existing G-code files don’t have to be recreated.For example the “MI Inkscape Extension” used in the above video only works with Inkscape 0.47.Ī post-processor offers the following advantages: Lines that have been added are shown with a green “plus” sign and green highlight.Ī video demonstrating this process may be found at and is fully documented in the comment section below the video.Ī downside to this approach is that the extension may become obsolete. Lines that have been deleted are shown with a red “minus” sign and red highlight. The right-hand file contains the additional GRBL command sequences. The left-hand file contains the original Inkscape g-code. The end result from both approaches is the same.Īn example of post-processing using my “GcodePostProcessor” is shown in photo 1. insert the required M3,M5 code sequences into existing G-code using a post-processor.

There are two distinctly different ways of doing this: any G-code that we send to the plotter now requires “special” code sequences for raising and lowering the pen. This solves one problem but creates another. but to access this pin we must replace the “spindle_control.c” code module within GRBL with code of our own. Pin 11 is an ideal candidate as the “Limit Z-Axis” function is not required when plotting. we need to borrow one of these pins to control our servo.

Unfortunately GRBL has allocated another task to each of the PWM pins. Servo motors require pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to operate. This original program, and the source code, are attached to this instructable. “GcodePostProcessor (GPP)” inserts GRBL servo pen-lift commands into existing g-code. The solid blue line indicates when the servo arm should be up as the virtual pen traverses the letters ABC. The video shows GRBL controlling a servo motor using the pen-lift code sequences generated by “GcodePostProcessor”. The opening photo shows the results obtained when I ported GRBL to the CoreXY plotter described in. send the modified g-code to your plotter.insert the necessary pen-lift control codes using “GcodePostProcessor”,.

create a g-code calibration file using Inkscape 0.92,.

free up a PWM servo pin by modifying GRBLversion 1.1f,.

If you study the predefined GRBL pin-outs in photo 2 you will see that none of the PWM (pulse width modulation) pins are available for controlling a servo. GRBL is an arduino program for controlling each of the XYZ stepping motors on 3-axis machines such as 3D-printers and milling machines.

How to use inkscape extensions