Re: [Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
Jeff, Thanks for the info. Keling is selling this package: http://www.kelinginc.net/CNCPackage.html Not sure if that will give you anymore info on the drives or not. Thanks again, Mark At 10:35 AM 11/30/2007, you wrote: I have no experience with this company or its products, but I was able to find a very short (one-page) datasheet on their website. It appears that the KL-4030 takes step and direction inputs through optoisolators. emc has no problem producing step and direction waveforms--probably this is the way the vast majority of emc users control their machines. However, I was unable to find information about the following, which may make it a matter of trial and error to properly configure your system to interface to these drives: * Waveform timings: Step length, step space, direction setup, direction hold. The emc step generator can be configured to meet any timing requirements of the stepper driver, but you have to know what they are! * Optoisolator current requirements. Without knowing the requirement, it is impossible to know whether a particular breakout board will correctly operate the optos. Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Befuddled by Wine!
Wine is an emulator, not a virtual machine. This means, in the case of wine, that you do not need windows - wine takes the place of it. For those of you who aren't computer geeks, I'd take a look at an inexpensive software package called Crossover. It takes care of all the details of configuring wine and making it work. It facilitates the installation of software, the management of the emulation, etc.,. To really understand the finer points of virtual machines requires a discussion of chip architecture and other nastiness best avoided in a family friendly forum, but if you are using one of the virtual machine solutions, then yes, at some point you will be installing all of the operating systems you wish to run. The details vary with the virtual machine software. They are a very good solution, and will run almost everything you throw at them, Wine or Wine/Crossover does not require additional OS licensing, but is not as compatible either. For myself, on Linux I use Wine/Crossover, on my Macs I use a virtual machine and an OS license. On Friday 30 November 2007 13:59, Ian Wright wrote: Hi, I was trying to get my head round the concept of 'virtual machines' the other day and failed to understand just how they work - do you have to install the other operating system on the machine you are using the virtual software on - ie. if you want to run a windoze program on a linux machine using Wine - do you have to load a version of windoze also or does the Wine prog do some magic? Please explain to yet another senior citizen...! - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] rs232 output
The M62-M65 Jeff mentioned earlier are designed to be queued in the motion queue, and will only be issued at the proper time. So if you hook one of them to your component which sends the rs232 command, it should be safe. Regards, Alex - Original Message - From: Kenneth Lerman To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 10:23 PM Subject: Re: [Emc-users] rs232 output One problem is that the interpreter is asynchronous to the execution. I believe that someone (Alex Joni, perhaps) added something to allow you to make sure that the output had caught up with the interpreter. Off hand, I don't remember what that was. Ken - Original Message - From: Roland Jollivet To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 11:48 AM Subject: Re: [Emc-users] rs232 output Hi I've had this idea for a while, as I posted on other cnc lists. The proposal is to add, probably two lines of code, to echo every character, as the G-code file is processed, to the serial port, unconditionally. Using 232, or 232485 multidrop, you could have as many devices as you want, sitting on the line, listening/waiting for their command. You could even embed things like 'turn on the kettle' within a comment. Basically all non time-critical things could be controlled with this method, freeing up valuable I/O. You could then use a single parport line setup for all or any device to tug low, as an Ack, using a wait or pause command in G-code, rather than processing 232 in. It also allows one to implement any complex command that might be outside the scope of EMC, without affecting the G-code program. Of course, each function requires an embedded processor to implement it, but one pic could easily manage 15 solenoids/pumps/tools. Roland On 30/11/2007, Jeff Epler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Fri, Nov 30, 2007 at 01:27:11AM -0800, Klemen Dovrtel wrote: Is it possible to send a simple command to rs232 within the G code using emc. I would like to control the pneumatic valves and some other simple stuff and i don't want to sped parallel port pins for simple things like this. Every serial device is different, so to do this you will have to write your own HAL component. If the control does not need to be real-time, then it is fairly simple to do this. One choice is to use Python and pyserial. You will have to install the pyserial package. If your Ubuntu system is on the internet, this can be done through the package manager by selecting the package called 'python-serial'. It is in the universe repository, which is not enabled by default but you can find instructions online for how to enable it. If you're not online, then download this file onto a usb drive then install it by double-clicking: http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/p/pyserial/python-serial_2.2-1_all.deb Here is an (untested!) example which should give you a general idea of the complexity of such a driver. This driver controls a hypothetical serial-attached device which turns something on when the character 1 is received, and turns it off when the character 0 is received: #!/usr/bin/python # --- # Import the necessary modules import hal import time import pyserial # Get the serial connection -- first port, 9600,8,N,1 import serial ser = serial.Serial(0) # Create the HAL component and its pin. You will use a .hal file to # connect whatever bit signal you want to the pin ' example.enable'. h = hal.component(example) h.newpin(enable, hal.HAL_BIT, hal.HAL_IN) h.ready() # The previous value of the 'enable' pin so that a byte is only sent on # the serial port when it is necessary. This setting, which is not a # number, means that the first time the value will always be considered # changed. last = None # (without try/except, the component will print what looks like an error # when emc is shut down, and the cleanup below won't happen) try: while 1: # As long as the component is running, periodically check # whether the value has changed; if it has, send a command to # set the new value new = h[enable] if new != old: if new: ser.write(1) else: ser.write(0) old = new time.sleep(.01) except KeyboardInterrupt: pass # Shut down the connected device at exit ser.write(0) # --- Put the above in a file named example, make it executable (chmod +x example), and put it in a directory on your $PATH. In your HAL file, hook it up something like this: loadusr -W example net coolant iocontrol.0.coolant-mist = example.enable Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify
