[Emc-users] Homing sequence question
Hi all, I've just re-arranged some parallel port inputs and outputs, so now I have a pin available for each of the three axes on my minimill. I can't seem to get ctrl-Home to home anything other than the current axis, even though I have the following line in my config file: HOME_SEQUENCE = 0 1 2 (I also tried HOME_SEQUENCE = 0,1,2) I have a feeling that the answer to my question is You need to run a more recent version of EMC!, since I'm using 2.0.5. (Hey, it isn't broken.) I recently tried to load the latest version on a second Dell machine, identical to the one I've been using for a few years, and had it install and boot up OK but lock up on me when I ran EMC. I suppose there is a hardware incompatibility but I don't know what it is. (Maybe there's a version in between 2.0.5 and the current one that I can actually run :-) On a related note, are more recent versions able to home more than one axis simultaneously, or just in sequence? That would be kind of cool. Thanks very much, Pat Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 -- SF.Net email is Sponsored by MIX09, March 18-20, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The future of the web can't happen without you. Join us at MIX09 to help pave the way to the Next Web now. Learn more and register at http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;208669438;13503038;i?http://2009.visitmix.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Emc-users Digest, Vol 32, Issue 26
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 12:33:05 -0600 From: Stuart Stevenson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Emc-users] Homing sequence question To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Patrick, I believe you want to put the command 'HOME_SEQUENCE = 1' in the AXIS section you want to home first and then 'HOME_SEQUENCE = 2' in the AXIS section you want to home second, etc. Stuart On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 12:28 PM, Patrick Ferrick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thank you, Stuart. I tried moving HOME_SEQUENCE = 0 etc. to the axis sections and still got only single axis homing. I am running 2.0.5 on Ubuntu 6.06, so I am going to look into upgrading with the method you suggested. I will certainly back up my config files, but if I do run into problems is there a fairly easy way to back off to 2.0.5? Because I'm pretty sure that I've lost track of the cd that I originally burned of that version...if I can get hold of 2.0.5 easily, I'll be much more likely to take a chance on upgrading! regards, Pat -- SF.Net email is Sponsored by MIX09, March 18-20, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The future of the web can't happen without you. Join us at MIX09 to help pave the way to the Next Web now. Learn more and register at http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;208669438;13503038;i?http://2009.visitmix.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] 2.2.5 locks up my Dell....
Hi all, I have a feeling that the answer to this question is probably in the archives, but my school's ISP has recently decide to block access to web-based newsgroups. So I'm kind of stuck. If some kind soul would care to enlighten me off-list I would really appreciate it. I just burned a copy of the latest Ubuntu distro, loaded it on to a spare Dell Optiplex GS240, and all is well right up until I hit OK to run sim-axis. Then it locks up hard. The usual startup messages appear in the terminal window (up to Starting EMC2). I have been running an older version of EMC2 just fine on exactly the same kind of hardware for a couple of years now. Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks, Pat Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 - This SF.Net email is sponsored by the Moblin Your Move Developer's challenge Build the coolest Linux based applications with Moblin SDK win great prizes Grand prize is a trip for two to an Open Source event anywhere in the world http://moblin-contest.org/redirect.php?banner_id=100url=/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Emc-users Digest, Vol 29, Issue 60
Hi all, I have a feeling that the answer to this question is probably in the archives, but my school's ISP has recently decide to block access to web-based newsgroups. So I'm kind of stuck. If some kind soul would care to enlighten me off-list I would really appreciate it. I just burned a copy of the latest Ubuntu distro, loaded it on to a spare Dell Optiplex GS240, and all is well right up until I hit OK to run sim-axis. Then it locks up hard. The usual startup messages appear in the terminal window (up to Starting EMC2). I have been running an older version of EMC2 just fine on exactly the same kind of hardware for a couple of years now. Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks, Pat Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 - This SF.Net email is sponsored by the Moblin Your Move Developer's challenge Build the coolest Linux based applications with Moblin SDK win great prizes Grand prize is a trip for two to an Open Source event anywhere in the world http://moblin-contest.org/redirect.php?banner_id=100url=/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Please critique my custom toolchanger strategy!
