Excuse the newbie question

Hello,

I have never used Bobcad to generate any gcode files before. However if you want to get the BobCad gcode files to the Arduino board you on the grbl github page there is a ruby script that Simen uses.

https://github.com/simen/grbl/blob/master/script/stream.rb

I have not used this script as I normally write my own. However know that we are working on a gcode GUI program (osx, linux, windows) that should drive the grblShield soon. For now use Simens method of the ruby script.

Note you will need the ruby runtime interpreter to run a .rb file.
If you are on windows the ruby installer is here:

http://rubyforge.org/frs/download.php/71066/rubyinstaller-1.8.6-p398.exe

Then its just:

ruby stream.rb

And that will run it.

If you want to motors to turn do this.

If you are on windows find a serial port program. I found termite:
http://www.compuphase.com/software_termite.htm

Its pretty nice little program. Anyways when you plug in your arduino you need to find the port that it shows up as. Once that you settings need to be 8N1 9600 baud.

Then you basically have a serial port connection to grbl. At this point you just type in gcode commands. Like:

Grbl 0.6b
‘$’ to dump current settings
g0x05y05z05 <—-This is what I typed in. Then motors move 🙂
ok <—- Grbl’s response.

You can also do $

$
$0 = 755.906 (steps/mm x)
$1 = 755.906 (steps/mm y)
$2 = 755.906 (steps/mm z)
$3 = 30 (microseconds step pulse)
$4 = 500.0 (mm/min default feed rate)
$5 = 500.0 (mm/min default seek rate)
$6 = 0.100 (mm/arc segment)
$7 = 28 (step port invert mask. binary = 11100)
$8 = 50.0 (acceleration in mm/sec^2)
$9 = 300.0 (max instant cornering speed change in delta mm/min)
‘$x=value’ to set parameter or just ‘$’ to dump current settings
ok

To get a list of all the current settings.

Turn your current pots all the way down. (counter clockwise) then issue a command like this:

g0x1000y1000z1000

Thats a long command. Then slowly adjust the current pots. Once they start to move go a bit more then you are good to go. Just make sure you are not using too beefy of a motor without a heat sink or a fan on the chip. It will go into thermal shutdown if you don’t.

Riley