Liyu router HPGL and RS232

[jallitt]

Just picked up an oldish (2003) Liyu CNC router (model LE-5032 or SGJD5232). No software (but there are a couple of unmarked dongles) and the manual is in chinese . The dongles could be for type3 or bitcam.

The builtin test file runs OK and the spindle starts up when I send it a HPGL file via serial cable but I get no xyz motion. I think the spindle starts as soon as data shows up on the serial port though i.e it's not controlled by the incoming HPGL code. I also tried generic g-code but from what I can gather from the manual it requires HPGL or DMPL.

I just relocated a PC with a "real" serial port next to the machine to make sure it's not a usb-serial cable issue but still no luck. Maybe it doesn't like my HPGL (or it could be waiting for a specific init code). I'm going to try a 25pin parallel cable anf sending to LPT1: next.

Anyone know what HPGL should look like for one of these machines?

[jallitt]

After much trial and error, random googling for english word combos in the printed manual and google translate of chinese manual pages I seem to have got HPGL into the router. As I suspected it needed some specific init codes.

I'm not 100% sure the scale is correct yet but I can change that easily enough the post-processor.

Next I have to hook up the water cooling for the spindle and see if I can cut something.