Serial Communication - Simple Move Command

[Chris]

I've got a Flashforge Creator X and let me first say, thanks for writing GPX; it's invaluable for converting G-Code (directly from Slic3r for e.g.).

So what I'm trying to do is send simple move commands (either from the command line or from a python script if possible). I'm using Ubuntu at the moment because the compiled Windows exe is not yet on 2.0, and 1.4 doesn't support serial.

What I've currently tried is this:

- Downloaded 2.0 source

- Compiled, etc which seems to have worked fine ($ gpx returns the help)

- Made a simple G-Code file for moving, for e.g to move to x=30: $ echo G1 X30 > move.gcode

- Run GPX: $ sudo gpx -s -v move.gcode /dev/ttyACM0

The printer does actually move, which shows that it is working (somewhat). The output I get with the verbose flag hangs after "Communicating via: /dev/ttyACM0" and I need to kill the program with ^C. Strangely, if I open ReplicatorG it releases the hang and prints the remained or the verbose output (Extrusion length: 0.000 metres \n Estimated print time: 0 seconds \n X3G output filesize: 9 bytes). I've tried sending full part files but they also hang.

So my questions are:

- Any idea why it is hanging? Do I need to include an EOF character or G-Code equivalent?

- If all I want to do is send move commands, is using GPX the best way to do it? Do any of you have any other suggestions?

In case this matters, my printer has a Flashforge Creator REV C mightyboard (ATMEGA1280) and my firmware is Sailfish 7.6 (r1228)

Thanks for any help.

[Mark Walker]

This was so long ago, I'm not sure you're still interested, but I have been making fixes in the listening end of the serial I/O that might have addressed your issue.  At least I'm using serial i/o successfully on Rasbian.  If you're still interested I can point you at my fork.

[Dillon Culpepper]

Hey Mark,

I am testing serial I/O on a Flashforge as well, and am interested in your fork addressing this issue. 

Thanks

[Mark Walker]

https://github.com/markwal/GPX/releases

Another answer for Chris would be to use the s3g protocol directly for a move using the python printer driver: https://github.com/makerbot/s3g

Or just paste the command into the gcode tab of RepG and send it to the printer.

[Dillon Culpepper]

Thanks Mark, it helped a lot. :D

[Dabba Doo]

Speaking of serial commands, is there something like pronterface for s3g printers?

[Dan Newman]

On 15/06/2015 4:26 AM, Dabba Doo wrote:
> Speaking of serial commands, is there something like pronterface for s3g
> printers?

This really isn't a general support forum. Please post question not about GPX to
the appropriate forum for your printer.

That said, the answer is yes. However, you really don't find people using them
much for MakerBot-style printers since they serve little purpose: MakerBot-style
printers have an LCD/keypad UI which provide the same functionality (jog, home,
pre-heat, extrude, run print from SD, etc.). RepRap printers in general lack LCD/keypad
UIs and thus, in general, require desktop software such as Pronterface.

Dan

[Dabba Doo]

Sorry for having hijacked this thread, I was thinking about gpx when I wrote my post, because I wondered whether it may be possible to build such an interface using gpx.

For me it's the other way around. My printer uses a mightyboard and sailfish, but can't control the printer via the LCD, but the new printer I'm building will have a RAMPS board and an LCD with menu.

But as you have already answered, would you be so kind to tell me what software can controll makerbot style printers directly?

Dabba

[Dan Newman]

On 16/06/2015 5:22 AM, Dabba Doo wrote:
> Sorry for having hijacked this thread, I was thinking about gpx when I
> wrote my post, because I wondered whether it may be possible to build such
> an interface using gpx.
>
> For me it's the other way around. My printer uses a mightyboard and
> sailfish, but can't control the printer via the LCD,

Why is that? Is your keypad broken? What sort of control is it that
you seek to do that you cannot do from the LCD/keypad UI?

> But as you have already answered, would you be so kind to tell me what
> software can controll makerbot style printers directly?

No point in my answering this until I understand what sort of control it
is that you want to do.

Dan

[Dabba Doo]

The printer is a Weistek WT150. It uses a Mightyboard clone, but not a standard LCD.
Instead, it uses a serial Touch TFT. But the only thing you can do with this TFT is starting a print from SD, and watching the temperature and the percentage completed while it is printing.
Nothing else.

It seems that Astroprint comes with a control panel also for s3g printers, but I haven't tried that yet.