6 axis robot project

happytriger2000 wrote:

Hi all,
I think this is my very 1st post in LinuxCNC. I joined this group for only 1 reason: 6 axis Robot control. I was and still a Mach3 user, I was told EMC2 is a better controller for 6 axis robot so I'm here to gather some nfo. related to 6 axis robot.
I have a Desktop Mitsubishi Movemaster with 6 Gecko DC servo Driver, and a software that allows to output Robot language of certain Robot brands, and I'm most interested in the EMC post for this software, Does anyone have any info on EMC2 post processor or where to get it?,

LinuxCNC (as we are now calling ourselves) controls robots using standard G-code.
Unlike some robot control systems you control the "tool point" in XYZABC cartesian space, and the calculation of the joint positions needed to achieve that motion is handled by a kinematics module.

If you boot the LinuxCNC LiveCD you can experiment with the "Puma" demo configs to get a feel for how it works. These have an onscreen simulation of the robot so can be run without hardware.

When you start the demo you will be in "Joint" mode and can jog each joint individually. When you switch to "world" mode (from the menu, or use the $ key) you will see that the display changes to XYZABC coordinates, and the tool-point moves in cartesian space.

happytriger2000 wrote:

I will start by assembling the controller box 1st, currently I have a Pico-System USC this board supports 4 axis only so I would need another board for 2 more axis, therefore I need 2 parallel PCI card installed in the computer, correct?,

I am not sure. There may be an expansion card.
Jon (from Pico) is active on these forums, but you probably want to ask in the Driver Boards section to make sure he sees it:
www.linuxcnc.org/index.php/english/forum/27-driver-boards

However…

You say that the robot has DC servos, are you sure that a stepper controller can move the motors?