G-Code and Roland

Anonymous

G-Code and Roland

Anonymous
Not applicable

Can anyone help me understand what G-code is, how it is supposed to work and how Fusion can have a G-code file? I have a Roland MDX-540 and am trying to connect my Fusion file directly to it. I am very new to Roland devices and I could use as detailed answers as possible. Thanks in advanced. 

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I_Forge_KC
Advisor
Advisor

GCode is a set of instructions that tells the CNC machine how to move.

 

To create the GCode, you take you model into the MANUFACTURE environment and then tell Fusion how the CNC machine will cut the part. It's a lengthy process to explain, so you might be best off to take a look at something like this...

https://f360ap.autodesk.com/courses/fundamentals-of-milling/lessons/lesson-1-tool-library

Be aware that the user interface has been updated since this series of lessons were created, so it's close but not exactly the same.

 

 

Also, here is a high-level overview that you may find of some use...


K. Cornett
Generative Design Consultant / Trainer

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johnswetz1982
Advisor
Advisor

A CNC (Computer Numeric Control) needs a set of instructions to the computer on how it needs to move to accomplish what you what it to. You would model something or import it from another program in the design workspace. You then need to switch to the Manufacture workspace.

Create a setup based on you stock or operation.

Create operations that will remove your stock to get to your modeled shape (face, adaptive, etc.)

The operations are machine independent meaning fusion does not know what kind of machine you have and fusion's toolpaths are only based off of the work offset you have set in Fusion. This may be where you are getting lost. You need a translator (post processor) to get it to work specifically with your controller (notice I said controller and not machine), since some machines can have different controllers (like a DMG DMU 50). 

So Fusion>Post processor>G code file. That g code file will be on the computer that fusion is on. In your case you would copy that G code file to a USB drive and physically that that drive to you CNC controller and plug it in and copy the file from your USB to your CNC machine controller. The program is only run from your CNC controller.

 

***If you are that new to Fusion I would suggest clicking the help button in the upper right of your fusion screen and going through the Learning Panel and Learning and Help section.

There is also the CAM samples in the Data panel explorer.

The other resources I would suggest is Titans of CNC, that should walk you through simple modeling and the CNC portion of the program. That includes posting out your program and transfering it to the CNC controller, though it will be a Haas controller in that case but is the same for pretty much any controller.***

 

Once you know a little more you can go through some of the John Saunders NYCCNC and Lars Christensen on Youtube where they provide more detailed examples of things. 

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jtragsac
Community Visitor
Community Visitor

Hi, were you able to get Fusion360's to work with your Roland CNC machine? I'm trying to figure out how to send the G-code from Fusion to the same machine. 

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darian_walcott
Explorer
Explorer

Hi, sorry to hijack the post. I was able to select post process and generate the code but where I am having a little trouble is actually sending the code that was generated to the Roland CNC. It is a .prn file. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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darian_walcott
Explorer
Explorer

For anyone who is interested, I figured out how to send the file to the MDX-540. First off, it isn't Gcode that it uses, it uses RML (Roland Machine Language). I had to treat it like a printer. I connected it with a USB printer cable and installed it like a printer. I used a program called Printfil to send the file.

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