[software] Best (linux) software for newborn Cyclone 2

[Jack Ha]

Hi all,

I'm a software engineer from the Netherlands and I've been busy with my MendelMax 1.5 for a while now. When I stumbled upon the Cyclone a few weeks ago I thought it was so amazing, that I instantly started printing the parts for it. Now the hardware part is mostly done (except for the case for electronics).

- I mainly used Kubus' BOM as a base. I didn't pay much attention to the rods, so I have some that are too long.

- RAMPS 1.4 (sanguinololu as in the docs was not available anymore)

- A cheap laptop power brick for 12v, 5a.

- Standard Dremel

- Cheap bits to tryout. v-shaped, end mills and drills.

- Where do you guys pick op pcb's that are 100x160mm? Mostly on ebay I can find 100x150mm so I changed one of the holders that it holds that size pcb's.

- I often have a high pitched noise from the steppers and my MendelMax does not do that. I tuned the popolus and that helps a bit. The sound is not very bad, but it is annoying. Anybody knows more things to try?

Next I started to dig into the software part. With pronterface I can move all parts and try out gcode. It's quite difficult for me to see what's currently the best, as the posts on this forum are all pinpoints in time. So what I'm wondering about:

- What firmware can I use best? I started with Carlos' MarlinForCyclone. I saw in Carlos' software 2_Zprobe.py that G30 should return "ok Z:...\n", but in my case it just returns "ok\n".

- In combination with what software? I saw Carlos' python scripts, kobus' GUI and CNC gcode controller. I played a bit with the Python scripts, but for my case I needed debugging to get it to work. At this moment CNC gcode controller looks most promising. What do you guys think? My main platform is ubuntu, and possibly Raspbian on a Raspberry Pi 2.

I'm most puzzled about the auto bed leveling / z probing. Is it the firmware that controls the interpolated z values or is the host software responsible? Or does it depend on the software combination?

 

I'm really looking forward to making this machine work ;-) I think I'm going to mill some plexiglass first without the z-probing. See if I can manage that first.

That's it for now, happy building!

Jack

[Harry Binnema]

Hi Jack,

I do not have much answer on your questions, but want to emphasize that I am also based in the Netherlands. I also build a Cyclone ( and a portla cyclone). I am still finalising, so we might help each other completing. My location is Houten.Let me know if you would like to join forces.

regards,

Harry Binnema

[Jack Ha]

Hi Harry,

What a coincidence, I'm based in Utrecht :-)

Sure we can join forces, just let me know.

regards, Jack

[Jack Ha]

Ok, the latest Marlin looks most promising for the auto bed level feature:

http://www.marlinfirmware.org/index.php/G29

I'll try some toolchains and we'll see what comes up.

[Nando]

I use the autolevel feature with my 3D printer and it works really well.
But there was several issues within the code that have been cleaned out recently in the dev version. This version will go soon in code freeze so a new release will happrn soon and bring all those improvments.

Btw in the latest dev version they added M codes to control a spindle so it may become even better fit for a CNC.

Now in regards to the the Z probe matrix.
It depends on the firmware and software.
With stock marlin G29 code the autolevel code produces a matrix that later the firmware itself applies at runtime to compensate the height.
For example with GBRL and bCNC it just outputs the height in several points so that the software creates the matrix and later applies the compensation to the commands it sends automatically.
You can even save the matrix values to reuse.
Some others like the ones you mentioned work simillar to this but the process to add the compensation is done manually, so you have some extra steps to create lhe resulting interpolation.

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[Alex]

Hi Jack,
Nice build :)
You can find the PCBs here :
http://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/528382/Proma-106100-0160-Uncoated-Base-Material-Single-sided-L-x-W-100-mm-x-160-mm-Thickness-15-mm-Hard-paper

It's made of bakelite, that is not as bad for your health as epoxy
when it becomes dust.

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Alex

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