Also, looking to g-code for a spiral cut, similar to internal thread cutting. It seems I could do these with some g-code experimentation.
Is there a program that I can use with my machine to utilize my own g-code files?
Thanks

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Yes, but the problem is the firmware, Grbl is quite limited in in the G-code which it supports.

https://my.carbide3d.com/faq/supported-gcodes/

You can use any text editor, but the programming is a bit tedious without any variables, loops, or branching.

There is a Notepad++ plugin which includes a wireframe preview:

NCnetic

and there is also:

G-Wizard Editor: Check, Optimize, and Learn G-Code Easily

and various other tools for this sort of thing.

I’ve been working on a tool for automating this sort of programming and preview:

GitHub - WillAdams/gcodepreview: OpenSCAD library for moving a tool in lines...

which if you find OpenSCAD workable might be of interest.

To make up for the limitations of Grbl there is:

GitHub - NRSoft/GSharp: Library for interpreting G# macro-programming CNC...

You may want to consider some sort of conversational G-code option.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Alternately, this sort of flattening can be done pretty easily in Carbide Create.

I want to do a raster program for flattening projects with the grain rather than starting in the center and circle my way out to the edges.

Preparing rough cut lumber for machining

An improvement on the straight lines would be to use arcs at the ends for smoother movement. If one wants to surface off for example an 8x12 area: [image] then the easiest way to do this is to increase the Stock Width by 2 inches and the Height by 1 inch: [image] [image] Center the rectangle showing the area one wishes to cut as a reference: [image] Align Vectors [image] [image] and then draw in the ends: [image] (and increase the Grid size to match the desired stepover) [im…

For cutting threads it’s a bit more complicated — you’d either need a thread-cutting program or to program by hand for a thread-cutting tool with undercuts.

Thread Milling (in Metal) on the Shapeoko (3)

This is something I have wanted to try for about a year, and it finally made it to the top of the To Do List. [image] The price of 1/4 shank Carbide Thread Mills is crazy expensive so I decided to use my Tool Maker experience and make one from an old worn 1/4-20 tap. The goal is to remove all the teeth except ONE! It really isn’t that difficult, since you have about 12 teeth (about) to practice with. Meaning if you make a mistake, grind off the mistake, and go to the next tooth. Once you h…

[dwsouthwick (David W Southwick)]

Thanks. I have done flattening runs, however they only start in the middle and circle out. I want to run side to side with the grain. Am I missing something in carbide create pro?

[neilferreri (Neil Ferreri Ω)]

@dwsouthwick This might be of interest.

Gcode generator tools

A while ago in trying help someone on another forum, I made a little gcode generator for surfacing with a bunch of options. I decided there’s no reason not to share here as someone might find it useful. The main reason for the request was in trying to only surface in one direction. Links below… Make sure to preview your gcode before running it if you want to try these out. Source code here. (along with a basic engine turning app I made a while ago) Preview here: Surfacing Generator

[Zman (MICHAEL ZEMANEK)]

I have not looked at @neilferreri file, this is what I use.

CNC Raster Surfacing

For surfacing my table I do a square around the edges to account for the artifacts.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

As was explained, one would draw up the desired toolpath using suitable geometries and the Linear Array tool.

The only toolpath which Carbide Create Pro affords for this sort of thing is Engraving which might be workable for this (Keyhole can be used as well, w/ a suitable array of circles, but unfortunately is length-limited).