[Omoikane]

Hi,

I am following the tutorial to setup an extruder on a NACHi, but I haven't got very far. I am stilling trying to figure out how to control the stepper motor on the extruder (like is it the robot controller I/O controlling the extrude and retraction, for example). I am still on the hardware stage. Any hints/suggestion will be greatly appreciated because I need to repeat the same thing on a KUKA KR6 R900 later.

Please, any pointers? : )

OK, the real question, as the title suggested: I am interested in adding a linear table as 7th axis so I can build longer pieces. I am not adding a linear rail to the robot (so not moving the robot), but a linear rail for the hot bed (so moving the part). Can this be done??

I must admit that I did read over the RoboDK PDF manuals, but not sure if this can be done. The 7th axis example with wheel hub is really an indexing operation. Yes, I can see this can be an repeating indexing operation. This still feel not right.

Please, any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Omoikane]

I have some more questions:

1) In the PDF documentation p.20, it looks like it is sending an analogue output. Why is that?

2) *IF* I am correct, the slicer output G Code for coordinate and also the "length" of material to be extrude from steps to steps. On a 3D printer controller, that is translated (using kinematics) to back out the number of steps (and direction) for the stepper to take. So, with RoboDK and a robot controller, how is this happening? (So, let's say you have a stepper motor driver, so you just need to supply steps and direction signal, is the robot controller going to output 2 digital signal, one for direction and one for step? Is that what RoboDK is outputing? Or is the PDF instruction expecting, say, a 3D printer controller + robot controller?)

Feel free to point out any error in my thinking.

[Jeremy]

Hi Omoikane,

1 - I don't think you can use the bed as a 7th axis. That's not how this feature was built.

2 - These threads might help you better understand how to set your 3D printing setup.
https://robodk.com/forum/Thread-Extruder...ABB-IRB120
https://robodk.com/forum/Thread-3D-Print...ANUC-robot
https://robodk.com/forum/Thread-Program-...er-Control


Jeremy

[Omoikane]

Thanks Jeremy!

Something weird happened to RoboDK. After following the YouTube tutorial (and installed Slic3r in RoboDK directory), when I clicked the Globe icon, it will open up the library in the web browser instead of in RoboDK. I went to Tools -> Options, and reset to default (because I don't know what setting to use), it fixed the problem. But as soon as I call Utilities -> 3D print object, the problem will come back. How do I fix it?

Second problem, why would the Simulate option not available in 3D Print Object: Print3D settings? I cant' preview the moves yet. Double click Print3D settings will simply open the option, but will not play the preview.

I also can't seem to output the program for the specific robot controller. I am hoping to see what the output looks like to interpret what I need to do on the robot controller side.

I attached the file.

Also, in the YouTube tutorial, it was mentioned about a turn table. Can you expend that discussion a bit? Like, how can I use a turn table with 3D printing.

[Jeremy]

Hi Omoikane,

Let's tackle a few questions:

1 - That's not a bug. RoboDK has a way to know if a potential problem with the embedded online library will arise. If RDK thinks it's the case, it will automatically open it in a web browser. The content is exactly the same. I personally prefer it that way as it's faster and more stable.

2 - There's a big "Update" button just beside the "Simulate" one, you might want to try it.

3 - https://robodk.com/doc/en/Robot-Machining.html#Print3D

4 - https://robodk.com/doc/en/Robot-Machining.html#Print3D

Jeremy