Toolchanger error debug

Hi new to linux I couldn't copy the debug screen 
IM getting an error could someone tell me how to sort out or point me in the right direction or have a working boxford 160 tlc file that would be much appreciated 

 

The HAL component 'toolchanger' can't be found.

Did you add it?

Hi thanks for replying
yes I have added it I believe

this is the ,  hal

im new to this and linux

NOTE - if you're really new at this, some or most of the below isn't going to make much sense.  It will... eventually.

the "toolchanger" referred to in the hal file is a non-standard component.  That's why linuxcnc couldn't find it - it's not included in the standard hal components library.  You must manually add it using halcompile.

This is where the component is:
wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Contri...oolchanger_component

Having said that, I'm pretty sure you've go no idea how hal works, or what a 'component' is, or what halcompile is/means.

Here's an analogy.  It's not great, but it should get the point across:

You want a house.  Instead of designing & building one from scratch, you borrowed plans from someone else.  You give the plans to your contractor, and he says "I can't build that house."  You ask him "Why not?  There's all this lumber around, some bricks, a pile of tools - what's wrong?"

Contractor says "I don't have a post hole digger.  Your house plans require a post hole digger, and you didn't give me one."

the 'toolchanger' thing is the equivalent of that missing post hole digger.

LinuxCNC uses a "HAL" file to determine what physical stuff is connected to other physical stuff (wires, outputs, inputs).  It can also connect physical and non-physical (virtual) functions together, and define how those connections behave.  It's just a text file with instructions to LCNC.

It also has some other functions (quite a few) which determine what those connections do.   These are called 'components' and the files look like "xyz.comp" or "1234.comp".

Those components are the equivalent of the contractor's tools.  He can have all the lumber & nails in the world, but you still need a hammer and saw to build the house.

If you're still reading this you're asking "what now?"  And like LinuxCNC itself, there are about a million valid answers.

Simple answer: download the toolchanger.comp file from the link above, figure out how to run halcompile, and install toolchanger.comp.  LinuxCNC should start right up after that with no error.

Less helpful answer, but probably better for you in the long-run: open the LCNC online manual and navigate to the HAL section.  Start reading at the introduction and try to digest as much as you can.  Skip around if you need to, and take breaks.  It will, I promise, eventually sink in.  But you kind of need to have a decent understanding of HAL to move forward.

Unfortunately, I can't just give you some lines to paste in to a terminal window that will make the problem go away.  Other people here probably can - I know what the problem is, but I don't know enough to spit out a quick solution.

The command will be something like 'sudo halcompile --install toolchanger.comp'  but I don't know if you have 'halcompile' installed on your computer.

But at least I can maybe help with an explanation so you get some context.  That way when/if someone else hands you a solution to this particular problem you kinda know whats happening when you cut-paste some jibberish in to a terminal.

Thanks for the response
How do you find list to download  and what works and what doesn't. 
Just trying to get this thing going.
I've had sitting round for months. 
Not sure what I'm downloading. No idea how to uninstall too..  

still none the wiser..
how do i intstall the tool changer component could someone tell me what to write in terminal thanks in advanced

no i don't think i have or how to.. could you explain how to install please
cheers mike

Do you have a toolchanger on your lathe?

If you don't there are other ways to get LCNC installed and happy.

And if you do have a tool changer, ther are also ways to get it working without using that particular toolchanger component.

Hi
yes it has the tool changer.
I have downloaded the example
Sudo comp install toolchenger.. does nothing
Haven't plugged the computer into lathe as want to sort this side of things.. its getting frustrating now
Regards mike