Re: [Emc-users] Code of Conduct
On 6/29/21 8:50 AM, R C wrote: Nothing in the Code of Conduct should be surprising to anyone here - it really is all common sense "don't be a jerk" type stuff. No it isn't useful, and if it's common sense here already, then why do you need it? In my view, the LinuxCNC user list has been too toxic to be involved with for the last few years. It has been toxic long enough that the usual suspects have grown used to their habits and don't know any better. Fortunately for me, I have learned enough to fix whatever goes wrong with my machines or the software, but it hurts to see this drive away the people that have provided the foundation for this amazing project for the last twenty years. Sincerely, Kirk Wallace ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Rpi Pico
I haven't been too keen on the Raspberry Pi products due to being partially closed source. It looks like that issue has been addressed. I'll be watching this space. http://linuxgizmos.com/raspberry-pi-goes-mcu-with-open-spec-pico/ On 1/21/21 12:43 AM, Sven Wesley wrote: For you people out there who use an Arduino or RPi to communicate with parts of the machine (tool changers, doors etc). Here's a cute and really low priced alternative. https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-pico/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Spindle speed changes with threading.
(bottom posted this one) On 1/19/21 9:42 PM, John Dammeyer wrote: I dont think, the z position is "geared" to the counts beyond index so locked unambiguously to spindle angle beyond index, after initial sync is acheived. Peter Wallace Mesa Electronics So far that makes sense. From "LinuxCNC User manual" "The tool will pause briefly for synchronization before each threading pass, so a relief groove will be required at the entry unless the beginning of the thread is past the end of the material or an entry taper is used." Following that is: "Unless using an exit taper, the exit move is not synchronized to the spindle speed and will be a rapid move. With a slow spindle,the exit move might take only a small fraction of a revolution. If the spindle speed is increased after several passes are complete, subsequent exit moves will require a larger portion of a revolution, resulting in a very heavy cut during the exit move. This can be avoided by providing a relief groove at the exit, or by not changing the spindle speed while threading." So there are side effects to changing the spindle speed but nothing that infers it can't or shouldn't be done. The implication is that at the start of the G76 based on spindle speed and Z axis acceleration along with target Z axis speed a specific spindle encoder value is used after that to determine when the axis is synchronized. Or N encoder counts before the index is used as the starting point for the Z to begin so it's up to speed, ready to engage, at the spindle index mark. Synchronizing it to the index mark for up to speed condition if you want to create multi-start threads makes sense. Move the start point by half the pitch to the right. Since the position of tool entry at speed is the index pulse regardless of spindle speed the thread should start 180 degrees from the first. So where is this calculated? In the Trajectory Planner? I'd like to look at the code but no idea where to even start looking. John Dammeyer snip ... I left the trail here: https://github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc/blob/master/src/emc/rs274ngc/interp_convert.cc#L4881-L5028 I think this is my next stop: https://github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc/tree/master/src/emc/motion (but after a day of 50 mph winds, there are a few chores to attend to) Kirk Wallace ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Spindle speed changes with threading.
On 1/18/21 3:53 PM, Andy Pugh wrote: On 18 Jan 2021, at 23:08, John Dammeyer wrote: So what does LinuxCNC do? Is the thread mucked up if spindle speed is changed during a feed hold and then start? I believe that it does. The docs specifically warn against Chang speed during a threading cycle. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users I seem to recall that lathe threading with G76 will disable the feed hold signal during the coordinated motion on the drive line, which can include the straight thread or an optional beginning or end taper within the stock straight thread length. The electronic gearing between the spindle encoder and the Z position should keep the thread path accurate through spindle speed variations. G33 documentation indicates that the routine calculates the best path to get the tool to the ideal index keyed path as soon as possible after the index mark signal. This is mostly from memory, so please refer to the LinuxCNC documentation to get the official information. I very much suggest _reading_ the documentation and not skimming because some of the features are not intuitive. There are other ways to tread, such as using spindle index only with dead-reckoning. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] ot: welders
On 9/14/20 7:10 AM, grumpy--- via Emc-users wrote: this list is home to a bunch of very sharp folks and i don't intend to drag y'all too far off course i am look'n for a welder does anyone know of a good mail'n list for non-pro welders snip ... It isn't exactly what you asked for but might get you started in finding a amateur welding mail list. IMHO: ... https://youtu.be/zZAfNKx25_A Welding Tips and Tricks (also on Patreon) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqq70AnPkj4-UApS_m_6mPw I bought this one but only used it a few times so far: https://primeweld.com/products/tig-225x-ac-dc-tig-welder ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Interesting GUI
On 9/2/20 2:52 PM, andy pugh wrote: On Wed, 2 Sep 2020 at 22:42, Kirk Wallace wrote: Given enough development time and money, my guess is that a LinuxCNC GUI could be very similar. The only basically new feature is the swipe and gesture touch feature, which Linux/LinuxCNC should be able to use. Or, ... I may be way off base. No, I think it is absolutely possible. There may even be programmers out there who work on iPad apps who would look at that and say "yes, that's pretty simple". But I don't imagine it's any of us. I was thinking about a generic swipe capable monitor and use LinuxCNC for everything. I wounder what Tesla does? Although their display probably costs more than a good used Leaf. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Interesting GUI
On 9/2/20 12:55 PM, andy pugh wrote: Not much of it, but it does make Axis look a little old-fashioned.. https://youtu.be/ZgqCY3gUHcM A little more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWVdVtgyldQ Given enough development time and money, my guess is that a LinuxCNC GUI could be very similar. The only basically new feature is the swipe and gesture touch feature, which Linux/LinuxCNC should be able to use. Or, ... I may be way off base. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Homann Designs ModIO
I am currently building an off-grid solar generation and storage system which have controllers using Modbus, so I may be active with Modbus again soon. If so, I will try to address your issues below and add any new information to the LinuxCNC wiki as I get it. Spring tends to need much weed whacking, brush clearing and yard equipment maintenance, so no promises. On 2/6/20 11:02 AM, John Dammeyer wrote: -Original Message- From: andy pugh [mailto:bodge...@gmail.com] Sent: February-06-20 10:29 AM To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) Subject: Re: [Emc-users] Homann Designs ModIO On Thu, 6 Feb 2020 at 18:23, John Dammeyer wrote: So maybe what is needed is a "MODbus and LinuxCNC for Dummies" document that takes one through the steps of connecting a MODbus device like a ModIO or a Servo Drive with published MODBus register descriptions all through to using them in the HAL and even including display information on the Axis Screen. Have you seen: http://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.8/html/drivers/mb2hal.html Yes. Option 3 looks interesting. If someone submitted that page to a magazine as an article on how to use MB2HAL do you think an editor would publish it as is? Whether it be Elektor Magazine, Circuit Cellar Magazine, Nuts and Volts, Everyday Practical Electronics, Home Shop Machiist, Model Engineer's Workshop, etc. the format leaves way too much to be learned in other places. The page doesn't stand alone. So it's a great reference for those who already know how to do it. Not so much for someone who doesn't. And once one knows how to do it, it's hard to take a step backwards to when they didn't. For example from that document. #Using HAL_MODULE_NAME=mb2hal or nothing (default): loadusr -W mb2hal config=config_file.ini Is the loadusr command entered in the HAL file, the INI file or entered on the command line. Should LinuxCNC be running if it's entered on the command line? If the example config file named mb2hal.ini? I see loadrt commands in the .hal file for my parallel port implementation. I don't see any load files of type ini. In my parallel port hal file I have the line. # -- Modbus support -- #loadrt classicladder_rt numPhysInputs=15 numPhysOutputs=15 numS32in=10 numS32out=10 numFloatIn=10 numFloatOut=10 Now what? The display on the RHS of the AXIS screen in that page I referenced I believe is created with the XML file. That's missing too. See what I mean. Way more questions than answers. John -- atp "A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and lunatics." � George Fitch, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper, 1912 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Homann Designs ModIO
This might help but it may be out of date as well: http://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.7/html/drivers/mb2hal.html basically, at the time, a working modbus vfd driver was edited to use modio registers instead of the vfd registers. There has been other independent work done on linuxcnc so searching the linuxcnc wiki might pull up more information. On 2/5/20 11:43 PM, John Dammeyer wrote: The wiki for this is out of date. http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?ModIO First of course the folder linkages should now read linuxcnc rather than EMC2. Also the document states: Both Driver Directories Need modbus.c modbus.h findbindir find-libdir find-modinc But the linked folders to download these are either broken or wrong. These used to be on Michael Haberler's git repository, but it looks like he doesn't work on cnc software anymore. The driver code homann_modio.c is also missing LCD support so that needs to be finished. Since I have a ModIO, an MPG Encoder wheel and a cheap 4x20 line display somewhere on route from China I'd like to take a stab at making it work on LinuxCNC. Clearly the make files also need to be edited to fix path and filenames like: emc/usr_intf/axis emc/usr_intf/touchy emc/usr_intf/stepconf emc/usr_intf/pncconf \ Or has this all been done already by someone? Thanks John ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] How come....
On 5/21/19 7:17 AM, grumpy--- via Emc-users wrote: i have no knowledge to add to this subject but it is all very good info for possible future projects i have been waiting for someone to add saltwater batteries to the discussion Alt-E used to sell these: https://www.altestore.com/store/deep-cycle-batteries/saltwater-batteries-c1260/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EhnmWo2CZ8 but it looks like the manufacturer went bankrupt, was bought, moved to China, and disappeared. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] How come....
On 5/19/19 5:25 PM, Bruce Layne wrote: On 5/19/19 6:01 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: There are a lot of surplus Leaf batteries available. My opinion on these is that these were removed for warranty replacement due to overheating. These are air cooled and don't do well if they are rapid charged more than once during long trips. I am tending to avoid these. I saw those Nissan Leaf batteries as related eBay links. The price per energy storage looked very good. I assumed these were some sort of warranty replacement batteries, but didn't search to learn the reason these are on the surplus market. Vendors don't seem to be too keen on providing information on their batteries. Either they don't know, don't understand what they have, or choose not to share. BatteryHookup.com seems to be the best DIY battery vendor so far. My opinion on Leaf batteries is based on the RapidGate chatter, where rapid charging was slowed way down on the second charge which you don't want to learn about in the middle of a long trip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpwyue9IiBE I vaguely recall hearing of technical problems with the Nissan Leaf. If the problem was overheating when fast charging or discharging in a car, that wouldn't deter me from using them in an off-the-grid home. It probably wouldn't be an issue in a properly sized system, and the Nissan batteries could easily be mounted vertically with air gaps and even inexpensive heat sinks could be used to accentuate cooling. For properly sized stationary batteries I don't think the battery will come close to working hard enough to even get warm. It would be nice if vendors would test cells or battery capacity and post this in their ads. Testing is likely to be expensive so there isn't much incentive for testing if one is selling cells well enough anyway. I'd need to research the cell balancing and battery management as that's critical. A lot of those electronics are built into the Tesla battery packs which sounds good, but it's proprietary so using them in a home requires the batteries to be fooled into thinking they're in a car. An entrepreneur makes a device to do that. Jack Rickard of EVTV. The $1200 class batteries are for a module within the battery pack, so it is just ~5 kWh(?) of 18650 cells and no electronics. In my view balancing isn't nearly as important as monitoring which is much easier to do with off-the-self products. http://store.evtv.me/proddetail.php?prod=1FullpackController I sent links earlier in this thread to a friend who used a Tesla battery for his off-the-grid home, and he displays battery life in odometer miles. I think he largely does this for a lark and he displays more conventional units as well, but keeping it in terms of miles, even though not applicable to a house, does provide a battery life indication that compares well to the original automotive use. No doubt he'll get more "miles" from his off the grid batteries than they'd get in a car where they're typically charged and discharged at a faster rate. Part 3 of the series, where the custom battery monitoring is demonstrated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIY2EWke-AA On 5/19/19 6:07 PM, andy pugh wrote: (And, while we are at it, kWh is a horrible unit. What is wrong with MJ? ) Kilowatt hours is easier for me to convert into miles. :-) An American arguing with an Englishman over the metric system is funny. You guys invented this crummy system. Just because you were smart enough to switch to the metric system and we're still stuck on stupid is no call for being cheeky. :-P - and there is no such word as "maths". ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] How come....
