Gcode

Everything your Hyrel 3D Printer does is done by executing GCode, whether you are aware of it or not. While most of it is specified in your gcode file, some of it is sent to the printer before the file is executed; this includes setting flow rates, prime/unprime (advance/retract) settings, and default speeds.

Please note that there are many flavors of gcode, and while most have the same (or very similar) G0-G100 and M0-M100, codes above 100 are largely nonstandard.

Below, I will explain those gcodes about which we get the most questions.

Understanding the T

The T command (lines starting with a T) and the T variable in M commands (lines starting with an M) use different addressing. And each address has a resistor value to identify it. Here's how they're used:

T Commands

A T command starts with a T, and indicates a tool change, or a change of focus from one tool position (print head) to another. A T command also invokes the variables (nozzle diameter, motor pulses per unit volume, flow multiplier, prime and unprime values, and X/Y(/Z) offsets) which were sent from Repetrel to the Motion Controller at job start. These are numbered 0-3 (or 4) from left to right. Examples:

T0 ; tool change to the first (far left) tool position, including variables T1 ; tool change to the second tool position, including variables T2 ; tool change to the third tool position, including variables T3 ; tool change to the fourth tool position, including variables T4 ; tool change to the fifth tool position, including variables *See chart below for more options

T Variables

A T variable is a parameter (sometimes optional) sent as part of an M command, starting with an M, and indicates which tool position these settings should be applied to. If left out, these settings are applied to the head which currently has focus (is printing). On Yoke 1, these are labeled 11-14, left to right, with 10 being a wildcard, sending this command to every head on Yoke 1. Examples:

M221 T11 S1.0 P.58 W1.6 Z0.3	; apply flow settings (M221) to the head in the first slot (T11) a flow modifier of 1.0 (S1.0), pulses per 10 nanoliters of 0.58 (P0.58), nozzle width of 1.6mm (W1.6), and a layer thickness of 0.3 (Z0.3) NOTE: we declare layer thickness on each layer with the M756 command.
M104 T14 S435	; apply temperature (M104) to the head in the fourth slot (T14) to 435C (S435).'
M106 S25	; set cooling fan (M106) to 25% power (S25); since no head is specified, this will be sent to the head currently in use.
M104 T10 S0	; apply temperature (M104) to all heads on yoke 1 (T10) to 0C (S0).

Chart of Addresses

T Commands and T Variables for Special Addresses

Description	T Command	T Variable
Standard Assignments
Yoke 1, Slot 1	T0	M# T11
Yoke 1, Slot 2	T1	M# T12
Yoke 1, Slot 3	T2	M# T13
Yoke 1, Slot 4	T3	M# T14
Yoke 1, Slot 5	T4	M# T15
Yoke 2, Slot 1	T5	M# T21
Yoke 2, Slot 2	T6	M# T22
Yoke 2, Slot 3	T7	M# T23
Yoke 2, Slot 4	T8	M# T24
Yoke 2, Slot 5	T9	M# T25
Special Assignments
Yoke 1, All Slots	n/a	M# T10
Yoke 2, All Slots	n/a	M# T20
CO2 Laser	T10	M# T16
Yoke 1, Slot 1	T11	M# T41
3-Phase Spindle	T12	M# T26
Primary Bed/Chamber	n/a (T13)	M# T91
Secondary Bed/Chamber	n/a (T14)	M# T92

Examples

Default Mode

By default, when you start a job (click the "Print" button), Repetrel will scan the yoke(s), detecting heads serially from left to right, registering which head is in which slot, and "focus" on the first head it detects. Many users only print with one head, and use gcode that does not explicitly direct commands to any particular head. The effect of this is that the gcode will be executed with the only head loaded, regardless of what slot it is in. However, you do have the option - and, when printing with multiple heads, the requirement - to explicitly direct Repetrel's "focus" to a particular head, either for the entire job, or changing "focus" to different heads at different times.

At the start of the job, Repetrel sends the head-specific data to the motion controller; this is done behind the scenes, but if you enable XMIT echoing on the Interface/COM tab, you can see what gets sent.

