Gscreen - a GTK / Glade / Python based screen

andypugh wrote:

tjamscad wrote: LinuxCNC should be able to translate and function so I dont have to change programs everytime i need to load a program.

That would be nice, but may be harder than it sounds.
The problem is how LinuxCNC is meant to work out what particular G-code dialect is being used, purely from the G-code.
There is work under-way to allow pluggable interpreters, so it should be possible in the future to swap the RS274NGC interpreter for a Fadal interpreter.
But that will still not work if you feed it Fanuc G-code.

G40 in RS274NGC is "cancel cutter radius compensation" and M01 is "optional pause."
What is that E01 expected to do in that line of G-code on a Fadal machine? I don't see a G-code to use it.

The programer of the file said in this case E01 can be replaced by G54. How ever this is silly in my opinion. Maybe this can be added to the LinuxCNC3 list? If I want to run a program on a Haas, Toyoda, Fadal, Cincitti, Viper, or LinuxCNC converted machine I should be able to. Currently I can't but LinuxCNC would be more apealing if it could decide between them.

BigJohnT wrote: Sounds like a good job for you to write translators for other G code to LinucCNC.

John

Was that directed at me?

tjamscad wrote:

BigJohnT wrote: Sounds like a good job for you to write translators for other G code to LinucCNC.

John

Was that directed at me?

Aye.

andypugh wrote:

tjamscad wrote: LinuxCNC should be able to translate and function so I dont have to change programs everytime i need to load a program.

That would be nice, but may be harder than it sounds.
The problem is how LinuxCNC is meant to work out what particular G-code dialect is being used, purely from the G-code.
There is work under-way to allow pluggable interpreters, so it should be possible in the future to swap the RS274NGC interpreter for a Fadal interpreter.
But that will still not work if you feed it Fanuc G-code.

That is a common problem in shops that uses many different controls and use the special features of them.
Things you could do:

You stick to the generic-between-controls Gcodes
It you use CAD/CAM you build a post processor for each machine.
If it's simple substitution - Linxcnc can run a filter program before running the Gcode. (Someone would need to write this)
use linuxcnc's 'remap' capability to change linuxcnc to understand different dialects ( at the moment you can't change arbitrary Gcode -only a small subset)

Chris M

tjamscad wrote: The programer of the file said in this case E01 can be replaced by G54. How ever this is silly in my opinion. Maybe this can be added to the LinuxCNC3 list? If I want to run a program on a Haas, Toyoda, Fadal, Cincitti, Viper, or LinuxCNC converted machine I should be able to.

The computer knows less than you do, considerably less in many cases.
How does the interpreter tell that that E01 really means G54?
E-words are not even seen as commands by the current interpreter, they are command arguments.

Surely it would make more sense to modify the Fadal machine to use a more standard version of G-code? As far as I know G54 always means the same thing.

andypugh wrote:

tjamscad wrote: The programer of the file said in this case E01 can be replaced by G54. How ever this is silly in my opinion. Maybe this can be added to the LinuxCNC3 list? If I want to run a program on a Haas, Toyoda, Fadal, Cincitti, Viper, or LinuxCNC converted machine I should be able to.

The computer knows less than you do, considerably less in many cases.
How does the interpreter tell that that E01 really means G54?
E-words are not even seen as commands by the current interpreter, they are command arguments.

Surely it would make more sense to modify the Fadal machine to use a more standard version of G-code? As far as I know G54 always means the same thing.

I agree with you it would be easier to only use a straight gcode setup for programs. I unfortaunly dont have that kind of authority. It seems like the machinest have a hard enough time going to the veterian programers we have and getting something fixed that is just wrong. Right now I think Stuart is converting all the programs to run on LinuxCNC that were programed different.

cmorley wrote: If it's simple substitution - Linxcnc can run a filter program before running the Gcode. (Someone would need to write this)Chris M

It might really be that easy. Tell me where to start and I will see what I can do.

From the Fadal Programing manual:
These codes may be used for fixture offset locations E1 - E6. Specify a G54 code to
access fixture offset number 1, a G55 code for number 2, and up to a G59 code for
number 6. For fixture offsets after number 6, the E words must be used.
These codes are supported for compatibility and can be used in both format one and
two.


What does LinuxCNC do about pallet changers. We have 3 machines with pallet changers and they seem to have an almost unlimited number of offsets. But with the RS274NGC you only get 48 unless I'm wrong.

I'm Sorry to get so off track.

cmorley wrote: Why wouldn't a machine with an auto tool change asumme the tool at shutdown is still there?
I mean yes it's possible to take it out but that would be unusual to do without the rest of the machine running.

I would think it makes sense to assume the tool is the same on start up and if it isn't, the operator must issue the proper command to fix it. (which should be unusual)

and I can't understand why it would crash the tool if you issue a T5 if T5 is already there. waste of time maybe but why crash?
I could also see it get out of sequence if it's a random toolchanger.

For us the tool changer is an add-on, not made by the machine manufacturer. It's full of logic gates and relays, not a lot of smarts. The changer has an auto/manual switch, and no encoder on the carousel. The operator can switch it to manual at any time, then move the carousel without the software knowing about it. This is the normal process when loading tools for a program, so it happens that the software doesn't know where the carousel is.

For that reason the carousel homes itself when the changer is asked to do the first tool change after turn on, or if it was switched to manual prior to any change request. If there's a tool in the spindle and it needs to home the carousel it must put the tool into the carousel before homing, and it will crash if the carousel isn't positioned with an empty pocket to put that tool into. An encoder on the carousel, or bar codes, or RFID would fix all this. Yes there are lots of rules, but not too hard for operators to understand once they see how it works.

For us it doesn't help to save the tool number between boots, since the operator would usually defeat that when loading tools.

Karl

tjamscad wrote:

cmorley wrote: 1) 2) you switch coord. systems (you see the current system in the upper right, beside the tool number) then untoggle the system button It then stays in that system. Then you can do what ever you want. Of course if you run a program that sets the system to something else if will end up in that system. How does Fanuc controls allow the operator to select user systems in manual mode? Chris

2. I am not sure I have ever noticed them doing that. I will check and see normally the cordante system stays the same. i will double check tomorrow.

Chris,

I have talked to the shop superviosor and changeing the corrndant system of the machine is not something we do. We set a zero on the fixture and then change the tool offs-set for adjustments if needed.

tjamscad wrote:

tjamscad wrote:

cmorley wrote: 1) 2) you switch coord. systems (you see the current system in the upper right, beside the tool number) then untoggle the system button It then stays in that system. Then you can do what ever you want. Of course if you run a program that sets the system to something else if will end up in that system. How does Fanuc controls allow the operator to select user systems in manual mode? Chris

2. I am not sure I have ever noticed them doing that. I will check and see normally the cordante system stays the same. i will double check tomorrow.

Chris,

I have talked to the shop superviosor and changeing the corrndant system of the machine is not something we do. We set a zero on the fixture and then change the tool offs-set for adjustments if needed.

Well that seems odd as the program you just posted with E1 is G54, so I would assume that the program must change E1 to something else?
And if it does then how does the operator preset these offsets?

This is coordinate systems - looks like you call them fixture offsets - same thing.

Anyways that's why system button is there - if you don't use them that's ok.