Mendrel Cutting

This post provides a step-by-step guide to cutting and some of the issues that arise.

G-Code and Mendrel

As described in the RAMPS post, the Mendrel is controlled by Marlin firmware. When the RAMPS receives g-code commands, these commands are sent to motors which in turn cut out our object. In this post, I will give a brief description of g-code and sending commands to the Mendrel.

PyCam Settings

This post will describe using PyCAM for generating g-code from STL files to be used to cut on the CNC mendel. You can download PyCAM here.

Mendrel Hardware

This page details the major parts purchased and hardware changes that were implemented to convert the Mendel 3D printer into what we refer to as the Mendrel CNC machine.

RAMPS

The Reprap Arduino Mega Pololu Shield (RAMPS) board wired up and secured.

To control our Mendrel, we use the RepRap Arduino Mega Pololu Shield (RAMPS) 1.4 and Arduino Mega. The RAMPS serves as a controller for the Mendrel, outputting the necessary X, Y and Z axis commands through Pololu Stepper Drivers. This post describes the steps involved to wire, test and configure RAMPS.

Mendel Background

RepRap Mendel

In the summer of 2010, the Computer Science Mechatronics lab at UVic got its hands on a plastic extruding 3D Printer: version 2 of the RepRap project called Mendel.

Uploading Techzone Gen 3 Mendel Firmware

Uploading firmware for the Mendel generation 3 electronics is documented, but tends to be written for 2010. Things have changed a bit since then and this post describes the steps to upload firmware to the RepRap MB v1.2 Techzone Remix board. Uploading firmware for the extruder controller is not discussed, as our Mendrel does not use the extruder controller.

Mendrel Electronics

This page serves as a compendium of the Mendrel electronics, providing layouts, schematics and datasheets of components.

Range Finding

One method of determining the distance to an object is by using a laser and camera. Here I implement a simple laser range finder with a Logitech C310, ROS and OpenCV.

Bullseye Detection

In this part of the project I look into finding a target, in this case a bullseye. I used a Logitech C310, ROS and OpenCV.

Bullseye Target. (source)