One Head Loaded

In the following example, I have one MK1-250 head loaded in the first slot on the left, slot 1 (tool focus command T0, but variable T11):

 M6 T11 O1 X0 Y0 Z0
 M721 S10000 E100 P-15 T11
 M722 S10000 E100 P20 T11
 M221 S1.0 T11 P77 W0.5 Z0.3
 
 T0

This code is sent to the printer, specifying:

M6 (Declare Head Offsets) T11 (far left slot) O1 (offset stored in register "O1") X0 Y0 Z0 (offsets in X, Y, and Z)
M721 (Set Unprime Values) S10000 (10,000 pps) E100 (100 pulses) P-15 (15ms before end of print move sequence) T11 (for far left head)
M722 (Set Prime Values) S10000 (10,000 pps) E100 (100 pulses) P20 (20ms before start of print move sequence) T11 (for far left head)
M221 (Set Flow Rate) S1.0 (flow multiplier of 1.0) T11 (for far left head) P77 (77 pulses) W0.5 (0.5mm nozzle) Z0.3 (0.3mm layer thickness)
T0 (set focus to the far left head)

See the entries for these commands, below, for more details.

Two Heads Loaded

In the following example, I have one MK1-250 head loaded in the second slot from the left, slot 2 (tool focus command T1, but variable T12), and one SDS-05 head loaded in the third slot from the left, slot 3:

 M6 T12 O2 X0 Y0 Z0
 M721 S10000 E100 P-15 T12
 M722 S10000 E100 P20 T12
 M221 S1.0 T12 P77 W0.5 Z0.3
 M6 T13 O3 X0 Y0 Z0
 M721 S10000 E160 P-100 T13
 M722 S10000 E200 P100 T13
 M221 S1.0 T13 P81.0 W1.6 Z0.3
 
 T1

Explicit Mode

Although we don't generally recommend keeping heads loaded if they will be unused on the current job, you might want to do this. At the beginning of your gcode, force focus with a T command in the gcode before your first print move. We recommend doing this before any movements, in case your head will collide with the bed without the offset. A simple T1 (or for whichever head you want focused on) will accomplish this.

If you are printing with two heads (for two stl files from different heads, or if you want infill or support from a different head than the one printing perimeters), the slicer will generate T commands where needed.

If you are doing a clone or parallel print (two heads executing the same code at the same time), see the M703 entry, below, for more details.

Controlling Movement

G0 Rapid Move

G0 is a rapid positioning move. It is not a working move, meaning that your equipment will not be printing, milling, lasering, or doing any other active work during a G0 move. G0 is intended to move your tool to a new position, where the work will happen. Accordingly, G0 movement speeds are set in your configuration settings, rather than being specified in your gcode file (although you could specify this with the M203 command). A G0 command will not make use of an F (feed rate, or movement speed) value, even if specified.

• X is the new X position to move to;
• Y is the new Y position to move to; and
• Z is the new Z position to move to.

G1 Working Move

G1 is a working move, during which you may be printing, milling, lasering, or doing other active work - provided an E (extrude) value is given; the value of Extrusion rate E will be ignored, but E will trigger a working or printing move. G1 moves are made at the rate indicated by the F (feed rate) value; if no F value is specified, the last F value set will be used. Small non-working moves are often generated by a G1 move with no E value; these will use the specified (or inherited) F value, rather than using the G0 speed.

• X is the new X position to move to;
• Y is the new Y position to move to;
• Z is the new Z position to move to; and
• F is the Feed rate (travel speed) at which to execute this move.
• E indicates a working or printing move; E values are not interpreted.

If the X, Y, Z, or F values are not stipulated, they are inherited.

G2 Clockwise Arc

A G2 move specifies a clockwise arc (or complete circle) from the current position to position X, Y by following an arc about the center point I (X position), J (Y position). As with a G1 move, a Feed rate F may be specified. As with a G1 move, the value of Extrusion rate E will be ignored, but E will trigger a working or printing move.

• X is the new X position to move to;
• Y is the new Y position to move to;
• I is the RELATIVE X position of the center about which to arc;
• J is the RELATIVE Y position of the center about which to arc; and
• F is the Feed rate (travel speed) at which to execute this move.
• E indicates a working or printing move; E values are not interpreted.

If the X, Y, Z, or F values are not stipulated, they are inherited. Note that as all STL models are, by definition, a series of triangles, your slicer will not generate G2 commands.

G3 Counter-Clockwise Arc

A G3 move specifies a counter-clockwise or anti-clockwise arc (or complete circle) from the current position to position X, Y by following an arc about the center point I (X position), J (Y position). As with a G1 move, a Feed rate F may be specified. As with a G1 move, the value of Extrusion rate E will be ignored, but E will trigger a working or printing move.

