Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
On Wed, Dec 08, 2010 at 09:50:54PM -0800, Edward Bernard wrote: I'm surprised there were no comments on this. I'm wondering how such a venture could effect our beloved software. $.02 I was waiting to see what more active EMC2-ers think, but here's a comment, FWIW. It seems to be a vote of confidence in EMC2 being a robust product with a commercial level of performance. When investors are willing to put their money (or at least money they have to account for) into members of our community going commercial in deploying EMC2, then they have presumably taken some qualified advice on the merits of the product, and the current level of development. If, in addition to our existing hardware suppliers, there were medium-scale commercial integrators or retrofitters, then yes, I can't help feeling that might bias development toward more commercial features, or even imitation of commercial products. If the worst came to the worst, and minor incompatibilities arose, then it's not hard to have a build option or two. But the interchangeable GUIs, and loadable modules, not to mention HAL, make EMC2 admirably suited to pleasing many and varied users, without interference. But it is our active developers who make or break the viability of EMC2. A successful venture might be able to contribute to that, to the benefit of all? /$.02 Erik -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] fixed jog distance
On 12/07/2010 09:30 PM, Tom Easterday wrote: I want to be able to jog my machine a fixed small distance (.001) at a press of a button/arrow key/joystick. Currently my joystick or arrow keys moves continuously, which is fine in some cases and not in others. Is there a way to enable, say holding down button 4, on my joystick causes each jog to be a fixed distance? Take a look here.. http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Adding_More_Controls_To_Simple_Remote_Pendant You can set the fixed move to any size you like and use it with button 4 on your joystick.. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] 3 axis, 4 drive configuration
I am trying to configure and test a 3 axis, 4 drive , machine using a Gecko G540 stepper drive. I configure the machine for XYZ axis configuration and slave the A and X pins (X step on pins 2 and 8, and X direction on pins 3 and 9). When I test the X axis only one motor operates. I know the other driver and motor are OK since they work using an XYZA configuration and not slaving the drives Thanks. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] 3 axis, 4 drive configuration
Dave, When you say you are testing the X axis, are you testing it within the stepconf program, or with one of the GUI's up and running? Mark On 12/09/2010 06:29 AM, Dave Christman wrote: I am trying to configure and test a 3 axis, 4 drive , machine using a Gecko G540 stepper drive. I configure the machine for XYZ axis configuration and slave the A and X pins (X step on pins 2 and 8, and X direction on pins 3 and 9). When I test the X axis only one motor operates. I know the other driver and motor are OK since they work using an XYZA configuration and not slaving the drives Thanks. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] 3 axis, 4 drive configuration
Gantrykins is the kinematics module exactly for these kind of situations. It will assign 2 joints to one axis. I have used it, it is very nice! Take a look at it, search the web and/or mailing list archive. If there are any other questions left, then let us know. Viesturs 2010/12/9 Dave Christman mail4da...@gmail.com: I am trying to configure and test a 3 axis, 4 drive , machine using a Gecko G540 stepper drive. I configure the machine for XYZ axis configuration and slave the A and X pins (X step on pins 2 and 8, and X direction on pins 3 and 9). When I test the X axis only one motor operates. I know the other driver and motor are OK since they work using an XYZA configuration and not slaving the drives Thanks. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
If the EMC2 GPL is honored, then EMC2 remains what it always has been - freely available open source software. If I make a CNC console and retrofit a machine with my console and EMC2, then I can charge for the console and the retrofit service but not for the software. Also, the end user must have access to the EMC2 source code. In most cases this is a non issue because businesses that employ machinging as part of their process are usually don't care about the details that make the machine work. What they really care about is does the machine work, is it reasonably easy to use, is it dependable and is there support to provide troubleshooting and repair reasonably quickly and economically. If a business entity owned something they created (a CNC console, a stand alone GUI (created from scratch - not a modification of one of the interfaces covered by the GPL), the service of integrating controls to machines, etc.) and they were able to generate a profit selling what they owned while giving away what they did not own (GPL licensed software) then that business would probably budget some of it's resources for EMC2 improvements and fixes. Any improvements and fixes to the GPL licensed software should be posted to the EMC2 website for anyone interested in the project to share. EMC2 would potentially realize greater development in a shorter amount of time because programming improvements and fixes were, in some cases, being driven by the needs of paying customers. Wouldn't this be a win for the development of EMC2? Anonymous Investor has articulated the same thoughts that I have put forth for discussion in the past. I have been working towards these goals and have realized some progress. There are two software programmers with real world CNC experience that are involved with EMC2 because I introduced them to the software and spent time explaining the software's capabilities and potential. I provided the airfare for one of those programmers to attend this years EMC2 Fest. I am in the process of developing a relationship with a third programmer with Linux experience and enthusiasm and real world electrical / electronic engineering capabilities. I attended this year's EMC2 Fest and met with Stuart. Stuart and I may have some business opportunities (unrelated to EMC2, mechanical device stuff) that we will pursue and hopefully realize a profit. We already know that some of the profits from Stuart's business assist in the testing and development of EMC2. Has this hurt EMC2? Would it hurt EMC2 if another business was functioning like Stuart's (making a profit and using some of the proceeds to advance EMC2)? Perhaps instead of fearing an unknown difficulty resulting from the involvement of businesses, businesses could be coached on how to join the project and the community in such a way as to preserve and advance EMC2 as a free and open software package. Imagine the potential benefit of a few or even several businesses assisting EMC2 like Stuart's. I aspire to achieve that. I would welcome any coaching that would enable me to understand how to participate with but not violate the EMC2 GPL. Have a good day, Jim Fleig 585 975-9618 On Dec 9, 2010, at 12:50 AM, Edward Bernard yankeelena2...