jennynotjen
commented
3 years ago Knock yourself out :) I'm not planning on updating this code, but feel free to use it as you'd like. I imagine with the generated coordinates of the nails my algorithm provides, it won't be too difficult to program the machine's paths. I'd love to see the finished result!
Ok, so I don't know if a "thread plotter" exists, but code like the threadPortraitAlgorithm created the need for one. It wouldn't be difficult to covert an open CNC router design (something like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3004773) to drag around a sewing-machine needle and a spool instead of a router. You see where I'm going with this, right? The intent is to create an open thread-plotter design and Arduino code to drive it, The threadPortraitAlgorithm could create the code to automate the weaving of the thread around the nails, much like a slicer creates the "gcode" to instruct the stepper motors on a 3D printer how to deposit the plastic to replicate a 3D model.
I've already begun working on a 600mm square thread plotter prototype, (parts already in transit) and I'm happy to share any experience and code in the process, and welcome any collaboration. I'm even happy to let @jennynotjen to take the lead and credit for it. (her code started it after-all) I just really want a thread-plotter, so I'm making one! (help is welcome, but not required :)
I'll keep progress posted here.
update: well ok, I see that thread art machines have actually been around for a bit. I still want to make one. Seems like we need to separate the algorithm from anything that would use it (like a CNC threading machine), which means putting the code in classes, and calling the algorithm as a library.
@jennynotjen , would you be okay if we open source this code as a library, and publish it to PyPI for pip install? (https://realpython.com/pypi-publish-python-package/)