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LinuxCNC 2.9.6 has been released.

This is a bug-fix release. Shortly after the release of 2.9.5 it was
noticed that a fix for a graphics bug in Gmoccapy had resulted in the
Axis touch-off dialog box no-longer working for non-zero entries.

This update is for all users, but especially users of the Axis GUI.

Packages for 2.9-uspace for amd64 (PC) for Debian Buster, Bullseye,
Bookworm and Trixie and for arm64 (Raspberry Pi 4/5) for Buster and
Bookworm have been added to the linuxcnc repository. If you installed
from one of our live images or Pi SD-card images then the update
should be available immediately.

If you installed into a normally-installed Debian from the Debian
repositories then hopefully the new version can be queued up for the
next point release. If you can’t wait then it is possible to add the
LinuxCNC repositories to the apt sources. One way to do this and
install the security keys is via the shell script here:
linuxcnc.org/docs/stable/html/getting-st...th_preempt_rt_kernel

At the moment the live-image installer and SD card images will install
2.9.4 but update should be trivial (and possibly automatic)

RTAI is still supported, but in the short term building from source is
likely to be the most expedient way to get 2.9.6 on that platform.

Changelog

qtvcp -Qt5_graphics: issue 2753; preview wrongly uses INI startup code
Merge pull request #3567 from Sigma1912/2_9-Correct_bad_fix_for_2753
Gremlin: Don’t use RS274NGC_STARTUP_CODE when updating the preview
Docs: Address G52 Circular Link #3565

Acknowledgements

As always, we couldn’t do this without the contributions from the
community, so many thanks to:

CMorley
Sigma1912

 

I am finding that

1. the stepper motors for the two spindles work as expected, however
2. the stepper motors for the axes (B, U, V, X, &, & Z) run at a VERY slow speed. 

The latency test on my Raspberry Pi 5 gave:

• Servo Thread
  • Max Interval = 1,013,089nS
  • Max Jitter = 13,089nS
• Base Thread
  • Max Interval = 46,407nS
  • Max Jitter = 24,074nS

I ran the Step Timing Calculator to set the BASE_PERIOD based on using StepperOnline DM542T drivers.

• Step Length = 2.5µS
• Step Space = 2.5µS
• Direction Setup = 5µS
• Direction Hold = 5µS

The recommended BASE_PERIOD = 26.57µS.

When I run LinuxCNC based on this configuration, the value for the parameter, hm2_yi92.0.stepgen.02.maxvel = 1.

Regardless, the stepper motor does NOT run at 1 rev / sec.

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Attached are the HAL, INI, and include files for

• Spindle0 (Spindle1 is the same)
• Axis X (axes Y, Z, B, U, & V are the same)

The X Axis is set as Joint 0, Channel 02.

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Help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you and kind regards,
Rich

Hi everyone,I’ve been working on a CNC project for a while and I’d like some advice before committing to hardware. Here’s my situation:

• I originally built a 3-axis CNC router running on GRBL (ESP32) + a custom PCB. I used that setup for a long time and gained good experience with it.
• Later, I decided to upgrade to 5-axis by adding A and C axes to the same GRBL-based system. While it functions, I quickly discovered a limitation: ESP32 GRBL doesn’t support TCP, so the machine can’t act as a proper 5-axis system.
• Because of this, I started looking into LinuxCNC. At first I wanted to use my Raspberry Pi 5, but I read that the Pi version of LinuxCNC can’t really handle full 5-axis control.
• I then tried installing LinuxCNC on an old laptop, but since it has no parallel port, I searched for hardware solutions that use Ethernet. That’s how I found Mesa boards.

From what I’ve gathered so far:

• The 7i76 series supports 5 axes and spindle control, but its encoder inputs are only for the spindle, not for axes.
• The 7i95 series seems more suitable because it supports encoder inputs for the axes as well. My thinking was that even though steppers usually work fine, it would be good to have encoder feedback to check for missed steps.

Where I’m at now:

• When testing LinuxCNC setup, I couldn’t find any 7i95 options in PNCconf, which left me confused.
• My current hardware: 2.2 Nm NEMA 23 steppers with DM556 drivers on all axes (6 motors total, since Y has dual rails).
• I don’t have encoders yet, I was waiting to see which types are actually supported by the mesa boards.
• As another option, I do have a couple of 400 W Delta B3 servos, but not enough to equip all axes. I’ve considered using them if steppers turn out too weak, but that would mean buying more servos.
• My main goal with encoders is simply to check for missed steps on the steppers.

My questions to the community:

1. Am I on the right track with the 7i95 + LinuxCNC setup for a 5-axis machine with encoder feedback?
2. Would you recommend a different Mesa board or configuration for this?
3. Are there any guides/resources for setting up a 4+ axis machine with Mesa boards and LinuxCNC?

Thanks in advance for any advice!Ozan T.