@yahoo.com wrote: I'm surprised there were no comments on this. I'm wondering how such a venture could effect our beloved software. - Original Message From: Anonymous Investor backgroundpart...@gmail.com To: emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 9:10:13 AM Subject: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC *Business Opportunity related to EMC2* EMC2 may be well written CNC control software, but it does not appear to be making progress entering mainstream applications. We believe that the largest impediment to success is the lack of a full scope supplier. We feel that the mainstream machine builder community, meaning hobby, professional, and OEM, remains outside the open source community. Furthermore, we feel that the solution is not to try and bring machine builders into the open source community, but rather to bring complete solutions to machine builders. We propose the creation of a company which delivers EMC based solutions, essentially the Red Hat of CNC. To that end, we will finance such a company. *Perspective:* There are quite a few hobby oriented suppliers, based on Mach3, TurboCAD, and other solutions, which offer everything including ballscrews, motors, drivers, and circuit boards. These companies serve their customers well, but they do not come up to the level of professionalism that is necessary to attract serious commercial machine builders. There are mid-level suppliers, such as Flashcut, CamSoft, or Centroid, which offer reasonable value but cannot provide the security, vendor independence, or continuity of
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
On 12/9/2010 12:50 AM, Edward Bernard wrote: I'm surprised there were no comments on this. I'm wondering how such a venture could effect our beloved software. My comment? An unknown entity using an unrevealing email address makes a vague offer on an open mail list to finance someone to create a company to do something, provided the someone does all the work developing a viable business plan. Sorry, but I don't believe in the tooth fairy. I may be an incorrigible skeptic, but doesn't it seem reasonable to think anyone serious about forming a Red Hat of CNC would directly approach the core EMC2 developers instead of floating a proposal that has all the earmarks of a phishing expedition? Just my 2 cents worth. Regards, Kent PS - perusal of the EMC2 mail list archives will turn up a number of past conversations about the possibility of commercial support of EMC2 which I feel no need to rehash. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
I feel the same way. i On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 7:44 AM, Kent A. Reed knbr...@erols.com wrote: On 12/9/2010 12:50 AM, Edward Bernard wrote: I'm surprised there were no comments on this. I'm wondering how such a venture could effect our beloved software. My comment? An unknown entity using an unrevealing email address makes a vague offer on an open mail list to finance someone to create a company to do something, provided the someone does all the work developing a viable business plan. Sorry, but I don't believe in the tooth fairy. I may be an incorrigible skeptic, but doesn't it seem reasonable to think anyone serious about forming a Red Hat of CNC would directly approach the core EMC2 developers instead of floating a proposal that has all the earmarks of a phishing expedition? Just my 2 cents worth. Regards, Kent PS - perusal of the EMC2 mail list archives will turn up a number of past conversations about the possibility of commercial support of EMC2 which I feel no need to rehash. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Kearney and Trecker Milwaukeematic IIIb progress
fully auto! (pallet tranfer) could use a little optimization - but I am happy with it. (because it works ;)) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=objyMqAHUNU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYA5uEwLSTA right now I have a few buttons on a pyvcp pannel to do activate the cycles (offload pallet, swap pallets, Load pallet) and plan to activate it with M1XX codes in the future. sam On 11/14/2010 9:30 AM, sa...@empirescreen.com wrote: Yes - first cut! I forgot - this is where the timing gear is going http://www.electronicsam.com/images/KandT/conversion/spindle/belvel.JPG smallest hex. sam On Sun, 14 Nov 2010 06:59:27 -0500 Mark Wendt (Contractor)mark.we...@nrl.navy.mil wrote: Sam, Very neat! It's been an enjoyable watch as you bring this big machine back to life. Is that the first cut(s) on a part you've done since bringing 'er up? Mark At 09:51 PM 11/13/2010, you wrote: Did a little milling. Needed to cut a hex in the center of a timing pully for the encoder that will be on the spindle for rigid tapping (and maybe closed loop speed control) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW6eXiMoFp8 this is the hex on the end of the spindle that it will be mounted to. http://www.electronicsam.com/images/KandT/conversion/testing/DSCF1231.JPG kinda cool picture. http://www.electronicsam.com/images/KandT/conversion/testing/DSCF1235.JPG sam -- Centralized Desktop Delivery: Dell and VMware Reference Architecture Simplifying enterprise desktop deployment and management using Dell EqualLogic storage and VMware View: A highly scalable, end-to-end client virtualization framework. Read more! http://p.sf.net/sfu/dell-eql-dev2dev ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- Centralized Desktop Delivery: Dell and VMware Reference Architecture Simplifying enterprise desktop deployment and management using Dell EqualLogic storage and VMware View: A highly scalable, end-to-end client virtualization framework. Read more! http://p.sf.net/sfu/dell-eql-dev2dev ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
+1 Il 09/12/2010 14:49, Igor Chudov ha scritto: I feel the same way. i On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 7:44 AM, Kent A. Reedknbr...@erols.com wrote: On 12/9/2010 12:50 AM, Edward Bernard wrote: I'm surprised there were no comments on this. I'm wondering how such a venture could effect our beloved software. My comment? An unknown entity using an unrevealing email address makes a vague offer on an open mail list to finance someone to create a company to do something, provided the someone does all the work developing a viable business plan. Sorry, but I don't believe in the tooth fairy. I may be an incorrigible skeptic, but doesn't it seem reasonable to think anyone serious about forming a Red Hat of CNC would directly approach the core EMC2 developers instead of floating a proposal that has all the earmarks of a phishing expedition? Just my 2 cents worth. Regards, Kent PS - perusal of the EMC2 mail list archives will turn up a number of past conversations about the possibility of commercial support of EMC2 which I feel no need to rehash. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