Re: [Emc-users] rs232 output
One problem is that the interpreter is asynchronous to the execution. I believe that someone (Alex Joni, perhaps) added something to allow you to make sure that the output had caught up with the interpreter. Off hand, I don't remember what that was. Ken - Original Message - From: Roland Jollivet To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 11:48 AM Subject: Re: [Emc-users] rs232 output Hi I've had this idea for a while, as I posted on other cnc lists. The proposal is to add, probably two lines of code, to echo every character, as the G-code file is processed, to the serial port, unconditionally. Using 232, or 232485 multidrop, you could have as many devices as you want, sitting on the line, listening/waiting for their command. You could even embed things like 'turn on the kettle' within a comment. Basically all non time-critical things could be controlled with this method, freeing up valuable I/O. You could then use a single parport line setup for all or any device to tug low, as an Ack, using a wait or pause command in G-code, rather than processing 232 in. It also allows one to implement any complex command that might be outside the scope of EMC, without affecting the G-code program. Of course, each function requires an embedded processor to implement it, but one pic could easily manage 15 solenoids/pumps/tools. Roland On 30/11/2007, Jeff Epler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Fri, Nov 30, 2007 at 01:27:11AM -0800, Klemen Dovrtel wrote: Is it possible to send a simple command to rs232 within the G code using emc. I would like to control the pneumatic valves and some other simple stuff and i don't want to sped parallel port pins for simple things like this. Every serial device is different, so to do this you will have to write your own HAL component. If the control does not need to be real-time, then it is fairly simple to do this. One choice is to use Python and pyserial. You will have to install the pyserial package. If your Ubuntu system is on the internet, this can be done through the package manager by selecting the package called 'python-serial'. It is in the universe repository, which is not enabled by default but you can find instructions online for how to enable it. If you're not online, then download this file onto a usb drive then install it by double-clicking: http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/p/pyserial/python-serial_2.2-1_all.deb Here is an (untested!) example which should give you a general idea of the complexity of such a driver. This driver controls a hypothetical serial-attached device which turns something on when the character 1 is received, and turns it off when the character 0 is received: #!/usr/bin/python # --- # Import the necessary modules import hal import time import pyserial # Get the serial connection -- first port, 9600,8,N,1 import serial ser = serial.Serial(0) # Create the HAL component and its pin. You will use a .hal file to # connect whatever bit signal you want to the pin ' example.enable'. h = hal.component(example) h.newpin(enable, hal.HAL_BIT, hal.HAL_IN) h.ready() # The previous value of the 'enable' pin so that a byte is only sent on # the serial port when it is necessary. This setting, which is not a # number, means that the first time the value will always be considered # changed. last = None # (without try/except, the component will print what looks like an error # when emc is shut down, and the cleanup below won't happen) try: while 1: # As long as the component is running, periodically check # whether the value has changed; if it has, send a command to # set the new value new = h[enable] if new != old: if new: ser.write(1) else: ser.write(0) old = new time.sleep(.01) except KeyboardInterrupt: pass # Shut down the connected device at exit ser.write(0) # --- Put the above in a file named example, make it executable (chmod +x example), and put it in a directory on your $PATH. In your HAL file, hook it up something like this: loadusr -W example net coolant iocontrol.0.coolant-mist = example.enable Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4
Re: [Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
John and Andrew, The motors I have are NEMA 34. I had to look that up. They are unipolar motors with ratings of 4.5 volt and 1.4 amp. That makes the motor just under 15 watts which is not a lot but I think I can double that if I run them as bipolar motors. It should not be that much harder to do. I have an old mill drill that I want to convert. It was made by Enco. I believe. I is about 350 pounds and the table is roughly 8 x 24. It is not close and I do not remember just what the specs are. I remember playing with these motors when I got them and thought they had as much torque as I had when I was driving the table by hand. I do not think torque will be a problem and as I said, there will be a reduction in the pulley from motor to table. I plan to start out with a driver that will half step the motor. If I get that working and feel that micro stepping would be better, maybe, I will ad it later. My first concern is output port of the computer. I also have not thought of a way to control the z axis. I have not thought of an easy way to mount the motor and other hardware. Thanks for the quick reply. bill John Kasunich wrote: You don't actually say how big your steppers are. Husky is not a number... The relevant specs are current, voltage, and frame size, roughly in that order. There tend to be two classes of motors (and drives) in the hobby CNC world. Motors under 2 or 2.5 amps are usually NEMA 23 frames, and are suitable for micro-mills and mini-mills. Micromills are the ones that you can pick up without straining - Sherline, MaxNC, etc. Minimills are a bit bigger, maybe 150 lbs or so. Motors from 3 to 7 amps are usually NEMA 34 frames, and are sized for larger machines, like mill-drills (400-700 lb machines). Bridgeport class machines usually use something bigger yet. In the under 2.5 amp catagory you have drives like Xylotex and others, which normally run in the neighborhood of $30-70 per channel. When you get up to 3-7A motors, that is Gecko or similar, at $100-200 per channel. Tell us what class of machine and motors you have, and I'm sure more suggestions will be forthcoming. Regards, John Kasunich - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
