Common G-code commands (G0, G1, G28, M104, M106) in 3D Printing - Step-by-Step Execution

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

Start

↓

Read G-code command

↓

Match command type

↓

Move fast

↓

Update position

↓

Next command or End

The flow shows how a 3D printer reads each G-code command and executes actions like moving, homing, heating, or controlling the fan.

Execution Sample

3D Printing

G28
M104 S200
G1 X50 Y25.3 F1500
M106 S255
G0 X0 Y0

This sequence homes the printer, sets extruder temp to 200°C, moves slowly to X50 Y25.3, turns fan on full speed, then moves fast to X0 Y0.

Analysis Table

Step	Command	Action	Parameters	Result
1	G28	Home all axes	None	Position reset to X0 Y0 Z0
2	M104 S200	Set extruder temp	S=200	Extruder heating to 200°C
3	G1 X50 Y25.3 F1500	Move with controlled speed	X=50, Y=25.3, F=1500	Position moves to X50 Y25.3 at speed 1500
4	M106 S255	Turn fan on	S=255	Fan set to maximum speed
5	G0 X0 Y0	Move fast	X=0, Y=0	Position moves quickly to X0 Y0
6	End	No more commands	None	Execution stops

💡 All commands executed; no more commands to process.

State Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 5	Final
Position	X?, Y?, Z?	X0, Y0, Z0	X0, Y0, Z0	X50, Y25.3, Z0	X50, Y25.3, Z0	X0, Y0, Z0	X0, Y0, Z0
Extruder Temp	Room temp	Room temp	200°C heating	200°C heating	200°C heating	200°C heating	200°C heating
Fan Speed	Off	Off	Off	255 (max)	255 (max)	255 (max)	255 (max)

Key Insights - 3 Insights

Why does G28 reset the position to zero?

G28 homes all axes, moving them to their physical zero points, so the printer knows its exact starting position (see Step 1 in execution_table).

What is the difference between G0 and G1 commands?

G0 moves the print head quickly without extruding, while G1 moves at a controlled speed and usually extrudes material (see Steps 3 and 5).

How does M104 affect the printer during printing?

M104 sets the extruder temperature but does not wait for it to reach the target; heating happens in the background (Step 2).

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Looking at the execution_table, what is the printer's position after Step 3?

A X50, Y25.3, Z0

B X0, Y0, Z0

C X?, Y?, Z?

D X100, Y100, Z0

💡 Hint

Check the 'Position' variable in variable_tracker after Step 3.

At which step does the fan turn on to maximum speed?

A Step 2

B Step 4

C Step 5

D Step 3

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Fan Speed' variable in variable_tracker and the 'Action' column in execution_table.

If the command M104 S200 was changed to M104 S220, what would change in the execution_table?

A Fan speed changes to 220

B Position resets to X220 Y0 Z0

C Extruder heating to 220°C instead of 200°C

D No change at all

💡 Hint

M104 controls extruder temperature; see Step 2 in execution_table.

Concept Snapshot

Common G-code commands:
G0 - Move fast without extrusion
G1 - Move controlled with extrusion
G28 - Home all axes (reset position)
M104 - Set extruder temperature (non-blocking)
M106 - Control fan speed
Used to control 3D printer movements and settings step-by-step.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how common G-code commands control a 3D printer. The printer reads each command in order: G28 homes the axes to zero position, M104 sets the extruder temperature to 200°C, G1 moves the print head slowly to X50 Y25.3, M106 turns the fan on at full speed, and G0 moves the head quickly back to X0 Y0. Variables like position, extruder temperature, and fan speed update after each command. Key points include understanding that G28 resets position, G0 moves fast without extrusion, G1 moves with controlled speed and extrusion, M104 sets temperature without waiting, and M106 controls the fan. The quiz questions help reinforce these steps by asking about position after moves, when the fan turns on, and effects of changing temperature commands.