Would it be possible...............

Is there any chance that the BBB PRU driver from Machinekit could be port to Linuxcnc ?

I know there differences between MK and Linuxcnc, what they actually are seems to be a secret. But would anyone be willing to be a, say mentor (read someone to answer any questions). I'd like to get into the code a little bit more.

Cheers
Rob

I believe this was done once by Jeff Eppler for another developers project.
I think it was the beaglebone green IIRC
I don't remember if that included the PRU - but I would assume so.

You probably should ask on IRC or the mail list -Jeff doesn't follow the forum and is pretty sparse in IRC too.

Chris

Hi

Linuxcnc can be compiled for ARM ?

Except that i come from 2 year machinekit with BBB + furaday cape (i like to sell this parts lol) and i'm now with Rpi4 + Mesa ethernet the difference is impressive impossible for me to come back BBB except some problem with unuptaded MK for some cncstuff, the BBB is really too slow comparing to Rpi4 and i does not speak about the video unperformance.

I hope to nobody angry but for a material opinion, i suggest you to forget the BBB. for software i let you with your own opinion.

Br

Let's get ready for a good ol fashioned war....akin to Vim vs Emacs

Funny you should ask that considering you are using a Rpi 4........And Linucnc does have a BBB gpio driver....but haven't got around to trying to build yet. HIDComp compiled fine, I had to make an adjustment to one of the libs it linked against, but that really wasn't a huge issue, and that worked fine with MK on the BBB, even with the USB pendant I built using the LUFA USB Library.

I was previously running my 3 axis mill with my BBB. I designed a set 3 boards for I\O.....I managed to get 35 useful pins whilst keeping the HDMI. I have experience with it, I'm not part of the "Hipster\Maker" camp.
Honestly for the work I was doing I didn't have an issue with video. I liked the fact that the PRU was being used for step generation.

The reason I switched to a Linuxcnc & PC + MESA setup was that the Linuxcnc support is far greater and I wasn't really interested in the direction MK was heading.

I just have a little 3 axis router setup that rather than use GRBL I'd like to run "something proper" and have a little compact unit.

I also figured it'd be a good project for my son & I as he's doing a double degree at University in Physics & Mechatronics....... Yeah I am a little proud of the long haired Metal Head.

While it may not be up to the performance of an Rpi 4 neither is the RPi 4 up to the performance of a recent PC. The fact that both little boards can run a basic cnc machine is cool. But the the BBB can do it with a less expensive add on board.

Sorry i does not want to open a fashioned war lool

I have not take attention taht you are a Gold Boarder and some very experimenting user.

You are right i have some big hole in my memories some time you are off course right the Rpi 4 is also ARM, but for be honest at start i have understand that is impossible to use BBB with Linuxcnc and i does not investigate more and mix some misunderstanding, i appologize .

And yes you also right PRU encoder/step work very fine with BBB, the most problem is for me to be not satisfied with availbale GUI (especially with a lathe) and miss many cnc improvement from Linuxcnc like external offset.

I know Rpi is nothing compared to a real PC but i want to keep a compact setup with some good performance for user GUI experience and i'm really happy with this Rpi4.

I have at first ordered a BB AI but too much difficult for me to create the needed driver (need also to sell this board )

Very good project to work with your son, mine is too early for now and my more early daughter is more curious about my hobby.

You're ok mate.

Once I get the BBB out I'll see if I can do a simple build of Linuxcnc. may have to give it a day or 2.

Anyways I have a soft spot for Beagles.....mine is curled up in a ball having Puppy Dreams.

Honestly.....

Linuxcnc is a better all round project, IMHO.
Plus I tend like doing things the hard way. Like my GSXR powered Rola Door. My she rest in pieces.

Yep, couple of weeks ago I modified the Debian packaging to have the HTML docs go into a separate package. That’s what I include in the Mint respins.
I was under the impression the MK guys changed the some parts of how the various components communicate. Not having delved much into the code far I wasn’t sure what would work and what wouldn’t.
If I could just find the little thing now....