On Friday 30 November 2007, W. Jacobs wrote: Hello All, I am new, real new to the cnc world. I want to convert a small bench top mill into a cnc machine. I have wanted to do this for a long time and about a week or two ago, I found the linuxCNC.org web site. I have not at this time found a computer I want to use and am looking for one. I have wanted to do this project for a long time. Because of that, Years ago, I found 3 rather husky stepper motors that I thought would be usable and bought them. They have been sitting on a shelf for a long time. I looked at stepper drivers the other day and thought they were rather expensive. A 3 axis unit was just over $300. That seems like a lot of money to me. It is my understanding that the printer port of the computer has 2 lines per axis. One line tells direction and the other says to take a step now. That seems pretty elementary to me. It should use a small micro controller, and 4 transistors for each axis. I had planed to belt drive the lead screws with a timing belt and use a stepper motor that has 200 steps per revolution. This will give resolution of about .0005 inch per step. I may half step, but I see no reason to micro step. Am I missing something? Is there more here than I think? Is my concept of the data on the printer port wrong? Any light on the situation would be helpful Thanks bill No, your general view of the parport is correct. The devil is of course in the details. As for microstepping, it has the advantage of removing large amounts of resonance vibrations at middle speeds of the motors, thereby enhancing the torque available to do real work quite a bit. I'm running the xylotex 3 motor kit running in 8x microstep mode on a micromill that's been expanded and modified quite a bit, the most recent being a whole new z axis drive that puts the driving screw in front of the post and above the head, removing about .020 of give in the head sled gibs, backlash is now about 2 thou and compensatable for in emc. I can now drill small holes under emc control. I also have a 4 motor kit with the 450oz motors to do my small lathe with eventually, but that's all in a box till warmer weather now. Very little heat in my shop I'm diabetic so my feet get cold easy. -- Cheers, Gene There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order. -Ed Howdershelt (Author) Joy that's a Kludge(TM) knghtbrd It Works(tm) Joy AIX works(TM) knghtbrd no it doesn't knghtbrd = - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
W. Jacobs wrote: Hello All, I am new, real new to the cnc world. I want to convert a small bench top mill into a cnc machine. I have wanted to do this for a long time and about a week or two ago, I found the linuxCNC.org web site. I have not at this time found a computer I want to use and am looking for one. I have wanted to do this project for a long time. Because of that, Years ago, I found 3 rather husky stepper motors that I thought would be usable and bought them. They have been sitting on a shelf for a long time. I looked at stepper drivers the other day and thought they were rather expensive. A 3 axis unit was just over $300. That seems like a lot of money to me. It is my understanding that the printer port of the computer has 2 lines per axis. One line tells direction and the other says to take a step now. That seems pretty elementary to me. It should use a small micro controller, and 4 transistors for each axis. I had planed to belt drive the lead screws with a timing belt and use a stepper motor that has 200 steps per revolution. This will give resolution of about .0005 inch per step. I may half step, but I see no reason to micro step. Am I missing something? Is there more here than I think? Is my concept of the data on the printer port wrong? Any light on the situation would be helpful Thanks bill You don't actually say how big your steppers are. Husky is not a number... The relevant specs are current, voltage, and frame size, roughly in that order. There tend to be two classes of motors (and drives) in the hobby CNC world. Motors under 2 or 2.5 amps are usually NEMA 23 frames, and are suitable for micro-mills and mini-mills. Micromills are the ones that you can pick up without straining - Sherline, MaxNC, etc. Minimills are a bit bigger, maybe 150 lbs or so. Motors from 3 to 7 amps are usually NEMA 34 frames, and are sized for larger machines, like mill-drills (400-700 lb machines). Bridgeport class machines usually use something bigger yet. In the under 2.5 amp catagory you have drives like Xylotex and others, which normally run in the neighborhood of $30-70 per channel. When you get up to 3-7A motors, that is Gecko or similar, at $100-200 per channel. Tell us what class of machine and motors you have, and I'm sure more suggestions will be forthcoming. Regards, John Kasunich - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Setting machine origin on lathe without switches
On Friday 30 November 2007, Alan Condit wrote: Chris Radek [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Yes just set the homing velocities to zero. That makes the axis reset without any search for switch or index. Also if using AXIS be sure to set [DISPLAY]LATHE=1 so you get the diameter readout etc. Chris thanks, that solves that problem. Now if someone can just answer my encoder question. Alan I'm not what you would call an expert, but as a CET an emc user, I see no reason why any once per revolution pulse couldn't be used as a valid index pulse. The only provision would be one of the mechanical timing such that there is no chance, when turning either direction, of its pulse miss-matching the encoder counter. One could also divide the encoder by (you said 256) by running it through a 4 bit counter and using the overflow for the index. For that to work, one should have a positive spindle stop, rotate it against the stop, and tap a button to zero the 4 bitter. It should stay in step then as long as power is applied. This, once the encoders output is a quadrature pair of signals, is a one chip solution in most cases. Being me, I think I'd try that before doing mechanical things. My favorite programming language is solder anyway. Borrowed from Steve Ciarcia, Circuit Cellar magazine. -- Cheers, Gene There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order. -Ed Howdershelt (Author) Quantity is no substitute for quality, but its the only one we've got. - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Setting machine origin on lathe without switches
Chris Radek [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If you jog to a known location and press Home, the axis will be reset to machine zero. This allows you the protection of soft limits. Then after homing, use Touch Off to locate your work zero. - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 Chris, I started my lathe's emc2 with the ini files from my router. I assume this means I need to clear out the stuff related to seeking home switches for this to work? Alan - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Befuddled by Wine!