• X is the new X position to move to;
• Y is the new Y position to move to;
• I is the X position of the center about which to arc;
• J is the Y position of the center about which to arc; and
• F is the Feed rate (travel speed) at which to execute this move.
• E indicates a working or printing move; E values are not interpreted.

If the X, Y, Z, or F values are not stipulated, they are inherited. Note that as all STL models are, by definition, a series of triangles, your slicer will not generate G3 commands.

G4 Pause (Timed)

G4 is a pause for a set number of seconds (S) or milliseconds (P). Please note, if you pause after a printing move, material will still be flowing. It is recommended that you pause after a non-printing move for this reason.

• S is the number of Seconds to pause; OR
• P is the number of Milliseconds to pause.

M0 Stop Until Resume

M0 is a stop until resume command; text listed after a semicolon will be displayed, and clicking the Play button (which replaces the Pause button) will cause the job to resume. Print heads will NOT resume during an M0, and will not prime/unprime in response to the M0. It is recommended to have a non-printing move before and after an M0.

• ; All text following the ; will be echoed to the print mask (Control Tab).

Additionally, as of version 3.82, Sep 2018, an M0 command can also take the following parameters, and so will pause and then:

• SAY sample message - the computer will use built-in text-to-speech to echo the message over the speaker(s)
• PIC C:\sample.jpg - the computer will display the image at the specified location
• VID C:\sample.mp4 - the computer will play the video at the specified location
• SEND sample message - the computer will send the message to the Aux port if connected
• BEEP - the computer will sound s beep
• SHELL C:\program.exe - the computer will execute the file at the specified location

Note that multiple options can be combined. Example:

 M0 ; SAY Hello Wilbur ; PIC C:\mr_ed.png

M203 Set G0 Speed

M203 will redesignate the rate at which G0 movements are executed. If undeclared, the values stored in Repetrel for your equipment will be used. These can be changed under Settings > Printer, on the Printer tab. The values set on your unit are set based on testing; exceed them at your own risk.

• X is the new speed in the X axis for G0 moves;
• Y is the new speed in the Y axis for G0 moves; and
• Z is the new speed in the Z axis for G0 moves.

Examples

Controlling Movement

Actual Code	Behavior	Notes
G0 X50 Y50 Z10	Makes a (rapid) non-printing move from the current position to X50, Y50, Z10 at the rate specified in your settings.	These can be absolute or relative distances, depending on your environment - see Positioning, below. G0 may have X, Y and/or Z values for the new position; undeclared values will not change (ex: if no Z value provided, no Z movement executed).
G1 X50 Y50 E1 F1800	Makes a working (printing) move from the current position to X50, Y50 at 1800 mm/min while extruding material.	See "Flow Commands" below for details on flow calculation. If no F value, last declared F value is used. If no E value, this would be a non-printing move. G1 may have X, Y and/or Z values for the new position; undeclared values will not change (ex: if no Z value provided, no Z movement executed).
G2 X5 Y10 I15 J20 E1 F1200	Makes a clockwise arc from the current position to X5, Y10 while maintaining a constant distance from a point +15mm in the X and +20mm in the Y from the current position; this is a printing move at a speed of 1200 mm/min.	Note that I, J coordinates are always relative from the current position. Note that as all STL models are, by definition, a series of triangles, your slicer will not generate G2 commands.
G3 X5 Y10 I15 J20	Makes a counter-clockwise arc from the current position to X5, Y10 while maintaining a constant distance from a point +15mm in the X and +20mm in the Y from the current position; this is a non-printing move at the last F Feed rate (speed) specified.	Note that I, J coordinates are always relative from the current position. Note that as all STL models are, by definition, a series of triangles, your slicer will not generate G3 commands.
G4 S60	Pauses the job for 60 seconds (use P for milliseconds).	If the head was extruding before the pause, it will continue to extrude; use a non-printing move before a G4.
M0 ;comment	Stops the job, displays everything following the semicolon (;) at the top of the Control window (in this example, the word "comment"), and resumes after the operator clicks the Play button.	The head will NOT extrude during an M0 (stop) interlude; use a non-printing move before and after an M0 to initiate prime/unprime activities.
M203 X2000 Y1500	Specifies G0 speed of 2000 mm/min in the X axis and 1500 in the Y axis. Subsequent moves will be made at the newly specified rate.	The values set on your unit are set based on testing; exceed them at your own risk.

