Newbie- I'm getting serious about a JGRO

[sports.racer]

Hi everyone. What a great resource this site is. I suspect this might be the wrong forum for this question but I'm hoping to get answers from people that are using the same machine I intend to build.

I've started gathering the pieces to build a machine but now I'm trying to understand the software part of this.

My personal computer is a Mac but I will be using a PC to run the machine. The question now is what to use on the PC. I'm not afraid of Linux or Windows and will use whatever it takes to get the machine running at, of course, the lowest price.

The plan is to generate the artwork in something like Illustrator, Inkscape or something similar and then cut the parts.

What do I need once I have the artwork?

I'm confused about what EMC and Mach2/3 do. Do they just control the machine or do they do more than that? Are they the same thing on different operating systems?

Is gcode software or is it a programming language?

Do I need a parallel port or will a USB/Parallel port adapter work?

An overview of the software side (from creating the drawing to a cut piece) of one of these machines would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[ger21]

g-Code is a text file that the machine control software reads. It tells the software where to move the tool.

Emc and Mach3 are basically the same thing, machine control software. Mach3 includes LazyCAM, which can do simple drawing to g-code conversions. I personally don't like it, though. EMC is free, Mach3 is $175.


You'll need a parallel port. A PCI parallel port card will work.

[sports.racer]

Thanks for the response. I was busy installing Parallels 5, Win XP and Ubuntu on my Mac.

After playing around with some demos I think we will use Illustrator on the Mac to create the art, Cut2d on Win XP to make the gcode, and Ubuntu and EMC to drive the machine.

I think it will be the least expensive way to get this going and we certainly can't be accused of playing favorites to an operating system. Any thoughts on this?

I start cutting MDF tomorrow. Looking forward to a working machine very soon.

Thanks again.

[sports.racer]

Base is done and all the MDF for the bed is cut and drilled. I'll assemble this tomorrow.

[voltsandbolts]

It's time for pics....... I'm waiting.

[sports.racer]

Got the bed frame finished. Just a quick picture, nothing too exciting.

[voltsandbolts]

Looking at that is like having a flashback,... keep it up!

[absolutepoker01]

Hi, looking at that bed support reminds me a questions, are they really necesary?, i mean the bed support and torsion box made from 1/2" mdf?, isnt enough only witn the cutting bed bolt together with the rail supports (dtl01 and dtl02) and some side supports also bolted to the rail supports?

[TommieK]

Good Questions. As I sit here and look at my JGRO I see that a very good reason for the top torsion box is to be a dead flat surface and one that will not warp or twist either between cuts or even worse during a cut. The bottom torsion box might be a little harder to understand. It keeps the outside supports in line when you might have to take the cutting bed off to service or replace the lead screw or backlash nuts. Hope this helps. Tom

[absolutepoker01]

Yeah i think u r right, the top torsion box will help to keep a flat suface as you said, but i think that the bottom box could be easily replaced by side supports, anyway the might be neccesary, i was triyng to safe some money and work, haha. Thanks

[sports.racer]

Well those beds are a drag to build, glad I did them first.

I made mine from 11/16" x 1.5" and 11/16" x 2.5" pre-primed MDF that I found at Home Depot. It comes in 8' and 10' lengths. Still need to finish the bed but I'm close.

Started on the linear bearings, now there will be a 1 week stop as the work that pays the bills gets in the way.

[voltsandbolts]

That is one of the wonderful things about the jgro design, it is very basic and open to all kinds of tweaks and improvements. If you look around a bit you will find many variations from different builders. It’s your machine make the changes you feel will work the best. And learn from the experience… just have fun!