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EDIT 2024-01-28: Brevity for clarity

This is a plea for an x86 Mac owner with Parallels to make a fresh LinuxCNC VM available for testing x86 emulation in Parallels on an M-series "Apple Silicon" Mac.

Below is the original text of the question:

RE: kb.parallels.com/130217

I already assume this will not be productive or useful for running a CNC machine; I just want to satisfy my curiosity.

Parallels 20.2 (pro edition) newly includes an x86 emulator, so the prepared ISO of LinuxCNC available here on linuxcnc.org should theoretically function. The catch is that the VM must have been created on an Intel Mac, which I no longer have. So, this is a plea for an x86 Mac user with Parallels to make a fresh VM available for the current version of Linuxcnc.

I have zero plans to use it for anything except learning more about Linux and LinuxCNC. My N100 mini-PC has one job, which is to run LinuxCNC and my CNC router (once I wrap my head around it better). I would prefer to tinker around in Linux at my actual desk, rather than being tethered to a CNC router. That's why I'd like to try running the VM; some degree of separation is safer.

I have already successfully created an ARM64 VM, installed PREEMPT-RT and LinuxCNC, and the results were uninspiring. It satisfied my curiosity, which was the point, but now I would like to explore using the x86 emulation feature and the LinuxCNC prepared x86 ISO. But without an Intel Mac, I can't create a VM to test it.

Alternatively, instructions for creating a Parallels 20.2-compatible LinuxCNC x86 VM on an Intel PC would also be helpful (I have an HP Z2 mini G5 i7 workstation PC). This article suggests it's not possible, but it was published before 20.2 was released with x86 emulation: kb.parallels.com/115305/. Maybe I don't even need the Intel Mac? IDK - that just seems like the shortest path.

Ok, I do have a Fusion 360 subscription that requires internet...

But I knew about that ahead of time as well as forced updates.  Eyes wide open on that one.

Here's my take on the situation...

I refused to get a Bambu until I could confirm the following:

• It will operate without internet.  I refuse to own anything that doesn't function unless connected to the internet.
  • I was less concerned about losing some features which require internet (Handy app, etc.), but basic printing must work
• It will operate with Orca (or other slider)
  • Stop-start prints from local network PC
  • Adjust some settings (AMS, etc.)

Once I figured out Bambu's LAN mode and Orca's plug-in worked as I required, I got an X1.  I can use it, and my warranty - for what it's worth - was still valid. 

The new lockdown-firmware doesn't affect my existing printer.  It works just like it did, and I will never update the firmware - nor will it 'auto-update' as it's in LAN mode.  I don't get any updates or new features, but I don't care about those - so far, so good.

However, I am now reluctant to purchase another printer from Bambu.  To achieve what I want - that is, duplication of my existing printer - I would need to use 'Developer' mode.  I will not be able to downgrade my firmware to a pre-lockdown version to duplicate my existing printer's behavior.  I would have to use Developer mode and hope that Bambu's hasn't incorporated some sort of 'not-LAN-mode' backdoor in to the firmware.

And, as I understand it, Developer mode affects the warranty, or at least some support from Bambu.  Deal breaker for me?  Maybe not, as long as Orca still works and the thing generally behaves like my first one does.

My speculation about the uproar is that those users who wish to use the features provided by being in internet-connected mode are no longer able to do things the way they used to.  Bambu's update will break their workflow and arguably degrade the user experience.

I can understand irritation with this situation; feels like a bait-and-switch.  Like if your phone manufacturer pushed an update that required you to use some annoying process to use your phone without having an option to decline the update.  "We know you had when you bought the phone, but Wifi tethering is no longer available, sorry.  We did it for the children."

If you buy a new printer (with lock-down firmware) from Bambu you know what you're getting in to.  But I think the valid complaints are from existing owners who don't want the printers' behavior changed after they purchased them.

Marvellous, all present and correct now.
(I've a 7i92T)

Many thanks

Hi Grotius. I can also provide a non functional code. Works as it should with the standard tp with 2.9.3.