On 5/19/19 9:34 AM, Dave Cole wrote: I do have to wonder though... if these Tesla cells were no longer usable for a Tesla, why would anyone think they would be good in a stationary application unless they were derated by quite a bit. $1200 is far from free. Dave My take on this is that Tesla batteries become available from wrecked vehicles where the car was written off, but not the battery. As far as I know, a Tesla battery under proper use has not worn out yet. There has been data on normal-use degradation but this seems to indicate that I will likely be dead before current batteries are. There are a lot of surplus Leaf batteries available. My opinion on these is that these were removed for warranty replacement due to overheating. These are air cooled and don't do well if they are rapid charged more than once during long trips. I am tending to avoid these. The Johnson batteries I have are said to be from an electric bus conversion study and were liquid cooled and likely well cared for. So these batteries can come to the market for various reasons but for simply being worn out doesn't seem to be a common reason yet. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] How come....
On 5/17/19 7:20 AM, Dave Cole wrote: OK, Buy a new "cheap" Tesla - about $35,800 right now. Remove the battery pack ;-) You guys on the west coast make it sound like you have Tesla's sitting on the side of the road with "$500 or best offer" sale signs. Here is a fairly common surplus Tesla module: https://www.ebay.com/itm/262333679871 If these have have not been abused after they were removed from the car they should last many thousands of deep cycles. They are 6s but a 7th s can be added in order to cycle them deeper on a common 24 volt system. My system (single, living in an RV) is close to this except I am using two Johnson Controls modules rewired as 7s: https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/tesla-solar-battery-diy.html https://www.ebay.com/itm/123187038180 This technology is changing so quickly that it is hard to keep current and reviews become stale in a month or two. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] How come....
On 5/14/19 9:33 AM, Dave Cole wrote: I've been planning to put up an array on my roof. But I have plenty of space so I may do a ground level install. It would be a lot easier to maintain. FLA batteries seem to be the general recommendation for a constant use residential install. In my opinion, lead-acid batteries of any format are far inferior to lithium. LA batteries need to be at full charge most of the time or they will degrade and with good management will only last about 5 years. I ended up running my generator to charge my FLA batteries in the evening if the solar had not brought them up during the day. So I ran the generator most days. Lithium batteries don't like to be fully charged so now I don't need to worry about topping up before I go to bed. Lead-acid batteries typically have a cycle life in the hundreds of cycles where lithium battery cycle life is in the thousands or more, and end up being cheaper in the longer term. On the other hand, Lithium batteries are easy to kill if they are over or under charged, so a proper battery manager/protector/balancer is a must. Otherwise they have a wide charge range and don't mind be anywhere within that range. I have been using these with good success for a while: https://kit.com/jehu/lithium-battery-sources-july-2018/1274926-johnson-controls-24- https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-charge-controllers.html (Epever 40 amp) I've had chargers trash batteries when they failed. I sure wouldn't want that to happen to $10K worth of Lithium batteries! Weight isn't an issue. Dave ... snipped to end ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] STM32 Blue Pill --> boot loader
On 3/10/19 6:25 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: Thank you for the tips. I was hoping to make a webpage documenting what I have tried so far in more detail. Maybe it will get done tonight. Just in case of interest, here is what I have started: http://wallacecompany.com/STM32_Blue_Pill/ -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] STM32 Blue Pill --> boot loader
Thank you for the tips. I was hoping to make a webpage documenting what I have tried so far in more detail. Maybe it will get done tonight. (Darn I can't hear myself type -- it's raining again.) On 3/10/19 4:27 PM, Chris Albertson wrote: On Sun, Mar 10, 2019 at 3:23 AM Nicklas Karlsson wrote: Which boot loader? I got my ST-Link dongle to load a couple of bootloader files but neither seemed to work. Do you mean that the boot loader loaded but did not run, maybe have a bug or that you could not load the bootloader? There is a learning curve. On the "blue pill" you must move the shoring block on the boot pins to program the device and then move the pins to boot the boot loader. Itis easy to get this backward and the shorting block are way to m=samll for by fingers. During development when you are re-programming this every 5 minutes make toggle switch cable to speed things up. If programming and booting don't work, likey the shorting blocks are on the wrong pins.If you have a real Arduino there is a separate. the second processor on the board to the boot stuff automatically. but for $2.50 you have to move the shoring blocks with tweezers. A better entry into STM32 programming is with an STM"Nucleo" board. STM sells these for about $13 via US based resellers like Digikey or Mouser. So there is no need to deal with Chinese eBaers and wait a month. The Nucleo board makes programming and booting trivially simple. The board loks like the USB "thumb drive" to the OS so you can drag and drop the binary file onto the processor. This works the same on Linux, Mac and Windows.The Nucleao has a built-in ST-Link dongle with a special mode to make it look like a USB storage device. Later, move to the bare chip "Blue Pill" if you like but I'd not start there until gaining experience -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT: Where's them fires. [Was: Re Conversational mode.
On 3/10/19 2:12 PM, Chris Albertson wrote: California, where I live passed a law that the electric grid be powered by 100% renewable energy. Some said it was a dream but economic forces are already such that the plan is ahead of schedule. Last year for a few days the grid over 50% renewable I am also in California and have these panels on my todo list: https://www.ebay.com/itm/173617534138 If it would just stop blowing and raining, I could get the mounts built and go get em. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] STM32 Blue Pill
On 3/8/19 11:55 PM, Chris Albertson wrote: The easy way to program a "Blue Pill" is with the Arduino IDE. ... The way you program this is to just connect them to the USB port like an Arduino. But the key is you need to first load a boot loader into the chip. ... Which boot loader? I got my ST-Link dongle to load a couple of bootloader files but neither seemed to work. (generic_boot20_pc13.bin, maple_mini_boot20.bin) "... Arduino: 1.8.5 (Linux), Board: "Generic STM32F103C series, STM32F103C8 (20k RAM. 64k Flash), Serial, 72Mhz (Normal), Smallest (default)" Sketch uses 12668 bytes (19%) of program storage space. Maximum is 65536 bytes. Global variables use 2456 bytes (11%) of dynamic memory, leaving 18024 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 20480 bytes. Failed to init device. stm32flash Arduino_STM32_0.9 http://github.com/rogerclarkmelbourne/arduino_stm32 Using Parser : Raw BINARY Interface serial_posix: 115200 8E1 An error occurred while uploading the sketch This report would have more information with "Show verbose output during compilation" option enabled in File -> Preferences. ..." It seems to be connected because this scrolls in the serial monitor: "... Congratulations, you have installed the STM32duino bootloader See https://github.com/rogerclarkmelbourne/STM32duino-bootloader For more information about Arduino on STM32 and http://www.stm32duino.com ..." -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] STM32 Blue Pill
I wish I had found this earlier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-jYSysmw9w This seems to be the shortest path to getting a blink program working. The steps in this video seem to work so far. I just need to dig up a USB to serial adapter from my breadboarding stash rather than use the ST-Link adapter. On 3/8/19 9:46 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: I have used AVR chips to add features to LinuxCNC that where not easy to do with a parallel port alone. Now I would like to take a try at using one of these Blue Pills: https://www.ebay.com/itm/222676944274 So far I have used this link: https://github.com/rogerclarkmelbourne/Arduino_STM32/wiki/Programming-an-STM32F103XXX-with-a-generic-%22ST-Link-V2%22-programmer-from-Linux to get OpenOCD installed, configured and running. I am able to telnet to port and play with some of the commands. Next, it seems that I need to come up with a way to develop and compile C files to flash to the STM32, but a lot of the STM32 information on the Web is old or conflicts with different methods from various sources. If someone here has a simple development system, I would appreciate any links or hints. Thank you. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] STM32 Blue Pill
I have used AVR chips to add features to LinuxCNC that where not easy to do with a parallel port alone. Now I would like to take a try at using one of these Blue Pills: https://www.ebay.com/itm/222676944274 So far I have used this link: https://github.com/rogerclarkmelbourne/Arduino_STM32/wiki/Programming-an-STM32F103XXX-with-a-generic-%22ST-Link-V2%22-programmer-from-Linux to get OpenOCD installed, configured and running. I am able to telnet to port and play with some of the commands. Next, it seems that I need to come up with a way to develop and compile C files to flash to the STM32, but a lot of the STM32 information on the Web is old or conflicts with different methods from various sources. If someone here has a simple development system, I would appreciate any links or hints. Thank you. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] VFS-11 modbus driver
On 3/3/19 1:05 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: ... Recently, I got three different USB to RS232 adapters and the DeTech was the only one that mostly worked out of the box. One didn't work at all. ... Oops I meant "USB to RS485 adapters" ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] VFS-11 modbus driver
On 3/3/19 11:59 AM, Thaddeus Waldner wrote: I plan to use the VF-s11 driver. I actually have it loading successfully in my Hal and Ini setup and connecting to the usb-rs485 device but all that it can do so far is count transmission errors. Modbus can be hard to troubleshoot because there is very little reply feedback unless everything is working properly (slave ID, correct baud rate, stop bits, parity, handshake, 7 1 E seemed to be popular way back when, but 8 1 N these days, and reply is based solely on a time interval after the end of the master's end of packet). My problem is, if I understand it correctly, that the Toshiba protocol a) uses a higher voltage than any of the standard protocols, RS232 uses a higher voltage (12V ?) than RS485. b) is inverted—though I’m not sure what the implications are of that —, RS485 manufactures have not implemented A and B signals consistently, so I just try to reverse them to see what happens. and c) is single-ended instead of differential. I hope to fix this with a few resistors and inverters. RS232 is single ended, RS485 is balanced (A and B wires) but also may need a signal common or ground wire to keep the common mode voltage within reason. So 1 pair plus one wire with over all shield (grouned on one end) seems to be the ideal cable (Belden 3106a cable, pricey). A 120 Ohm termination resistor(s) may be needed but short runs should work without it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-485 My guess is that Toshiba would tend to stick to the standard since other devices could be on the same bus. It looks like the VFD needs a fair amount of programming from the front panel to get the Modbus RTU/RS484 port setup? https://www.toshiba.com/tic/datafiles/S11_Communications_Manual_Rev.3_6565.pdf Recently, I got three different USB to RS232 adapters and the DeTech was the only one that mostly worked out of the box. One didn't work at all. Another needed A and B switched and was flaky. My guess is that getting an oscilloscope out and playing with the software and hardware configuration might get the other two working. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] VFS-11 modbus driver