Wine and Virtual Machines are a bit different, although there is some overlap. Wine emulates a PC and allows you to run a single application by fooling the application into thinking that Windows is there. As far as I know Windows is not actually involved and no Windows license is needed. Instead it emulates only the low level API that applications use to do things. Virtual Machines are like having a complete PC inside Linux. They create an environment in which you can install Windows (or any other OS). Windows thinks the PC is real, but the hard drive is actually just a file in Linux. In order to run applications you need to install Windows (or another OS) first, then the applications run inside this guest OS. WINE is windows only. Virtual Machines can be used to run Windows or other Linux distros. If you are finished with the virtual machine you can simply delete the files and it's gone. If you have enough RAM you can run multiple virtual machines at once (think running Ubuntu on your PC with a Windows XP virtual machine and a Fedora 8 virtual machine at the same time). Virtual Machines share the RAM so you need at least 512MB of RAM for a single virtual machine to run smoothly. More RAM for more virtual machines. I'm not sure what the RAM requirement for WINE is, but it's probably a lot less. Andy Ian Wright wrote: Hi, I was trying to get my head round the concept of 'virtual machines' the other day and failed to understand just how they work - do you have to install the other operating system on the machine you are using the virtual software on - ie. if you want to run a windoze program on a linux machine using Wine - do you have to load a version of windoze also or does the Wine prog do some magic? Please explain to yet another senior citizen...! -- Andy PGP Key ID: 0x67090A54 - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Befuddled by Wine!
Hi, I was trying to get my head round the concept of 'virtual machines' the other day and failed to understand just how they work - do you have to install the other operating system on the machine you are using the virtual software on - ie. if you want to run a windoze program on a linux machine using Wine - do you have to load a version of windoze also or does the Wine prog do some magic? Please explain to yet another senior citizen...! -- Best wishes, Ian Ian W. Wright Sheffield UK The difference between theory and practice is much smaller in theory than in practice... - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Cad/Cam Design Software
Jon Elson wrote: Peter Skerda wrote: Dear Friends, As a senior citizen I'm in need of some enlightment in this area. For example I currently have a small CNC Sherline BDI - EMC machine mill. Here's the situation as best I can input it. This is my first attempt at cnc. Been trying to find some good cost effective cad cad/cam jewelry design software that will give 3d up to 4 axis design. Come across more window based software than linux. I think our linux community will eventually take care of this, maybe it has already but I haven't discovered where??? right now I haven't much choice. I use VMware so I can run Windows programs on a Linux system. It does require a valid Windows license and install disk. I run Win2K Pro as a guest OS under Linux. I have not tried VMware under the Ubuntu system, but I think they now have a compatible version. I run Bobcad/CAM for mechanical CAD-CAM (not great, but I bought it and figured out how to use it) as well as some heavy-duty electronic CAD programs this way. VMware has a trial version. There are also free (as in cost) alternatives to VMware like VirtualBox. Search for virtual machines and linux. Andy -- Andy PGP Key ID: 0x67090A54 - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] diesel motor control
Gentlemen, I am like the 5 year old boy with a hammer. 'Everything' looks like a nail. I want to control the injectors with EMC. The current diesel technology is common rail injection using HIGH injection pressure. Bosch talks about 2200 bar. 2200 bar is almost 32,000 psi. WOW! They also have multiple injections per combustion cycle. They also talk about variable geometry during the injection cycle. This sounds like a job (nail) for EMC. I won't try for the high pressures as I will use currently available injectors and pumps. To get the project going I need to start simple. I will use a used pump and injectors from a Volkswagon (or other). I will modify the head to accept the injectors. I will build an adaptor or bracket to mount the pump. Voila! :) running in two weeks! heh heh heh thanks Stuart - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
Thanks Ray. I've sent him a few emails, but I'm not entirely sure I'm asking him the right questions... ;-) Mark At 11:30 AM 11/30/2007, you wrote: The Keling guy was at the cnc-workshop a couple years ago and helped me translate some info on China motors. I'd say give him a call. Rayh On Fri, 2007-11-30 at 11:24 -0500, Mark Wendt (Contractor) wrote: Jeff, Thanks for the info. Keling is selling this package: http://www.kelinginc.net/CNCPackage.html Not sure if that will give you anymore info on the drives or not. Thanks again, Mark At 10:35 AM 11/30/2007, you wrote: I have no experience with this company or its products, but I was able to find a very short (one-page) datasheet on their website. It appears that the KL-4030 takes step and direction inputs through optoisolators. emc has no problem producing step and direction waveforms--probably this is the way the vast majority of emc users control their machines. However, I was unable to find information about the following, which may make it a matter of trial and error to properly configure your system to interface to these drives: * Waveform timings: Step length, step space, direction setup, direction hold. The emc step generator can be configured to meet any timing requirements of the stepper driver, but you have to know what they are! * Optoisolator current requirements. Without knowing the requirement, it is impossible to know whether a particular breakout board will correctly operate the optos. Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
