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Cricut Expressions 2 to ESP32 GRBL Control

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by MattR, Nov 18, 2018.

Cricut Expressions 2 to ESP32 GRBL Control

Cricut Expressions 2 to ESP32 GRBL Control

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by MattR, Nov 18, 2018.

A log of my "brain surgery" on a Cricut Expressions 2 to change the control board to something open so that I could cut what I wanted. The ESP32 GRBL board I used has bluetooth and WIFI built-in and was very easy to get working just the way I wanted.

esp32 grbl vinyl cutter cricut expression 2
  1. MattR

    MattR New
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    MattR published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
    #1 MattR, Nov 18, 2018
  2. Anthony Bolgar

    Anthony Bolgar Journeyman
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    Well done!
     
    #2 Anthony Bolgar, Nov 19, 2018
  3. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Great hack!
    You may want to take a look at the OpenBuilds CAM software and see if that helps with your drag knife. (attached a pic so you can see it in the menu)
    Thanks for the share and nice job brother :thumbsup:
    2018-11-19_6-47-52.jpg
     
    #3 Mark Carew, Nov 19, 2018
  4. MaryD

    MaryD OpenBuilds Team

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    Great hack. May try this on my Cricut!
     
    #4 MaryD, Nov 19, 2018
  5. MattR

    MattR New
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    Thank you everyone! I will definitely try the OpenBuilds CAM software.
     
    #5 MattR, Nov 19, 2018
  6. Anthony Bolgar

    Anthony Bolgar Journeyman
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    And then you would have built you first project finally! :)
     
    #6 Anthony Bolgar, Nov 19, 2018
    MaryD likes this.
  7. 128mb

    128mb New
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    Good job my friend . I have 3 cricut expression , I´ll try to do the same, thank you so much for show us your project.
     
    #7 128mb, Jul 2, 2019
  8. DaviesD

    DaviesD New
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    @MaryD sorry for being off topic. Wanted to ask you how happy are you with your cricut and would you recommend it for a newbie.

    I'm looking for a desktop cutting machine. And I'm clueless which would be the best for me.

    Maybe you can help me out a bit. So far what I got is this. Cricut has a horrible support is this true? I've read it on another forum. Secondly there's almost no decent review out there because it's just hype.

    I've managed to find a blog that seems to be legit. The blogger is almost doing a hatchet job with the machine but it's entertaining. Here's what put me on the fence cricut maker vs silhouette cameo 3. Is it this bad or she's exaggerating?

    Did cricut fix the online only issue? What about having access to 100+ materials would that help me or hinder me. Any tips are welcome.
     
    #8 DaviesD, Oct 3, 2019
  9. MaryD

    MaryD OpenBuilds Team

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    My cricut is older. Lacks the flexibility of creating your own designs. I have to buy cartridges for graphics. Looking at the link provided the Auto Blade would be a nice feature. I have wasted time and materials in the past trying to get the cut rate and depth correct.

    The downside to all of these is that they need constant care and feeding ie: replacement blades, mats. The results can be amazing.

    Let me know what you decide!
     
    #9 MaryD, Oct 3, 2019
  10. MattR

    MattR New
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    If I were buying a machine that I expected to just work out of the box, is go for one of the us cutter models that include surecuts. The workflow I use now is fine for me but my spouse refuses to learn it... But when we used a different cutter and surecuts (or sure cuts a lot, I forget) it was super easy to use.

    I would never buy a cricut unless I was going to hack it due to their business decisions.
     
    #10 MattR, Oct 3, 2019
  11. Tag Scott

    Tag Scott New
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    I am trying to replicate this build but using a different board. what did you use the TIP120 and Diode for? Could you give a little more description on the MOFSET wiring?
     
    #11 Tag Scott, Dec 22, 2019
    MEDLAID likes this.
  12. MattR

    MattR New
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    I used it to turn the solenoid on/off really quickly. If you provided a lower voltage source for the solenoid (9-12v?) Then you could just use a relay.
     
    #12 MattR, Dec 22, 2019
  13. SammyCiste

    SammyCiste New
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    @MattR would you recommend this Cricut machine? Are you happy with it?

    Sorry for being off topic.

    I'm in the market for a vinyl cutter and I sure could use some help. Where did you get started? Because there are a number to choose from. At the moment I don't want to shell out a lot of money so I was looking at desktop vinyl cutters. I've got tired of all the hype reviews that were on the net. And actually managed to find one that seems legit. On this website I've found a review that was critical. It actually showed the flaws of each machines. What do you think which one would be better.

    Any help is appreciated
     
    #13 SammyCiste, Feb 29, 2020
  14. MattR

    MattR New
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    I have no real opinion of them. Probably just go for the cheapest you can find if you are interested in hacking it and only want to cut paper/vinyl and plot stuff. If you are only interested in those same things but not interested in modifying them, I'd lean towards the low end USCutter stuff (I had one and loved it). For cutting thicker stuff than that, it looks like the site you linked to gives a good comparison (the USCutter only has 350g of cutting force and I don't expect the Cricut Expressions 2 that I have is any higher but can't find any specs).
     
    #14 MattR, Mar 1, 2020
  15. Nitrous

    Nitrous New
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    this is a great build! Any reason to think this approach couldn't work with ANY of the cricut/robocraft vinyl cutter platforms?
     
    #15 Nitrous, Jun 26, 2023
  16. Nitrous

    Nitrous New
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    does your transplant utilize the optical encoders in some (?all) of these machines?
     
    #16 Nitrous, Jun 26, 2023

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