On 1/28/19 1:57 PM, Thaddeus Waldner wrote: Hi, I have a small machine with spindle motor driven by a Toshiba VFS-11 vfd. I currently have a forward and reverse signal controlling the drive but I need to be able to control the speed. From what I’ve seen, this drive connects digitally via the modus protocol, and someone actually wrote a driver for this drive for LinuxCNC. Can someone direct me to a list of instructions on how to get it set up that way? Here is a link in case you haven't seen this yet: http://linuxcnc.org/docs/html/drivers/vfs11.html also maybe: https://libmodbus.org/docs/v3.1.4/ http://modbus.org/tech.php This seems to work with the least fuss: https://www.ebay.com/itm/19951008 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] sim still broken
On 12/22/18 5:02 PM, Jon Elson wrote: On 12/22/2018 05:47 PM, Gene Heskett wrote: The only thing I could not find with any search terms was a 1/2 to 1 gallon water tank to bury the water pump in. There are things called "condensate drain pumps" that you put near a In case it hasn't been mentioned, ShurFlo makes RV water pumps which have higher operating pressure. I don't know what coolant would do to the diaphragm, but there are options for the diaphragm material. Inexpensive AC or DC units can be found on eBay if you wait for a good deal. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=shurflo https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/c-77-shurflo-pumps.aspx I have a few of these for my drinking water system and water tank. The pressure switch does work but is of a poor design and material. Instead, I use Square D Pumptrol switches: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=pumptrol Beware of the models that have the "pump saver" lever feature. A float switch might be better for pump saving. I also avoid using tapered pipe fittings when I can. NPT fittings tend to cross thread on these pump housings even on a good day, and they don't seal well at all. Teflon pipe tape is useless, so I use Rectorseal yellow (let dry before mating, seems better). The matching Shurflo fittings (look like reverse AN flare fitting) seal well, are easy to use/reuse and service. Just in my humble opinion. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Axis(gremlin) for horizontal mill
On 12/15/18 5:48 AM, nkp216 wrote: Has anyone ever had experience setting up (source code editing) Axis (gremlin) for horizontal boring machines? https://imgur.com/gallery/m8UhfDJ Now 3d view is not very convenient. ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users I don't know if this addresses your issue, but VisMach is pretty easy to visualize the placement and motion of machine parts. http://linuxcnc.org/docs/html/gui/vismach.html For me, the real problem is in representing the tool path. After looking at OpenGL, tool control point issues, and 3D graphics in general (elements in space, and viewpoint of the space), it seemed to me that just defining the problem was a big hurdle. Old information (red herring and rabbit hole warning): http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Gremlin Handling the three XYZ linear space is fairly easy. Defining the graphics for rotary or other additional axes seems to be an order of magnitude harder, and there don't seem to be any examples to copy from. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Need to make a W shaped magazine spring
On 04/24/2018 04:53 PM, Gene Heskett wrote: Greetings all; After 6+ months, gun farts has not shipped the magazine spring I need to finish the conversion to a smaller cartridge in old meat in the pot. This is a flat leaf, bent in the shape of a W. S/B nominally 1/2 to 5/8" wide, folded at 3 places around a 3/32 drill shank. What spec of steel do I need? and how do I heat treat it to put the spring into it once its been shaped/bent properly? Blued steel carton strapping is about what it should look like and its about the right thickness, but that stuff is pretty soft, and I doubt it could be hardened enough to make this. Thanks all. Maybe anneal, bend, harden, and blue temper a mainspring?: https://timesavers.com/c-325718-clock-repair-replacement-parts-mainsprings-arbors-barrels.html or add carbon to the shipping strapping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_Mp1fNzIT8 -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Going off-grid [Was: Thinking about going off-line eventually.
On 04/18/2018 04:36 PM, Dale Ertley via Emc-users wrote: This might be a nice way to go off grid. I have 2 HDT Balance of System (BOS) units with 5 solar panels. Engineer told me I could tie 2 together to get 220 v ac out. Outback GTFX2524, FLEXmax 60, and alot more in them. I will let them go for my cost. Got at gov auction. No batteries. Balance of Systems Unit (BOS) ... snip Thoughts that come to mind: Outback products are top drawer This seems to be a 24 Volt battetry system, my cheapish solar charger has set battery parameters: flooded LA, Gel LA, but also a user selection that can be set for whatever such as LiFePO4 or any other chemistry if the user knows what they want. I would assume the Outback has a similar feature but I haven't found it yet. I am collecting LiFePO4 Headway 38120 cells when good deals come along. AlarmHookUp seems to be a good source of batteries, but not totally risk free. https://www.topratedseller.com/ebay/alarmhookup (I'm eying these for a TIG welder https://www.ebay.com/itm/183036786061) Shipping would be a very significant cost. What general origin location would these BOSes ship from? I'm in Kalifornia, Usa. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tapered Helix
On 03/21/2018 07:47 AM, Ken Strauss wrote: I need to thread mill some tapered threads (similar to normal pipe threads -- NPT). I am considering using polar coordinates in incremental mode to approximate a tapered helix. Is that reasonable? Is there a better way? Will cumulative errors bite me after hundreds of incremental moves? It has been a while since I looked at this sort of thing, but off-hand I think the G2/3 code is able to do a tapered helix with the proper parameter settings: http://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.7/html/gcode/g-code.html#gcode:g2-g3 The current location is the start XYZ position of the helical thread mill path (allow for lead-in and out, if needed). The XYZ parameters set the path end location. The XY values set the end of the path which should have the taper included. The Z and P set the thread length and number of turns. I seem to recall having to calculate the last bit of an additional arc to finish the thread if it doesn't end in a full turn. I also seem to recall that P and the real number of turns is not intuitive, so cut air until you get what you need. I may be all wet on the above so check out the documentation and test for yourself. There are a lot of features and calculations between the control point path and the thread form -- tool diameter, tip truncation, thread pitch cone dimensions, etcetera. Or not. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] G76 tool path not behaving as expected (bad code or bad expectations?)
On 01/18/2018 12:08 PM, tom-...@bgp.nu wrote: ... snip Why is his code only good for 60 degree threads? I think you can use whatever cross slide angle you what. Based on the tool link, maybe 29 / 2 = 14.4? You can also play with the depth of cut for each pass. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] G76 tool path not behaving as expected (bad code or bad expectations?)
On 01/18/2018 07:41 AM, Kirk Wallace wrote: On 01/17/2018 11:45 AM, tom-...@bgp.nu wrote: ... snip (and how)? I would like to test this, what is the best way to install it? -Tom The G76 section in the interp_convert.cc file needs to be edited and recompiled. I use a command that takes care of this, so I've forgotten how this works. The LinuxCNC developer manual and documentation should provide what you need to modify source code. I recall that I added a -D parameter to the G76 command so the interp_check.cc file needs to be edited too. http://wallacecompany.com/t_tmp/interp_check.cc Do a find 'G76' to find the juicy bit in the D parameter section. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] G76 tool path not behaving as expected (bad code or bad expectations?)
On 01/17/2018 11:45 AM, tom-...@bgp.nu wrote: On Jan 17, 2018, at 10:43 AM, Kirk Wallace wrote: I did a rewrite a while back: http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/G76/G76-7b.cc <http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/G76/G76-7b.cc> http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/G76/Screenshot-g76_kw-1a.png <http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/G76/Screenshot-g76_kw-1a.png> This might not be fully debugged. This still has a retract hazard with some end taper settings: http://wallacecompany.com/t_tmp/G76_doc/g76_tool_clear.png <http://wallacecompany.com/t_tmp/G76_doc/g76_tool_clear.png> The original drive line shifts with each pass. The direction of I doesn't match the documentation. This should affect diam/radius rather than behave like mill space. This is interesting. In your re-write, is the drive line set by the X position before the first move, or is it related to the I parameter (and how)? I would like to test this, what is the best way to install it? -Tom Both the original and my version uses the current entry position as the base position. This saves having to have the entry position as part of the command. The original has a fixed pattern that shifts with each pass. Mine has a fixed drive line and alters the rest of the pattern. 'I' sets two features, the tool clearance from the stock, and the type of thread -- external or internal. 'I' is applied to the base position and tends to be the last parameter to be calculated after the rest of the requirements are met. 'I' works for front tool post lathes but these days tool posts can commonly be on both sides. A problem with my version is that it breaks old g-code, so this would need to be addressed. The original G76 was/is a great addition to LinuxCNC but I believe it needs refinement. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] G76 tool path not behaving as expected (bad code or bad expectations?)
On 01/17/2018 03:47 AM, andy pugh wrote: On 17 January 2018 at 01:16, wrote: It seems like the Drive Line is where the tool should come back to on every pass. If it did it would always have clearance (assuming it had clearance to get in the hole in the first place). But that is not what is happening. From the GCode reference of G76: http://linuxcnc.org/docs/html/gcode/g-code.html#gcode:g76 I think that only the full-depth retract is on the drive-line and each other pass has the same retract distance as that last pass. I imagine that this is to make every retract move exactly the same to prevent any potential problems in the run-out area. You should be able to carve your own G76 cycle using a sequence of G33 moves, possibly even as a remap. (G76.1?) I did a rewrite a while back: http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/G76/G76-7b.cc http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/G76/Screenshot-g76_kw-1a.png This might not be fully debugged. This still has a retract hazard with some end taper settings: http://wallacecompany.com/t_tmp/G76_doc/g76_tool_clear.png The original drive line shifts with each pass. The direction of I doesn't match the documentation. This should affect diam/radius rather than behave like mill space. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Project, anyone?
