Re: [Emc-users] explanation of Linux/EMC

[Stuart Stevenson]

Dominic,
  Was the machine running when you received it? This will affect your
decision if you have to repair/purchase servos and/or drives. The more cost
to get the machine components in running condition will start to lean
toward a package purchase.
  With the GE550 control I assume the machine was built somewhere before
1980. It may have been made later than 1980 if the purchaser ordered the
550 control.
  As you are facing the machine do you see an approx 6 inch diameter
glass/plastic/metal cylinder on the left side about six feet from the
floor? If so, the spindle is a floating spindle for canned cycle drilling
and tapping. The air cylinder counterbalances the spindle and allows it to
drop until the tool touches the workpiece. The tool then retracts a small
amount, the drive engages and the canned cycle starts. It will take some
configuration to make this work in any system you purchase.
  Do the spindle adapters (tool holders) have what looks like many gear
teeth around the edge to drive the adapter? If so, the adapters will have a
roll pin in place of one tooth. The tool changer will hold the tool against
the spindle as the spindle rotates slowly until the roll pin falls into a
slot allowing the tool change arm to fully seat the tool adapter. As you
use larger drills and end mills the teeth will begin to break off the
adapters.
  I have never seen another machine with either of the above described
"features".

  I ran/programmed a VMC 75 with GE1050 control from 1980 until 1985.

HTH
Stuart


On Tue, May 10, 2022 at 1:03 PM Todd Zuercher  wrote:

> Linuxcnc is simply software, but it can interface with numerous hardware
> interfaces, such as from Mesa, Pico and others.  For example you might want
> to use some Mesa cards to interface with the old servo amps, motors, and
> encoders of your old system.  This is no small task.  If you want a more
> turnkey system including replacing all old servo systems something such a
> Centroid system may be simpler, but much, much more expensive.  But if you
> will be paying someone else to do the work it may be the better option.
>
> Todd Zuercher
> P. Graham Dunn Inc.
> 630 Henry Street
> Dalton, Ohio 44618
> Phone:  (330)828-2105ext. 2031
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Dominic Francisco 
> Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 1:43 PM
> To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) 
> Subject: [Emc-users] explanation of Linux/EMC
>
> [EXTERNAL EMAIL] Be sure links are safe.
>
> Boun Giorno to the Cognoscenti:
> Our non-profit, veteransinitiatives.org nee 'VITAL', is a 501, C-19,
> whose members compose a mouthy collection of gun-totin', somewhat
> irreverent (somewhat?) reprobates who have defended our priceless Nation.
> We are composed of machinists, chemists, mechanics, patternmakers,
> electroplaters, welders & 1 metallurgist (you never want more than 1 of
> them in your rabble!)
> Our mission is to
> teach the elements of mfg technology to our most deserving citizen, our
> DisAbled American Veteran (DAV) & our ambulatory Paralyzed Veteran (PVA),
> so they may obtain career employment in our Nation's mfg sector. this is a
> 'thinly-veiled program' to save lives; that is, the lives of MilVets who
> have returned from the 'killing fields'.
> For the last 4 years we have been moving machinery (~35 tons) from our
> shop in CA, to the primitive, eastern territory of Nevada; this is mining
> country: Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, Rh, W 
> We have several machines we wish to convert to 4-axis NC. one of these
> monsters is a Monarch 75 VMC, equipped with ~100 lb servos. we have removed
> the GE-550 'refrigerator'.
> Could your 'cognoscenti' explain the process of adapting the Linux/EMC
> to our machines? is this system a NC controller, does it resemble the
> contemporary NC controllers such as the Pico, Centroid, Mesa & MACH-3
> systems? does it contain similar hardware: encoders, tachos, amps, A/D, D/A
> converters, zero-crossing detectors & a motherboard?
>   Or does it consist only of software?
>
> Please be as specific as you might,with your recommendations.
>
>  May our Lord protect our valiant warriors,
> dominic francisco
> df.milv...@gmail.com veteransinitiatives.org
>
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Re: [Emc-users] explanation of Linux/EMC

[Todd Zuercher]

Linuxcnc is simply software, but it can interface with numerous hardware 
interfaces, such as from Mesa, Pico and others.  For example you might want to 
use some Mesa cards to interface with the old servo amps, motors, and encoders 
of your old system.  This is no small task.  If you want a more turnkey system 
including replacing all old servo systems something such a Centroid system may 
be simpler, but much, much more expensive.  But if you will be paying someone 
else to do the work it may be the better option.