Hello gentlemen, regardless of this offer being serious or phoney or fraud, I think commerce will, like in other instances, spoil the character of the EMC project. So far, and I have been following this mail group for about two years, it was a playground for addicted engineers, maybe even freaks of automated machine control. In those two years, and I count 3677 mail contributions so far, their contents have changed already from a harmless intellectual or mechanical game toward commercial application problems. I regret this process from technical to commercial money making interest. I believe that the complete freedom without economic constraints which the developers can afford is one of the main drives for the progress of development of EMC. On the long run, letting any money oriented part gain influence to EMC means restricting this freedom by pressure to drirect developing with respect to economic, not technical growth. And restricting intellectual freedom means restricted quality. This all said without looking at the question of the chances of success or failure for such a project. I used to have a lot of machines, mostly electronically controlled, in the shop I had to care for as a facility manager for many decades (mills, lathes and a 80 ton sheet metal press plus a few hundred air and water conditioning systems and other building equipment). Now and then a control system (on a mechanically sound machine) would fail and the provider had disappeared from market or was unable or unwilling to help. How often did I hear the sentence buy a new machine, that's more economic! Being a technical addict (and a scrooge), I had the electronics repaired some way or other, and the machine was used on. (But if there had been severe economic constraints like delivery time etc., maybe I would have reacted differently). But from my own experience, I can very well imagine the feeling of some of the EMC delelopers, say in 2007 or 8, standing in front of a electronically defective, but mechanically sound machine thinking can't throw this machine into the junk container! Now that this period of my life is over, for the first time, I feel free to develop my electronics and machines solely for my own private purposes. This is one of my hobbies. Therefore, I would never in my life produce hard- or software or even parts with my machines, because in this case I would lose my hobby and had to look out for a new one. I very much appreciated the idea of EMC being a free GNU-like CNC system, just like the Linux-idea and other, non-commercial projects. Leave it at that! Peter Blodow Anonymous Investor schrieb: *Business Opportunity related to EMC2* EMC2 may be well written CNC control software, but it does not appear to be making progress entering mainstream applications. We believe that the largest impediment to success is the lack of a full scope supplier. We feel that the mainstream machine builder community, meaning hobby, professional, and OEM, remains outside the open source community. Furthermore, we feel that the solution is not to try and bring machine builders into the open source community, but rather to bring complete solutions to machine builders. We propose the creation of a company which delivers EMC based solutions, essentially the Red Hat of CNC. To that end, we will finance such a company. *Perspective:* There are quite a few hobby oriented suppliers, based on Mach3, TurboCAD, and other solutions, which offer everything including ballscrews, motors, drivers, and circuit boards. These companies serve their customers well, but they do not come up to the level of professionalism that is necessary to attract serious commercial machine builders. There are mid-level suppliers, such as Flashcut, CamSoft, or Centroid, which offer reasonable value but cannot provide the security, vendor independence, or continuity of supply, which would be available with a more open technology. Of course the 800 lb gorilla is Fanuc, having sold 2.2 million control systems. While offering the ultimate in performance, Fanuc solutions come with minimum vendor independence and dismal ROI for those only needed mid-level performance. We believe a full service, professional grade supplier, offering complete control systems solutions, can be an effective competitor and is sorely needed by all levels of machine builders. We are not proposing open source hardware, but rather combining open source software with support and conventional industrial components to develop full spectrum solutions. This is not a matter of welcoming machine builders into the open source community; rather it is an issue of bringing the resources and value of open source to the market, offering attractive ROI to both customers and investor. *Details and How to Proceed:* We are looking to invest in a start-up business which meets the general goals as outlined above. We
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
3. The user interface needs a lot of critical thinking still, to bring it up to scratch. Have a good look at the latest FANUCs for instance. but the UI is miles ahead of mach3. -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
I think worrying about EMC2 becoming overly commercialized right now is a bit like worrying that you may be killed by a falling space elevator ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_elevator). Maybe it is possible but you are probably safe for at least a few decades. In the worst case, I think what you would see is a forking of the project, with a commercial company maintaining a set of code that, while open-source, over time becomes completely incompatible with the main EMC2 branch. Perhaps this becomes much more popular than the EMC2 project. As it happens, this describes almost exactly what happened with the original EMC and Mach. Has Mach's popularity made the EMC2 project weaker? I don't think so. I think it probably does more to grow the whole DIY CNC movement (where the lines between amateur and professional can be very fuzzy) which eventually leads more people to the EMC2 Project. On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 10:28 AM, Peter Blodow p.blo...@dreki.de wrote: Hello gentlemen, regardless of this offer being serious or phoney or fraud, I think commerce will, like in other instances, spoil the character of the EMC project. -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Live CD Parport mode 4 problem
I have a multi-boot setup, so I can boot my original 8.04 liveCD installation, or my new 10.04 version. With the 10.04 version, I'm getting a complaint at startup that the parallel port doesn't support mode 4. I don't see this on the 8.04 version. It's the same computer, with the same .ini file, connected to the same external hardware. As yet I don't know if this causes any problem in operation. I'll know that within the next couple of days. Is this something new that was added? Neil -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
