Mesa 5i25+7i77 plug-n-go configuration

Thanks Chris;

I'm thinking along the same lines - just get XYZ running and worry about the rest later. My plan is to use the knee for tool length offsets. I haven't got a servo on the knee yet, nor am I ready to mount the spindle encoder. Just need to get it running.

The computer is a 7X8X12 ITX box ...

www.arktechinc.com/pi01/pi01.htm

... which will be mounted to the door of the cabinet. The ability to put the daughter card near the incoming I/O lines will make this an easy build.

Doug

Also for hand configuration:
halcmd show pin >mypinlist
and
halcmd show param >myparmlist
and using mypinlist and myparmlist
as source files for cut/pasteing into a hal file
are a big help with long pin and parameter names

I just ordered the 5i25/7i77/cable kit so I have about a week to read the manuals. So far I'm encouraged. The 7i77 should cut my wiring time in half. That alone justifies the expense for me.

Thanks

cmorley wrote:

As for using PNCconf.
First you must use the buildbot version of linuxcnc - it has the latest bug fixes - which is required to use PNCconf on the 5i25.
also you must add the firmware descriptions manually - not a big deal - see here:http://www.linuxcnc.org/index.php/english/component/kunena/?func=view&catid=39&id=20043

The link for www.linux.cnc.org/... catid+39&id=20043 is not working for me? Other links do work. I searched the forum with just the term 20043 and couldn't find it either? Is it still pertinent to this discussion?

I receive an error: Invalid post ID was requested??

thanks,
Mark

I asked Peter at Mesa these questions a few days ago but so far no reply.
Maybe better to ask here anyway.

I will be attempting to learn about the various software to drive this mill whilst a long way away from it and so I will have no access to the machine hardware.

The manual states that :
"The isolated field I/O on the 7I77 runs from a switching power supply that can be
powered by field power or a separate supply (VIN) with ground common with field power.
Normally the 7I77 field I/O logic will be powered with field power and an on card jumper,
W1 allows VIN to be connected to field power".

1) So would using +12v from the PC power supply be OK for VIN and field I/O logic?


2) Would it be possible to simulate input to an encoder input with, say, a HAL oscillator (output to an I/O and then wired to an encoder input)?

The analog servo output could presumably be monitored with HALscope/meter.

Yes PC 12V is fine for field I/O though you lose the benefit of isolation
(normally CNC machinery to be retrofitted already has a 12V or 24V supply for this purpose)

Not sure why would you simulate an encoder input

Note: you must not connect anything but 5V signals to the 7I77 encoder
inputs, so field outputs are not suitable if you want to try a loopback experiment

The analog out is typically driven by the PID components output
which can be monitored with HALScope for tuning purposes

PCW, thanks for your reply.

As I said:
I will be attempting to learn about the various software to drive this mill whilst a long way away from it and so I will have no access to the machine hardware.

Hence the desire to simulate an encoder etc.

The encoder input spec says Common Mode Range -7 to +12V. Absolute voltage is not specified so I just assumed 12V was OK.
Now I know it will not do it I can make up a voltage divider for loopback.

andypugh,
thanks, that sounds like what I was thinking.
I'll see if I can get it to work for me when I get into learning HAL.