Hi all, After reading (and (for the most part) understanding) the integrator's manual, I have come up with the following plan for constructing and controlling a custom toolchanger. The changer will use three steppers, one to spin a carousel of sorts and two to operate a scara-type arm to place tools from the changer somewhere that they can be taken up by the spindle. 1. obtain and set up a second pc running EMC2 2. connect the mill's pc and the toolchanger's pc via ethernet cable 3. determine the correct NML messages needed to carry out the steps for a toolchange 4. add a button/code to AXIS using pyVCP to generate these messages 5. figure out how to send the messages by connecting the button to the parport with HAL Pretty simple, right? My rationale for this somewhat convoluted sequence of events is that I think I can get all that going with what I already know how to do with HAL etc. Based on my reading of the manual, it's going to take a good while before I can get pull it off with straight HAL/ClassicLadder objects. I'm going to work on that at the same time, so I'll probably get it to work the right way at some point. Comments? Thanks, Pat ps - It often occurs to me when I'm generating these posts that a twenty minute conversation with one of you EMC gurus would be worth about a month of back-and-forth on the list. Unfortunately, the NAMES show happens right in the middle of exam week for me, so that's a little tough. If anybody would be willing to try a brief phone conference please email me privately...! Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Microsoft Defy all challenges. Microsoft(R) Visual Studio 2008. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/vse012070mrt/direct/01/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Custom toolchanger
One thing to note - you probably wouldn't want to control the turret with G-code, even if you could. Changing tools and moving them around are separate actions, so there's no need for coordinated motion between the two activities. It just opens up possibilities for errors down the road. - Steve Steve, Chris et al, Thanks for the hints. The reason that I first thought of using gcode to control the toolchanger was that it will eventually consist of a turret and a two degree-of-freedom arm, all controlled by three steppers that I _would_ want to move in coordinated motion, just like they were the U,V and W axes. (But not coordinated with, say, X,Y and Z since as you point out tool motion and tool changing are separate.) Please correct me if I'm wrong, but is the point of using HAL+ClassicLadder to make the toolchange operation itself transparent to the gcode? Then it seems as though what I'm aiming for is being able to use HAL+CL to re-create the functionality of three regular axes. That's the part where things start to get really fuzzy! Given enough i/o pins, it would then seem that the only limit to the number of motors EMC could control would be the ability of stepgen to make pulses fast enough for acceptable speed. Hints greatly appreciated!!! thanks, Pat Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Microsoft Defy all challenges. Microsoft(R) Visual Studio 2008. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/vse012070mrt/direct/01/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Custom toolchanger control
Hi all, I have a followup question to my earlier question about adding steppers to my setup. The (long-term) goal is to create a custom toolchanger that will incorporate three steppers and three or four relay-controlled widgets. If I was to add a second parallel port, I'm certain that I could HAL it up to control the extra motors and such via gcode. However, based on suggestions made by John Kasunich and others, it seems that isn't the normal way to change tools. (It would be quite inconvenient to have to insert lots of extra gcode in a program to spin the tool carousel etc.) Apparently, a PLC (either hardware or software based) is traditiuonally used for such purposes. It seems to me, though, that a plc + ladder logic programming is capable mainly of sensing switches and turning on and off relays...which is great if you have a toolchanger that only needs to be told _when_ to change tools and _what_ tool to use, but not how to physically spin steppers to accomplish this. I would really like to be able to take advantage of the kinematics etc. that EMC provides to move the extra steppers, but it's looking like I might have to create a semi-smart toolchanger that can be commanded with HAL+ClassicLadder. To summarize: I hope I'm wrong about this, but it seems as though I have to either a) control the extra three motors via gcode or b) construct an external device capable of moving the steppers by itself and control device that via the PLC. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Pat Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Microsoft Defy all challenges. Microsoft(R) Visual Studio 2008. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/vse012070mrt/direct/01/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] How do I control 4 steppers with EMC2?
