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Update README.md
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xenovacivus committed Apr 29, 2014
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Expand Up @@ -35,8 +35,18 @@ Start by loading a .stl or .obj file - you can just drag & drop from the file sy
* Boundary Check Paths: Adds a toolpath which follows the bounding box of the object at the safe moving height. Useful to do a dry run and make sure the tool is clear of all clamps, etc.
* Add Perimeter Paths: Adds toolpaths which follow the edges of the object. The paths will be divided into layers depending on "Max Cut Depth", and will do two passes along each edge: one rough cut, removing the bulk of the material, and a clean cut trimming the edge to the exact dimension.

With the tool paths generated, you can save them to a .gcode file or run them directly from PathCAM on specific robots (right now, it's VERY specific - only 2 robots in the entire world...). Connections to more robots will be added in the future - if you have one in mind, say something and maybe it will be added sooner!
With the tool paths generated, you can save them to a .gcode file or run them directly from PathCAM on specific robots (Including machines running GRBL!!!). Connections to more robots will be added in the future - if you have one in mind, say something and maybe it will be added sooner!

Connecting to a Robot
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There's a small checkbox hiding in the lower left-hand corner of PathCAM; click this to reveal some robot control buttons. Here's the basic steps:

1. Robot Preconfiguration: if running GRBL, make sure your robot is set to Metric and that all the steps/mm and other settings are correct. PathCAM will tell your robot to go to (0, 0, 0) when it connects, so make sure it's already around that location.
1. Click "Com Port" & select the COM port to which your robot is connected. Choose the correct baud rate and click "Connect"; your robot should be automatically detected if it's running GRBL 8.0c or later and the GUI buttons for robot control will be enabled
1. Enter the material height in the "Z Go" box, and the negative of that value in the Z Offset box. Hit return while in the Z Offset box, then use the mouse scroll wheel or up/down buttons to jog the Z axis to the surface of the material.
1. Load an object (.STL, .DAE, raw .gcode), ensure the speeds, heights, and other settings are to your liking, then click "Run" to start sending commands to your robot.
1. Sit back and enjoy! If something starts going bad, try the "Pause" button and "Clear" buttons. Doing Pause + Clear will bring the machine safely back to it's starting position (provided it hasn't missed any steps).

Special Thanks
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