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Future upgrades
DISCLAIMER! This section is highly opinionated and up for discussion. Think of it as a heap of possibilities that we all need to work through together to what works best for everyone!
Allows for faster rapids and cuts, as well as the potential ability to cut harder materials such as aluminum.
A TinyG or grbl-based board with external high-power drivers would allow for a much more simplified workflow, especially in regard to the operation and setup of the machine itself (homing, jogging, running jobs, etc). It would also provide far better acceleration profiles and path planning, thus reducing wear on the machine while improving speeds.
By handling all trajectory planning on a dedicated board we can eliminate the old-school parallel port and 5i25 and 7i76 boards and instead control the machine over USB and/or the internet using much more ubiquitous hardware, such as a web-connected laptop or Raspberry Pi.
Follow this issue for the status of this upgrade.
Ubuntu has a much stronger user community than Debian, and would be easier to learn and operate for non-Linux users.
Using only 2GB of RAM with an integrated graphics chipset severely limits our ability to work with larger G-code files, especially ones with complex 3D toolpaths. I recommend a custom, purpose-built machine with:
- At least 8GB of RAM
- A mid-range dedicated GPU
- A decent enough CPU to keep up with heavy user interactions and G-code parsing.
It may be possible to upgrade the machine we currently have to accommodate these specs. Must investigate further.
Our current V-wheels are made of hardened steel and therefore have a tendency to "mushroom" the edges of the angle irons we have. The simple solution is to install harder ways (at least as hard as the v-wheels), but re-calibration labor must be considered.
The current gantry carriages are built out of MDF, and exhibit significant signs of wear (reamed bolt holes, bent walls, etc). Once the machine is working, let's look into cutting identical parts out of aluminum.
If you are a member of TC Maker and would like to help improve this documentation, please shoot me a message and I'll get you added as a collaborator!