Common G-code commands (G0, G1, G28, M104, M106) in 3D Printing - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Common G-code commands (G0, G1, G28, M104, M106)

📖 Scenario: You are learning how 3D printers understand instructions. These instructions are called G-code commands. Each command tells the printer to do something specific, like move the print head or heat the nozzle.Imagine you want to prepare your 3D printer for printing a small object. You need to write some basic G-code commands to control the printer's movements and settings.

🎯 Goal: Build a simple list of common G-code commands with their exact codes and short descriptions. This will help you understand what each command does and how to use them in a 3D printing project.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a dictionary called gcode_commands with exact keys: 'G0', 'G1', 'G28', 'M104', 'M106'

Each key must have a string value describing the command's purpose exactly as specified

Create a variable called important_command and set it to the string 'G28'

Use a for loop with variables code and description to iterate over gcode_commands.items()

Inside the loop, create a new dictionary selected_commands that includes only commands where code matches important_command

Add a final key-value pair to selected_commands with key 'Note' and value 'This command homes all axes.'

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

3D printers use G-code commands to control movements, temperatures, and other actions during printing. Understanding these commands helps in troubleshooting and customizing prints.

💼 Career

Knowledge of G-code is useful for 3D printing technicians, engineers, and hobbyists who want to optimize printer performance or create custom print jobs.

1

Create the G-code commands dictionary

Create a dictionary called gcode_commands with these exact entries: 'G0': 'Rapid move to position', 'G1': 'Controlled move to position', 'G28': 'Home all axes', 'M104': 'Set extruder temperature', 'M106': 'Turn on fan'.

3D Printing

# Create the gcode_commands dictionary with exact keys and descriptions
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use curly braces {} to create the dictionary and separate each key-value pair with a comma.

2

Set the important command variable

Create a variable called important_command and set it to the string 'G28'.

3D Printing

gcode_commands = {
    'G0': 'Rapid move to position',
    'G1': 'Controlled move to position',
    'G28': 'Home all axes',
    'M104': 'Set extruder temperature',
    'M106': 'Turn on fan'
}
# Create important_command variable and set it to 'G28'
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the assignment operator = to set the variable.

3

Filter commands using a for loop

Use a for loop with variables code and description to iterate over gcode_commands.items(). Inside the loop, create a new dictionary called selected_commands that includes only the command where code matches important_command.

3D Printing

gcode_commands = {
    'G0': 'Rapid move to position',
    'G1': 'Controlled move to position',
    'G28': 'Home all axes',
    'M104': 'Set extruder temperature',
    'M106': 'Turn on fan'
}
important_command = 'G28'
# Use a for loop to create selected_commands with only the important_command
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Start with an empty dictionary selected_commands = {}. Then add the matching command inside the loop.

4

Add a final note to the selected commands

Add a final key-value pair to the selected_commands dictionary with key 'Note' and value 'This command homes all axes.'.

3D Printing

gcode_commands = {
    'G0': 'Rapid move to position',
    'G1': 'Controlled move to position',
    'G28': 'Home all axes',
    'M104': 'Set extruder temperature',
    'M106': 'Turn on fan'
}
important_command = 'G28'
selected_commands = {}
for code, description in gcode_commands.items():
    if code == important_command:
        selected_commands[code] = description
# Add the final note key-value pair to selected_commands
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the dictionary key assignment syntax to add the new pair.