The Keling guy was at the cnc-workshop a couple years ago and helped me translate some info on China motors. I'd say give him a call. Rayh On Fri, 2007-11-30 at 11:24 -0500, Mark Wendt (Contractor) wrote: Jeff, Thanks for the info. Keling is selling this package: http://www.kelinginc.net/CNCPackage.html Not sure if that will give you anymore info on the drives or not. Thanks again, Mark At 10:35 AM 11/30/2007, you wrote: I have no experience with this company or its products, but I was able to find a very short (one-page) datasheet on their website. It appears that the KL-4030 takes step and direction inputs through optoisolators. emc has no problem producing step and direction waveforms--probably this is the way the vast majority of emc users control their machines. However, I was unable to find information about the following, which may make it a matter of trial and error to properly configure your system to interface to these drives: * Waveform timings: Step length, step space, direction setup, direction hold. The emc step generator can be configured to meet any timing requirements of the stepper driver, but you have to know what they are! * Optoisolator current requirements. Without knowing the requirement, it is impossible to know whether a particular breakout board will correctly operate the optos. Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
mark, funny, i just posted similar questions on cnczone's forum (since i'm totally new to the diy cnc game). i've gotten positive responses from a number of people running various keling setups with emc2, and i'll be setting one up soon enough myself. here's the link to the thread: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=373160#post373160 additionally, i've read through both emc2 and keling's (cnc4mypc) literature and it seems like its primarily a question of pin configs - an issue on which both systems seem rather flexible. incidentally, i emailed keling about whether their stuff compatible or not, and they have not run in-house trials so could not confirm nor deny. hope that helps you. good luck! keep me informed on your progress. -seth On Nov 30, 2007 10:00 AM, Mark Wendt (Contractor) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Wondered if anyone has or is using the Keling KL-4030 stepper drives with EMC2. Any compatibility problems with EMC2 and the drives? Thanks, Mark - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- s e t h w i l e y 827 south saint bernard street philadelphia, pa, 19143 www.asocialfield.com - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Cad/Cam Design Software
Peter Skerda wrote: Dear Friends, As a senior citizen I'm in need of some enlightment in this area. For example I currently have a small CNC Sherline BDI - EMC machine mill. Here's the situation as best I can input it. This is my first attempt at cnc. Been trying to find some good cost effective cad cad/cam jewelry design software that will give 3d up to 4 axis design. Come across more window based software than linux. I think our linux community will eventually take care of this, maybe it has already but I haven't discovered where??? right now I haven't much choice. I use VMware so I can run Windows programs on a Linux system. It does require a valid Windows license and install disk. I run Win2K Pro as a guest OS under Linux. I have not tried VMware under the Ubuntu system, but I think they now have a compatible version. I run Bobcad/CAM for mechanical CAD-CAM (not great, but I bought it and figured out how to use it) as well as some heavy-duty electronic CAD programs this way. VMware has a trial version. Jon - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] rs232 output
On Fri, Nov 30, 2007 at 01:27:11AM -0800, Klemen Dovrtel wrote: BTW, is there an option to control individual I/O pins via parallel port using G code. Use the gcodes M64 and M65 for this purpose. In stock version of emc, this is limited to 4 pins numbered 0 to 3. You can link them to whatever you like using emc2's hal. http://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.2/html/gcode_main.html#sec:M62-to-M65: Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Setting machine origin on lathe without switches
I just got my lathe hooked up to my computer and I don't have any limit or home switches yet. I tried some of the code in the documentation to set the machine to zero, but it appears to only work if you jog the machine to X0Z0 first. What I need to be able to do is to jog the machine to a particular location (may be different for each different part) and set that location to be X0Z0. How do I do that? Alan - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] rs232 output
Hi I've had this idea for a while, as I posted on other cnc lists. The proposal is to add, probably two lines of code, to echo every character, as the G-code file is processed, to the serial port, unconditionally. Using 232, or 232485 multidrop, you could have as many devices as you want, sitting on the line, listening/waiting for their command. You could even embed things like 'turn on the kettle' within a comment. Basically all non time-critical things could be controlled with this method, freeing up valuable I/O. You could then use a single parport line setup for all or any device to tug low, as an Ack, using a wait or pause command in G-code, rather than processing 232 in. It also allows one to implement any complex command that might be outside the scope of EMC, without affecting the G-code program. Of course, each function requires an embedded processor to implement it, but one pic could easily manage 15 solenoids/pumps/tools. Roland On 30/11/2007, Jeff Epler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Fri, Nov 30, 2007 at 01:27:11AM -0800, Klemen Dovrtel wrote: Is it possible to send a simple command to rs232 within the G code using emc. I would like to control the pneumatic valves and some other simple stuff and i don't want to sped parallel port pins for simple things like this. Every serial device is different, so to do this you will have to write your own HAL component. If the control does not need to be real-time, then it is fairly simple to do this. One choice is to use Python and pyserial. You will have to install the pyserial package. If your Ubuntu system is on the internet, this can be done through the package manager by selecting the package called 'python-serial'. It is in the universe repository, which is not enabled by default but you can find instructions online for how to enable it. If you're not online, then download this file onto a usb drive then install it by double-clicking: http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/p/pyserial/python-serial_2.2-1_all.deb Here is an (untested!) example which should give you a general idea of the complexity of such a driver. This driver controls a hypothetical serial-attached device which turns something on when the character 1 is received, and turns it off when the character 0 is received: #!