Colin, I agree. While I have big reservations about the genuiness of the offer that started this topic, I would be personally excited by a commercial project that would use EMC2, while complying with its licensing. The separation of control and GUI that exists in EMC means that we can have competing UIs, some of which may be more suitable to machine operators using them, as opposed to DIY tinkerers. As a DIY tinkerer, I personally am happy with the existing UI, though I wish for somewhat better integration of subroutines into wizards, along the lines of ngcgui. In any case, the best hoped for outcome would be that some large enhancements of EMC2 would make it back to us to be reused elsewhere. Say, machine builders would contribute to EMC2 to make their machines controllable by EMC. This is not very far fetched, since this is what happens to the Linux kernel. i -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Live CD Parport mode 4 problem
Yes, the parport stuff has changed between emc2.3 and emc2.4 and there are also differences between an 8.04 installation and a 10.04 installation. In emc 2.3 and earlier, emc's parport drivers would not cooperate with the linux parport drivers, so the linux driver was disabled by default. In emc 2.4, emc gained the ability to cooperate with linux's parport driver. The anticipated benefit was primarily to make it easy to specify pci parports, because you can call them parport 1, 2 and so on instead of 0xe800 or a raw port address. so systems that are initially installed with 2.4 leave linux parports enabled ny default (but 2.3 to 2.4 upgrades don't, I think) We also hoped for better detection of epp-supporting parports, but this has proven to be untrue. See the long d510mo threads for more on this. the mode 4 message is related to this--linux thinks your port is not epp-capable. in the latest release, 2.4.5, I think the problems working in cooperation with linux are solved, but if not, your final option is to disable theb linux parport driver by editing the file /etc/modprobe.d/emc2 or emc2.conf and removing a #. reboot after doing this, and linux will get out of the way of emc's use of the parport. (of this does turn out to be necessary, let us know--we may be able to find a solution, like we did for d510mo) Jeff -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
On Wed, 2010-12-08 at 21:50 -0800, Edward Bernard wrote: I'm surprised there were no comments on this. I'm wondering how such a venture could effect our beloved software. I think it would be interesting to hear from Smithy and Tormach to see how EMC2 has affected their business. It doesn't appear that their products have affected EMC2. I'm not trying to say their use of EMC2 is good or bad, it just may help to explore some of the issues. As far as Anonymous goes, I think he/she is just shaking the tree to see if any fruit falls, not plant and water any seeds. It is what is is, nothing more (neither good, nor bad). My guess any way. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/index.html California, USA -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
Hi all, I can't see commercial support as being detrimental to EMC2 in any way. Take MPM (Stuart's shop) as an example. He has driven features he needed; eg. comp for an axis being out of tram. He uses features not usually needed; encoder's and glass scales on an axis. Not everyone has a 5 axis machine to use and his use forms an excellent test bed. He has hosted several meeting of the developers to his benefit and ours. The most recent example is the restored American robot. Now I admit this is not the same as someone selling support for EMC maybe accompanied by their own UI but it provides part of the model. Go EMC! Dave ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Live CD Parport mode 4 problem
OK, thanks Jeff. I was off list for a while, so I missed those earlier discussions. I'll check them out, and see if I can get it sorted. Neil On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 9:13 AM, Jeff Epler jep...@unpythonic.net wrote: Yes, the parport stuff has changed between emc2.3 and emc2.4 and there are also differences between an 8.04 installation and a 10.04 installation. In emc 2.3 and earlier, emc's parport drivers would not cooperate with the linux parport drivers, so the linux driver was disabled by default. In emc 2.4, emc gained the ability to cooperate with linux's parport driver. The anticipated benefit was primarily to make it easy to specify pci parports, because you can call them parport 1, 2 and so on instead of 0xe800 or a raw port address. so systems that are initially installed with 2.4 leave linux parports enabled ny default (but 2.3 to 2.4 upgrades don't, I think) We also hoped for better detection of epp-supporting parports, but this has proven to be untrue. See the long d510mo threads for more on this. the mode 4 message is related to this--linux thinks your port is not epp-capable. in the latest release, 2.4.5, I think the problems working in cooperation with linux are solved, but if not, your final option is to disable theb linux parport driver by editing the file /etc/modprobe.d/emc2 or emc2.conf and removing a #. reboot after doing this, and linux will get out of the way of emc's use of the parport. (of this does turn out to be necessary, let us know--we may be able to find a solution, like we did for d510mo) Jeff -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- http://www.pixpopuli.com -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
I could not agree more Arnold On 12/09/2010 02:44 PM, Kent A. Reed wrote: On 12/9/2010 12:50 AM, Edward Bernard wrote: I'm surprised there were no comments on this. I'm wondering how such a venture could effect our beloved software. My comment? An unknown entity using an unrevealing email address makes a vague offer on an open mail list to finance someone to create a company to do something, provided the someone does all the work developing a viable business plan. Sorry, but I don't believe in the tooth fairy. I may be an incorrigible skeptic, but doesn't it seem reasonable to think anyone serious about forming a Red Hat of CNC would directly approach the core EMC2 developers instead of floating a proposal that has all the earmarks of a phishing expedition? Just my 2 cents worth. Regards, Kent PS - perusal of the EMC2 mail list archives will turn up a number of past conversations about the possibility of commercial support of EMC2 which I feel no need to rehash. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
Anonymous Investor wrote: We believe that the largest impediment to success is the lack of a full scope supplier. I made a few complete, turnkey systems for people. One of the problems is that if you manufacture anything electronic, you are required by law to have it tested for radio frequency emissions by a registered testing lab. You are also supposed, but not required, to have it tested for safety. In the area of machine tools, the level of fault-tolerant safety gear most labs would require would double the price of the parts. Just the FCC emissions testing now runs over $10K. And, the big problem is every customer wants a variation, 2 through 6 axes, brush or brushless motors, etc. And, EVERY different combination requires a new test and $10K. Change a part on one of the boards, and you have to do all the testing over again. So, that is why I supply boards, but not turnkey systems. Some of my products are used by sizable aerospace shops in daily production. Jon -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