Hello everyone, (First, I wonder how many British users of EMC saw the posts titled home-mad cnc and thoughtmad?...THAT'S for sure! :-) Anyway, here's what I'm wondering: if I wanted to get crazy and control, say, six (or more) steppers with EMC, what's the best way to go about that? I'm obviously not going to do it with a single parport. Right now I have X,Y,Z and A going (and I'm thrilled to death with that, believe me!) and that pretty much takes care of it. (To be specific, I'm thinking about using a couple of extra steppers and solenoids and such to make an automated tool changer.) Offhand I'm not even sure of how many axes EMC2 is willing to drive. That would be nice to know... My first thought was a second parallel port card. I know that over the years I have used (and, I think, fried) a couple of those guys...but I'm pretty sure that with the shaky status of a _single_ old school parport this is not a direction in which I want to be going. Then I thought of one of those generic multi-I/O deals with huge numbers of ins and outs, but that's probably (?) done by multiplexing fewer pins, which I guess might be a problem for software that's trying to twiddle bits in realtime for a particular effect. Any suggestions? Thanks! Pat Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Microsoft Defy all challenges. Microsoft(R) Visual Studio 2008. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/vse012070mrt/direct/01/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Identifying different AXIS setups
Hi all, Now that I have AXIS and EMC2 singing and dancing, I find that I use three different ini files depending on what hardware I've got on my minimill. For example, when I have the (horizontal) rotary 4th axis on there, I have different x,y, and z limits that when it is absent. The trouble is that I sometimes forget which setup I have running (despite having created three different startup icons which reference the three ini files...!) Is there some relatively simple way for me to do one of the following: 1. change the background color of the toolpath section of the screen 2. add a label in either the Manual Control tab or on the toolpath area itself Thanks, Pat - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Microsoft Defy all challenges. Microsoft(R) Visual Studio 2008. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/vse012070mrt/direct/01/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Teach mode ?!
Hi all, I'm surprised that saving a series of manual moves (for later playback) is apparently not very high on anybody else's wish list of EMC2 additions...Anyway, it's something I would like to be able to do. For what its worth! (I'm running 2.0.5, by the way. I thought that hilighting and copying part of the History window would work, but that doesn't seem to be possible. Is there any way (hopefully other than upgrading) to get at the history? regards, Pat - SF.Net email is sponsored by: Check out the new SourceForge.net Marketplace. It's the best place to buy or sell services for just about anything Open Source. http://sourceforge.net/services/buy/index.php ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Can I display stock outline in AXIS?
Hi all, I'm running EMC2 version 2.0.5 with Axis 1.4a0 (I know, I should upgrade...!). I seem to recall a discussion along the lines of displaying the outlines of the workpiece (or some arbitrary outline) in AXIS, but at the time it wasn't something that I thought I'd ever need to do. Hmm. So, now that I've decided that it _would_ be awfully nice to see the extent of the workpiece (not as a toolpath, of course, just for reference purposes) is there any way to accomplish this with my current setup? Or with a spankin' new version of AXIS, maybe? Which brings me to another question: by upgrading to frantic ferret or whatever the latest Ubuntu distro is called, am I taking a risk that my hard-won ini tweaks will no longer work? Can I expect my current ini files to work with the latest EMC2? Doesn't seem likely, if new features require extra ini code; I'm just really in if it works, don't fix it mode big time. thanks, Pat - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Microsoft Defy all challenges. Microsoft(R) Visual Studio 2005. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/vse012070mrt/direct/01/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Generating stick-font toolpaths?
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could suggest some open-source software for generating toolpaths for making signs. Apparently the preferred kind of font is called a stick font or single stroke font and I have found that there are quite a few commercial packages that do this. We have been using QCAD's CAMExpert demo version (the full version of which is very reasonably priced) but both provide only one such font. Thanks, Pat === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Details on spindle-on/off HAL coding problem
Hey all- Regarding my attempt to add spindle on/off in my core_stepper.hal, the following lines newsig spindle_on bit linksp spindle_on = motion.spindle-on linksp spindle_on = parport.0.pin-14-out get me this error: EMC2 - 2.0.5 Machine configuration directory is '/etc/emc2/sample-configs/stepper/' Machine configuration file is 'xyz.ini' Starting emc... iocontrol: machine: 'X-Y-Z' version '1.4.2.4' HAL: ERROR: pin 'motion.spindle-on' not found HAL:74: link failed HAL config file /etc/emc2/sample-configs/stepper//core_stepper.hal failed. Shutting down and cleaning up EMC... Cleanup done I'd appreciate suggestions...thanks. regards, Pat === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Thanks, and by the way here's yet another question!!!!
Hey everybody- Thanks, Jon et al for setting me straight concerning the whole G54 offset thing. The wiki page was very helpful. I had no idea that offsets like this would persist from instance to instance of EMC2... On to the next question! I'd kind of like to be able to use M3,4 / M5 to turn the spindle off via a solid state relay. I have a couple of spare output pins on my parallel port interface card (like, say pin 14) and my first shot at HALing it up didn't quite do it. Here's what I added to core_stepper.hal: newsig spindle_on bit linksp spindle_on = motion.spindle-on linksp spindle_on = parport.0.pin-14-out which, unfortunately, isn't working. I've been through the HAL docs a few times, and a lot of it makes sense but I guess not enough (so far) to get this done. If anyone could suggest a modification that would help me out I would appreciate it. [btw, someday I would really like to meet some of the brains behind this whole operation...when and where do you guys get together? I would definitely be up for buying a few rounds in honor of all the hard work that obviously goes into EMC etc.] tnx, Pat === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Oh man, my home is broke...