Todd Zuercher
P. Graham Dunn Inc.
630 Henry Street 
Dalton, Ohio 44618
Phone:  (330)828-2105ext. 2031

-Original Message-
From: Dominic Francisco  
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 1:43 PM
To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) 
Subject: [Emc-users] explanation of Linux/EMC

[EXTERNAL EMAIL] Be sure links are safe.

Boun Giorno to the Cognoscenti:
Our non-profit, veteransinitiatives.org nee 'VITAL', is a 501, C-19, whose 
members compose a mouthy collection of gun-totin', somewhat irreverent 
(somewhat?) reprobates who have defended our priceless Nation.
We are composed of machinists, chemists, mechanics, patternmakers, 
electroplaters, welders & 1 metallurgist (you never want more than 1 of them in 
your rabble!)
Our mission is to teach the 
elements of mfg technology to our most deserving citizen, our DisAbled American 
Veteran (DAV) & our ambulatory Paralyzed Veteran (PVA), so they may obtain 
career employment in our Nation's mfg sector. this is a 'thinly-veiled program' 
to save lives; that is, the lives of MilVets who have returned from the 
'killing fields'.
For the last 4 years we have been moving machinery (~35 tons) from our shop 
in CA, to the primitive, eastern territory of Nevada; this is mining
country: Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, Rh, W 
We have several machines we wish to convert to 4-axis NC. one of these 
monsters is a Monarch 75 VMC, equipped with ~100 lb servos. we have removed the 
GE-550 'refrigerator'.
Could your 'cognoscenti' explain the process of adapting the Linux/EMC to 
our machines? is this system a NC controller, does it resemble the contemporary 
NC controllers such as the Pico, Centroid, Mesa & MACH-3 systems? does it 
contain similar hardware: encoders, tachos, amps, A/D, D/A converters, 
zero-crossing detectors & a motherboard?
  Or does it consist only of software?

Please be as specific as you might,with your recommendations.

 May our Lord protect our valiant warriors,
dominic francisco 
df.milv...@gmail.com veteransinitiatives.org

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[Emc-users] explanation of Linux/EMC

[Dominic Francisco]

Boun Giorno to the Cognoscenti:
Our non-profit, veteransinitiatives.org nee 'VITAL', is a 501, C-19,
whose members compose a mouthy collection of gun-totin', somewhat
irreverent (somewhat?) reprobates who have defended our priceless Nation.
We are composed of machinists, chemists, mechanics, patternmakers,
electroplaters, welders & 1 metallurgist (you never want more than 1 of
them in your rabble!)
Our mission is to teach
the elements of mfg technology to our most deserving citizen, our DisAbled
American Veteran (DAV) & our ambulatory Paralyzed Veteran (PVA), so they
may obtain career employment in our Nation's mfg sector. this is a
'thinly-veiled program' to save lives; that is, the lives of MilVets who
have returned from the 'killing fields'.
For the last 4 years we have been moving machinery (~35 tons) from our
shop in CA, to the primitive, eastern territory of Nevada; this is mining
country: Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, Rh, W 
We have several machines we wish to convert to 4-axis NC. one of these
monsters is a Monarch 75 VMC, equipped with ~100 lb servos. we have removed
the GE-550 'refrigerator'.
Could your 'cognoscenti' explain the process of adapting the Linux/EMC
to our machines? is this system a NC controller, does it resemble the
contemporary NC controllers such as the Pico, Centroid, Mesa & MACH-3
systems? does it contain similar hardware: encoders, tachos, amps, A/D, D/A
converters, zero-crossing detectors & a motherboard?
  Or does it consist only of software?