I agree, especially on ngcgui. I want to do dome work with that once my arduino pendant project is done. Currently I am designing some PCBs for that and getting my code cleaned up. I'm thinking about selling kits but releasing the source openly. It's interesting from the perspective of looking at how you make money in an open-source environment. The bar for value add is definitely a lot higher. Even hardware is tricky if you factor in the Chinese eBay clones that will follow any successful product. In end user terms, EMC2 is plagued by the same crisis of abundance that Linux has. For everything you want to do, there are five possible options, all of which are somewhat incomplete, and none of which are documented. I run a software company I started six years ago, and there is nothing more frustrating than the weeks of work it takes to deal with the final 5% or so of feature completeness and bug fixing. I would love to ditch that and move on to building something new, but customers won't let me get away with that. So here we have HAL, classic ladder, and user modules all serving related purposes in controlling and configuring machines. It gives you great flexibility but it's not easy if you haven't done it before. Compare this to Mach, where almost everything boils down to menus and macros. The integration of the GUI and backend makes custom functionality quite easy. In my view the underlying core has some serious limitations but for many users these are probably less important than the simplicity and familiarity with windows. I am also impressed with the level of activity on Mach forums, not just raw numbers but the projects people are working on. It sometimes feels like EMC is for people who like building machines while Mach is for people who like using them. This is partly unfair but it is there. I think more commercial users would bring a lot more focus to improving the rough edges that most of us are used to living with. I don't see a Red Hat model for it yet though. I think you would need to offer a complete brain in a box, both hardware and software. The low end of the market (eg Tormach) will need a lot more simplicity as they don't want to deal with people who have problems with Ubuntu. And the high end I don't see switching without a really good reason. Linux rose because customers wanted to get away from expensive proprietary hardware. Where is the x86 of the CNC world? Will the Chinese figure out how to make a machine for half the price of Gene Haas? Outside of that, customers and vendors seem to be in equilibrium. Vendors compete in large part on their controls and would want to continue doing so. Sent from my iPhone On Dec 9, 2010, at 11:21 AM, Igor Chudov ichu...@gmail.com wrote: Colin, I agree. While I have big reservations about the genuiness of the offer that started this topic, I would be personally excited by a commercial project that would use EMC2, while complying with its licensing. The separation of control and GUI that exists in EMC means that we can have competing UIs, some of which may be more suitable to machine operators using them, as opposed to DIY tinkerers. As a DIY tinkerer, I personally am happy with the existing UI, though I wish for somewhat better integration of subroutines into wizards, along the lines of ngcgui. In any case, the best hoped for outcome would be that some large enhancements of EMC2 would make it back to us to be reused elsewhere. Say, machine builders would contribute to EMC2 to make their machines controllable by EMC. This is not very far fetched, since this is what happens to the Linux kernel. i -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 1:02 PM, Jon Elson el...@pico-systems.com wrote: So, that is why I supply boards, but not turnkey systems. Some of my products are used by sizable aerospace shops in daily production. And your products are pretty good. Not the bottom of the barrel cheapest, but very straightforward to use and time saving. i -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM, Colin K cwk@gmail.com wrote: I agree, especially on ngcgui. I want to do dome work with that once my arduino pendant project is done. Currently I am designing some PCBs for that and getting my code cleaned up. I'm thinking about selling kits but releasing the source openly. It's interesting from the perspective of looking at how you make money in an open-source environment. The bar for value add is definitely a lot higher. Even hardware is tricky if you factor in the Chinese eBay clones that will follow any successful product. In end user terms, EMC2 is plagued by the same crisis of abundance that Linux has. For everything you want to do, there are five possible options, all of which are somewhat incomplete, and none of which are documented. I run a software company I started six years ago, and there is nothing more frustrating than the weeks of work it takes to deal with the final 5% or so of feature completeness and bug fixing. I would love to ditch that and move on to building something new, but customers won't let me get away with that. So here we have HAL, classic ladder, and user modules all serving related purposes in controlling and configuring machines. It gives you great flexibility but it's not easy if you haven't done it before. I am extremely and openly critical of many open source products, but I have to say that EMC2 is on top as far as documentation, ease of configuration, etc is concerned. To add to this excellent support, and you would know why I am very happy. EMC2 is also very stable. The documentation is clear, abundant, and actually correct. The tasks that users try to accomplish with EMC2, such as retrofitting old machines or making new machines, are daunting and many of us are first timers, myself included. This is why using EMC2 is so difficult, not because EMC2 is hard to use. I had to learn everything about CNC as part of my project. i -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] 3 axis, 4 drive configuration
On 12/9/2010 6:40 AM, Mark Wendt wrote: Dave, When you say you are testing the X axis, are you testing it within the stepconf program, or with one of the GUI's up and running? Mark On 12/09/2010 06:29 AM, Dave Christman wrote: I am trying to configure and test a 3 axis, 4 drive , machine using a Gecko G540 stepper drive. I configure the machine for XYZ axis configuration and slave the A and X pins (X step on pins 2 and 8, and X direction on pins 3 and 9). When I test the X axis only one motor operates. I know the other driver and motor are OK since they work using an XYZA configuration and not slaving the drives Thanks. -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- This SF Dev2Dev email is sponsored by: WikiLeaks The End of the Free Internet http://p.sf.net/sfu/therealnews-com ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users Within Stepconfig. -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
