3D Printing on CNC using Mach3

thingiverse

This project aims at utilizing a CNC mill/router as a 3D printer, using the Mach3 control software to manage its movements based on g-code. The setup doesn't require any change to the original configuration and allows easy switching between CNC and printing jobs. Developed by Chin-Kai Chang, Rand Voorhies, and Lior Elazary at the University of Southern California iLab, the printer head uses a Makerbot Plastruder MK5. The firmware includes a simple serial protocol for temperature control and motor speed adjustment. A specific Mach3 setting file is created to handle extruder-related commands. Serial and parallel connections to the extruder controller board are set up, with serial controlling temperature and motor speed while parallel controls feeder start/stop. G-code from ReplicatorG is generated as usual, but then cleaned up for use in Mach3 by replacing certain codes and adjusting feed rates. Finally, all settings are ready, and the user can start the printing process in Mach3.