On 10/07/2017 09:22 AM, Andy Evans wrote: https://portland.craigslist.org/grg/tls/d/huge-shoda-cnc-router-funac/6310723057.html Rainy season is starting. Is this still outstanding in its field? Or should I say rainier season? -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] 4-axis tool path back plot in Axis
You might want to check out Vismach too. Gremlin and Vismach use the same OpenGL methods. I'll keep a look out for any info I have on my end that may add to the conversation. On 08/27/2017 12:53 AM, 王若溪 wrote: Thanks a lot, your insight into code really provides some useful info, such as the pivot point of rotation in the back plot is hardcoded to (0,0,0). I'm gonna try adding fake axes V and W in my machine config and set GEOMETRY = VWAXYZ, apply an offset to V and W axes and see what happens. As for the tilt of the tool you mentioned on your website. My explanation about the tilted tool is that it seems it's a standard that everything graphical about multi-axis tool paths, such as in CAM and CNC controller, is relative to the workpiece. To be easy to understand, if one is tiny enough to be able to sit on the workpiece, he will see the tool tilts when A axis rotates. And seems it's a standard that you are always sitting on the workpiece when viewing a tool path. ... snip -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Shop in California
See my website (see signature) for available shop equipment (near YosimtePark). -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] 4-axis tool path back plot in Axis
In case it might be handy: http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/LinuxCNC/fourth_axis/ My next task was to try to clearly define what the plot should look like. A working example to copy would be nice. On 08/25/2017 12:53 AM, 王若溪 wrote: Hi forks, I'm using LinuxCNC with my 4 axes (A axis rotate along X axis) mill and I want to make back plot in Axis GUI reflect the path of tool reference point (tool tip) relative to the workpiece correctly. i.e. The tool reference point (tool tip) should rotate about the A axis hinge point, which has a fixed G53 Y, Z coordinate when I'm jogging A axis. If I set "GEOMETRY = XYZA", the tool tip always rotate about the current point, which is not correct. If I set "GEOMETRY = AXYZ", the tool tip rotate about the origin of G53 coordinate system. Then I had to offset the min/max/home of YZ axis to make G53 origin coincident to A axis hinge point, which is kinda dangerous because many CAM software defaults to do a "G0 G53 X0 Y0 Z0" in the beginning of an operation, which would crash my spindle into the table. So what's the normal practice when making an NC system for 4,5 axis machine? Do I have to add non-trivial kinematics so that the back plot is correct when "GEOMETRY = XYZA"? Or can I redefine the tool length compensation value to be (Z coordinate of A axis hinge - Z coordinate of tool tip) when machine is at Z home/max, which is normally a negative value, so that I still set Z home/max = G53 Z0 but get correct back plot when tool length compensation is applied? What is tool length compensation typically defined, BTW? Wow, there are a lot of questions. I'm new to mill with rotary axes, any hint would be appreciated, thanks. -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Using laser time of flight sensor to home mill
On 08/09/2017 11:33 AM, Dan Bloomquist wrote: ... snip You made me look. :) My wheels have no markings so taped a piece of paper and made pencil mark. I mounted a .0001" dial indicator. I can't see any backlash, just my wheel is sloppy. The wheel is 6 1/2" in diameter and to get a .001" move, the outer rim moves ~.075". This is an integrating solution to an accurate setup. ... snip I'll try to remember to take pictures of my dial setup and post them. Each dial is housed in the box where the motor to screw coupler is. There is a window on the box for viewing the dial. One problem I have is that the stepper drivers are setup for quarter stepping so I have 0.00025" jumps. I can see this on the dials well enough, but the DRO display increments between these steps and I feel compelled to work out the DRO value at the time the last step trips, which wastes a bit of time. I replaced the x axis driver with an MA860H which has micro-stepping. The MA860H doesn't sing like the old drives and it can use twice the voltage. I'd like to change out the other axes when I can get around to it. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Using laser time of flight sensor to home mill
On 08/09/2017 10:07 AM, Chris Albertson wrote: One use I can think of for a low precision sensor is that you should be able to home faster. The motor can run at full speed until it gets close then slow just before it hits a mechanical switch. For this use case 10% error is good enough. My Shizuoka mill doesn't have home switches, but does have dials on the ball screws. I put a pieces of tape on each axis slide which I use to jog to get close to home. I then fine jog to zero the dial. I try to jog from the same direction every time so that backlash is not an issue. I can home within 0.0005" without much effort. For an absolute position sensor, I'm thinking that a section of tape from a tape measure glued to the slide would work well in conjunction with a screw dial or pointer. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Cylinder Boring
On 08/03/2017 11:41 AM, Dave Cole wrote: Can you get oversize pistons for that compressor ?? I haven't found any, and the standard size pistons are way too expensive as it is: http://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-106154580-twin-cylinder-tank-type-compressor-parts-c-158286_158287_158742.html I know that Sears Parts is still in business. http://www.searspartsdirect.com/model-number/106154580/0247/0703000.html The original pistons and rings seem to be in good shape after I cleaned the rust off in the ultrasonic cleaner. If this compressor is like the ones I have had, the pump runs at maybe 1000 rpm. So you need a reasonable bore job, a good piston with reasonable clearance and rings with some tension. This compressor won't be doing 7000 rpm like Andy's motorcycle ... its pretty low tech. Just an FYI - Harbor Freight sells entirely new pumps for not much as well. Something to think about. Although this rebore might be more of a challenge than an economic need, and I can understand that as well. :-) Dave This compressor may live in the garage. I have to load up the portable shop compressor to use air in the garage, so this might be a good thing to have working. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Cylinder Boring
On 08/02/2017 07:16 AM, R.L. Wurdack wrote: ... snip 1. Are you talking about honing the cylinder before inserting the sleeve? Honing the hole for the sleeve was part of my plan just because I'm comfortable with getting the size spot-on with a hone rather than a boring head. Honing the sleeve ID I feel is required to remove the fractured material zone and to get the proper size. My plan could easily change. I think this air compressor application would be a lot less demanding than for an engine. ... snip -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Cylinder Boring
On 08/01/2017 08:50 PM, Jon Elson wrote: ...snip All this work for a 1 HP compressor? I would think the boring bar can make a much straighter and rounder hole that orbiting with an end mill. Yes, it is more work to keep setting the cutter diameter. I have a soft spot for all machines especially the underdogs. I half expected to get replies like "I do sleeves all the time and we started helical boring years ago and haven't looked back". One thing I learned the hard way is that the bore needs a few thousandths of honing to remove the fractured surface from the boring cut. In my youth I sent a 327 block to a reputable engine machine shop and they only did a bore and finish hone. During the break-in the piston rings gouged the cylinder walls (classic shiny concentric circles) and pretty much ruined the rebuild. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Cylinder Boring
On 08/01/2017 10:56 AM, Ed wrote: First question is: What machinery do you have to work on this? Vertical mill? Boring head? What size head? Lathe with four jaw? Etc. Oops. Here is my website: http://wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/index.html The likely mill would be the Shizuoka: http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Shizuoka/ My Zubal might swing it, but it's not CNC yet: http://www.wallacecompany.com/cnc_lathe/ -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Cylinder Boring
I rescued (loosely applied term) this compressor as it was being loaded on a neighbor's truck on its way to the dump: http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Sears_Compressor2/ It seems to be in decent shape except the cylinder bores. The plan is to re-sleeve the bores using: http://www.ebay.com/itm/391601872464 http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Sears_Compressor2/IMG_1949-1a.jpg http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Sears_Compressor2/IMG_1950-1a.jpg It looks like I can get two four inch long sleeves from the 8.25" long sleeve(use csl485 with 'find'): http://www.mellingcylindersleeves.com/Portals/8/pdf_catalog/cylinder_catalog.pdf My first thought is to set up a boring bar and do a straight plunge in Z until I get the bore size that I want, but then again I have a CNC and I'm wondering if it would be better to use an end mill or fly cutter and do a helical path in Z instead? The plan is to hone to the final size for the sleeve, set the sleeve (with dry ice), and hone the sleeve to the final 2.7500" ID. Has anyone tried helical boring for piston bores? -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: Way OT: Heater Wire
On 07/31/2017 02:59 PM, Chris Albertson wrote: Someone here might know where to get the thin heater wire (insulated nichrome?) to rebuild the linked gauge CVR? Locally, try "smoke shops" People into e-cirgaretts use this wire. It comes in different gauges.Amazon sells the same wire for the same use It seems that Kanthal A series (FeCrAl) forms an aluminum oxide skin which is an electrical insulator. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanthal_(alloy) From the size and number of turns, 30 on the bi-metal arm @ .125" wide = 7.5", and measuring a 0.004" diameter or 38 gauge and 53 Ohms per foot, I get 33 Ohms which matches what I measured while troubleshooting the instruments early on. This should do it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/282229270564 with a lot left over. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: Way OT: Heater Wire
On 07/31/2017 04:04 PM, Dave Cole wrote: That Scout probably has that half a V8 engine.. its a slant 4 engine with about 200 cu inches? I believe that was made not too far from my house in Fort Wayne, IN. I almost bought one of those back in the late 70's. They rusted like crazy in the midwest. Rust prevention was an after thought back then. There are still a few of those running around here. I'd ditch that device. Otherwise you will be rebuilding it again. Dave Part of my thinking is that what's the point of having an old car if one upgrades all of the parts. The owner prefers using the upgrade, but I thought if I could figure out the restoration issues without too much trouble it might be fun to restore the CVR and have the option. To totally upgrade the CVR it might be fun to use something like a Teensy to simulate the old one. This IH Scout has a V8, but I don't know any of the particulars. I'll ask the owner what kind it is and maybe link some pictures if that is alright. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: Way OT: Heater Wire
On 07/31/2017 02:00 PM, andy pugh wrote: On 31 July 2017 at 21:47, Kirk Wallace wrote: Someone here might know where to get the thin heater wire (insulated nichrome?) to rebuild the linked gauge CVR? How hot does it get? Could you wrap the part in Kapton tape and use uninsulated wire? I don't think it normally should get exceptionally hot, just enough to bend the bi-metal spring. Here is a link of a decent overview of CVR units: http://www.minimania.com/Smiths_Voltage_Stabilizers less elegant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qVfKiujK5A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1ou2WHdylY&t=2s The unit I'm working on is for a International Harvester Scout from the 60s. The bi-metal arm got too (blue) hot due to a dead short to ground on the CVR output which melted the supply wire (should have had a 14amp fuse according to the schematic). We opened the can on this one and got it working again until the heater wire melted from shorting to the bi-metal spring. The plan so far is to use a 5 Volt buck converter instead: http://www.ebay.com/itm/45520202 It may not matter, but the temperature characteristics of the CVR are supposed to match the temperature characteristics of the gauges and with the proper heater wire it should be easy to rewind. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Fwd: Way OT: Heater Wire
Forwarded Message Subject: Way OT: Heater Wire Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:36:59 -0700 From: Kirk Wallace To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) Someone here might know where to get the thin heater wire (insulated nichrome?) to rebuild the linked gauge CVR? link: http://wallacecompany.com/IH_Scout/ -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] A phoney from Sourceforge?
I have been getting similar notices from "Network Solutions" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_false_front_architecture Subject: Important Message from Network Solutions Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2017 17:19:21 + From: supp...@networksolutions.com mangled the .com) See how the Name (without the carets, <>) looks like an e-mail address but the link is fishy? There were other hints too. My wild guess is that they are mining network records to create false fronts in order to get you to use a username and or password or some layered approach to get one to interact to eventually get there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3rDWENRI7c I think we all tend to use similar logins for all of our resources if they can get into your low security login they have a good chance to get into your bank account. I forwarded my suspicious messages to: s...@uce.gov reportphish...@antiphishing.org I don't know if it will do any good. Be careful out there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pIkkzDagsY On 06/10/2017 03:04 AM, Erik Christiansen wrote: On 10.06.17 12:26, Cristian Bontas wrote: Got one too. But if fake, I don't really get its purpose. The link seems legit, and the sourceforge.net certificates are valid. There doesn't seem to be any URL trick, either. So how would a third party benefit from my subscription reconfirmation? Any ideas? The spam came directly from amazonses to my ISP, without going anywhere near sourceforge: Received: from a9-46.smtp-out.amazonses.com ([54.240.9.46]) by ipmailmx06.adl6.internode.on.net with ESMTP; 09 Jun 2017 11:40:00 +0930 Given that some belief has been expressed that sourceforge's owner might be using a subsidiary to threaten its user base, someone might like to query the support address given in the mail: Reply-To: "SourceForge.net Support" That appears to be quite legit. But faking the From address makes it dishonest spam, I figure, as has also been detected by my ISP: X-SpamDetect: : -7.50 IronPort SPAM scanned=-10.0, From isn't in return path=1.1, 'remove' URL contains an email address=1.4 No matter how fine the link and support reply address look, it was delivered in a dishonest contaminated envelope. And the moronically highhanded unsubscribing threat does generally not occur in reality. Erik -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Slide covers
On 04/20/2017 12:22 AM, Johann Beukes wrote: > Hi Guys > Can someone help me please? I need tonmake my own telescopic slide covers. > I need to know what material I can use to fold my own? Its like tarp with > rubber impregnation. When I got my HNC lathe I wanted to get running right away, http://www.wallacecompany.com/cnc_lathe/HNC/3-1a.jpg but the cross slide bellows had large holes. Just to get by in the short term, I did a search for "how to fold diy bellows" and folded a bellows using a couple of legal manila file folders. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_paper It has been quite a few years and they are still temporarily working. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Milling Aluminum.
