{"id":4910,"date":"2016-08-15T15:29:32","date_gmt":"2016-08-15T20:29:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jtechphotonics.com\/?p=4910"},"modified":"2023-06-05T08:29:34","modified_gmt":"2023-06-05T14:29:34","slug":"universal-g-code-sender-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jtechphotonics.com\/?p=4910","title":{"rendered":"Universal G Code Sender Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"

We use Universal G Code sender on many of our GRBL machines in the shop. \u00a0If you have an X Carve or a Shapeoko 3, you will not be able to run your machine in Easel or Carbide Motion without a delay on the laser ON\/OFF command. \u00a0The easiest way to get around this is to use Lightburn or Universal G Code sender to run your machine.<\/p>\n

We will show you how to both download and install it on your machine as well as run it. \u00a0Let’s get started!<\/p>\n

Downloading\u00a0Universal-G-Code-Sender<\/a><\/h3>\n

Using Universal-G-Code-Sender<\/a><\/h3>\n

1.Verify that your Java is up to date (or download current java version)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Please note that the latest\u00a0version\u00a0of universal-G-code-sender\u00a0requires\u00a0Java 7 or higher. While earlier\u00a0versions of Universal-G-Code-Sender\u00a0can be ran on Java 6, Java 7 or higher\u00a0is recommended.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To verify that your java version is up to date open your windows start menu and search “About Java”<\/p>\n

NOTE:<\/strong>\u00a0If no results appear it is likely that you do not have java installed. You should download Java using the link displayed below next to Java’s download page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Once the window has opened verify that your current java is up to date.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2<\/a><\/p>\n

If your version is java 7 or higher you’re ready to install Universal-G-Code-sender. If not you must first download java to your computer. The free downloadable file for Java can be found at the link listed below.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Java’s Download Page:\u00a0<\/strong>https:\/\/java.com\/en\/download\/<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

2. Downloading Universal-G-Code-Sender.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The free downloadable file for universal G-code sender can be found at the link listed below.<\/p>\n

Universal-G-Code-Sender<\/strong>‘s Download Page:<\/strong> https<\/em><\/strong>:\/\/github.com\/winder\/Universal-G-Code-Sender<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

You will not be able to run this software without first having Java installed on your computer (see previous step<\/a>). Once you’ve opened the page containing the download for universal G-code sender scroll down “stable builds<\/strong>” and select version 1.0.9<\/strong> to be downloaded.<\/p>\n

\"3<\/a><\/p>\n

Opening the file:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>If you are using chrome as your browser the zip file will appear at the bottom of the page. Select this file to be opened.<\/p>\n

\"4<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are using Internet Explorer the process is very much the same, but the browser displays the file differently. Select and open the file.<\/p>\n

\"5<\/a><\/p>\n

Once you have opened the zip file on your computer you must then extract the files by clicking “Extract all”.<\/p>\n

\"6<\/a><\/p>\n

As shown below Windows 7 will have a slightly different page layout than windows 10. Select “Extract all files” for the file to be extracted to your computer.\"7<\/a><\/p>\n

Before the file can be Extracted to your computer you must first select a destination for it. It is convenient for the file to be placed on the desktop for ease of access.<\/p>\n

Select browse to open your computers library.<\/p>\n

\"8<\/a><\/p>\n

Select your desktop as the destination for you files to be extracted. By doing this your file (universal-G-code sender) will appear as a clickable icon on your desktop.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

\"9<\/a><\/p>\n

Once the proper destination has been selected you may place the files by clicking “Extract”.<\/p>\n

\"10<\/a><\/p>\n

Now that the files have been extracted to your desktop successfully you may close out your previous windows.<\/p>\n

3. Using Universal-G-Code-Sender<\/strong><\/h2>\n

UGS (Universal-G-Code-Sender) is an application used to send commands from your computer to your machine. In this tutorial we will discuss the basics of UGS necessary for the operation of your machine.<\/p>\n

IMPORTANT:<\/strong> While UGS is an excellent means of sending commands to your machine it is not<\/strong> meant to create G-code or turn images into commands that your machine will understand and replicate. Creating the G-code (a language in which people tell computerized\u00a0machine tools how to make something) can be done using software such as Inkscape, Laser Etch, Pic Laser, etcetera. Once the G-code has been created it may then be sent to your machine using UGS.<\/p>\n

To begin using Universal-G-Code-Sender you must first open the application by double clicking its icon on your desktop. If you do not have\u00a0UGS see\u00a0download instructions<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"1<\/a><\/p>\n

Once the window has opened select the com port<\/strong> for your machine. This is the communication interface for your machine and your computer.<\/p>\n

To find the desired com port for your machine select Windows “start” then select “devices and printers”. Right click the image representing your device and select “properties” on properties select the “hardware” tab and your devices COM port will be listed under “device functions” (COM#)<\/p>\n

\"2.5<\/a><\/p>\n

Scroll through your devices and identify the icon that represents your machine.<\/p>\n

\"x<\/a><\/p>\n

Once you’ve opened the properties window you can identify which com port is used to communicate with your machine.<\/p>\n

\"2.7<\/a><\/p>\n

As shown below we are selecting the com port that corresponds with our machine.<\/p>\n

\"2<\/a><\/p>\n

For our purposes the firmware should be set to GRBL<\/strong> and the baud rate should be 115200.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"3<\/a><\/p>\n

\"4<\/a><\/p>\n

In the tabs select “machine control” to open the manual control interface.<\/p>\n

WARNING:<\/strong> when your machine is told to “home” it will travel in every axis until it has reached an end stop. Be certain that your end stops are functioning and be prepared to turn off your machine quickly to avoid damaging any hardware.<\/p>\n

\"5<\/a><\/p>\n

Below is the UGS machine control tab. Once you have checked the box labeled “Enable Keyboard Movement” you will be able to jog (move machine using manual operation) your machine in each axis using the corresponding keyboard commands.<\/p>\n

Note: \u00a0<\/strong>If you do not have limit switches on your machine, then just press the “$X” button to remove the lock on the machine and put the status to green.<\/p>\n

Manual Jogging:<\/h3>\n

Note: <\/strong>While changing the step size and units in this interface will affect commands that are sent manually, this will not change the way that jobs are ran on the machine.<\/p>\n

The picture below displays the manual controls for you machine and the keyboard commands that can be used in place of clicking these commands.<\/p>\n

\"6<\/a><\/p>\n

Now that we have discussed simple jogging commands and homing your machine you should be able to place the tool wherever you choose.<\/p>\n

You will need to adjust the Z axis so that your laser tool is positioned above the material you wish to engrave or cut at the correct distance for your laser.\u00a0 The lasers come Pre Focused from the base of the heatsink to the work surface:<\/p>\n

1W 405nm Laser :\u00a0 3″
\n2W 445nm Laser:\u00a0 3″
\n2.8W 445nm Laser: 3″
\n3.8W 445nm Laser:\u00a0 1.5″<\/p>\n

If you have moved the lens or want it lower focus, then follow the instructions located here:<\/p>\n

Focusing Your Laser 101<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n