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3d printer programming tutorial

Former Member

I am looking for somewhere to learn how to write code for 3d printers. I am proficient at c++ and java. Anyone know where I could learn how to program a 3d printer?

  • First of all it depends on what you want to do and what you want to program.

    You may have access to a ready to start 3D printer and wanting to write your personal firmware or modify the existing one. It depends on whether the whole architecture is based on an open source project like Arduino or whatever.

    Another case would be for example, the use / modification of a CNC to convert it to a 3D printer, and then proceed to add all those controls that relate extruder, heated bed and so on.

     

    First in absolute, however, I suggest you start by understanding what the G-CODE, which is the base, which is the code that describes how your printer will have to build your object, then path commands to be given to engines , extruder, thermistor, fans, and so on. This indipendently from the foregoing points image

     

    I leave some links below as a preview, if you have any more questions I am here image

     

    G-code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    http://www.soliwiki.com/3D_Printing_Hardware/Firmware/Software_101

    https://github.com/ErikZalm/Marlin

    http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

  • in reply to matfur92

    As matfur92 stated, there are a couple different areas you could program within.  One being firmware, Second being computer/printer interface, third being in 3D modeling software and the fourth being the slicing engine.   G-code is a great place to start as that is the main driver for the machine.  I would recommend looking at firmware for a 32bit controller as the 8bit in my opinion is a dying technology.  Here is a link to the smoothie board firmware https://github.com/Smoothieware/Smoothieware.  I personally learn from breaking things,  that's how my knowledge of 3d printers came to be.

     

    Another area that I found to be interesting is Voxel modeling and the potential for the voxel size to correlate to the sliced model.  No more need to be multiple file exchanges in software.  The user could see a real time visual of the model sliced.  Just my thoughts on this subject.  Eddy you will have no time filling up hours looking into this.  Have fun doing it and if any questions arise don't hesitate to ask as we have some really knowledgeable 3d printing gurus here at E14.

     

    Nate