Hi all, Well, I've gone and added a rotary axis to my xyz-minimill, and I've managed to break my nice homing sequence. As it turns out, I guess I don't understand homing as well as I thought I did, because I can't figure out the following situation: First, here's a picture of my Y-axis hardware: [URL=http://img37.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=48772_limit_122_670lo.jpg] Pretty normal, right? So here's the relevant part of my ini file: [AXIS_1] TYPE = LINEAR UNITS = 0.03937007874016 HOME = 0.0 MAX_VELOCITY = 4.0 MAX_ACCELERATION = 10.0 STEPGEN_MAXVEL =4.0 STEPGEN_MAXACCEL = 12.0 BACKLASH = 0.000 CYCLE_TIME =0.001 INPUT_SCALE = 2000 0.000 OUTPUT_SCALE = 2000 0.000 MIN_LIMIT = 0.0 MAX_LIMIT = 4.0 FERROR = 100 MIN_FERROR = 0.01 HOME_OFFSET = 0.0 HOME_SEARCH_VEL = 3.0 HOME_LATCH_VEL = -0.4 HOME_USE_INDEX = NO HOME_IGNORE_LIMITS = NO When I home Y, the axis moves to the left until the limit switch closes, then it backs off a ways, then it slowly finds the switch again. Cool. As far as I know, this point is understood by EMC2 to be the offset from the switch position to the HOME position in joint coordinates. The switch is physically located at Y=0, so that's good. The HOME=0 line makes it stay put, which is also what I want it to do. Here's where it gets weird. AXIS indicates that Y is at -3.00, not 0 after this sequence. Despite the MIN_LIMIT being 0, I can jog it between -3.00 and 1.00 (a distance of 4, which seems to relate to the distance between MIN and MAX.) So it's like the ruler that EMC2 is using on this axis is mis-adjusted to the physical axis, and I can't figure out how to shift it. I'm pretty sure that I'm overlooking something obvious, but I've banged my head enough on it...I think I need somebody else to look at it and straighten me out! Thanks very much. regards, Pat === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Multiple axis homing....?
Hey, Here's something that I've been wondering about for a while: I can't seem to get multiple axes to home in sequence. Do I need to be running a version of EMC2 later than 2.0.5? I have this line in my ini file: HOME_SEQUENCE 0 1 2 which doesn't generate any complaints, but also doesn't do what it looks like it should do. When I press Home, alt-Home, ctrl-Home (and every other variation I can think of!) I get motion of the 0 axis only. Hints? thanks, Pat === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Microsoft Defy all challenges. Microsoft(R) Visual Studio 2005. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/vse012070mrt/direct/01/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] I (almost) have the rotary axis working!!!
Thanks, Stephen, for the advice. As so often seems to happen (to me, anyway) a suggested strategy leads to improvement indirectly. Like actually twisting the motor shaft to see if 11 turns actually _does_ rotate the table 1 degree (it did) which made me think of putting a protractor next to the rotary table and finding out how many degrees a G0A1 made it turn. That was around 31.5, so when I divided my INPUT_SCALE value by that I got1 degree from a G0A1..tada!! Then I had to tweak the heck out of MAX_VELOCITY and FERROR so that I could get the thing moving at a respectable speed. The INPUT_SCALE of 120 did not do much for the speed that the table turned. == One other weirdness: I cannot seem to get MIN and MAX_LIMIT to work right. Thinking that I might want to spin something a bunch of times in the rotary axis (ie. for threading) I tried -3000 and 3000 respectively. But when I try a G0A360 (to fine-tune the INPUT_SCALE value) I get an AXIS error like Linear move -n out of range when a) it's an angular move, and b) it clearly isn't out of range. ***ding ding*** As usual, writing out the weird behaviour either makes me realize what the problem is, or I think of a good test to try. I just found that I can get 200 degrees worth of travel, and no more. If I do a G0A100 or A-100 right after starting EMC/AXIS, that's OK. Anything farther out is the above error. Even better, if I jog say 50 degrees one way and zero the axis with shift-home, then I can go from 50 degrees to 250, again no more. I think this is an AXIS weirdness but I don't know what might be causing it. Any ideas anyone? thanks again, Pat === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] You can ignore my rotary axis questions..!!