Please be as specific as you might,with your recommendations.

 May our Lord protect our valiant warriors,
dominic francisco
df.milv...@gmail.com
veteransinitiatives.org

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Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: A bit OT: Looking for pinout for a Chinese Scale reader head

[Mark Wendt]

On Tue, May 10, 2022 at 10:20 AM gene heskett  wrote:

> On Tuesday, 10 May 2022 08:49:57 EDT Mark Wendt wrote:
> [...]
> > Gene,
> >
> > If you'd seen the really cheesy cable connector that goes into the old
> > style Chinese scales, the mini USB connector it a vast improvement.
> > The nice thing about the cable into the scales is they rarely get
> > disconnected so once in place, there's virtually no wear and tear on
> > the connectors.
> >
> > Mark
>
> Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about data connectors on consumer
> grade cameras even if they do cost in the $400 range.
>
> That said, if you ever find a cable that plugs a $30 caliper into a usb
> port, I wouldn't mind seeing the url for it. I've a short one I'd like to
> fix to the barrel of my Sheldon's tailstock. It would make a nice
> calibrator for the z axis on my 6040 too.
>
> Take care & stay well.
>
> Cheers, Gene Heskett.
>

It's just a mini USB cable bought at a local computer shop.  I don't think
they make the old style cables any more with the four sprung strips, and it
seems the new Chinese scales come with the minu USB port.

Mark

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Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: A bit OT: Looking for pinout for a Chinese Scale reader head

[gene heskett]

On Tuesday, 10 May 2022 08:49:57 EDT Mark Wendt wrote:
[...] 
> Gene,
> 
> If you'd seen the really cheesy cable connector that goes into the old
> style Chinese scales, the mini USB connector it a vast improvement. 
> The nice thing about the cable into the scales is they rarely get
> disconnected so once in place, there's virtually no wear and tear on
> the connectors.
> 
> Mark

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about data connectors on consumer 
grade cameras even if they do cost in the $400 range.
 
That said, if you ever find a cable that plugs a $30 caliper into a usb 
port, I wouldn't mind seeing the url for it. I've a short one I'd like to 
fix to the barrel of my Sheldon's tailstock. It would make a nice 
calibrator for the z axis on my 6040 too.

Take care & stay well.

Cheers, Gene Heskett.
-- 
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author, 1940)
If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable.
 - Louis D. Brandeis





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Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: A bit OT: Looking for pinout for a Chinese Scale reader head

[Mark Wendt]

On Tue, May 10, 2022 at 8:28 AM gene heskett  wrote:

>
> > No worries.  The DRO puts out 1.5VDC through the Vpos and Vneg lines.
> > I'm not plugging the scale into a PC or anything like that.  The scale
> > is plugged into the DRO-350.  All I'm trying to do is cobble a cable to
> > go from the DRO to new scale which has the mini USB connector on it
> > rather than the old four strip connector in it.  I'm figuring the mini
> > USB will probably be a much better connection than the old one could
> > ever be.
> >
> > Mark
>
> Thats debatable Mark. I have an older Nikon D-100 Coolpix camera with one
> of the many variations of the mini-usb socket, and discovered quite early
> in its history that If I wanted to get pix out of it with digikam, that
> it had to be standing on the face of its lens with the data cable hanging
> straight down off the edge of the desktop if I wanted a connection.
>
> Cheers, Gene Heskett.
>

Gene,

If you'd seen the really cheesy cable connector that goes into the old
style Chinese scales, the mini USB connector it a vast improvement.  The
nice thing about the cable into the scales is they rarely get disconnected
so once in place, there's virtually no wear and tear on the connectors.