/usr/bin/python # --- # Import the necessary modules import hal import time import pyserial # Get the serial connection -- first port, 9600,8,N,1 import serial ser = serial.Serial(0) # Create the HAL component and its pin. You will use a .hal file to # connect whatever bit signal you want to the pin 'example.enable'. h = hal.component(example) h.newpin(enable, hal.HAL_BIT, hal.HAL_IN) h.ready() # The previous value of the 'enable' pin so that a byte is only sent on # the serial port when it is necessary. This setting, which is not a # number, means that the first time the value will always be considered # changed. last = None # (without try/except, the component will print what looks like an error # when emc is shut down, and the cleanup below won't happen) try: while 1: # As long as the component is running, periodically check # whether the value has changed; if it has, send a command to # set the new value new = h[enable] if new != old: if new: ser.write(1) else: ser.write(0) old = new time.sleep(.01) except KeyboardInterrupt: pass # Shut down the connected device at exit ser.write(0) # --- Put the above in a file named example, make it executable (chmod +x example), and put it in a directory on your $PATH. In your HAL file, hook it up something like this: loadusr -W example net coolant iocontrol.0.coolant-mist = example.enable Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] diesel motor control
That's it. Thanks Dick. They're talking about 10K RPM which seems like it would be an EMC2 issue. A diesel would not be quite so bad but even 3K raises a bit of concern about angular resolution. Engineers and math able folk among us will no doubt fix my humble work below. 1 -- assumes 5 PPS parport pulse reader 3000 RPM = 50 RPS 5/50 = 1000 pulses per rotation 360/1000 = 0.36 degree resolution 9600 RPM = 160 RPS 5/160 = 312.5 pulses per rotation 360/312.5 = 1.152 degree resolution That's a pretty capable computer so a prototype would cost $350 or so plus the cost of the encoder. 2 -- assumes modest FPGA reader with 2 Meg ability 200/50 = 4 pulse per rotation 360/4 = 0.009 degree resolution 200/160 = 12500 pulse per rotation 360/12500 = 0.0288 Now we're looking at an investment of about $500 + encoder. With my pic inability that is still pretty inexpensive for a prototype. Absolutely no question but that I agree with those who would run any production model, or roadworthy device with pic or other micro devices. Add to these costs proper redundant processing and voting and it really tilts toward dedicated processing. But the idea of a prototype with HAL is still really attractive because most any of us could hack the .hal together in quick time and we would have expanded processing ability to run tests and tabulate results. Rayh On Fri, 2007-11-30 at 04:52 -0800, Richard L. Wurdack wrote: EVIC http://rbowes1.11net.com/dbowes/ Dick - Original Message - From: Ray Henry [EMAIL PROTECTED] - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Emc-users Digest, Vol 19, Issue 35
Manfredi, All help is welcome... Once the facing one is done what do you think would be the next best one to start? Pockets Slots Drill Patterns ??? Thanks again for the suggestions John On 29 Nov 2007 at 5:11, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nice work, I think more of them could be made and they could be very useful to do all those small milling tasks that are too simple to use a complete Cam and annoying if manual programmed. Maybe I could help you to program some of these. Greetings, Manfredi - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] G Code Generators
Hi Manfredi, Thanks for the suggestions. 1, 2 and 3 are easy to do 4 might take a bit. I didn't even think about M3 as I have big red and black buttons on my CNC mill to start the spindle LOL... I like the Feedrate label better. I just assumed that if your facing a part that the highest point would be at Z0.000... What situation would you need to clear something? Just trying to understand why this is needed... Easy to do none the less. I had that in mind for pockets but didn't think it was needed for facing... I like the images idea. If someone has some good looking images that would work and are not commercial images I'd try and include it. Otherwise it might take me a while to make those changes if I have to make images too... Thanks so much for taking the time to make these suggestions. John On 29 Nov 2007 at 5:11, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello, now it works, just three suggestions: 1) add spindle speed field and add a M3 SXXX at the beginning. If we don't start the spindle, facing is not possible ;) 2) Change the Cutting Speed IPM label in Cutting Speed IPM or mm/min so if one is using mm knows that the field indicates mm/min and not inches/min. Maybe Feedrate is better than Cutting Speed. 3) Maybe you could add a field Safety Height, so the first movement will not be for example G0 Z0.1000 but G0 ZSafetyHeight, the second move will be for example X-1.1000 Y0. so the tool will reach the initial point at the safety height, after that you can give a G0 Z0.1000 and a G1 Z-1.000 to go to the defined depth. There is a fourth suggestion, but it is only a graphic idea. Would be nice to have images that show what are the parameteres you are setting. When you click on a field the image changes and shows you what is that field, something like this: http://imagebin.org/12032 http://imagebin.org/12031 Those are taken from EdgeCam. Nice work, I think more of them could be made and they could be very useful to do all those small milling tasks that are too simple to use a complete Cam and annoying if manual programmed. Maybe I could help you to program some of these. Greetings, Manfredi - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Cad/Cam Design Software