Controlling Temperature

Setting and Waiting for Temperatures

Target	Set Temp	Set & Wait	Default Values
Yoke 1, Head 1	M104 T11 S240	M109 T11 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 1, Head 2	M104 T12 S240	M109 T12 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 1, Head 3	M104 T13 S240	M109 T13 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 1, Head 4	M104 T14 S240	M109 T14 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 1, Head 5	M104 T15 S240	M109 T15 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 2, Head 1	M104 T21 S240	M109 T21 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 2, Head 2	M104 T22 S240	M109 T22 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 2, Head 3	M104 T23 S240	M109 T23 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 2, Head 4	M104 T24 S240	M109 T24 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Yoke 2, Head 5	M104 T25 S240	M109 T25 S240	if no T value, last head communicated with
Hotbed 1	M140 T91 S200	M190 T91 S200	if no T value, last hotbed communicated with
Hotbed 2	M140 T92 S200	M190 T92 S200	if no T value, last hotbed communicated with
Chamber 1	M141 T91 S50	M191 T91 S50	if no T value, last chamber communicated with
Chamber 2	M141 T92 S50	M191 T92 S50	if no T value, last chamber communicated with

What's Hotbed 2 and Chamber 2? Well, our Hydra models have room to have a second hotbed, which could be a smaller, higher temperature hotbed or even a High Resolution hotbed. And we've talked about having a smaller chamber inside the primary chamber, to bring the air around the print (but not the head) to much higher temperatures; this is still in development.

M104 Set Extruder Temperature

M104 sets the extruder temperature, but does not pause the printer.

• S is the new Set temperature in °C; and
• T is the Tool assignment for this temperature command.

M106 Set Cooling Fan / LEDs / Clench

M106 sets the cooling fan (or crosslinking LEDs) speed (or intensity), and also the Clench Valve. This also turns on the Quiet Storm fan.

M106 can be used in BASIC or ADVANCED modes:

BASIC mode (with S value) is recommended for use with the cooling fan, or when you want to control the COD LEDs with specified commands:

• T is the Tool assignment for this cooling command; optional, defaults to last head addressed
• S is the (percent of duty cycle, 0-100) for the cooling fan (or LEDs)

M106 T12 S25 ; activate fan/leds on second tool position at 25%

ADVANCED mode (with P value) is recommended for use with the clench valve, or when you want to control the COD LEDs to be syncronized with extrusion (E value) moves:

• T is the Tool assignment for this cooling command; optional, defaults to last head addressed
• P is the (percent of duty cycle, 0-100) for the cooling fan (or LEDs) *during an extrusion move*

M106 T12 P75 ; enable cv/led synch on second tool position at 75% with extrusion moves

M107 Stop Cooling Fan / LEDs

M107 turns off the cooling fan (or crosslinking LEDs); this is essentially the same as an M106 S0 (setting it to 0 percent). This will also turn off the Quiet Storm fan.

M109 Set Extruder Temp, Wait

M109 sets the extruder temperature and pauses the printer until the extruder reaches that temperature.

• S is the new Set temperature in °C; and
• T is the Tool assignment for this temperature command.

M116 UNUSED

M116 is not recognized by Repetrel as of October, 2018. On some other printers, this will cause the printer to pause until all set temperatures are reached.'

M140 Set Bed Temperature

M140 sets the bed temperature.

• S is the new Set temperature in °C.

M141 Set Chamber Temperature

M141 sets the chamber temperature in °C.

• S is the new Set temperature in °C.

M190 Set Bed Temp, wait

M190 sets the bed temperature and pauses the printer until the bed reaches that temperature.

• S is the new Set temperature in °C.

M191 Set Chamber Temp, Wait

M191 sets the chamber temperature and pauses the printer until the chamber reaches that temperature.

• S is the new Set temperature in °C.

Examples

Controlling Temperature

Actual Code	Behavior	Notes
M104 S235 T10	Sets the extruder temperature to 235 on all extruders.
M104 S235 T12	Sets the extruder temperature to 235 on the head in slot 2.
M104 S235	Sets the extruder temperature to 235 on the currently active head.	Currently active head is explained below.
M106 S100 T10	Sets the cooling fan to 100% on all extruders.
M106 S25 T12	Sets the cooling fan to 25% on the head in slot 2.
M106 S0	Sets the cooling fan to 0% (off) on the currently active head.	Currently active head is explained below.
M107 T10	Turns off the cooling fan on all extruders.
M107 T12	Turns off the cooling fan on the head in slot 2.
M107	Turns off the cooling fan on the currently active head.	Currently active head is explained below.
M109 S235 T12	| M109 is ignored if there is no T11, T12, T13 or T14 provided.
M140 S80	Sets the bed temperature to 80.
The Currently Active Head defaults to the highest numbered head found; or it is the last head selected with a tool change command during this Repetrel session (if a T command has been used).

