Fast Hole EDM from Hacked Parts

PCW,

Okay, I am trying to start with 2.9.3 but am having some trouble, is this just done through the terminal? Do you happen to know the commands to do it? Do I need to find 2.9.3 and install the package on my machine first? 

If it is not too much trouble I could go straight to 2.10.  But I have found zero info on how to do that..

I am running bookworm.  I know that I tried to download whatever was best and most recommended when I set this machine up. 

Thank you.

Best,
-Dylan

There's some generic information here:

linuxcnc.org/docs/html/getting-started/u...e_to_the_new_version

But it might be better to just ask here on the forum with an appropriate topic, like
 "How do I update LinuxCNC to the latest"

etc



 

PCW, 

I was about to post a reply.  But I did so in a new thread per your suggestion  www.forum.linuxcnc.org/38-general-linuxc...-do-i-update-to-2-10

Best,
-Dylan

Hi PCW,

I was able to get 2.10 installed which I have posted about on the other post.  The output of periodm pins is as follows (just copied and pasted and I tried to clean up some):

    38  u32   I/O            0x00000001     hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.averages
    38  float OUT               59.1607       hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.duty_cycle
    38  float IN                      0               hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.duty_cycle_offset
    38  float IN                    100             hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.duty_cycle_scale
    38  float IN                      1               hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.filtertc_us
    38  float OUT              102354.1      hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.frequency
    38  bit   OUT                  TRUE        hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.input_status
    38  bit   I/O                 FALSE           hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.invert
    38  float IN                      1               hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.minimum_frequency
    38  float OUT                  9.77          hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.period_us
    38  bit   OUT                  TRUE        hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.valid
    38  float OUT                  5.78          hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.width_us

I think the pin I am looking for is 'hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.duty_cycle'.  This should let me read the duty cycle of the input PWM cycle into pin 29 (which is actually TB2 Pin 13,14 as the naming convention is not complex enough here...).  Do you agree with the assessment? 

Best,
-Dylan

Here is an update.  I have plugged the positive from my EDM power supply into pin 13 TB2 and the negative into pin 14 TB2 on the Mesa. I then evaluated pin hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.duty_cycle using hal meter. The number is jumping around like crazy. It got a little better when I remembered to change the jumpers to TTL. Now it fluctuates only on the low end.  

I have tried shielded cable. I have tried a RC filter with a .1 uF capacitor and a 3.3 kOhm resistor.  I tried switching the red and black cables around.  I tried tying the black to ground.  The signal becomes 0 if either the red or black wire is removed from the mesa pin 13,14.  But I cannot get a signal that makes sense.  The signal jumps around even when the EDM supply is turned off and remains unchanged even when the EDM is cutting. 

I currently think that maybe the problem lies in the sampling rate.  Or perhaps it has something to do with the pin.  I think the issue is in the Linux side but I could be wrong.  I will try using the oscilloscope more tomorrow.  

If anyone has ideas please let me know.

Best,
-Dylan

Another update.  It seemed that I didn't have the Mesa tied to ground properly.  It is now tied to earth ground (I also tied the shielding into earth ground). The jittering all went away and now the 'hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.duty_cycle' is sitting at 0 even when the EDM is running.  Anyone have any ideas? 

Is 'hm2_7i96s.0.periodm.00.duty_cycle' the correct pin?