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3D Printingknowledge~3 mins

Why Common G-code commands (G0, G1, G28, M104, M106) in 3D Printing? - Purpose & Use Cases

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The Big Idea

What if you could tell your 3D printer exactly what to do with just a few simple commands?

The Scenario

Imagine trying to control a 3D printer by manually moving each part step-by-step without any instructions. You would have to tell it exactly where to go, how fast to move, and when to heat the nozzle or turn on the fan, all by hand.

The Problem

This manual approach is slow and confusing. It's easy to make mistakes like moving the printer head too fast or forgetting to heat the nozzle, which can ruin your print or even damage the machine.

The Solution

Common G-code commands like G0, G1, G28, M104, and M106 give clear, simple instructions to the printer. They tell it exactly how to move, when to heat, and when to cool, making the printing process smooth and reliable.

Before vs After
✗ Before
Move X to 10mm
Heat nozzle to 200°C
Turn fan on
Move Y to 20mm
✓ After
G28 ; home all axes
M104 S200 ; set nozzle temp
M106 S255 ; turn fan on
G1 X10 Y20 F1500 ; move to X10 Y20 at speed 1500
What It Enables

With these commands, you can automate precise control of your 3D printer, ensuring accurate prints without constant supervision.

Real Life Example

When printing a model, the printer uses G28 to find its starting point, M104 to heat the nozzle, G1 to move the print head along the design path, and M106 to cool the print, all automatically.

Key Takeaways

Manual control of 3D printers is slow and error-prone.

Common G-code commands simplify and automate printer actions.

These commands enable precise, reliable 3D printing.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What does the G-code command G28 do in 3D printing?
easy
A. Sets the extruder temperature
B. Homes all axes to their origin positions
C. Moves the print head quickly without extruding
D. Turns on the cooling fan

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of G28

    The G28 command is used to move the printer's axes to their home or origin positions, ensuring the printer knows where the starting point is.

  2. Step 2: Compare with other commands

    Other commands like G0 move quickly without printing, M104 sets temperature, and M106 controls the fan, so they do not home the axes.

  3. Final Answer:

    Homes all axes to their origin positions -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    G28 = Home axes [OK]
Hint: G28 always means 'go home' for all axes [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing G28 with G0 or G1 which move the head
  • Thinking M104 or M106 control movement instead of temperature or fan
  • Assuming G28 sets temperature or fan speed
2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to set the extruder temperature to 200°C using G-code?
easy
A. G28 S200
B. M106 S200
C. G1 S200
D. M104 S200

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the command for setting extruder temperature

    M104 is the G-code command used to set the extruder temperature to a specified value.

  2. Step 2: Check the syntax

    The correct syntax is M104 followed by S and the temperature value, so M104 S200 sets the extruder to 200°C.

  3. Final Answer:

    M104 S200 -> Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    M104 sets extruder temp = M104 S200 [OK]
Hint: M104 sets extruder temp; M106 controls fan [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using M106 which controls the fan instead of temperature
  • Using G1 or G28 which are for movement, not temperature
  • Omitting the S parameter for temperature value
3. What will happen when the following G-code commands are executed?
G0 X50 Y50
G1 X100 Y100 E10
medium
A. The print head homes all axes, then sets extruder temperature to 10°C
B. The print head moves slowly to (50,50) while extruding, then quickly to (100,100) without extruding
C. The print head moves quickly to (50,50) without extruding, then moves to (100,100) while extruding filament
D. The print head turns on the fan and moves to (100,100)

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand G0 and G1 commands

    G0 moves the print head quickly without extruding filament. G1 moves the print head while extruding filament as specified by the E parameter.

  2. Step 2: Analyze the commands given

    First, G0 moves the head to X50 Y50 quickly without extrusion. Then, G1 moves the head to X100 Y100 while extruding 10 units of filament.

  3. Final Answer:

    The print head moves quickly to (50,50) without extruding, then moves to (100,100) while extruding filament -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    G0 = fast move no extrusion, G1 = move with extrusion [OK]
Hint: G0 = fast move no extrusion; G1 = move with extrusion [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Mixing up G0 and G1 commands
  • Assuming extrusion happens during G0
  • Confusing E parameter as fan speed or temperature
4. A user writes the following G-code to turn on the cooling fan at half speed:
M106 S128

But the fan does not turn on. What is the likely error?
medium
A. The printer firmware might require a different command or fan pin setup
B. The S value should be between 0 and 255, 128 is invalid
C. The command should be M104 to control the fan
D. The G28 command is missing before M106

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand M106 command and S parameter

    M106 controls the cooling fan speed with S value from 0 (off) to 255 (full speed). S128 is a valid half speed.

  2. Step 2: Consider why fan might not turn on

    If the fan does not turn on, it is likely due to printer firmware settings or hardware configuration, such as fan pin assignment or disabled fan control.

  3. Final Answer:

    The printer firmware might require a different command or fan pin setup -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    M106 S128 valid but hardware/firmware may block fan [OK]
Hint: Check firmware and hardware if M106 S128 doesn't work [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking S128 is out of range (it's valid)
  • Using M104 instead of M106 for fan control
  • Assuming G28 is needed before fan commands
5. You want to start a print by homing all axes, setting the extruder temperature to 210°C, waiting for it to reach temperature, then moving the print head to X10 Y10 quickly without extruding. Which sequence of G-code commands is correct?
hard
A. G28
M104 S210
M109 S210
G0 X10 Y10
B. M104 S210
G28
M109 S210
G1 X10 Y10 E0
C. G28
M109 S210
M104 S210
G0 X10 Y10
D. M106 S210
G28
M109 S210
G0 X10 Y10

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify commands for each action

    G28 homes all axes. M104 sets extruder temperature without waiting. M109 sets temperature and waits until reached. G0 moves quickly without extruding.

  2. Step 2: Check command order for correct sequence

    First home with G28, then set temp with M104, wait with M109, finally move with G0 to X10 Y10 without extrusion.

  3. Final Answer:

    G28
    M104 S210
    M109 S210
    G0 X10 Y10     -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Home, set temp, wait, then fast move = G28
    M104 S210
    M109 S210
    G0 X10 Y10 [OK]
Hint: Use M109 to wait for temp after M104, then move with G0 [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using M106 instead of temperature commands
  • Moving with G1 and extruding when not needed
  • Setting temperature after moving the head