Well said. The support the developers give EMC is uncommon even among commercial software. Mach gets a lot of support from vendors because the user base is bigger. But you can have a step/dir machine up and running under EMC very quickly. If a machine was running under Mach, it probably would take less than an hour to get EMC running the machine. I know I've gotten steppers spinning in less than an hour, and that was from the state where everything was in a box and I had to scrounge for wire. And I'm sure there are some industrial users that are quietly using EMC without telling us. Eric On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 2:22 PM, Igor Chudov ichu...@gmail.com wrote: I am extremely and openly critical of many open source products, but I have to say that EMC2 is on top as far as documentation, ease of configuration, etc is concerned. To add to this excellent support, and you would know why I am very happy. EMC2 is also very stable. The documentation is clear, abundant, and actually correct. The tasks that users try to accomplish with EMC2, such as retrofitting old machines or making new machines, are daunting and many of us are first timers, myself included. This is why using EMC2 is so difficult, not because EMC2 is hard to use. I had to learn everything about CNC as part of my project. -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
Lest I give the wrong impression, I do agree that the current state of the project is very impressive and the people who have built it up have done a wonderful job on many fronts. Stepconf has evolved into a very solid tool and the user community is ENORMOUSLY helpful and generous. That more than anything has made me want to contribute something of value back. I don't think of other products as competition so much as places to pick up good ideas from. To me, the bigger the EMC user community, the more interesting things will grow out of it. On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 2:38 PM, Eric Keller eekel...@psu.edu wrote: Well said. The support the developers give EMC is uncommon even among commercial software. Mach gets a lot of support from vendors because the user base is bigger. But you can have a step/dir machine up and running under EMC very quickly. If a machine was running under Mach, it probably would take less than an hour to get EMC running the machine. I know I've gotten steppers spinning in less than an hour, and that was from the state where everything was in a box and I had to scrounge for wire. And I'm sure there are some industrial users that are quietly using EMC without telling us. Eric On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 2:22 PM, Igor Chudov ichu...@gmail.com wrote: I am extremely and openly critical of many open source products, but I have to say that EMC2 is on top as far as documentation, ease of configuration, etc is concerned. To add to this excellent support, and you would know why I am very happy. EMC2 is also very stable. The documentation is clear, abundant, and actually correct. The tasks that users try to accomplish with EMC2, such as retrofitting old machines or making new machines, are daunting and many of us are first timers, myself included. This is why using EMC2 is so difficult, not because EMC2 is hard to use. I had to learn everything about CNC as part of my project. -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Fwd: emcrsh socket blocks after SET ABORT on another socket
I'm using emcrsh to control EMC programmatically. Socket 1 is for primary communication. It opens at program start, and is where MDI commands get sent. Socket 2 is only for aborting the current process. It opens at program start, and whenever the current command needs to be aborted, it sends the appropriate commands and aborts. So my program goes along, sending commands over socket 1 until there is an event that requires an abort, and then it aborts over socket 2. For reasons that I can explain if necessary, both sockets are set to SET_WAIT DONE, so they block until the current command is finished. I need it to work this way. My problem: occasionally socket 1 never gets a return value from a command that was pending when an abort happened. This leaves the socket in a blocked state and further communication (after the abort is finished) fails. Example: socket 1: SET MDI G1 x1 y1 f10 (takes a while) socket 2: SET ENABLE pwd socket 2: SET SET_WAIT DONE socket 2: SET ABORT (machine immediately stops) socket 1: SET MDI ACK (socket 1 gets its ACK and can move on to the next thing) This is how it should work and is how it usually works. But occasionally that last SET MDI ACK never happens. Any ideas? I'm pretty stuck and not sure what to try next. Not even sure if it's my problem or EMC. I tried setting a timeout on socket 1 of 10 seconds, and sure enough, I get a timeout error on those times where I never get that last response after the abort, so I'm at least pretty sure this is where my problem is. thanks! -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tool change challenge (Advanced Configuration forum)
Hi here a video i put on youtube a while back http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6dGYsXAPIU so yes and no, to a VFD for position work, that is in Hz mode, not flux vector as that drive has a limit of 4000rpm in vector mode and i need at least 6000rpm for the spindle. if i was todo it all over, i think i would of spent the extra £1000 for a smarted Servo like VFD that will do positioning alot better. not sure what your goal is here and im not sure where rest of the ideas and problem details are located, forum or here onmailing list? rob -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Possible router refit
My son runs a Techno router (4 axis) in his business and may need to upgrade the the controller. We are curious if anyone has done a retrofit of one of these machines to emc, and what, if any, are pitfalls to beware of. He uses MasterCam, version X5 to generate the router files. The wiki references a m'cam 9 post; has anyone created a postprocessor for MasterCam X* to produce emc-compatible G-code? Thanks to all the emc community; it's a model for how open-source development can produce excellent results. ldw -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tool change challenge (Advanced Configuration forum)
On Wed, Dec 08, 2010 at 06:21:03PM -0800, Gary McRobert wrote: Still undecided as how to resolve the tool change challenge. I think you are asking about how to do spindle orient. Having used machines with vfd+pid orient and machines with mechanical orient and lock, I have to say the mechanical scheme wins, hands down. A full servo spindle would orient fine -- but if you don't have it, I suggest trying hard to come up with a mechanical orient stop, and use the jog feature of the vfd to get there. It should have a switch so when it's done the vfd can know to stop jogging. Chris -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Anyone here migrate from Ahha Artisan, and breakout board question.