On 04/13/2017 08:04 AM, andy pugh wrote: > On 13 April 2017 at 15:41, Todd Zuercher > wrote: >> Suggestions on where I should go from here? > > Download Fusion360 and get a real trochoidal milling path. > It should not be terribly hard to write a g-code loop to do a slot. There are three simple paths, straight move in slot direction, arc, straight move from end of arc to the end of the previous straight move, repeat. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Way OT, Unexpected Result from Refrigerator
On 04/11/2017 11:17 AM, Dave Cole wrote: > > Kirk, > > Go online and get your refrigerant license. > I did that years ago and I think it was $35 or so and it makes you legit > so you can buy parts and stuff from local HVAC houses. I think this is an excellent idea. The retired HVAC guy that usually works on our fridge pretty much did it as a favor for folks in the area. I don't think he made any money at it. Unfortunately, the rumor goes that he was carrying an appliance down some stairs, fell and got a blood clot in his brain and died. I guess he died with his boots on, sort of, but now it's up to me to fix it myself. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Way OT, Unexpected Result from Refrigerator
On 04/10/2017 07:26 PM, Gregg Eshelman wrote: > You wouldn't want to put R-134a in it. > http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?133531-SubZero-532 > > On Monday, April 10, 2017, 3:44:48 AM MDT, Kirk Wallace > wrote:On 04/09/2017 09:16 PM, Kirk > Wallace wrote: > > ... snip > (just by turning the thermostat off) >> It turns out, without adding more ice the cabinet actually got >> cooler by 5 degrees. Uhh? > > ... snip The S-Z 532 datasheet shows an R-134a version later in the serial numbers. I suppose I could study the parts lists to see what changed and order the R-134a parts. The tools such as the manifold gauge set, vacuum pump, reclaiming tank, and others should not be expensive. I have enough ice containers (plastic peanut butter jars, extra chunky of course) to last years, plus I can move the downstairs refrigerator into the S-Z hole while I'm working on it. I'll gain a valuable skill and tool set, that I can use on other units in my sphere of influence. It would be nice to tackle this "Refrigerator" once and for all. The thread link above (thank you) will help with my issues check list. Oops, after more thought, "You wouldn't want to put R-134a in it." doesn't necessarily mean stick with the R-12, but there may be a better alternative. I'll have to work on this some more. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Way OT, Unexpected Result from Refrigerator
On 04/09/2017 09:16 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: ... snip > It turns out, without adding more ice the cabinet actually got cooler by > 5 degrees. Uhh? ... snip Roland, Dave, Ray, thank you for your replies. We have had a neighbor in the HVAC business top up the R-12 and have gotten away with it for quite a few years. The unit is a Sub-Zero 532 built-in, so it would not be easy to replace with a standard box. > https://appliancebuyersguide.com/sub-zero-532-replacing-an-old-or-broken-subzero/ I have been researching the Net to learn how to convert to R-134, find leaks and replace the evaporator (normally > $800, part ~$110) myself. After watching a few Youtube videos, I am now an expert :). This seems to be the best resource so far (click the Look Inside to see the good stuff): > https://www.amazon.com/Refrigeration-Conditioning-Technology-John-Tomczyk/dp/1305578295 Good videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCv7rCdcXsc (a few in series) https://www.youtube.com/user/KenTraining/videos (interesting channel) I figure the worst case is, I buy a modern used refrigerator and transfer all the bits to the S-Z. After I acquire all the tools, I can also fix the Explorer and a window unit. I'm also thinking it would be cool to add a Linux IoT WiFi thingie with a bunch of sensors to monitor... well everything. The original refrigerator didn't even have a thermometer. I only knew things weren't going well when the fresh veggies went bad after only a few days. I'm keen to fix that. Sorry if this is noise. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Way OT, Unexpected Result from Refrigerator
While I think of a tie-in to LinuxCNC, here is the story. I have a refrigerator that has a very slow leak which requires us to recharge the system after several months. On a new charge, it works great, then I need to turn the thermostat up a bit at a time, when that doesn't work, I add plastic jugs of ice from the freezer section, but eventually this barely keeps the cabinet cold enough. I recently verified that the thermostat works and that the compressor is basically on all of the time. I got to thinking this is a waste of electricity for something that barely works, so I asked myself "if I add more ice and turn the thermostat off, will it still be cold enough?" It turns out, without adding more ice the cabinet actually got cooler by 5 degrees. Uhh? My thinking is that the compressor is pumping whatever is still in the system, which has no cooling effect, from the room temperature condenser into the evaporator which then heats the ice in the cabinet. Maybe? Like my refrigerator, LinuxCNC can produce unexpected results. (a gossamer thread tie-in) -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] MPG detents
On 03/01/2017 04:42 AM, Roland Jollivet wrote: > I had always assumed that machine MPG's generated one state change per > click, but following Gene's discussion, I pulled out my 1988 Fanuc MPG, and > saw that it was also 4-states per click. Obviously, one 'pulse'/detent > > Does anyone know the rationale behind this? I don't know, but in my opinion ... there are four pulses per quadrature cycle and the pulses have to follow a proper sequence for forward and reverse rotation. This can produce a more reliable input for each detent location because a proper set of pulses are needed. If there is any electrical or mechanical noise (detent close to a pulse, machine vibration) and we use only valid cycles, rather than raw pulses, we will have a more robust input. It is sort of like using parity checking on data words and maybe hysteresis (more than one pulse to change a state either way). -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT: What Is It?
On 02/17/2017 07:23 PM, Erik Christiansen wrote: > On 17.02.17 10:17, Kirk Wallace wrote: >> I know what it is, but while cruising through my pictures I got the >> notion that these look like a "What Is It" kind of thing. I thought I'd >> post them just for fun. > > Kirk, the patterns arising from the metal transfer are intriguing. > The next question, though, is "What is it for?", and why the > symmetrical sparkgaps? I'm a little surprised that this "What's It" didn't get more replies. The pictures are of my Hobart TIG welder's spark gap assembly. The spark gap is used in a circuit that adds a high frequency signal to the torch to aid in starting an arc without having to touch the workpiece with the electrode tip. Getting any workpiece material on the tip will ruin the tip. I found a circuit of a DIY add-on arc starter here: http://www3.telus.net/public/a5a26316/WelderPDFs_Pics/dbARC_START.pdf which includes spark gaps. I believe the space between the gaps sets the output voltage. I don't really know much about welder technology or welding. Acquiring this knowledge has been on my ToDo list for many years. I have been successful at doing some steel and aluminum welding with this unit, but just enough to get a couple of jobs done. http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/ -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT: What Is It?
On 02/17/2017 10:27 AM, Bengt Sjölund wrote: > Sparkgaps I recall that the second picture (6906) was hard to get. The interference was shutting the camera down. I had to back off about 4 meters, zoom in and crop a lot of the picture. It's fuzzy and still has some noise. > > Den 2017-02-17 kl. 19:17, skrev Kirk Wallace: >> I know what it is, but while cruising through my pictures I got the >> notion that these look like a "What Is It" kind of thing. I thought I'd >> post them just for fun. >> >> http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/dcp_6901.jpg >> http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/dcp_6906.jpg >> http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/dcp_6903.jpg >> http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/ >> > > > -- > Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most > engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot > ___ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > > -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] OT: What Is It?
I know what it is, but while cruising through my pictures I got the notion that these look like a "What Is It" kind of thing. I thought I'd post them just for fun. http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/dcp_6901.jpg http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/dcp_6906.jpg http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/dcp_6903.jpg http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Hobart_Cyber-TIG/ -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] vfd compatibility
On 02/16/2017 03:37 AM, Valerio Bellizzomi wrote: ... snip > the VFD is a Toshiba VFS15-4037PL-W, it has a Forward input, a Reverse > input, and a current speed input (and alternatively a 0-10V input). > There isn't an enable input. I do not need the reverse so it should be > two parallel pins, one for forward and one for speed. ... snip I found a manual here: https://inverterdrive.com/file/Toshiba-VFS15-User-Manual I usually first check the overview graphic which seems to be on page B-4. I see the F terminal which could just be shorted to common to activate it. The speed potentiometer is shown too. PWM could simulate that. I also see theRS485 connector. I did a search in the document for "485" and found page C-4, which shows some control options; terminal (relay), keypad, RS485 (Modbus?), CAN (cool), communication(what the heck?). Just below are some speed setting options. This should be a nice VFD. A little farther down from B-4 are the I/O circuit options. Looking at the F entry, it basically says shorting the F terminal to CC will start forward rotation. You can use a parallel port pin to control a small solid state relay or opto-isolator. It just needs to tolerate 24 Volts on the output. It looks like the VIA (voltage, input, analog?) is a speed input. The same parallel port pin to solid state relay or opto-isolator as F above may be used, except it only needs 10 Volt tolerence. Terminal PP is the 10 Volt source (CC common isn't needed, most likely). The signal from the parallel port pin should use PWM or PDM. If you have a BOB (Break Out Board), post a make/model and/or picture or other information. It may be useful for the above connections. It looks like page D-3 is a good place to start VFD programing. The above may be wrong or missing some information, so study the manual and decide for yourself what to do. I would get a mains input noise filter right of the bat, so you don't have to chase down weird issues while trying to learn how to use your VFD. Hmm... It looks like your VFD already has a built-in noise filter. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] vfd compatibility
On 02/15/2017 10:36 AM, Valerio Bellizzomi wrote: > On Wed, 2017-02-15 at 10:22 -0800, Kirk Wallace wrote: >> On 02/15/2017 09:25 AM, Valerio Bellizzomi wrote: >>> Hello, >>> >>> I have an Toshiba vfd which has a current signal input (max 20mA), is >>> that compatible with linuxcnc to be wired to S gcode command ? > I am not aware of any interface hardware , I thought to wire one > parallel pin to the vfd, but I might be wrong. > > suggestions? If you reply with the Toshiba model number, we could give you better information. Pictures and overview of your project would be even better. Basic direction an speed control can be done with just a parallel port and a few electronic parts. Here is an example: http://linuxcnc.org/docs/html/examples/spindle.html#_pwm_spindle_speed The PWM bits create an analog signal using a digital parallel port pin and switching it on/off in a way that effectively acts like an analog signal. This would go to your VFD analog speed or frequency input. This is only needed if you want LinuxCNC to control VFD speed. The example shows the PWM signal being connected to the parallel port pin 9. Sections 3 and 4 below the spindle section (2) connect the basic digital signals to parallel port pins 14, 16, and 17. Usually the VFD inputs are opto-isolators which are usually a floating LED and current limit resistor circuit. Common parallel port buffer boards are good for driving these inputs. A breakout board with opto-isolators is not needed. A nice thing about parallel ports is that add-on cards are cheap and you can add as many ports as your computer slots can hold. The down side is that parallel ports are slow, so the PWM signal will not have high resolution. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] vfd compatibility
