Mecode is designed to simplify GCode generation. It is not a slicer, thus it can not convert CAD models to 3D printer ready code. It simply provides a convenient, human-readable layer just above GCode. If you often find yourself manually writing your own GCode, then mecode is for you.
To use, simply instantiate the G object and use its methods to trace your
desired tool path.
from mecode import G
g = G()
g.move(10, 10) # move 10mm in x and 10mm in y
g.arc(x=10, y=5, radius=20, direction='CCW') # counterclockwise arc with a radius of 20
g.meander(5, 10, spacing=1) # trace a rectangle meander with 1mm spacing between passes
g.abs_move(x=1, y=1) # move the tool head to position (1, 1)
g.home() # move the tool head to the origin (0, 0)By default mecode simply prints the generated GCode to stdout. If instead you
want to generate a file, you can pass a filename when
instantiating the G object.
g = G(outfile='path/to/file.gcode')NOTE: When using the option direct_write=True or when writing to a file,
g.teardown() must be called after all commands are executed. If you
are writing to a file, this can be accomplished automatically by using G as
a context manager like so:
with G(outfile='file.gcode') as g:
g.move(10)When the with block is exited, g.teardown() will be automatically called.
The resulting toolpath can be visualized in 3D using the mayavi or matplotlib
package with the view() method:
g = G()
g.meander(10, 10, 1)
g.view()The graphics backend can be specified when calling the view() method, e.g. g.view('mayavi').
With the option direct_write=True, a serial connection to the controlled device
is established via USB serial at a virtual COM port of the computer and the
g-code commands are sent directly to the connected device using a serial
communication protocol:
import mecode
g = mecode.G(
direct_write=True,
direct_write_mode="serial",
printer_port="/dev/tty.usbmodem1411",
baudrate=115200
) # Under MS Windows, use printer_port="COMx" where x has to be replaced by the port number of the virtual COM port the device is connected to according to the device manager.
g.write("M302 S0") # send g-Code. Here: allow cold extrusion. Danger: Make sure extruder is clean without filament inserted
g.absolute() # Absolute positioning mode
g.move(x=10, y=10, z=10, F=500) # move 10mm in x and 10mm in y and 10mm in z at a feedrate of 500 mm/min
g.retract(10) # Move extruder motor
g.write("M400") # IMPORTANT! wait until execution of all commands is finished
g.teardown() # Disconnect (close serial connection)All methods have detailed docstrings and examples.
set_home()reset_home()feed()dwell()home()move()abs_move()arc()abs_arc()rect()meander()clip()triangular_wave()
A wrapper class, GMatrix will run all move and arc commands through a
2D transformation matrix before forwarding them to G.
To use, simply instantiate a GMatrix object instead of a G object:
g = GMatrix()
g.push_matrix() # save the current transformation matrix on the stack.
g.rotate(math.pi/2) # rotate our transformation matrix by 90 degrees.
g.move(0, 1) # same as moves (1,0) before the rotate.
g.pop_matrix() # revert to the prior transformation matrix.The transformation matrix is 2D instead of 3D to simplify arc support.
When working with a machine that has more than one Z-Axis, it is
useful to use the rename_axis() function. Using this function your
code can always refer to the vertical axis as 'Z', but you can dynamically
rename it.
The easiest method to install mecode is with pip:
sudo pip install mecodeTo install from source:
$ git clone https://github.com/jminardi/mecode.git
$ cd mecode
$ pip install -r requirements.txt
$ python setup.py installThe following dependencies are optional, and are only needed for visualization. An easy way to install them is to use Canopy or conda.
- numpy
- mayavi
- matplotlib
- add pressure box comport to
__init__()method - build out multi-nozzle support
- include multi-nozzle support in view method.
- factor out aerotech specific methods into their own class
This software was developed by the Lewis Lab at Harvard University.
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