I'm really fed up with the issues that have been cropping up with my Ahha Artisan lately. I recently scored a decent Dell 2gHz computer and have done an EMC install. Sorry, don't recall at the moment the exact moment, but it's very recent if not current version. There are some minor differences in how programs are coded between the two. I was wondering if anyone has gone through the process of editing programs for the conversion, and has any tips to offer. I'll also need a parallel breakout board and asking for recommendations. Initially I will use it to interface to a 2nd DB37 breakout I have from an older Ahha setup. This would allow me to quickly go back to Ahha if I needed for a particular job. Once I'm confident I have coding conventions down pat, I'll connect my drives and such direct to the parallel breakout. Currently running stepper motors via Compumotor OEM650 drives. Might try going to servos later. If that would entail a more sophisticated breakout board and said board will also work with the stepper setup, then I'd sure consider getting the better breakout board up front. Thanks, Jon -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
On 12/09/2010 02:38 PM, Igor Chudov wrote: I am extremely and openly critical of many open source products, but I have to say that EMC2 is on top as far as documentation, ease of configuration, etc is concerned. To add to this excellent support, and you would know why I am very happy. EMC2 is also very stable. The documentation is clear, abundant, and actually correct. Most end users are blissfully ignorant of the systems integrator who puts up with the headaches that end users are paying to have removed before they get their stuff. I say stuff because my comments are about the other most successful computer operating system available. Years ago I bought an Ensoniq sound card that was inexpensive, AND great sounding. The trouble was, when the auto-run of the driver CD ran, it couldn't find the driver files, and installed a dummy hardware for the sound card. I called tech support and got some weird instructions about renaming a whole bunch of files, and trying again. After weeks of headaches, I found I just had to delete the audio device, and when auto-run did it's thing, show it where on the CD it hid the files. If someone bought a PC with this sound card, some technician had already had his 2 week (or perhaps 3 hour) headache finding out what was wrong. Years ago I bought an EMachines PC with XP on it. The motherboard died after a couple of years, and when I bought a new motherboard, Microsoft said I needed to buy a new copy of Windows to go with it. I deliberated on whether to get XP or MCE. MCE was more expensive, but I figured being able to play DVDs out of the box would be worth $30 extra. You can imagine how steamed I was when I found out that MCE couldn't play any DVDs at all without about $50 worth of help from someone else. MCE shipped without any non-MS CODECs. I found out that the system integrator was the guy that got to bear the headaches so that the person buying a new PC could just use it. That's why you get some other third party version of media player with a new PC, the optical drive/media player bundle provides the missing CODECs Now if one of the biggest companies on the face of the Earth needs system integrators to make things work, why should we expect EMC2 to just work out of the box? The guy with the knowledge to make an EMC2 machine work properly is valuable, and should get paid for his knowledge and labor (unless he/she is doing it for his/her own hobby, then what she/he can make is probably the payment sought.) With tools like latency test, the stepper configurator, and comp you guys have even made the system integrator's job quite a bit easier (for simple installations), and on here you provide the help for the tougher systems. My hat's off to you guys who can select the right servo motors/drives/boards and tune a system to work with great accuracy. -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Tool change challenge (Advanced Configuration forum)
I would vote mechanical also - That is how are old machine does it. It was pretty easy to setup. (I actually wrote a comp for the spindle gearbox/index for this machine). it sets the transmission into 'lock' mode then creeps into the dog. Checks to see that the spindle is at 0 rpm and then sets a 'spindle is locked' bit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KplU8hkI0AQ sam On 12/9/2010 4:20 PM, Chris Radek wrote: On Wed, Dec 08, 2010 at 06:21:03PM -0800, Gary McRobert wrote: Still undecided as how to resolve the tool change challenge. I think you are asking about how to do spindle orient. Having used machines with vfd+pid orient and machines with mechanical orient and lock, I have to say the mechanical scheme wins, hands down. A full servo spindle would orient fine -- but if you don't have it, I suggest trying hard to come up with a mechanical orient stop, and use the jog feature of the vfd to get there. It should have a switch so when it's done the vfd can know to stop jogging. Chris -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
On Thu, 9 Dec 2010 07:42:34 -0800 (PST), you wrote: 3. The user interface needs a lot of critical thinking still, to bring it up to scratch. Have a good look at the latest FANUCs for instance. but the UI is miles ahead of mach3. Not for touch screen lathe users ! It also has it's quirks - two for starters that really annoy, first is nasty IMO - Axis, click on spindle start, spindle races off at some arbitrary speed. Need to press + twice before you can control speed. Other is an annoyance. Running multiple iterations of the same job, screen should CTRL K after M30 so you can see at a glance, and from a distance, where it's up to on subsequent runs on the backplot screen without having to manually type it before pressing Start. Steve Blackmore -- -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] Can't update some packages
After the software update I just performed, there were 3 packages that failed to update: libssl0.9.8 0.9.8k-7ubuntu8 -- 0.9.8k-7ubuntu8.4 openssl0.9.8k-7ubuntu8 - 0.9.8k-7ubuntu8.4 linux-libc-dev 2.6.32-24.39 -- 2.6.32-26.47 When it tries to fetch the new version, the package can't be found. They all have multiple dependencies, so I'm reluctant to try removing and reinstalling them. Anyone else seen such a problem? This is probably the first update I've done since installing from the live CD. Oh.. wait a minute: am I still supposed to avoid taking updates from Ubuntu? I just told it to update everything that was out of date, which was about 140 packages. I seem to remember at some point there was guidance to the effect that EMC installations should not take Ubuntu updates. Neil -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Live CD Parport mode 4 problem - Solved
you didn't say what epp io board you're using, but getting emc to come up generally means there's been positive comminication between pc and bosrd using epp, so you're probably in the clear. jeff -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Can't update some packages
It's OK to take package updates from ubuntu (though users who installed from the vanilla live cd and then installed with emc2-install.sh will encounter a hassle when ubuntu releases a new kernel version). so updating e.g., firefox to the latest version from ubuntu is ok. what is not ok is upgrading the distribution (i.e, from 10.04 to 10.10) because emc2 is only compatible with certain versions like 10.04. jeff -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Live CD Parport mode 4 problem - Solved