On 02/15/2017 09:25 AM, Valerio Bellizzomi wrote: > Hello, > > I have an Toshiba vfd which has a current signal input (max 20mA), is > that compatible with linuxcnc to be wired to S gcode command ? > > > Thanks. Briefly, mostly yes. The S word has an associated HALpin. This HALpin can be HAL connected to another HALpin that handles the hardware that can affect your VFD speed function. So: > S word --> S word HALpin --> 20ma HALpin/20ma HALcomponent -- 20ma hardware > ^^ g-code/MDI -- .hal configuration file -- HAL .comp component file -- wire > from hardware interface to VFD In other words, LinuxCNC already has a S word HALpin that you can use to connect your 20ma interface to. You would need to decide what hardware you want to use and look for or make the HAL component (software). -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] VFD recommendations
On 02/15/2017 09:51 AM, Kirk Wallace wrote: > On 02/15/2017 08:24 AM, dragon wrote: >> So some more questions about VFDs... >> >> What are the advantages of a sensorless vector drive and is it worth the >> extra cost? >> >> Are there any sensorless vector drives that have a supported modbus driver? >> >> Is there a list of VFDs with linuxCNC modbus support somewhere other than... >> http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?VFD_Modbus >> >> and the HY series of Huanyang drives? > > For a basic mill or lathe spindle modifying an existing VFD HAL > component to your VFD is not hard to do. The comments in this file might help: http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?New_File_From_Vfs11 -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] VFD recommendations
On 02/15/2017 08:24 AM, dragon wrote: > So some more questions about VFDs... > > What are the advantages of a sensorless vector drive and is it worth the > extra cost? > > Are there any sensorless vector drives that have a supported modbus driver? > > Is there a list of VFDs with linuxCNC modbus support somewhere other than... > http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?VFD_Modbus > > and the HY series of Huanyang drives? For a basic mill or lathe spindle modifying an existing VFD HAL component to your VFD is not hard to do. There are two basic parts to the component; the Modbus connection/communication, and the VFD data/HALpin configuration. The Modbus bit needs to know what port, protocol, rate to use. Then what to send/receive on the Modbus connection needs to be set up, such as a set of VFD functions (Forward, Reverse, Stop, Brake, Speed, etc. ) and the associated the data words/registers for the particular VFD. An existing VFD HAL component will have all of this in place. It's just a matter of consulting the manual for the new VFD to edit the details. This should be easyish for someone handy at making other HAL components. For extra credit, ideally, a VFD component could just describe the available functions and options for communications. Then Modbus HAL components could be made for a mix of servers, clients and channels independently of the device details. I think work has been done in this regard, but it tends to not be widely published. :( Hmm ..., maybe here: http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?ModbusToHal -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tida_TD-1336_lathe
On 02/02/2017 08:42 AM, andy pugh wrote: > On 2 February 2017 at 16:27, Kirk Wallace wrote: >>> Is there any makers name anywhere? The tailstock is rather >>> distinctive, but you could spend a long time on lathes.co.uk looking >>> for a match. >> >> I did a search for the "Samson td1336" on the control panel > > I was talking about the nice old lathe, not your useful one :-) This one? http://www.wallacecompany.com/old_lathe/left_side-1a.jpg http://www.wallacecompany.com/old_lathe/dcp_6919-1a.jpg http://www.wallacecompany.com/old_lathe/ I did a lot of cleaning and wire brushing, but haven't come across a makers mark yet. It's pretty poorly made so I'm thinking it's a 1940's cheap knock-off of a 1920's lathe, but I really don't know. The biggest problem with this project is the badly worn bed. It's not worth sending to the Bay Area to be reground. I'm going to have to become much more clever to figure out how to do it myself. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] VFD recommendations
On 02/02/2017 07:02 AM, Sebastian Kuzminsky wrote: ... snip > 2. The LinuxCNC Huanyang driver only works with the older style of > Huanyang VFDs. It does not work with the newer GT-series models. I'm > working on a new driver for Huanyang GT VFDs, but it's not ready yet. Did you have a plan or an overview of the update. I could look at it so then two of us probably won't get around to it. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tida_TD-1336_lathe
On 02/02/2017 02:50 AM, andy pugh wrote: > On 2 February 2017 at 04:03, Kirk Wallace wrote: >> http://www.wallacecompany.com/old_lathe/ > > Is there any makers name anywhere? The tailstock is rather > distinctive, but you could spend a long time on lathes.co.uk looking > for a match. I did a search for the "Samson td1336" on the control panel and got a few hits for Tida. Then later found Tida on the cross slide handle. > it ought to be relatively easy to press new (steel) gears on to > replace the broken back-gears. The back gears won't be needed. The motor will be changed out for a 3-phase motor and VFD, so the step pulleys go away. The plan is to copy the HNC electric clutch system for high and low: http://www.wallacecompany.com/cnc_lathe/HNC/00051-1a.jpg http://www.wallacecompany.com/cnc_lathe/HNC/ so the back gears go away. I'm also thinking about leaving space on the spindle shaft for a worm gear so that the spindle can be used for C axis or dividing. http://www.lathes.co.uk/lorch/img92.jpg http://www.lathes.co.uk/lorch/page8.html -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tida_TD-1336_lathe
On 02/01/2017 11:07 AM, Nicklas Karlsson wrote: > On Tue, 31 Jan 2017 15:37:31 -0800 > Kirk Wallace wrote: > >> A lathe showed up on my doorstep (almost). A friend called up and said >> "I've got a lathe in my trailer and I want to know if I can bring it by >> today. > > Where do you get friends like that? I just got lucky (unlucky?). I looked for my first CNC machine for quite a few years and ended up paying too much when I finally found one close by (Hardinge HNC). (I found the Shizuoka mill on eBay for a really good price, but moving it myself was something I won't forget.) This same friend gave me me two mills and a lathe before: http://www.wallacecompany.com/old_lathe/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Std_Engr_Works/ and an old Cincinnati knee mill without a head. I think he wanted to keep the Tida lathe to use but gave up trying to get it to work. (I found a motor starter switch that had burned away contacts and other wiring issues. I could have fixed these if he had asked but it's too late now.) The plan is to restore the oldest lathe and horizontal mill, and build a new head for the Cincinnati and maybe converting to CNC. Then sell the machines that I end up not using. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tida_TD-1336_lathe
On 02/01/2017 08:13 AM, Kirk Wallace wrote: > On 01/31/2017 03:37 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: >> A lathe showed up on my doorstep (almost). A friend called up and said >> "I've got a lathe in my trailer and I want to know if I can bring it by >> today." I guess he knows me well enough to know that I could not refuse. >> I have had it a couple of days and I took some time to scrape the first >> layer of grime off of it and take some pictures. >> http://wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Tida_Samson_TD-1336_lathe/ > > ... snip > > Another thing I'm curious about. I haven't used a D1-4 Camlock before > and I can't seem to find information on how to use it. I did find the > specifications: > http://www.tools-n-gizmos.com/specs/Lathe_Spindle_Mount.html Another thing came to mind, I placed a 5C collet in the spindle bore and the hole is larger. Is there typically an insert for this bore to adapt to 5C? -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tida_TD-1336_lathe
On 01/31/2017 03:37 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: > A lathe showed up on my doorstep (almost). A friend called up and said > "I've got a lathe in my trailer and I want to know if I can bring it by > today." I guess he knows me well enough to know that I could not refuse. > I have had it a couple of days and I took some time to scrape the first > layer of grime off of it and take some pictures. > http://wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Tida_Samson_TD-1336_lathe/ ... snip Another thing I'm curious about. I haven't used a D1-4 Camlock before and I can't seem to find information on how to use it. I did find the specifications: http://www.tools-n-gizmos.com/specs/Lathe_Spindle_Mount.html but mine is a little different than the one shown in the link above. The linked spindle shows the cam is just clockwise of the chuck pin puller hole. Mine is counter clockwise which suggests that the locking motion is different. > http://wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Tida_Samson_TD-1336_lathe/IMG_1774-1a.JPG Looking closer, the example chuck plate is like mine. The spindle picture suggests righty-tighty (clock-wise-tighty), the chuck example and my lathe suggest counter-clock-wise-tighty. Do D1-4 mounts go both ways? Also, I found information that the pull pins need to be adjusted so that the cams will detent when tight. Any help clearing this up would be appreciated. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tida_TD-1336_lathe
On 01/31/2017 05:40 PM, John Alexander Stewart wrote: > Kirk - why replace the tailstock? With gang tooling, you'll be able to make > lots of things... > > (I'm -slowly- CNCing a smaller 8x18 lathe) > > John. I see a lot of similar 13 x 36 lathes marketed as gunsmith lathes. The long bed seems to be a feature. It's my understanding a tailstock would be needed for long workpieces, but won't need one right away. http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-x-36-Gunsmithing-Lathe/G0750G I have a Hardinge linuxHNC screw machine for short work so I'm covered there. http://www.wallacecompany.com/cnc_lathe/HNC/ -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Tida_TD-1336_lathe
A lathe showed up on my doorstep (almost). A friend called up and said "I've got a lathe in my trailer and I want to know if I can bring it by today." I guess he knows me well enough to know that I could not refuse. I have had it a couple of days and I took some time to scrape the first layer of grime off of it and take some pictures. http://wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Tida_Samson_TD-1336_lathe/ One of the control panels indicates it is a Samson TD-1336 (13" x 36") and that it was made in Taiwan in 1982. It looks like a common Chinese lathe offered by Grizzly or Harbor Freight. It doesn't have a lot of wear, but has been abused. The back gears are stripped, the cross slide has been crashed into, the spindle and chuck have been hammered on extensively. It's too early to have a firm plan for this machine, but I'm thinking that I would like to convert it to: - 2hp 3 phase motor, VFD, belt drive, encoder (remove everything down to the spindle shaft) - Servo, ballscrew and encoder for Z (remove change gear and feed drives) - Servo, ballscrew and encoder for X (remove cross slide and apron) - replace missing tail stock - regrind spindle D1-4 surfaces - regrind chuck surfaces - maybe replace spindle bearings if they show hammering damage - of course add LinuxCNC controller -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] OT, Vacuum Tubes Galore