OK, it's official. I am a complete idiot! Here's what happened: Since I had an ini file that was more or less working, I figured I'd better save it under a different name so that I could fall back on it if further tweaking really blows it up. Great idea, right? Sureis , IF you look at the %$^*! filename at the top of the text editor once in a while!...if not, you make change after change, after change, and wonder why things are not getting better. When you're not editing the ini file that emc is actually _using_, that's why. As my dad always used to sayIf I had another brain it would be lonely!! ps - the 200 degree limit? Might be from the -100 to 100 limits I put in the other ini file. I dunno. We now return you to your emc mail list already in progress... === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Help needed calibrating rotary axis
Hi everyone, I'm happy to report that I now have my fourth axis spinning. Not quite as fast as I was hoping for, but it works. Now the issue is getting it to move a specified number of degrees via gcode. Basically what I'm getting is much smaller changes in the A value than the actual number of degrees it spins. It probably sounds like the INPUT_SCALE setting in the ini file is incorrect (and it probably is) but I've tried lots of changes to it without success so I think it's time for a couple of hints!Here's what the mechanics of the rotary axis are: 200 step motor w/24 tooth sprocket -- 95 tooth. I make that out to be a 3.9583:1 reduction. Then, a 28 tooth sprocket on the same shaft as the 95 tooth drives a 145 toother on the actual rotary axis. Another 5.1785:1 reduction. [Sounds like a nightmare when you write it out that way, but it's smooth and stiff and mechanically it works well, so!] So the overall reduction is somewhere in the vicinity of 20.498:1, which would translate into 11.387 motor steps per degree. INPUT_SCALE is supposed to be the number of steps per UNIT (which is 1.0 on the ANGULAR axis), but setting it to 11.387 or 11.0 makes things go really slw and I cannot for the life of me adjust the MAX_VELOCITY to anything that moves it at a decent speed without immediate following errors. Note: with INPUT_SCALE set to 4100 (the approximate number of steps needed for 360 degrees) I get a good spin speed but the A values are all out of whack with respect to the rotary table. I have tried lots of combinations of INPUT_SCALE, UNITS, [TRAJ}ANGULAR_UNITS and cannot seem to get it right. One other thing: when I try to get rid of the UNITS tag for the 3rd axis and use [TRAJ]ANGULAR_UNITS (as it suggests in the manual) I get this: Starting emc... iocontrol: machine: 'TOWS CNC' version '1.4.2.4' task: machine: 'TOWS CNC' version '1.4.2.4' emc/ini/iniaxis.cc 192: can't find [AXIS_3] UNITS, using default Traceback (most recent call last): File /usr/bin/axis, line 2299, in ? unit = float(inifile.find(section, UNITS)) * 25.4 TypeError: float() argument must be a string or a number sigh sorry this is so long-winded...anybody have any suggestions? Thanks a lot. regards, Pat - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Adding a rotary axis...a little help, please!
Hi everyone, Well I've finally gotten around to adding a rudimentary 4th axis to my minimill. I've just started trying to figure out how to make AXIS and EMC2 spin it, so far without success. (For some reason, after I've banged my head against a config issue long enough to get something going, I immediately start using the darn machine and after a year or so, I'm practically starting over in trying to understand it the next time!) Anyway, I _thought_ all I would have to do was add a fourth axis description to my .ini file, and a few new signals and pins to my HAL file. A quick look at stepper_xyza.hal ought to make things clear. Ha! Not so much, as it turns out. There are a whole lot of things in stepper_xyza.hal that aren't in standard_pinout.hal (like differentiators and enable signals) and I can't for the life of me figure out why. A couple of clumsy attempts to reference both hal files in my .ini file failed, as did attempts to add stuff like Avel and Apos signals/pins to standard_pinout. So I guess my question is: what basic steps should I shoot for in adding an A axis to an XYZ minimill? Somehow adding stuff to standard_pinout appeals more to me, since I (thought) I understood how that all went together! I added a limit switch signal/pin etc. and messed around with HALscope, and all of that ended up working, so I _was_ feeling pretty good about my ability to extend EMC2. I'd really like to pull that off again! thanks, Pat === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] rotary axis questions
OK, before anybody goes to a lot of trouble to explain the finer points of adding a fourth axis...! Here's the answer: I stumbled across Ray Henry's (virtual) conversation with a dude whose username is chinamill, which cleared up just about all of my confusion. Thanks, Ray! Now I'm at the point of having the A axis present and accounted for, I have Astep and Adir coming out of pins 8 and 9, and the HAL config looks great. And I get almost immediate following errors on joint 3, the fourth axis! Argh. It's been a while since I've done battle with this issue; I copied one of the existing axis configs and changed LINEAR to ANGULAR, and UNITS to 1, keeping all other parameters the same. I figured since the X axis has been working fine for quite a while now, the A axis would too with the same maxvel, accel etc. But no. Is there anything fundamentally different about an angular axis that might account for the following errors? I have tried lots of different FERRORS, etc. in an effort to get around them (as I have many times before) but so far, no luck. thanks again, Pat -- === Patrick Ferrick Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] I/O card recommendations, please?