Controlling Material Flow

While you can specify flow rate variables in your gcode, we do not do this by default, and we actually don't recommend this. With our recipes the slicing program generates gcode which dictates temperature and movement commands, and indicates which moves should dispense material (a G1 move with an E value).

However, we do not use that E value (except to distinguish printing from non-printing moves; we draw our flow calculation numbers from elsewhere. When a head is loaded, it sends this flow data (how to calculate flow, as well as how much to prime and unprime (advance and retract) material when transitioning between printing and non-printing moves - and even how many primes or unprimes to do in conjunction with a tool change.

In this way, the very same gcode (with temperature changes) can be used with any material, provided you are using the same nozzle size the model was sliced for.

G10 UNUSED

G10 is not recognized by Repetrel as of October, 2018. On some other printers, this will set tool offsets; we do this via M6. On other printers, this will do a retract; we do this via M721.

G11 UNUSED

G11 is not recognized by Repetrel as of October, 2018. On some other printers, this will do an advance or unretract; we do this via M722.

M82 UNUSED

M82 is not used by Repetrel as of October, 2018. On some other printers, this will cause the printer to absolute E values to calculate extrusion.

M83 UNUSED

M83 is not used by Repetrel as of October, 2018. On some other printers, this will cause the printer to relative E values to calculate extrusion.'

M221 Set Flow Rate

M221 sends information to the printer about material flow:

• P is the number of pulses on the motor to dispense 10 nl of material;
• S is the direct flow multiplier (to allow for undersized or oversized stock;
• W is the width of the cross section of the volume to fill;
• Z is the height of the cross section of the volume to fill; and
• T is the tool (head) to which these values will be applied.

M721 Set Unprime Values

M721 sends information to the printer about how much material to unprime when a transition from printing move to non-printing move is detected:

• S is the speed at which unprime moves should be executed; this is normally 10,000;
• E is the number of pulses on the feed (extrusion) motor to execute; this varies greatly among materials;
• P is the number of milliseconds to pause before enabling the flow rate for the following move;
• T is the tool (head) to which these values will be applied; and
• I is the flag for executing an Immediate action; so M721 I1 would execute an unprime with the previously specified values at that point in the gcode.

M722 Set Prime Values

M722 sends information to the printer about how much material to prime when a transition from non-printing move to printing move is detected:

• S is the speed at which prime moves should be executed; this is normally 10,000;
• E is the number of pulses on the feed (extrusion) motor to execute; this varies greatly among materials;
• P is the number of milliseconds to pause before enabling the flow rate for the following move;
• T is the tool (head) to which these values will be applied; and
• I is the flag for executing an Immediate action; so M721 I1 would execute a prime with the previously specified values at that point in the gcode.

M723 Set Manual Flow

M723 tells the designated extruder(s) to advance material for the specified number of pulses (on the motor) at the specified rate, regardless of any X/Y/Z movement. It is normally used only during manual operation, not during gcode execution (although some users prefer this type of control. Variables are:

• S is the speed at which the motor should advance, in pulses per second (default: 500);
• E is the number of pulses on the feed (extrusion) motor to execute (default: 65535);
• T is the tool (head) to which these values will be applied (T11 through T14 (or T15), or T10 for all heads on yoke 1).

M756 Set Height for Flow

M756 will overwrite the Z value from the M221 command, allowing you to calculate flow for thinner or thicker layers. We declare M756 at the beginning of every layer; normally, they are all the same (unless you sliced for varying layer thicknesses).

• S is the layer thickness in mm for flow calculations.