On Fri, 2007-11-30 at 06:59 -0500, Peter Skerda wrote: Dear Friends, As a senior citizen I'm in need of some enlightment in this area. We, the other SC's about, encourage folk like us to hang around. Most of the younger folk tolerate us too. If you find you have a bit of spare time, you might think about attending the www.cnc-workshop.com event next June. That get together is a good chance to test out the advice of others. You know what they say about opinions being like certain body parts -- we all have 'em. For example I currently have a small CNC Sherline BDI - EMC machine mill. Here's the situation as best I can input it. This is my first attempt at cnc. Been trying to find some good cost effective cad cad/cam jewelry design software that will give 3d up to 4 axis design. I worked with some guys running Sherline mills with A axis rotaries at the Jewelery building in Chicago. They were designing on the flat (2.5d) in their MS (-tm) software and had trouble posting the design to a proper rotary gcode. We found that if we swapped cables between the X and A axes and tweeked the number of pulses so that the design caused a complete rotation for the X extent of the drawing it would mill the wax just like it was drawn. Not only that but there were no more worries about the diameter of the ring blank. 360 is 360 regardless of the size of the blank you are cutting. Come across more window based software than linux. I think our linux community will eventually take care of this, maybe it has already but I haven't discovered where??? right now I haven't much choice. Is there some way that these Windows programs can be made to run on the EMC? I'd rather like linux but I'm afraid that I may have to go to a windows base jewelry design program and have to go with another machine controller. :-( I've heard of WINO or is It WINE. But I don't get it. Any assistance or suggestions by this list would be very much appreciated. BTW it has been suggested that two pcs needed for system. One for the design program one for running the mill. Maybe a dual boot system would work? Sure dual boot would do it but as easy as networking is these days, I'd dual machine. Over time you will get tired of waiting for the box to reboot, and you would reboot often. Rather than having two monitors, keyboards, and mice a KVM switch is a real space saver. Or you can run the other software nearly headless as long as you can figure out a way to VNC into it from the Linux machine. I've got several linux boxes here that I run in separate windows on a single display. That means that each is always up and ready to go. You can't put the jewelery software display right in the EMC's operating screen but you can put it right next to it. HTH Rayh - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] diesel motor control
EVIC http://rbowes1.11net.com/dbowes/ Dick - Original Message - From: Ray Henry [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 6:44 PM Subject: Re: [Emc-users] diesel motor control On Thu, 2007-11-29 at 21:31 -0500, John Kasunich wrote: The number of things that can go wrong in a PC is far more than in a simple microcontroller based system. To be honest, I'd stick with a mechanical injection pump - and I'm an electrical engineer! Mechanical things just seem more robust to me. I know the feeling but I was thinking about one class of motors that ran at NAMES a few years ago. They used solenoids to drive the valves. I thought progressive valve and injection timing was pretty neat. That was not done with the EMC of the day, but could have been. To paraphrase someone, when EMC2 is the only tool you've got handy, every problem begins to look like motion. And EMC2 is darn handy. Rayh - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Debian Ubuntu EMC??
Hi Peter. Glad you're running EMC and want to experiment. The first thing to do with that Ubuntu CD is pop it into the reader and look to see what's on the disk. If it's a single file xxx.iso then the burn did not work right. If you see a whole file system with quite a few directories then you got a good one. I've encounter a couple of machines that do not honor the order of boot in the bios. On these I've had to remove the HD from the boot sequence entirely in order for them to see the CD as a bootable medium. No the BDI, and for that matter a correctly running Ubuntu-emc will not shut off the monitor. There are several PC hardware type things like shutoff, legacy USB, and such that on some devices interfere with the proper operation of the real-time systems that are essential to EMC and EMC2. We do what we can to keep these kinds of things out of the Linux kernel we run but can't do all of it in our software. Once you get a running EMC2 you can tweak out stuff in the bios to improve performance. Rayh BTW -- I might be able to help a bit with the Sherline config if you contact me off line when you get EMC2 running. On Fri, 2007-11-30 at 06:27 -0500, Peter Skerda wrote: Hi Folks, Currently have a Sherline CNC system that uses BDI-EMC. Recently received 4.51 version of BDI-EMC. This installed nicely. Downloaded the CD version of Ubuntu EMC to compliment as some of the users suggests it more maintained. Here's the problem. I was able to create automatic partitions for Ubuntu 6.06 windows xp. When I tried to install the Ubuntu CD the Debian 4.51 version booted up, even when I entered boot from cd-rom. Cd-rom is primary reader. It appears that Ubuntu was burned as is on CD. Any assistance suggestions you folks can give would be very much appreciated. Must I install Ubuntu first and then install the Ubuntu EMC2? Just a thought! I hope this is not out of line but is there some site that I can actually purchase the Ubuntu EMC2? I know the program took a couple of hours to download to my hd on PC. BTW my Debian 4.51 Emc when logout does not shut off the monitor or turn off the PC. I probably missed something as I'm pretty much of a linux newby. My system penguin freezes up and that's it. Again thank you very much for taking the time caring about us EMC users. Kindest Regards, Peter Skerda Xandros EMC newby - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] ubuntu + emc2 live cd install problems
How much RAM have you got. I encounteed exactly the same problem on a dell optiplex gx60 recently that had 256MB which I believed to be the minimum required for EMC, however I'd forgotten that the graphics card was integrated and was using some of the system RAM. As soon as I added another 256MB all the issues disappeared and it installed and ran flawlessly. Neil - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
