Arduino Controlled Quilting Machine

[@tientran007]

Great project! I was wondering if you would be interested in sharing the code and the schematic for this project. Thanks you.

[@hexagonaldiy]

how you generate the Gcode?

[@jonlorton9604]

I have been looking at adding CNC to my wifes quilting machine, currently manual. The manufacturer wants an eyewatering amount fot their CNC system ! My biggest issue is interpreting the quilting pattern files and converting the data into an output to feed the stepper drivers, can you help please ?

[@davidkender9518]

Jon - Hopefully I can help. My first suggestion is to start with a "smooth" design; that is to say use patterns that incorporate either straight lines or larger diameter arcs. Important Tip: Measure the throat width (the distance between the quilt take-up reel and the sewing needle/foot). It probably about 6 inches or so, unless you went all out and purchased a really expensive long-arm machine. Remember as you complete each row of quilting and roll it on to the take-up reel, the distance decreases. I limit my designs to about 5 inches in height. At first, I used a 5 inch cell, but realized the width was not a constraint. In the beginning, I used a combination of Visual Basic 6, MS Excel, NotePad++ to create .gcode files. InkScape is also an excellent tool. If you intend to use an Arduino, strongly recommend GRBL (I am completely satisfied with Protoneer) but I see there are now other players as well diymachining.com/best-arduino-cnc-shield/ and USGPlatform winder.github.io/ugs_website/guide/platform/ winder.github.io/ugs_website/download/ Please contact me off-line at [e-mail]. I can provide you with some of my notes as well as copies of my .gcode files. Thank you for your Interest! Dave Kender

[@bridgerman213]

Hi David, I am thinking of making something similar. What is the drive of the long axis? I see the stepper but I don't see the timing belt along the axis. Did you hide it well, or are you driving wheels and the pressure from the machine keeps it from slipping? Or something else alltogether? Thanks! John

[@davidkender9518]

John, Thank you for asking. At 0:17 to 0:19 minutes into the video, you can see a white stripe. This is the cog belt that runs under an idler guide pulley of the left, over the stepper driven cog pulley, and then under another idler guide pulley on the right. The belt is fastened at both ends of the 10 foot frame. If you will contact me at [e-mail] I can provide more details, some of the history, the pitfalls, the lessons learned, and some additional photos. Dave K

[@bridgerman213]

@@davidkender9518 Hi David, thanks for the response. I see it now...very clever!

[@rahilsheikh3653]

Brother have you used stepper motor for the main machine spindl I've emailed you my problem so please help brother

[@Degigor]

!!!👍

[@mortezanouroozy3755]

interesting project but not so precise