Mark

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Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: A bit OT: Looking for pinout for a Chinese Scale reader head

[gene heskett]

On Tuesday, 10 May 2022 04:56:40 EDT Mark wrote:
> On 5/9/22 05:38, andy pugh wrote:
> > In the application you describe I would rather expect the USB to act
> > as a battery replacement. Though USB is 5V and the reader heads use a
> > 1.5V battery, so this might be a dangerous assumption.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > The scales can be powered through the data cable.  This would be
> > useful in many fixed installations.
> > 
> > However, they do not like 5V. I experimented and things went wrong
> > (no
> > smoke, but all LCD elements turned on) at 2.1V.
> > 
> > So, don't plug the USB into a USB socket without doing some careful
> > tests with a current-limited variable power supply first.
> > 
> > This probably isn't relevant to this query, but there are
> > 3D-printable
> > connector designs: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2477494 as an
> > example.
> > 
> > In a bit of a coincidence, CTC just spammed me with an email
> > informing
> > me that they have 50% off digital scales, code DS2022
> > 
> > https://www.ctctools.biz/digital-scales-dro/
> 
> No worries.  The DRO puts out 1.5VDC through the Vpos and Vneg lines. 
> I'm not plugging the scale into a PC or anything like that.  The scale
> is plugged into the DRO-350.  All I'm trying to do is cobble a cable to
> go from the DRO to new scale which has the mini USB connector on it
> rather than the old four strip connector in it.  I'm figuring the mini
> USB will probably be a much better connection than the old one could
> ever be.
> 
> Mark
 
Thats debatable Mark. I have an older Nikon D-100 Coolpix camera with one 
of the many variations of the mini-usb socket, and discovered quite early 
in its history that If I wanted to get pix out of it with digikam, that 
it had to be standing on the face of its lens with the data cable hanging 
straight down off the edge of the desktop if I wanted a connection.

Cheers, Gene Heskett.
-- 
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author, 1940)
If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable.
 - Louis D. Brandeis





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Re: [Emc-users] If you are looking for a cheap mini PC for LinuxCNC in the UK

[Rob C]

Thanks Les, much appreciated for the headsup
Rob

On Tue, 10 May 2022 at 09:44, Les Newell  wrote:

> I just spotted these on eBay 
>
> I've always been a fan of Wyse thin clients and this model works really
> well with LinuxCNC and Mesa Ethernet cards. I use one on my lathe. At
> £19 I'm guessing they'll probably sell out soon.
>
> Les
>
>
>
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Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: A bit OT: Looking for pinout for a Chinese Scale reader head

[Mark]

On 5/9/22 05:38, andy pugh wrote:

In the application you describe I would rather expect the USB to act
as a battery replacement. Though USB is 5V and the reader heads use a
1.5V battery, so this might be a dangerous assumption.



The scales can be powered through the data cable.  This would be
useful in many fixed installations.

However, they do not like 5V. I experimented and things went wrong (no
smoke, but all LCD elements turned on) at 2.1V.

So, don't plug the USB into a USB socket without doing some careful
tests with a current-limited variable power supply first.

This probably isn't relevant to this query, but there are 3D-printable
connector designs: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2477494 as an
example.

In a bit of a coincidence, CTC just spammed me with an email informing
me that they have 50% off digital scales, code DS2022

https://www.ctctools.biz/digital-scales-dro/


No worries.  The DRO puts out 1.5VDC through the Vpos and Vneg lines.  
I'm not plugging the scale into a PC or anything like that.  The scale 
is plugged into the DRO-350.  All I'm trying to do is cobble a cable to 
go from the DRO to new scale which has the mini USB connector on it 
rather than the old four strip connector in it.  I'm figuring the mini 
USB will probably be a much better connection than the old one could 
ever be.


Mark



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[Emc-users] If you are looking for a cheap mini PC for LinuxCNC in the UK

[Les Newell]

I just spotted these on eBay 

I've always been a fan of Wyse thin clients and this model works really 
well with LinuxCNC and Mesa Ethernet cards. I use one on my lathe. At 
£19 I'm guessing they'll probably sell out soon.


Les



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