ReplicatorG - lowering the barrier to 3D printing
This is the software that will drive your MakerBot Replicator, Thing-O-Matic, CupCake CNC, RepRap machine,
or generic CNC machine. You can give it a GCode or STL file to process,
and it takes it from there. It's cross platform, easily installed, and
is based on the familiar Arduino / Processing environments. ReplicatorG
is used by thousands of MakerBot Operators, and has printed tens of
thousands of 3D objects and counting.
http://replicat.org/
Showing posts with label 3d print. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3d print. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2014
LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control)
linuxcnc.org - LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control) is a software system for computer control of machine tools such as milling machines and lathes.
LinuxCNC is free software with open source code. Current versions of LinuxCNC are entirely licensed under the GNU General Public License and Lesser GNU General Public License (GPL and LGPL)
LinuxCNC provides:
- several graphical user interfaces including one for touch screens
- an interpreter for "G-code" (the RS-274 machine tool programming language)
- a realtime motion planning system with look-ahead
- operation of low-level machine electronics such as sensors and motor drives
- an easy to use "breadboard" layer for quickly creating a unique configuration for your machine
- a software PLC programmable with ladder diagrams
- easy installation with .deb packages or a Live-CD
- It can simultaneously move up to 9 axes and supports a variety of interfaces.
- The control can operate true servos (analog or PWM) with the feedback loop closed by the LinuxCNC software at the computer, or open loop with "step-servos" or stepper motors.
- Motion control features include: cutter radius and length compensation, path deviation limited to a specified tolerance, lathe threading, synchronized axis motion, adaptive feedrate, operator feed override, and constant velocity control.
- Support for non-Cartesian motion systems is provided via custom kinematics modules. Available architectures include hexapods (Stewart platforms and similar concepts) and systems with rotary joints to provide motion such as PUMA or SCARA robots.
- LinuxCNC runs on Linux using real time extensions. Support currently exists for version 2.4 and 2.6 Linux kernels with real time extensions applied by RT-Linux or RTAI patches.
Friday, September 7, 2012
3D printers: 10 machines for home manufacturing
3D printers: 10 machines for home manufacturing
http://www.techrepublic.com/photos/3d-printers-10-machines-for-home-manufacturing/6379767?tag=nl.e098
The age of being able to print off anything - from washing machine parts to shoes - in your home is approaching.
For years 3D printers, which build solid objects layer by layer using computer models, came with a price tag that made them unaffordable to anyone outside big business.
However in recent years homebrew 3D printer projects such as RepRap in the UK and Fab@Home have demonstrated it's possible to build a 3D printer for about $1,000.
Today, there are a slew of 3D printers aimed at the home market, many of which are based on the open-source RepRap printers. TechRepublic has rounded up 10 machines for fabricating items at home.
3D printing noobs should be aware that not only do many of these machines ship as kits that have to be built by the user, most are more complicated to operate than your standard 2D printer.
Running costs are also not cheap. Most of the printers build objects using filament, typically made of ABS or PLA plastics. A one-kilogram coil of these plastics costs in the region of $70.
If you do pick up a 3D printer and are lacking inspiration, check out the Thingiverse, a collection of free designs for printable objects.
Cube 3D
The Cube 3D, shown above, is a printer designed to make building plastic objects as easy as running off a copy of a document.
The $1,299 device can print items as large as 5.5 inches cubed. It prints in one colour at a time, squeezing molten plastic from its nozzle, and can produce 10 different shades.
The Cube is designed to be easy to use, with cartridges that clip into place and software that turns 3D computer models into a form the printer can understand. The software handles models in the STL format, which is output by most CAD packages.
Designs for objects that can be printed using the Cube are available through its dedicated online store.
Users can tweak ready-made designs for printable objects, such as toys and jewellery, using a selection of apps.
Print time is proportional to the size and complexity of the object being built, but the manufacturer says an iPhone case will take about two to three hours to print.
Each cartridge will print 13 to 15 phone case-sized objects before it needs replacing.
Photo: 3D Systems Corporation
http://www.techrepublic.com/photos/3d-printers-10-machines-for-home-manufacturing/6379767?tag=nl.e098
The age of being able to print off anything - from washing machine parts to shoes - in your home is approaching.
For years 3D printers, which build solid objects layer by layer using computer models, came with a price tag that made them unaffordable to anyone outside big business.
However in recent years homebrew 3D printer projects such as RepRap in the UK and Fab@Home have demonstrated it's possible to build a 3D printer for about $1,000.
Today, there are a slew of 3D printers aimed at the home market, many of which are based on the open-source RepRap printers. TechRepublic has rounded up 10 machines for fabricating items at home.
3D printing noobs should be aware that not only do many of these machines ship as kits that have to be built by the user, most are more complicated to operate than your standard 2D printer.
Running costs are also not cheap. Most of the printers build objects using filament, typically made of ABS or PLA plastics. A one-kilogram coil of these plastics costs in the region of $70.
If you do pick up a 3D printer and are lacking inspiration, check out the Thingiverse, a collection of free designs for printable objects.
Cube 3D
The Cube 3D, shown above, is a printer designed to make building plastic objects as easy as running off a copy of a document.
The $1,299 device can print items as large as 5.5 inches cubed. It prints in one colour at a time, squeezing molten plastic from its nozzle, and can produce 10 different shades.
The Cube is designed to be easy to use, with cartridges that clip into place and software that turns 3D computer models into a form the printer can understand. The software handles models in the STL format, which is output by most CAD packages.
Designs for objects that can be printed using the Cube are available through its dedicated online store.
Users can tweak ready-made designs for printable objects, such as toys and jewellery, using a selection of apps.
Print time is proportional to the size and complexity of the object being built, but the manufacturer says an iPhone case will take about two to three hours to print.
Each cartridge will print 13 to 15 phone case-sized objects before it needs replacing.
Photo: 3D Systems Corporation
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