Eggciting data

These data were made with a ‘FrakenProbe’ they represent the surface height, X(length) and A(rotational)axis.

The experience with the first test run proved that even though the penholder does have some play in the z direction, the plot could be better if the pen were to follow the surface of the egg exactly.  Now its possible to probe the surface and the next step is to interpolate the movements based on the data.

A video of the frakenprobe in action on vimeo : http://vimeo.com/38466340

The gcode to probe the data were my first experience with writing loops in gcode and making extensive use of parameters. I must admit that it not pretty, this is the main part with a nested loop:

(PROBEOPEN data.txt)
G0 Z[#<SAFEZ>]
#<J> = 0
o200 DO
G0 A[#<J> * #<ASTEP>] Z[#<SAFEZ> + <#PZ>]
#<I> = 0
o100 DO
G0 X[#<I> * #<XSTEP>] Z[#<SAFEZ> + <#PZ>]
F300
G38.2 Z[#<PZ]
#<PZ> = [#5063]
#<I> = [#<I> + 1]
o100 WHILE [[#<I> * #<XSTEP>] lt #<W>]
#<J> = [#<J> + 1]
o200 WHILE [[#<J> * #<ASTEP>] lt 360]
(PROBECLOSE)

Did i mention that it is really really nice to have a hackerpace, with tools, parts, club mate and geeks who can help out when you are stuck.

Eggbot first print

A penholder was made, its basis is the insides from a CD-ROM drive the pen is molded into place using Shapelock.

An Egg was mounted and some quick test pattern were made in Inkscape.

We step back and observe the magic.

Unfortunately i dropped the first real image, the first test run were spirals and a hardboiled egg.

There are still issues to work out, but all in all we are quite satisfied with the first test.

It nice to have a hackerspace

Parts laying around, access to all the necessary tools and soon this will be an eggbot. It shall be mounted on a CNC machine as a rotary axis.

We will have machine painted easter eggs  at  Open Space Aarhus