Examples

Controlling Material Flow

Actual Code	Behavior	Notes
M221 S1.0 T12 P0.80 W0.5 Z0.3	Sets flow rate for the head in slot 2 to 0.8 (p/10nl) with a flow modifier of 1.0; also specifies the cross section of the area to be filled to a width of 0.5 and height of 0.3 (mm).	These values are normally not hardcoded, but are sent from the actual print head to the Repetrel program, and then sent to the printer when the job starts. Hardcode these at your own risk.
M721 S10000 E300 P80 T12	Sets the unprime values for the head in slot 2 to 300 pulses, executed at a rate of 10,000 per second, with a 80 millisecond dwell (before enacting the next flow rate). As the next flow rate is necessarily 0 (for a non-printing move), the E value is relatively meaningless here.	These values are normally not hardcoded, but are sent from the actual print head to the Repetrel program, and then sent to the printer when the job starts. Hardcode these at your own risk.
M721 I1	Executes an immediate unprime on the head the printer is currently in communication with, using previously defined values for that head.
M722 S10000 E300 P105 T12	Sets the prime values for the head in slot 2 to 300 pulses, executed at a rate of 10,000 per second, with a 105 millisecond dwell (before enacting the next flow rate).	These values are normally not hardcoded, but are sent from the actual print head to the Repetrel program, and then sent to the printer when the job starts. Hardcode these at your own risk.
M722 I1	Executes an immediate prime on the head the printer is currently in communication with, using previously defined values for that head.
M756 S0.2	Sets layer thickness (for flow calculations) to 0.2mm	Use caution if editing this value.
M723 S500 E65535 T14	Activates the head in slot 4 to run 65,535 pulses at 500 pulses per second.	Don't use this in normal gcode files!

To make this a little easier to understand:

To determine flow we consider: 1. Path Width, as specified in the nozzle diameter parameter on the data for that print head (NOT path width in the slicer) [unless you manually hard code a value in your gcode]; 2. Path Height (or Layer Thickness), as specified in your gcode by an M756 command with an S (slice thickness) value (NOT on the print head); - 1 and 2 - these two define the cross section to fill during this move. 3. Print Speed, as specified in your gcode by a G1 command with an F (feed rate) value (which should be set by your slicer, but may be edited afterward); - 1 and 2 and 3 - cross section times linear speed gives us volume per unit time (in nl/sec) to be dispensed. 4. Pulses per Nanoliter (actually, pulses for 10 nanoliters), as specified on the data for that print head (NOT path width in the slicer) [unless you manually hard code a value in your gcode]; - 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 - volume per unit time times pulses per unit volume gives us how fast in pulses per second to dispense. 5. Feed Rate %, as specified on the data for that print head (NOT path width in the slicer) [unless you manually hard code a value in your gcode]; - 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 - pulses per second is modified by this feed rate percentage (default of 1) to account for over/under sized filament or slippage due to gummy material.

Controlling Position and Offsets

The following commands define if new positioning data is defined in inches (G20) or mm (G21); or from the origin (G90) or from the present location (G91). They also stipulate the offsets from one head to another (M6), and how to invoke that offset (T).

G10 UNUSED

G10 is not recognized by Repetrel as of October, 2018. On some other printers, this will set tool offsets; we do this via M6. On other printers, this will do a retract; we do this via M721.

G20 Set Units to Inches

G20 declares that henceforth, measurements will be given in inches.

G21 Set Units to Millimeters

G21 declares that henceforth, measurements will be given in mm.

G28 Send X, Y to Physical Home

G28 sends the X and Y axes to the sensor-defined physical home position, regardless of logically set 0,0.

G53 Clear Offsets

G53 clears any stored X, Y, and/or Z axis offsets, setting them all back to 0. This takes no arguments or variables.

G54 through G59 - Set Offsets

G54, G55, G56, G57, G58, and G59 will each store and invoke offsets in the X, Y, and/or Z axes. Any values not invoked will remain with their previous value (0 unless earlier specified otherwise).

• X is the offset in mm in the X axis.
• Y is the offset in mm in the Y axis.
• Z is the offset in mm in the Z axis.

G90 Set Absolute Coordinates

G90 stipulates that henceforth, absolute measurements will be given - calculated from the origin (0,0 point).

G91 Set Relatative Coordinates

G91 stipulates that henceforth, relative measurements will be given - calculated from the current position.

G92 Reset Coordinates

G92 resets the current position to the specified coordinates; without X, Y, or Z values, all axes are reset to 0 at the present point.

• X is the new X position of record;
• Y is the new Y position of record; and
• Z is the new Z position of record.

M6 Declare Head Offsets

M6 declares that a particular head holds a set of X, Y, and/or Z offsets, which will be invoked during a T (tool change) command. Repetrel reads this data from the heads, and sends it to the printer before the gcode file is loaded.

• T is the Tool position for which these offsets are being set;
• O is the Offset position where these are being stored;
• X is the offset in the X axis;
• Y is the offset in the Y axis; and
• Z is the offset in the Z axis.