Hi all, After the success I've had with EMC2 and my minimill, I've decided to take a whack at converting a little Prazi 5x12 lathe I have. So far I've got it steppered and I have procured a PC on which I've installed EMC2 from the live CD. So far so good. On the minimill I'm using a PMDX i/o card with great success. However, it occurs to me that for the lathe I am not going to need much of the functionality of this card. (independant pulse generation, high-current relays, etc.) It wasn't horrendously expensive (I want to say it was just over $100) but I'm trying to do the lathe on the cheap, so I'm wondering if anybody could suggest a less-expensive basic i/o card that has only the optoisolators without all the extras. Either preassembled or a kit wuld be fine. thanks, Pat == Patrick Ferrick KA2AYK Town of Webb School Main Street Old Forge, NY 13420 (315) 369-3222 (315) 369-6216 (fax) == - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Cutter radius compensation
Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:41:22 -0500 From: Stephen Wille Padnos [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Emc-users] Cutter radius comp question To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Hi Patrick You're starting the shape with the tool already gouging the outline. You need to add a lead-in move. If you start at X0Y0 instead of X1Y1, I'll bet it works, but only with G41. You're going around the box clockwise, and want the cutter on the outside, so you need the cutter on the left hand side of the path. Thanks, Stephen. I guess when I claimed to have read and understood the comp sections of the manual, what I should have said was I read what I thought was enough to give me the basic idea and then I went ahead and started plugging away at it I understand now why dropping the tool down at 1,1 (when the part is supposed to extend to 1,1) is a problem. But the section in the manual on entry moves is not at all clear to me yet. I tried starting at 0,0 as you suggested and that didn't work either. I've also tried various straight and curved lines that I thought would put the tool in the right place to follow the outside of the square, but so far I haven't been able to get it to work. At this point I'm so confused that I'm not quite sure what question to ask next!! Could someone post a snippet of gcode that would cut a 1 square at X1Y1 with a 0.125 diameter tool (using radius compensation)? If so I think I might have a better chance of grasping the details that escape me. I've tried to follow the example in the manual, and while I appreciate that somebody spent a good deal of time writing it, I find it very difficult to follow. (And just when I was starting to think that I had a pretty good handle on EMC2! I guess it good to get knocked down a peg once in a while...!) thanks, Patrick - Take Surveys. Earn Cash. Influence the Future of IT Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your opinions on IT business topics through brief surveys-and earn cash http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.phpp=sourceforgeCID=DEVDEV ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Cutter radius comp question
Hi everybody, I've been trying to get cutter radius compensation working, because I'm getting a little bit tired of adjusting my CAD drawings for the radius of my cutters, so that the parts come out the size they are supposed to! I've read the appropriate parts of the manual, and a few other online resources, but it still isn't behaving. Obviously I'm not understanding something. My test program cuts a 1 square with its lower lefthand corner at 0,0. It doesn't get much simpler than that! Here's the gcode that I'm using: G00 X1. Y1. Z.10 F20 G01 Z0.047 Y2. X2. Y1. X1. G00 Z1.0 M30 That code works, no problem at all. Then I added the following to the top of the file: M6 T1 G41 D1 My tool table contains one entry, a 0.125 diameter endmill. Length is zero. I expected the tool to follow a contour 0.0625 away from the outline of the square, and instead I get concave corner with cutter radius compensation when I reload the file. Same thing if I try G42 instead. Could somebody give me a clue, please? thanks, Patrick - Take Surveys. Earn Cash. Influence the Future of IT Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your opinions on IT business topics through brief surveys-and earn cash http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.phpp=sourceforgeCID=DEVDEV ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