It's the parallel port of the motherboard of a Dell Optiplex GX280, FYI. On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 4:58 PM, Jeff Epler jep...@unpythonic.net wrote: you didn't say what epp io board you're using, but getting emc to come up generally means there's been positive comminication between pc and bosrd using epp, so you're probably in the clear. jeff -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users -- http://www.pixpopuli.com -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Possible router refit
Lloyd, I have done a couple retrofits on Technos and it was not too bad if you have the modular amplifier box (up to four amplifiers in the box with a 68 pin Centronix connector on the back). I seem to recall that on a standard Centronix cable, there is one pin that does not go through, and it ends up mapping to one of the pins for Axis #4. Since I only had three axes, this did not affect me, but it is something to look out for. Mostly the connections are obvious and straight forward, except the 3 enable signals which were not well documented. A call to Techno resolved that. I also recall that the smallest motors available for the 4' x 8' table (350 Watt IIRC) were a real PITA to tune, but the larger motors (550 Watt) were a piece of cake. I also recall having a minor issue with the Z axis brake but do not recall what that was. If it has a tool changer, that can be a bit of a PITA too as it uses a spice rack style tool changer and a special module for the tool changer. The main thing that the tool change module has is a spindle speed detector which will assert a signal when the spindle speed is below the safe threshold for performing a tool change. The standard drive for the spindle is a TECO Fluxmaster which is also quite straight forward as far as interfacing. If you want analog velocity control over the spindle, you will need 5 analog (+/- 10V) outputs, which may affect what control hardware you choose to use. I used the Mesa 5i30 + one 7i33 quad analog servo module, however I had three axes plus spindle so could handle all of the analogs on a single 50 pin connector. I don't see any issue with Mastercam or any other package. What minor differences may exist in G-Code between Techno and EMC can be handled in the post. Regards, Eric My son runs a Techno router (4 axis) in his business and may need to upgrade the the controller. We are curious if anyone has done a retrofit of one of these machines to emc, and what, if any, are pitfalls to beware of. He uses MasterCam, version X5 to generate the router files. The wiki references a m'cam 9 post; has anyone created a postprocessor for MasterCam X* to produce emc-compatible G-code? Thanks to all the emc community; it's a model for how open-source development can produce excellent results. -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
Igor Chudov wrote: On Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 1:02 PM, Jon Elson el...@pico-systems.com wrote: So, that is why I supply boards, but not turnkey systems. Some of my products are used by sizable aerospace shops in daily production. And your products are pretty good. Not the bottom of the barrel cheapest, but very straightforward to use and time saving. Yes, for any integrator, the first one takes some learning. But, if an integrator wanted to standardize on my products, the second machine would go like clockwork! (I retrofitted a Series-II Boss 5 machine at Roland Freistad's shop in one day, including installing servo motors on it. It was not a finished retrofit, just nothing to 3 axis movement in one day.) That, of course, is true with any of the EMC2 interface products, or probably with Mach3 as well. Somebody really could go into business making kits for some specific (Iron) platform like Bridgeport BOSS retrofits. But, I never seem to get two requests for the same type of machine. Jon -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] Expansion of EMC
On Thu, Dec 09, 2010 at 10:42:44PM +, Steve Blackmore wrote: On Thu, 9 Dec 2010 07:42:34 -0800 (PST), you wrote: 3. The user interface needs a lot of critical thinking still, to bring it up to scratch. Have a good look at the latest FANUCs for instance. but the UI is miles ahead of mach3. Not for touch screen lathe users ! Touchy has had lathe support for a while now, but I'm not using it yet. Have you tried it? It also has it's quirks - two for starters that really annoy, first is nasty IMO - Axis, click on spindle start, spindle races off at some arbitrary speed. Need to press + twice before you can control speed. I can't reproduce this - can you give more details? Can you reproduce it in sim? Other is an annoyance. Running multiple iterations of the same job, screen should CTRL K after M30 so you can see at a glance, and from a distance, where it's up to on subsequent runs on the backplot screen without having to manually type it before pressing Start. I agree that would be nice. Chris -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
[Emc-users] [OT] Charge Pump
I blew out the only 74HC (74HC04 NAND) part in my junk box, so I cut my charge pump circuit down to this: ~ _ _ Buffer Card Output _| |_| |_ Charge pump in servo thread = 1kHz 0-5V -+ | === C1 .01uF | O'Scope +-|--+--|--+-+--- || | |C2 ===\ | .01uF | / R1 15k || \ V (gnd) V V ~ I played with different caps I had on hand and got the best results with .01 uF for both C1 and C2 and 15k for R1. Even with R1 removed the output would decay pretty rapidly, so I had to bump C1 up enough to offset the leakage. Anything larger for C2 didn't seem to fully charge. Then I sized R1 to get a sub 1 second drop, so would probably trip the output at 200 to 300ms after losing the input signal. I suppose a CMOS input and the scope should be a similar load, so the timing should not change much if I add a Schmidt buffer to the output? I also wired this up: +- O'Scope _ _ | _| |_| || C1 .01uF ---\/\/-+---||--+ R1 15k | V (gnd) If T=RC, T=15000x.1=.15 ? On the scope, I got a shark fin like signal where most of the signal change occurred by 200ms, so I guess this confirms the .15 for T above? I didn't quite understand what I read on Wikipedia -- something like RC is the value where the signal change is at around 63% of the signal swing? I suppose I could use this circuit to measure caps with C=T/R with t...@63% of signal? I'll have to play with this some more. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/index.html California, USA -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
Re: [Emc-users] [OT] Charge Pump
On Thu, 2010-12-09 at 20:06 -0800, Kirk Wallace wrote: Some corrections: 74HC04=Hex Inverter, I tried a 2in NOR, but it's all the same. I blew out the only 74HC (74HC04 NAND) part in my junk box, so I cut my ... snip I also wired this up: +- O'Scope _ _ | _| |_| || C1 .01uF ---\/\/-+---||--+ R1 15k | V (gnd) If T=RC, T=15000x.1=.15 ? .01uF = .01 x .01 = .0001F .0001 x 15000 = .00015 On the scope, I got a shark fin like signal where most of the signal change occurred by 200ms, should be .2ms = .0002ms so I guess this confirms the .15 for T above? I didn't quite understand what I read on Wikipedia -- something like RC is the value where the signal change is at around 63% of the signal swing? I suppose I could use this circuit to measure caps with C=T/R with t...@63% of signal? I'll have to play with this some more. It's confusing enough without goofing up the decimals. -- Kirk Wallace http://www.wallacecompany.com/machine_shop/ http://www.wallacecompany.com/E45/index.html California, USA -- ___ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
