Introduction: (Unofficial) API Guide for MDrawBot MScara
This is a guide to the drawing API used by the MakeBlock mDrawBot kit mScara robot. http://www.makeblock.cc/
It’s a reverse engineering of their scara.ino and mDraw v1.1 python from Github (Aug.25,2015 commit) available at https://github.com/Makeblock-official/mDrawBot
The Makeblock mDrawBot kit is available in many Barnes & Nobles stores now and at the same price as mail order (even cheaper if you are a B&N member!)
This document's purpose is to provide a guide for creating alternative programs to mDraw, the program that it normally used with mScara, such as linux command line tools or interconnection to other CNC type plotter programs.
Note that since mScara isn’t an X/Y Plotter, the coordinates require conversion to the arm coordinates to correct for distortion, same as your brain has to do to control your hand. This is done in the scara.ino software, but could require you to fine tune X/Y coordinates sent to mScara to account for distortion. I have found that its defaults are adequate for most small drawings.
This guide and several example python programs are available from GitHub at https://github.com/rgrokett/mdrawbotAPI
Step 1: Start Off Using MDraw
When you use the “Update Firmware” function in the mDraw program, you are actually downloading a compiled hex version of the scara.ino program to the Arduino Orion. This program handles the conversion of a subset of CAD Gcode into the stepper motor arm & pen motion.
So before trying to do anything using this API and its examples, be sure your mScara is working correctly with the MakeBlock mDraw program and its included examples.
Once you have advanced pass this stage, then you can try your hand using this API.
Abbreviation | Description |
CAD | Computer Aided Design |
CNC | Computer (or computerized) numerical control |
G-Code | G-code is a language in which people tell computerized machine tools how to make something. |
Step 2: List of API Commands
Once the firmware is updated into Arduino Orion, it will remain even after power off. When you power up the Arduino, it will automatically run the program again, open its USB serial port and await the Gcode commands shown below.
List of available mScara commands:
Command | Sub | Function | Example |
M1 | Pen Up/Down | M1 140 = Down M1 160 = Up | |
M2 | Save Pen Up/Down positions | M2 U160 D140 | |
M3 | Set Stepper Aux Delay | M3 0 | |
M4 | Set Laser Power | M4 50 to M4 100 | |
M5 | Save Robot EPROM settings | M5 A0 B0 M168 N206 D50 | |
A | Motor A Direction (forward/reverse) | A0 or A1 | |
B | Motor B Direction (forward/reverse) | B0 or B1 | |
M | Arm L1 length mm | M168 | |
N | Arm L2 length mm | N206 | |
D | Speed 50-80% | D50 to D80 | |
M10 | Return EPROM settings | Send: M10 Arm L1 Arm L2 Home X Home Y plus below: | |
A | Motor A Direction (forward/reverse) | A0/1 | |
B | Motor B Direction (forward/reverse) | B0/1 | |
S | Speed 50-80% | S50 to S80 | |
U | Pen Up position | U160 | |
D | Pen Down position | D140 | |
G1 | XYZ Move | G1 X-205.55 Y175.75 A0 Note that positions are not true X/Y due to arm movement. Requires math conversion. | |
X | X position | X0.0 to X-375.0 (approx. range in mm) | |
Y | Y position | Y0.0 to Y375.0 (approx. range in mm) | |
Z | Z position (not used) | ||
F | Stepper speed mm/min | Defaults to M5 D command | |
A | Stepper aux delay factor | A0 | |
G28 | Move to Home | G28 | |
P1 | Return current X Y position |
Step 3: Sample Sequence of Commands
Below is a sample of a typical transmission from the PC to the Arduino Orion. The Orion converts these commands into the pen motion.
Sample sequence
COMMAND | DESCRIPTION |
M4 0 | Set Laser power to 0 (optional) |
M10 | Retrieve EPROM settings |
M1 130 | Pen Up |
G1 X-205.55 Y175.75 A0 | Move to location |
M1 90 | Pen Down |
G1 X-195.55 Y185.33 A0 | Draw to location |
... (more G1 pos) | |
M1 130 | Pen Up |
G1 X-221.53 Y123.25 A0 | Move to location |
M1 90 | Pen Down |
... | |
G1 X-231.53 Y123.25 A0 | Last Draw point |
M1 130 | Pen Up |
G28 | Move to Home |
Step 4: Example Usage
An example of using these commands follows below. To send these commands, I used a Linux server connected to the Orion via USB. This is for Command Line interface, not for GUI.
NOTE: If you use a Raspberry Pi, you must either leave the Orion’s Power Switch turned ON or use a Powered USB Hub. The Raspi does not deliver enough current to keep the Orion powered up by itself. |
NOTE: You must have previously installed and operated the mScara using mDraw software on a PC so that you know the mScara is working properly before proceeding. Also sets the default EPROM settings. |
1.Plug in the USB cable between the Linux server and your Arduino Orion.
Note that this port must be able to run at 115200 baud. Not all servers can do that!
2.On the Linux server:
$ ls –lart /dev/tty*
Look for the last entry (newest date). This would be the USB serial port.
crw-rw---- 1 root dialout 188, 0 Nov 1 19:01 /dev/ttyUSB0
On Raspi, it would be something like /dev/ttyACM0
3.Create a test python program to talk to the port: (substitute your port)
$ nano porttest.py
import serial, time
ser = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyUSB0', 115200, timeout=20)
time.sleep(2) # just give some time for port open
ser.write('M10' + '\n')
print ("EPROM:"+ser.readline())
print (ser.readline())
print ("FINISHED")
ser.close() Be sure the mScara motor switch is turned on and previously tested using mDraw.
Then run the test:
$ sudo python ./porttest.py
You should see something like:
EPROM:M10 MSCARA 168 206 -373.99 0.00 A0 B0 S60 U160 D135
OK
4.There are several other test programs available in the API guide github directory at: