Duet3 - Python - Preliminary class for interfacing

Danal

I've created a preliminary module/class to allow Python programs on the Pi attached to a Duet3 to interact with the printer. It does so via the "Duet Control Server" socket (not websocket) connection in the "Duet Software Framework".

It is available on Github https://github.com/DanalEstes/PythonDSF

This is an early implementation and it may radically change in the near future. Nonetheless, if you are thinking about Python scripting, give it a try.

There is also an example script. This script is intended to do tool-to-tool measurement to derive offsets on a "Tool Changing" 3D printer of the E3D tool-changer type. Specifically, it is for my Jubilee. There are some instructions in the README about how all this works. This is a whole topic in and of itself.

A very minimal example of use might look something like this:

#!/usr/bin/env python3
import pythondcs
dcs = pythondcs.PythonDCS()

dcs.gCode('G0 Z10       F1000')          # Lower bed to avoid collision with square hole plate.
dcs.gCode('G0      Y225 F10000')        # Move nozzle to avoid other tools
r=getPos()
print("X position ="+r[0])

There are several other modules, including a "r=getPos()" that returns a Python list containing the current position of the printer, in mm. See the example script.

fma

Nice! Is it only working for Duet3, or also for Duet2 running RRF3?

A Former User

@fma said in Duet3 - Python - Preliminary class for interfacing:

Is it only working for Duet3

for now only Duet 3 support Raspberry Pi and this class interfaces to a unix socket on the Pi; so this only works for Duet 3 + raspberry pi (i.e. not Duet 3 in stand alone mode)

fma

Ok, I though you where connected on a Duet socket...

Danal

@fma said in Duet3 - Python - Preliminary class for interfacing:

Ok, I though you where connected on a Duet socket...

Correct, a socket, NOT a websocket.

The stack for a Duet 3 with a Pi is roughly:

Browser on PC or Mobile
<Wifi or Ethernet TCP/IP network - Websocket protocol>
Duet Software Framework Web Server on Pi
<Linux internal - Socket protocol>*
Duet Software Framework Control Server on Pi
<Ribbon Cable - SPI Protocol>
Firmware on Duet 3 6HC board

The * indicates where this python connects; Therefore it must run on the Pi where that socket resides.

If enough people are interested, I can look into a Websocket version. This could theoretically run on any machine that has TCP/IP network connectivity to the Pi or a stand-alone D3.

poofjunior

Just stumbled on this. Many thanks for putting this together @Danal !

I decided to give it a whirl on my Pi and landed on an IncompatibleVersionException, which closed the connection immediately. Does something need to be updated? I'm running...

Firmware Version console output
echo "m115" | sudo /opt/dsf/bin/CodeConsole

FIRMWARE_NAME: RepRapFirmware for Duet 3 MB6HC FIRMWARE_VERSION: 3.1.1 ELECTRONICS: Duet 3 MB6HC v0.6 or 1.0 FIRMWARE_DATE: 2020-05-19b2

Apt Package Version
Package: duetsoftwareframework
Version: 3.1.1

and the specific error is:

{"errorType":"IncompatibleVersionException","errorMessage":"Incompatible protocol version (got 0, need 7 or higher)","success":false}

Thanks for taking a look!

poofjunior

Ah, figured this out. It looks like the request to enter "command" mode must also include the protocol version.

j=json.dumps({"mode":"command", "version": 8}).encode()

The server picks up the missing field as 0 and closes the connection immediately.

It looks like this isn't stated yet in the Duet Software Framework docs, but I got a pro tip from @wilriker on this thread.

Thanks for the breadcrumbs everyone!