On 01/27/2017 06:00 AM, Kirk Wallace wrote: > A recent Youtube discovery: > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvbNBZX6kNE > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A_NqNyvaBM&t=330s > > https://www.youtube.com/user/MrCarlsonsLab/videos > An attempt at being more on topic: http://diyvacuumtubes.com/topic11.html http://tubecrafter.com/tubecrafter_008.htm http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=1578928 -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] OT, Vacuum Tubes Galore
A recent Youtube discovery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvbNBZX6kNE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A_NqNyvaBM&t=330s https://www.youtube.com/user/MrCarlsonsLab/videos -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] hal_input question
On 01/15/2017 10:55 AM, Ken Strauss wrote: > A little success! > I substituted an X-box joystick for my test mouse. hal_input now works as > expected and show pins displays switch status on the joystick unit. I didn't > have to use a udev rules.d file; things just worked. I conclude that either > a mouse doesn't work with hal-input or I have a mistake in my rules file. > > Thanks for the help. I'm certain that I'll be back with more questions. PathPilot is made to cater to customers that may have CNC skills but no computer skills. I suspect there are things going on in the background that try to make using the Tormach accessories just work. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Developer Access Program for Intel Xeon Phi Processors Access to Intel Xeon Phi processor-based developer platforms. With one year of Intel Parallel Studio XE. Training and support from Colfax. Order your platform today. http://sdm.link/xeonphi ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] hal_input question
On 01/14/2017 08:00 PM, Ken Strauss wrote: > I successfully downloaded and installed hal_input and linux_event.py At > least the loadusr hal_input line appears to be accepted without saying that > a file is missing. Thanks Kirk! > > My homebrew USB device identifies itself as a mouse with three buttons. > Thinking that I might have an error in my USB device code I substituted a > real mouse my homebrew one. For this real mouse /proc/bus/input/devices > gives: > I: Bus=0003 Vendor=1a2c Product=0042 Version=0110 > N: Name="SEMICCHIP Usb Mouse" > P: Phys=usb-:02:00.0-3/input0 > S: > Sysfs=/devices/pci:00/:00:1c.1/:02:00.0/usb3/3-3/3-3:1.0/input/i > nput5 > U: Uniq= > H: Handlers=mouse2 event5 > B: EV=17 > B: KEY=1f 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 > B: REL=103 > B: MSC=10 > > I added an entry in etc/udev/rules.d > SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw'. ATTRS{idVendor}=="1a2c", ATTRS[idProduct}=="0042", > MODE="0666" > > My hal line is: > loadusr -W hal_input -KRAL "vendor=1a2c Product=0042" > > Now when I process the loadusr line I get: > > No input devices could be opened. This usually indicates a > misconfigured > system. Please read the section 'PERMISSIONS AND UDEV' in the hal_input > manpage > tormach_mill_sim.hal:11: hal_input exited without becoming ready > Shutting down and cleaning up LinuxCNC... > > What have I missed? Can hal_input connect to a mouse that the system knows > about? If not, what sort of HID device should I emulate? ... snip I haven't done any work on USB devices, so I can't help much. Some devices such as USB may only be accessed by authorized users or root. The udev bit tries set up special permission to allow your normal user status to access a privileged device. I seem to recall that usb or/and serial devices are usually assigned to a group then your user name needs to be added to this group and udev is part of the process (?). PathPilot tweaks LinuxCNC to get their supported products to work. This may sacrifice other generic features. You might try to use generic LinuxCNC and choose a configuration that is known to work with your device or is close. When you get this to work transfer this knowledge to PP. If I had the same problem I would tend to use this approach and allocate a day or three to the cause. (.. or not) -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Developer Access Program for Intel Xeon Phi Processors Access to Intel Xeon Phi processor-based developer platforms. With one year of Intel Parallel Studio XE. Training and support from Colfax. Order your platform today. http://sdm.link/xeonphi ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] hal_input question
On 01/14/2017 11:58 AM, Ken Strauss wrote: > Thanks for the suggestion. I had looked at hidcomp but was hoping to use > hal_input since it seems more standard, is simpler and, hopefully, better > tested. Failing other ideas I'll give hidcomp a try. It looks like PP doesn't have hal_input, but this link seems to add it: https://en.industryarena.com/forum/vista-cnc-pendant-pp--274252-3.html -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Developer Access Program for Intel Xeon Phi Processors Access to Intel Xeon Phi processor-based developer platforms. With one year of Intel Parallel Studio XE. Training and support from Colfax. Order your platform today. http://sdm.link/xeonphi ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] hal_input question
On 01/14/2017 11:36 AM, Ken Strauss wrote: > A little intro: > I have computer experience with Windows (API programming) and assembler on > several micros. However I am **very** new to Linux so please excuse my > stupid newb questions. > > I am trying to use a homebrew USB device with LinuxCNC/PathPilot. My device > appears to the system as a HID and I can see its VID, PID, Name, etc using > less /proc/bus/input/devices > > Reading the man page > (http://linuxcnc.org/docs/html/man/man1/hal_input.1.html) the hal_input > component looks like it will do what I need. When I add "loadusr -W > hal_input..." to the config file it complains that it can't find hal_input. > Where do I get the hal_input component? Shooting from the hip, the -W option with loadusr can be tricky to use properly. You might want to make sure you are using it properly. Also, HAL might change your - to/from _ depending on the context. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Developer Access Program for Intel Xeon Phi Processors Access to Intel Xeon Phi processor-based developer platforms. With one year of Intel Parallel Studio XE. Training and support from Colfax. Order your platform today. http://sdm.link/xeonphi ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Rigid Tapping
On 11/17/2016 09:12 AM, andy pugh wrote: > On 17 November 2016 at 17:01, Kirk Wallace > wrote: >> Machinable wax comes to mind for testing. It is easy to make and reuse. > > I recently used candles straight out of their wrapping as a sample material: > If you look carefully you can see the wick. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7swEpeDI36g&t=261s > I hope you keep this list up to date on your project. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Rigid Tapping
On 11/16/2016 11:11 PM, hubert wrote: ... snip > what are your recommendations at some test trials to get the feel of > the Machines capabilities. ... snip Machinable wax comes to mind for testing. It is easy to make and reuse. http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/IMG_8432-1a.jpg http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/IMG_8427-1a.jpg http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/IMG_8441-1a.jpg My batch here cut well, with sharp clean edges. I used old candles and plastic ice cream buckets. Doing a search on "DIY machinable wax" should provide good instructions on how to make it. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Carousel component questions
On 11/03/2016 06:23 PM, Jan Bos wrote: ... > Do I need to add a 'home' sensor or a 'pocket 1' sensor? > > I am not quite clear on how this is supposed to work, could anybody shine > some light on how the Carousel component works with sensor inputs like this? ... For reference, I don't use the carousel component but this is how my mill was set up: http://www.wallacecompany.com/tmp/Carousel_Position.png The chain has a foot mounted at the home position to activate the home switch. The pocket switch sensed when a pocket was in parked position. I seem to recall that the g-code called for X number of pockets forward or back, and did not keep track of pocket ID. (The Geneva has been replaced with direct drive and there is a position encoder on the carousel.) -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Developer Access Program for Intel Xeon Phi Processors Access to Intel Xeon Phi processor-based developer platforms. With one year of Intel Parallel Studio XE. Training and support from Colfax. Order your platform today. http://sdm.link/xeonphi ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] 7i90HD programming
On 11/02/2016 09:12 AM, Chris Albertson wrote: > OK so some new computers have obsolete ports that are not supported by the > software that comes with them. PCIe parallel port cards are commonly available and inexpensive. Contrary to the PCI cards, it seems the NetMOS based cards are the ones that work with EPP connected FPGA signal generators. For me at least, Core 2 Duo PCs with excellent latency and parallel ports are plentiful and cheaper overall than any decent embedded platform that will need a lot of fiddling to never really work quite right. > > Question, can the 7i90 be flashed using some other method like JTAG. Of > course it can, but does Mesa make it reasonably easy? Mesa made the firmware open source, so have at it. That's just the way it looks for here. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Developer Access Program for Intel Xeon Phi Processors Access to Intel Xeon Phi processor-based developer platforms. With one year of Intel Parallel Studio XE. Training and support from Colfax. Order your platform today. http://sdm.link/xeonphi ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] An observation on digital calipers
On 10/31/2016 01:50 PM, Dave Cole wrote: > On 10/31/2016 11:23 AM, andy pugh wrote: >> Anyway, the point of my initial email seems to have rather been >> missed: It appears that the calipers are internaly imperial rather >> than metric, because the measurement was breaking down on exact tenths >> of inches readings. > > No miss and no surprise here. We in the US are ahead of the game. > Everyone else will catch up one of these days. ;-) > > Actually, I think it is more likely that there is a bug in the caliper > software. Or perhaps their technology is simply really old? > > Dave It could be that it is a display related thing. Maybe the number of active segments or a particular segment draws extra current and causes wonkiness (I'm a little disappointed it's a real word, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/wonkiness). What happens when the calipers are in mm mode? -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Developer Access Program for Intel Xeon Phi Processors Access to Intel Xeon Phi processor-based developer platforms. With one year of Intel Parallel Studio XE. Training and support from Colfax. Order your platform today. http://sdm.link/xeonphi ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Moving past Home Switch
On 10/26/2016 11:31 AM, andy pugh wrote: > On 26 October 2016 at 19:04, Jon Elson wrote: >> Yes, this is why having the home switch much closer to the >> limit is best. > > Near the middle might be best, but it needs to be off for half the > travel and on for half the travel. > LinuxCNC knows how to back off the switch if it is already on it. > I don't recall my lathe being set up that way. I have a magnetic proximity sensor and the axis encoder index hooked up. I recall homing moves until the prox trips then backs off, slowly moves toward the prox and stops at the the trigger of the prox and index. The prox trigger is only three or four mm wide. That's how I understand it, but I could be wrong. I probably should check. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- The Command Line: Reinvented for Modern Developers Did the resurgence of CLI tooling catch you by surprise? Reconnect with the command line and become more productive. Learn the new .NET and ASP.NET CLI. Get your free copy! http://sdm.link/telerik ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] More Useful Than Yoda?