M660 Assign Tool Height Offset

Used with the High Resolution Engine (and other units which home away from O, like a CNC), an M660 declares that a particular head, when called upon, should print at the gcode-based Z position MODIFIED by this offset, since on these units, the Z-Zero is often BELOW the print surface.

NOTE: You MUST have a G28 Z0 in your header to run this M660 on the EHR.

• H is the Head position for which these offsets are being set;
• Z is the offset in the Z axis.

In your gcode, you will enter the M660 just before the first layer code. Example: M660 H2 Z28.2 ; set tool height for tool two (Z offset). On the first move of layer one (usually the Z move), you will add an H value so that this tool height is invoked.

Example, Before: G1 Z0.275 F360 ; move to next layer (0)
Example, After: G1 Z0.275 F360 H2 ; move to next layer (0) and invoke head Z offset for this tool

M703 Clone Head

Cloning, or parallel printing, is when one head makes a normal print, and another head makes the exact same print at the same time.

We will normally execute a T command first, to establish the primary or master head (generally the one to the left). Then the M703 command, cloning or slaving another head to the first. In the example below, we have a five-position yoke. The far left slot will hold the primary/master and the far right will hold the clone/slave:

T0 ; designate the far left head as the master print head
M703 T13 S11 ; slave (command M703) the third head (variable T13) to the first head (variable T11)

Note that only Hydra (16A) and High Resolution Engine (EHR) units have five tool positions; other models have four only. See Understanding the T at the top of this page for tool position nomenclature.

T Tool Change

T executes a tool change, invoking the parameters specified in the M6 sent from Repetrel to the printer at the job start. Do not confuse a T command with a T variable.

See the first entry on this page for details.

Examples

Controlling Position and Offsets

Actual Code	Behavior	Notes
G20	All subsequent distances will be specified in inches.	This is our NOT our standard state.
G21	All subsequent distances will be specified in mm.	This is our standard state.
G28	Sends the X and Y axes to the sensor-defined physical home position, regardless of logically set 0,0.	A standard part of our start gcode so that previous settings will be overwritten.
G90	All subsequent distances will be specified as absolute distances from the currently recorded X0 Y0 Z0 position.	This is our standard behavior.
G91	All subsequent distances will be specified as relative distances from the current position.	This is often handy, especially for hand coding, but is not our default.
G92	The current position will be logically reset to be the position specified.	We often use this at the beginning of a gcode file.
G92 X0 Y0	The current position will be logically reset to be the X0, Y0 origin.	This is useful for reusing sections of code when hand coding. Remember, this is persistent until respecified. Can be neutralized by sending to physical 0,0 and resetting: G28 X0 Y0 G92 X0 Y0
M6 T12 O2 X0 Y35 Z0	Stores these offsets for T12 in register O2, which will be applied whenever a T1 command (activating the second head) is given.	This info is rarely hard coded, but is sent from Repetrel before the gcode file is queued for execution.
M660 H2 Z18.5	Declares 18.5mm tool height (above zero) for H2	Must be invoked (see below)
G1 Z0.275 F360 H2	Invokes the H2 tool height offset	Requires previous setting of this value (see above)
T0	Switches from the current head to T0, the head in slot 1.	Note that the appropriate M6, M221, M721, and M722 values will be activated at this time. Values are T0, T1, T2, or T3.

Laser

The CO2 and Diode lasers require the following enabling codes:

M620 Enable Laser

M620 enables the laser head, and takes the following parameters:

• E is a binary value, and should be 1 (or 1.0) to enable the laser; 0 will disable it.
• T is the tool position where the laser will be enabled. Diode lasers go in a normal tool position; the CO2 laser is always tool 41.

M621 Set Laser Power

M621 sets the laser power, and takes the following parameters:

• P is the laser power, in a value between 0 (min) and 255 (max).
• T is the tool position where the laser will be enabled. Diode lasers go in a normal tool position; the CO2 laser is always tool 41.

M620 E1 T11 ; Enables the laser in slot 1 (far left)
M621 P255 T11 ; Turns the laser in slot 1 (far left) on at 100%

M620 E1 T41 ; Enables the CO2 laser
M621 P255 T41 ; Turns the CO2 laser on at 100%

M620 E0 T11 ; Disables the laser in slot 1 (far left)
M621 P0 T11 ; Turns the laser in slot 1 (far left) off (on at 0%)

Other

Other commands.

