Sliding Rail Kit
📅Update: 2021/06/05
Table of Contents
3) Integrate Sliding Rail Kit into your project.
1. Set up for first use
Read the Installation Guide to check the items, assemble the sliding rail and set up for the first use.
Sliding Rail Kit Installation Guide2. Start using
🧙♂️Tips: Make sure you've updated Rotrics Studio to V1.0.1 and above. You can download it on our Download Center - https://www.rotrics.com/pages/downloads
🧙♂️ Tips: Make sure you've updated DexArm's firmware to V2.2.2 and above. You can update it by clicking Setting -> General -> check update on Rotrics Studio.
2.1 Control Sliding Rail with Rotrics Studio.
2.1.1 Initialize the Sliding Rail
🧠Note: The sliding rail uses a different step motor as DexArm. We need to finish the initialization to change the step-per-unit value before using it.
DexArm will automatically update the "axis_steps_per_unit" of the E axis, meanwhile, the sliding rail will move to its home point through stallguard and sensorless_homing of TMC2209.
Now, we can start controlling it with Rotrics Studio. We can use the Left / Right arrow button to control the sliding rail since it's been connected to the 12-pin motor port.
🧙♂️ The recommended speed range is 2000 - 5000 mm/min
2.2 Drawing with Sliding Rail
We provided a sample svg file for you to experience drawing with the sliding rail. Click the link below to download it.
How to use it?
Step 1: Set up drawing board and sliding rail.
Put a 1 meter long board below DexArm and stick a paper on it.
Power on DexArm and move it to the center of the drawing board.
Tips: it's recommended to stack the board up to the Z0 height of DexArm so that we can get the biggest working area.
Step 2: Enter Advance mode
🧙♂️Tips: The Advance mode is designed for drawing and laser engraving with sliding rail. It will cancel the workspace limitation of Drawing and Laser. It will also change X-axis movements to E-axis movements.
Go to Setting -> Config -> Advance and toggle the switch.
Step 3: Set Work Origin.
Click Z- to move DexArm until the nip touches the paper.
Open Termianl and send G92 X0 Y0 Z0 E0 to set work origin.
🧙♂️ Tips: You can add a custom button to set the Sliding Drawing origin if you drawing with the sliding rail often.
Step 4: Import it to Rotrics Studio's drawing panel.
Step 5: Change the working parameters👇
🧠Note: Do NOT set the SVG width over the Sliding Rail's 1000mm working rage.
Make sure the origin of the picture is in X0 Y0.
Width: 800mm
Move Y: 0
Move X: 0
Work Speed: 4000
Work Acceleration: 200 (Set it in Terminal by sending M204 S200)
Step 6: Click Generate G-code and Start Drawing.
2.3 Laser Engraving with Sliding Rail.
❗ Warning: This is an experimental feature! Make sure you are waring Safety Goggles thorough the whole process.
Step 1: Set up laser material and sliding rail.
Place a long material below DexArm and focus the laser module. Move DeArm to the center of the material.
Step 2: Enter Advance mode
🧙♂️Tips: The Advance mode is designed for drawing and laser engraving with sliding rail. It will cancel the workspace limitation of Drawing and Laser. It will also change X-axis movements to E-axis movements.
Go to Setting -> Config -> Advance and toggle the switch.
Step 3: Set Work Origin.
Click Z- to move DexArm until the nip touches the paper.
Open Termianl and send G92 X0 Y0 Z0 E0 to set work origin.
🧙♂️ Tips: You can add a custom button to set the Sliding Drawing origin if you drawing with the sliding rail often.
Step 4: Import the SVG file above into Rotrics Studio's laser panel.
Step 5: Set the Transformation parameters as illustrate below and set your common working parameter.
Width: 800mm
Move X: 0
Move Y: 0
Step 6: Click Generate G-code and Start Drawing.
Integrate Sliding Rail Kit into your project.
Just like controlling DexArm, we use G-code commands to control the sliding rail's movement as well.
After setting up the sliding rail kit, send the G1 Exx Fxx command via serial and you can control the movements.
🧙♂️ The recommended speed range is 2000 - 5000 mm/min
Learn more about DexArm's API here👇
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