I have no experience with this company or its products, but I was able to find a very short (one-page) datasheet on their website. It appears that the KL-4030 takes step and direction inputs through optoisolators. emc has no problem producing step and direction waveforms--probably this is the way the vast majority of emc users control their machines. However, I was unable to find information about the following, which may make it a matter of trial and error to properly configure your system to interface to these drives: * Waveform timings: Step length, step space, direction setup, direction hold. The emc step generator can be configured to meet any timing requirements of the stepper driver, but you have to know what they are! * Optoisolator current requirements. Without knowing the requirement, it is impossible to know whether a particular breakout board will correctly operate the optos. Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] rs232 output
On Fri, Nov 30, 2007 at 01:27:11AM -0800, Klemen Dovrtel wrote: Is it possible to send a simple command to rs232 within the G code using emc. I would like to control the pneumatic valves and some other simple stuff and i don't want to sped parallel port pins for simple things like this. Every serial device is different, so to do this you will have to write your own HAL component. If the control does not need to be real-time, then it is fairly simple to do this. One choice is to use Python and pyserial. You will have to install the pyserial package. If your Ubuntu system is on the internet, this can be done through the package manager by selecting the package called 'python-serial'. It is in the universe repository, which is not enabled by default but you can find instructions online for how to enable it. If you're not online, then download this file onto a usb drive then install it by double-clicking: http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/p/pyserial/python-serial_2.2-1_all.deb Here is an (untested!) example which should give you a general idea of the complexity of such a driver. This driver controls a hypothetical serial-attached device which turns something on when the character 1 is received, and turns it off when the character 0 is received: #!/usr/bin/python # --- # Import the necessary modules import hal import time import pyserial # Get the serial connection -- first port, 9600,8,N,1 import serial ser = serial.Serial(0) # Create the HAL component and its pin. You will use a .hal file to # connect whatever bit signal you want to the pin 'example.enable'. h = hal.component(example) h.newpin(enable, hal.HAL_BIT, hal.HAL_IN) h.ready() # The previous value of the 'enable' pin so that a byte is only sent on # the serial port when it is necessary. This setting, which is not a # number, means that the first time the value will always be considered # changed. last = None # (without try/except, the component will print what looks like an error # when emc is shut down, and the cleanup below won't happen) try: while 1: # As long as the component is running, periodically check # whether the value has changed; if it has, send a command to # set the new value new = h[enable] if new != old: if new: ser.write(1) else: ser.write(0) old = new time.sleep(.01) except KeyboardInterrupt: pass # Shut down the connected device at exit ser.write(0) # --- Put the above in a file named example, make it executable (chmod +x example), and put it in a directory on your $PATH. In your HAL file, hook it up something like this: loadusr -W example net coolant iocontrol.0.coolant-mist = example.enable Jeff - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Keling Stepper drives
Wondered if anyone has or is using the Keling KL-4030 stepper drives with EMC2. Any compatibility problems with EMC2 and the drives? Thanks, Mark - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] rs232 output
Is it possible to send a simple command to rs232 within the G code using emc. I would like to control the pneumatic valves and some other simple stuff and i don't want to sped parallel port pins for simple things like this. BTW, is there an option to control individual I/O pins via parallel port using G code. Regard Klemen Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Cad/Cam Design Software
Dear Friends, As a senior citizen I'm in need of some enlightment in this area. For example I currently have a small CNC Sherline BDI - EMC machine mill. Here's the situation as best I can input it. This is my first attempt at cnc. Been trying to find some good cost effective cad cad/cam jewelry design software that will give 3d up to 4 axis design. Come across more window based software than linux. I think our linux community will eventually take care of this, maybe it has already but I haven't discovered where??? right now I haven't much choice. Is there some way that these Windows programs can be made to run on the EMC? I'd rather like linux but I'm afraid that I may have to go to a windows base jewelry design program and have to go with another machine controller. :-( I've heard of WINO or is It WINE. But I don't get it. Any assistance or suggestions by this list would be very much appreciated. BTW it has been suggested that two pcs needed for system. One for the design program one for running the mill. Maybe a dual boot system would work? Nice to be here with EMC. Thanks again! Kindest Regards, Pete - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Encoder for lathe spindle
I want to be able to do threading on my cnc converted lathe. US Digital doesn't seem to make any encoder wheels of sufficient diameter to mount on the spindle, does this mean that I will have to either belt drive an encoder from the spindle or make my own encoder? I have some HP 256 count encoders but they don't have an index. Can I use a single pulse wheel that is mounted on my lathe spindle with an optical switch (functions as a tach) as the source of the index signal? Alan - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Setting machine origin on lathe without switches
On Fri, Nov 30, 2007 at 08:05:28PM +, Alan Condit wrote: Chris, I started my lathe's emc2 with the ini files from my router. I assume this means I need to clear out the stuff related to seeking home switches for this to work? Alan Yes just set the homing velocities to zero. That makes the axis reset without any search for switch or index. http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/html//config_ini_homing.html Also if using AXIS be sure to set [DISPLAY]LATHE=1 so you get the diameter readout etc. - SF.Net email is sponsored by: The Future of Linux Business White Paper from Novell. From the desktop to the data center, Linux is going mainstream. Let it simplify your IT future. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/8857-50307-18918-4 ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