With scurve tp it jumps all over the place. 9axis sim machine or a self configured machine is no difference. Also your given 3axis mm machine with a added 4 axis is the same.

 

For a 7I77 and a 7I92:
7i92_7i77x2D.bit

For a 7I77 and a 7I92T:
7i92t_7i77x2d.bin

7I77 digital I/O pins will now appear without field power.
Sserial expansion card (like the 7I73 or 7I84) do not require specific
firmware.
 

@Hmnijp,

I can provide all the programs I used for the comparison, maybe it will help to fix the errors. 
Yes indeed.
Please provide the programs.

To be reviewed, fixed:
 

I really like this example:
 

I didn't load a firmware, because I couldn't see one that includes the 7i73 or one that seemed to be just for a 7i77.

I have 5 volts, but not field power.

pncconf sets up Mesa hardware stepgens correctly, no changes are needed unless
you want a non-standard step type. (pncconf defaults to step_type 0 = step/dir)

From the hostmot2 manual page:

      step_type (u32 r/w)
           Output format, like the step_type modparam to the software
           stepgen(9) component: 0 = Step/Dir, 1 = Up/Down, 2 = Quadrature, 3+
           = table-lookup mode.

Do you have 7I77 firmware loaded in the 7I92?

Does the 7I77 have 5V and field power?

I'm in the process of getting EMC2 AXIS working for a lathe.

• I'm using an open loop step and direction type stepper for the Z axis
• I'm using a step and direction type servo with integrated encoder for the X axis
• I'm using a 7i96s to drive the stepper and servo
• I have linear scales, however I'm not using them to close the loop because the factory lead screws have lots of backlash, so open loop for now.
  
  Both axis are moving as commanded, however probably not optimized.
  
  1) When I look in my CX706-R0.hal file I see some setp lines (for example line 115-124) that I suspect are not applicable and should probably be deleted for clarity but I'm not sure, because I'm not using a closed loop stepper for joint 1 (Z-axis) or perhaps these lines are needed but just the title "# ---closedloop stepper signals---" is confusing. Are these line needed?
  
  2) Line 61  setp   hm2_7i96s.0.stepgen.01.step_type        0
      My understanding is 0 = quadrature type , and I think this might supposed to be set to 1 for step and direction?
  
  3) Line 62  setp   hm2_7i96s.0.stepgen.01.control-type     1
      I"m not sure if this is correct,  first should this be position or velocity and is position 0 or 1?
  
  If you spot anything else that looks questionable in the HAL file please comment, I'm slowly getting up to speed but still have a lot of blanks in my understanding of how this all comes together.
  
  Thanks in advance to any responders.
  

A while ago, JT gave me these instructions to a get a full list of pins for the 7i95 I was using with a 7i83.

In a terminal
halrun
loadrt hostmot2

(for ethernet)
loadrt hm2_eth board_ip=10.10.10.10
In another terminal
halcmd show all hm2 > pins.txt
This listed items like :- hm2_7i95.0.7i83.0.1.analogena0
ie the two cards are named.

With my three new boards (7i92-7i77-7i73) connected up, apparently alive as lights are on each one, I only get a list of the 7i92 pins.
Have I broken something?

RPI5 needs the hm2_spix driver

I think I'm seeing the lag while attempting to tune the axis - ferror is oscillating between over and undershoot the whole time very fast. Not enough to feel it, but enough to hear it. I've been reducing P to try to compensate for it, but that's been pretty futile. I think the drive is lagging, so linuxcnc tells it to speed up, then it reports overshoot, linuxcnc tells it to slow way down, rinse and repeat. That or I have an encoder/servo problem, and I don't want to replace that ($$). I may try getting the servo info direct, but I'm not sure how.

Hi everybody, i all most consider my plasma finished and i try every setting i can think to see how quality items i can cut. 
I can't say that i am thrilled from the results until now, are you consider this a good cut?

Height 92mm Width 40mm 1.5mm mild plate
30A 5400mm/min