I'm wondering if these could be 3D printed: http://www.ebay.com/itm/361501013914 -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- The Command Line: Reinvented for Modern Developers Did the resurgence of CLI tooling catch you by surprise? Reconnect with the command line and become more productive. Learn the new .NET and ASP.NET CLI. Get your free copy! http://sdm.link/telerik ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] LinuxCNC and a Consumer Product
The appeal of consumer products is that they can be much cheaper than industrial or custom products. Using a PC, and parallel port card with LinuxCNC can make for a very affordable machine controller, but I am always on the lookout for other options. Embedded processor cards are popular now, but after one gets all of the bits needed (power supply, housing, interface card, etc.) it's cheaper to find a surplus PC and be done with it. I recently needed to replace the radio in my car and while cruising eBay I saw an Eincar 2DIN radio and thought radios are sold in the millions which keeps the cost low, it has a decently sized touch display, a capable processor, USB and other I/O, and is already running Linux. It seemed most of a controller is present. I found very little information on what goes on inside these radios, so I had to get one to take it apart. Here is what I found inside: http://wallacecompany.com/tmp/Eincar_radio/IMG_2440-2a.png Now, I'm not so sure it would work as a controller. The radio boots immediately. The screens look sharp and react quickly. The touch feature works very well, all of which makes for a good radio, but most of the hardware inside is radio hardware, so the main board would be wasted on a machine controller. Basically, that leaves the display and the housing. So, I'm back to piecing together some sort of beagleduino thing if I want a pad class controller. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- The Command Line: Reinvented for Modern Developers Did the resurgence of CLI tooling catch you by surprise? Reconnect with the command line and become more productive. Learn the new .NET and ASP.NET CLI. Get your free copy! http://sdm.link/telerik ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Problem with servo setup
On 10/25/2016 01:15 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: > On 10/25/2016 10:35 AM, Marius Liebenberg wrote: >> The feedback comes from the rotary encoder that is attached to the back >> end of the servo shaft. So no backlash there. > > I was just thinking that looking at the command and feedback traces > might reveal any response issues which could be backlash, encoder > latency, or whatever. Another thought, pull the motor and turn the rotary table's input shaft to get an idea of the load the motor sees. I think it is good integration practice to check isolated shafts, couplers, screws and slides by hand while fitting a machine. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- The Command Line: Reinvented for Modern Developers Did the resurgence of CLI tooling catch you by surprise? Reconnect with the command line and become more productive. Learn the new .NET and ASP.NET CLI. Get your free copy! http://sdm.link/telerik ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Problem with servo setup
On 10/25/2016 10:35 AM, Marius Liebenberg wrote: > The feedback comes from the rotary encoder that is attached to the back > end of the servo shaft. So no backlash there. I was just thinking that looking at the command and feedback traces might reveal any response issues which could be backlash, encoder latency, or whatever. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- The Command Line: Reinvented for Modern Developers Did the resurgence of CLI tooling catch you by surprise? Reconnect with the command line and become more productive. Learn the new .NET and ASP.NET CLI. Get your free copy! http://sdm.link/telerik ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Problem with servo setup
On 10/24/2016 11:16 PM, Marius Liebenberg wrote: > Hi All > I have a problem with a machine using servos. It is a 4 axis machine > with the 4th axis being rotary. The linear servos are tuned and working > very well but the rotary axis is not behaving well. It has a severe > oscillation and I cannot seem to get the PID trimmed to stabilize the > servo. This sounds similar to a setup with a linear scale used as feedback as opposed to a rotary encoder on the motor. This configuration usually has a lot of backlash between the motor position (command input) and the scale (feedback). When a command is invoked it can take quite a while for the feedback to show up. This makes the control loop unstable because corrections always come too late. I would connect HALscope to check the delay between the loop command and feedback. Ideally, feedback should start coming in on the next servo period after a command. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- The Command Line: Reinvented for Modern Developers Did the resurgence of CLI tooling catch you by surprise? Reconnect with the command line and become more productive. Learn the new .NET and ASP.NET CLI. Get your free copy! http://sdm.link/telerik ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Wat OT: Question about injection molding of PVC
On 10/20/2016 06:15 PM, Dave Cole wrote: ... snip > If it was wavy then they were probably having quality issues. The OD is > the critical thing with PVC pipe that uses glued socket fittings. ... snip I have noticed the same ID thing with PVC pipe here. The OD is very accurate, straight and smooth. The ID isn't quite as good and can be off center. Normally, it isn't obvious but is noticeable when machining. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] New stepper-servo
On 10/19/2016 10:53 AM, andy pugh wrote: > On 19 October 2016 at 18:34, Roland Jollivet > wrote: > >> While the devices have a high resolution, look at pg.7 for all the >> non-linearity specs. So while you may discern 16 383 positions, you may be >> well over 50 counts in error. > > Possibly fixable in software. Especially with a stepper (we don't > normally worry about whether a _stepper_ is linear) Another issue that might come about is encoder latency. I may be wrong but, I seem to recall Jon ran into this problem with capacitive encoders which had a lag between the position and the sending of the position signal. The lag also seemed to vary with velocity. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Homing to index ends at different positions
On 10/12/2016 04:15 AM, Peter C. Wallace wrote: ... snip > Another diagnostic would be to halscope the index pulse itself assuming you > can move slowly enough to detect it in the servo thread, index pulses are > often 1 encoder pitch wide (1/2048 in your case) so you would have to move > more slowly than 2s seconds per turn to reliably detect it at a 1 KHz servo > thread ... snip I recently had Z axis homing problems on my HNC lathe. I watched the encoder signals with HALscope while turning the screw forward and back by hand. I lost position over a few cycles. It turned out to be a bad capacitor that was causing the encoder voltage regulator to randomly shutdown. I removed the capacitor and function was restored. So, your problem may be like this, where the fault may not be consistent or obvious. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] linux cnc servo interface help
On 10/11/2016 03:19 AM, linden wrote: > hello all, > > I need some help and suggestions on interfacing dmm dyn4 servo > driver with Linuxcnc http://www.dmm-tech.com/Dyn4_main.html LinuxCNC has all the features you need for servo control built-in, you really just need a dumb motor driver, then let LinuxCNC do the rest (encoder feedback, PID, command output). I use Pico's PWM input motor amplifiers to run brushed servos. I believe there are equivalent setups for brushless motors. This way LinuxCNC and therefore _you_ get full oversight and control of the system. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] West Coast Mills (USA)
On 09/29/2016 01:11 PM, Jim Craig wrote: ... snip > My machine uses NMTB30 tool holders so it would not be a direct fit. The > concept is good. I might try to replicate the mechanism. However the > wrist looks like it could be complicated to get that motion. > > Do you happen to have an exploded view drawing of the arm/wrist mechanism? ... snip I have seen an exploded diagram of this arm assembly, but I don't recall where at the moment. I'll keep this in mind and pass it along if I find anything. Hmm, I think here: http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop//Shizuoka/atc_manual/bandit_changer-0064.png http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop//Shizuoka/atc_manual/bandit_changer-0065.png http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop//Shizuoka/atc_manual/bandit_changer-0066.png http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop//Shizuoka/atc_manual/ The arm slides in a vertical tube with a spiral slot that rotates the arm to or from the tool box or to the spindle as the arm slides up and down. The arm operates at fairly low pressure, so no one gets hurt if body parts get in the way, which is nice. The wrist has a bevel gear which is driven by a bevel gear on the vertical inner shaft which is fixed. When the arm rotates, wrist rotates as well. I tend to think I would make a more robot like arm if I were making one from scratch. The current arm has to remove the old tool from the spindle and put it away before getting the new tool, then load it. Some changers have the new tool ready before making a change. With LinuxCNC on-board there is plenty of control resource available. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] West Coast Mills (USA)
On 09/29/2016 12:00 PM, Jim Craig wrote: > On 9/29/2016 1:02 PM, Kirk Wallace wrote: >> Just in case someone might be interested: >> http://www.ebay.com/itm/121734977870 >> >> My slightly smaller ST-N as reference: >> http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Shizuoka/ >> > That tool changer setup looks perfect for my machine. Do you have a > video of it in action? Any details on the tool changer arm? http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Shizuoka/tool_changer_video.html The Shizuoka uses NMTB40 tool holders. If your machine uses NMTB40 the changer might work, otherwise the claw and tool pockets will be a problem (NMTB = single flange with boss on end of taper, CAT = dual flange, no boss). The arm is rotated by a pneumatic cylinder which makes the arm raise and lower, as well as rotate the wrist. The tool comes out of the spindle with the tool pointing down. The wrist turns the tool holder over, tool up, as the arm moves towards the carousel. The changer functions are controlled by relay contacts so are pretty easy to hook up. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] West Coast Mills (USA)
Just in case someone might be interested: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121734977870 My slightly smaller ST-N as reference: http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/Shizuoka/ -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] IMTS Chicago
On 09/12/2016 10:04 AM, Stuart Stevenson wrote: > We are planning to be there early in the morning so we can spend the day > walking through checking STUFF. Thanks for rubbing it in.:) -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- What NetFlow Analyzer can do for you? Monitors network bandwidth and traffic patterns at an interface-level. Reveals which users, apps, and protocols are consuming the most bandwidth. Provides multi-vendor support for NetFlow, J-Flow, sFlow and other flows. Make informed decisions using capacity planning reports. http://sdm.link/zohodev2dev ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Need unlocked copy of a pdf for a breakout board I just bought two of.
On 09/06/2016 11:29 PM, Danny Miller wrote: On 9/7/2016 12:53 AM, Gene Heskett wrote: On Wednesday 07 September 2016 01:41:24 Dave Caroline wrote: That looks like a board I would not recommend look close to the white sockets near the axis outputs, it has series resistors for the driver optos, these of course are in the driver as well, this means half current through the opto and failure to work. I was working with a free issue board where I met that problem before So have I, Dave, and I wound up bypassing that particular opto in the board I used to drive my G0704, but this one doesn't have the opto's that I know of. Because they are slow, I've found them far more trouble than they are worth as a safety measure. I'd much druther trust a good grounding system, star topology of course. Thanks Dave. I similarly dislike optos. I have doubts that any properly made drive can even produce dangerous "spikes". They seem pointless. My understanding is that the optos are there to protect the driver inputs and sometimes do signal voltage conversion. The cable from the controller to the driver can be long and travel close to noise sources. This makes the cable susceptible to induced voltages which can push the signal too high or even negative, which will blow out the input if not protected. Aside from noise, usually the output at the controller has a current limiting resistor for protecting the signal driver. These drivers are usually higher current devices (maybe 24ma) so the limit resistor is sized for the higher current. On the other end, the limit resistor is there to protect the opto's LED which can take less current (about 10ma is common). The LED is a current device so signal voltage is secondary the resistor just needs to be sized appropriately. Induced noise voltage can get quite high so sometimes a Zener diode is used to clamp the input at a max. voltage to ground. LED's have very low reverse breakdown voltages, so it is common to put a regular diode with a high breakdown voltage in series to protect the opto when the noise pushes the input negative. This diode will have a forward voltage drop that will need to be considered when sizing the limit resistor. Optos used to be slow, but there are modern optos that are very fast. One just needs to look at the datasheets. I attached a very rough schematic of what might need to be on an opto input. I work with a 7i92 card which is ethernet, and thus already offers galvanic isolation through the ethernet. If there were a huge surge, it wouldn't propagate back to the PC. The PC ain't a high-dollar item anyways. The AM882 drives all have differential opto inputs/outputs themselves, there's no case for even hypothetical "spikes". Danny Dave Caroline -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users Cheers, Gene Heskett -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] How do stepper drivers work?
On 09/03/2016 11:32 AM, Andy Pugh wrote: > > >> On 3 Sep 2016, at 21:12, Danny Miller >> wrote: >> >> l approximation of current targets whose PEAK value is equal to the >> motor current rating. > > Are you sure? I don't have any information at all but would expect it > to be average current. My understanding is that one should check the motor and driver specs for voltage limit, and supply with the lower of the two voltage limits. Then start with a low driver current limit, let the motor come up to temp, test the temperature, then turn the current up and repeat until the motor runs at the desired temperature (usually barely touchable). I believe that the motor sitting at idle will produce the highest temp. In addition to the Jones link, this should also have some good information: http://www.geckodrive.com/support.html -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] How do stepper drivers work?
On 09/03/2016 10:58 AM, Chris Albertson wrote: > I want to understand stepper motor controllers. This is my goto document for steppers: http://homepage.cs.uiowa.edu/~jones/step/ -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] O.T. Help - I need tips to keep the mice out of my machine wiring.
On 06/13/2016 04:58 AM, andy pugh wrote: > On 13 June 2016 at 12:50, jim wrote: >> Try steel wool at there points of access . >> Try pop corn mixed with rat poison to kill them. > > Adopt them as pets and make them somewhere nicer to live, to dissuade > them from sleeping in the machine tools. :-) > In the early 1900's rat poison was a very popular murder weapon, for some reason when used against rodents it's called pest control. Around here mice eat car wiring if you don't pay attention to where you park. I suspect rodents don't like to run around in the open so parking on a hard surface with space around it seems to help. Clearing the space around the shop may help, Removing sources of food and shelter and increasing predators (small terriers, cats, owls) might be good. Trying a simple single solution from a box is most often not ideal (IMO). -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/ -- What NetFlow Analyzer can do for you? Monitors network bandwidth and traffic patterns at an interface-level. Reveals which users, apps, and protocols are consuming the most bandwidth. Provides multi-vendor support for NetFlow, J-Flow, sFlow and other flows. Make informed decisions using capacity planning reports. https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/305295220;132659582;e ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users