M3 Turn On Spindle (CW)

M3 tells the printer to activate (start) the spindle motor in the clockwise direction on the current head (if it has one), using the value set on the head for RPM. Note: S0 is the same as turning it off. Note: DO NOT CHANGE DIRECTION while the spindle is in motion.

M3 T26 S50 ; turns the 3-phase spindle tool on, CW, at 50%
M3 T11 S100 ; turns the 1-phse spindle tool in slot 1 (far left) on, CW at 100%

M4 Turn On Spindle (CCW)

M4 tells the printer to activate (start) the spindle motor in the counterclockwise direction on the current head (if it has one), using the value set on the head for RPM. Note: S0 is the same as turning it off. Note: DO NOT CHANGE DIRECTION while the spindle is in motion.

M4 T26 S50 ; turns the 3-phase spindle tool on, CCW, at 50%
M4 T11 S100 ; turns the 1-phse spindle tool in slot 1 (far left) on, CCW, at 100%

M5 Turn Off Spindle

M5 tells the printer to deactivate (stop) the spindle motor on the current head (if it has one).

M5 T26 ; turns the 3-phase spindle tool off
M5 T14 ; turns the 1-phase spindle tool in slot 4 off

M7 Set Power On Aux 1

12VDC Ports on EHR

12VDC Ports on 30M, ESR

M7 sends 12VDC to auxiliary connection one. With no parameters, it is read as M7 S100 (on continuously).

• S takes a number between 0 and 100, and the power is enabled for that percentage of each minute. For example, M7 S75 would have power on for 3/4 of each second. If unspecified, default is S100.

• T takes a tool position assignment, so that when THAT head is actively dispensing, this connector will be on (at the S value, or at S100 if unspecified).

M7 S50 T13 ; would turn on M7 at 50% duty cycle when T13 is dispensing, and off at other times.

M8 Set Power On Aux 2

M8 sends 12VDC to auxiliary connection two. With no parameters, it is read as M8 S100 (on continuously).

• S takes a number between 0 and 100, and the power is enabled for that percentage of each minute. For example, M8 S75 would have power on for 3/4 of each second.

• T takes a tool position assignment, so that when THAT head is actively dispensing, this connector will be on (at the S value, or at S100 if unspecified).

M8 S50 T13 ; would turn on M8 at 50% duty cycle when T13 is dispensing, and off at other times.

M9 Turn Off All Aux

M9 cuts power to both auxiliary connections. It takes no parameters. It is equivalent to running M7 S0 and M8 S0.

M17 Engage Motors

M17 will apply power to all motors (positioning and extruder motors), locking them at their current postion; this prevents the bed and yoke from being pushed manually in the X and Y. This is the opposite of M17 and M84, and takes no parameters.

M18 Disengage Motors

M18 will cut power to all motors (positioning and extruder motors), unlocking them; this allows the motors to cool down (as they normally lock in place while still), as well as allowing one to manually push the bed and yoke in the X and Y. This is the opposite of M17 and identical to M84, and takes no parameters.

M30 End of Program

M30 tells the printer that this job is complete. It takes no parameters.

M84 Disable Motors

M84 will cut power to all motors (positioning and extruder motors), unlocking them; this allows the motors to cool down (as they normally lock in place while still), as well as allowing one to manually push the bed and yoke in the X and Y. This is the opposite of M17 and identical to M18, and takes no parameters.

M673 Set Y-arm Light

M673 sets the intensity of the Y-arm LEDs.

• S is the (percent of duty cycle, 0-100) for the LEDs

M790 New Layer Actions

M790 will trigger any associated new layer actions, which can include capturing an image from the designated camera. It takes no parameters.

M791 Snap Image

M791 will cause the camera selected under the Interface > Camera1 tab, if set to live video, to capture an image and save it to C:\Users\hyrel\Pictures\HyrelPrinterPictures\snap Shots\snap Shots, named pic#.png

M792 Execute Action

M792 takes one or more of the following keywords (ALL CAPS), and will behave as indicated below:

• SAY sample message - the computer will use built-in text-to-speech to echo the message over the speaker(s)
• PIC C:\sample.jpg - the computer will display the image at the specified location
• VID C:\sample.mp4 - the computer will play the video at the specified location
• SEND sample message - the computer will send the message to the Aux port if connected
• BEEP - the computer will sound s beep
• SHELL C:\program.exe - the computer will execute the file at the specified location

Note that multiple options can be combined. Example:

 M0 ; SAY Hello Wilbur ; PIC C:\mr_ed.png