G codes for 3d printer

Currently, there are more and more of a variety of new devices, each of which brings undoubted benefit to humanity. One of these inventions is a 3D printer, which is not yet very common, but nevertheless attracts the attention of a huge number of users. Due to the novelty of the device, it can be quite difficult for a novice to understand the control process and the principle of operation. For example, what is a G-code and why is it needed? What are these codes? You will learn about all this in this article.

What is G-code for a 3D printer

First, consider the principle of the printer itself, which for many remains a mystery. The 3D model that is available inside each device is divided into several horizontal layers, and each layer, in turn, diverges into a variety of lines that differ in thickness and some other parameters.

In order to get the desired result, you definitely need a G-code. What is it? Any 3D printer is a device that works using numerical control, and G-code is a programming language used in such machines. Initially, it was intended to operate machines with a similar control system, but was created back in the 1960s.Simply put, this is a special set of commands, the so-called scheme with the help of which printing will occur. It can be generated automatically using specially designed service programs. It contains not only information about the model of the future product itself, but also the speed of movement and extrusion of plastic, the heating level and a variety of parameters, as well as preparatory operations that are necessarily performed before any printing.

Like any code, G-code consists of several lines. They are called frames. There are several basic commands that are used most often. Let us consider them in more detail in order to better understand what happens during the operation of the printer and how this can be achieved using code.

3D printer G-code commands

In order to understand such code, you will need a kind of command reference. Each of them, even if they are similar to each other, has its own purpose.

The entire diversity of teams is divided into three large groups:

• G - from the English "general", which means basic. They are also called preparatory. With their help, there is a regulation of the movement of the internal parts of the printer from one point to another and so on.
• M - these are auxiliary commands, which can be a great many. They are designed to recognize a variety of parameters and their implementation during operation. This includes the level of heating, cooling and other characteristics that are of great importance in order to get the result as close as possible to a given model.
• T - such commands are responsible for changing the tool.

Thus, knowing what these letters mean, you can begin to understand the provided code, which, at first glance, seems like a set of letters and numbers that does not make sense. Nevertheless, it is with its help that such an amazing device as a 3D printer is activated.

Parameters also have their own specific meaning for the best result. For example, S is the temperature, time in seconds, R is the radius of the arc, and so on.

IMPORTANT! There are quite a few teams and they continue to constantly replenish. That is why it is necessary to find the current list on the Internet, if you need it, and not be content with the old.

Now you know what G-code is in a 3D printer and what it is for. Progress does not stand still, therefore constantly new technical opportunities appear, which previously had only to be dreamed of. With the help of several lines the whole printer is set to work, which is able to print any plastic product if its special model is preloaded. The principle of operation, based on digital program control, is not as complicated as it might seem at first, and studying G-code is the first step to understanding it.