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Hi rodw,

SheetCAM looks like it gets the nod. Many thanks.

It does have you start by scanning the plans on a (big) scanner and into an image file (.JPG, etc.). For that, maybe I can buy time on a scanner. I do own the plans and the scan would only be for my use.

On top of buying time on a cutting machine maybe I can get my boat realized (and keeping me busy) without actually having a CNC machine.

To reiterate my very first post: I have a fair amount of *nix/device driver and kernel experience and if a need comes up let me know how I might help.

Thanks,
Tom

That was "a" problem but not "the" problem. I changed HOME_SEQUENCE to 1 and the behavior remains the same. I commented out all the other HOME_* parameters and still no change. There is still something else I'm missing.

The homecomp.comp file talks about joint._.request-custom-homing as selecting the custom homing process, and the joint.0.request-cia402-homing pin is net'ed to the x-home-request in your cia402_homecomp.comp, but does not get set from Home All, even when HOME_SEQUENCE is positive non-zero.

I tried to attach my files to the last post, but they seem to have vanished.  Here is another attempt.
 

Okay so I have the basics working and now I want to get my toolsetter doing what I need.
It is hooked up and in QT dragon I have my positions setup so it will go to the toolsetter location. Then I can do the touch plate op and it hits the sensor and backs off properly.
From what I can tell it sets it based on the workpiece height and or tool sensor height parameters in the offsets tab which is not what I want.
I just ordered an ATC spindle so very soon I will be setting it up with multiple tools in toolholders with saved tool offsets so I can set them when I change a tool and then just have it pull the tools with the saved offsets.

For the moment though my first priority is to be able to put in a cutter, set it's offset with the tool setter, zero z to my part. Then if I break a cutter or want a different tool for the next op to be able to change the tool, set height, and have that offset to the new tool is at the right height for the next op.

Then a secondary goal would be to be able to change tools manually in multi tool setups.
So basically wanting something like Gcode calls next tool, machine goes to XYZ where I manually change the tool, then machine goes and touches off the toolsetter. Then goes back to machining the next op.

Is there a good guide for doing this? I searched a bit and didn't find anything that looked super helpful.

TomAlborough wrote:

Maybe so, maybe so.

But part of me wants to use a Pi 5 for *something*.
 

You can only accomplish your object in life by complete disregard of the opinions of other people.
Aleister Crowley

Have a look at Sheetcam for all of  your CAM, nesting and scanning with its scananything addon.

I have the same question is this available?

Maybe so, maybe so.

But part of me wants to use a Pi 5 for *something*.

It would take the pleasure out of building and just turn it into a very tedious task.

I'm not sure I could make an image/picture that was not materially distorted but I will look into ways to do it.

I would like to run an option past you:

-- Tape the plans to the bed of the rig.

-- Replace the cutter/lens with a stylus.

-- I just saw a "CAM USB camera" online that gives you a view of the exact place where the (stylus) hovers over the plans. (I can not find it online right now...)

-- Then:

    -- Jog the steppers with a joystick to place the stylus over the "start" of the tracing

    -- Touch a button on the joystick to register the current location on the plans/bed

    -- Jog the steppers again to get to another point on the plans and press the button

Observations:

  -- Straight lines would be easy; curves would require help digitizing gracefully, but I have some thoughts

  -- The file of points would have to processed into a file of "cuts".

  -- Plans involving multiple parts would have to be digitized a part at a time. The parts would then need to be laid out on (a 4 x 8 sheet of stock say).

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Tom
  ​​​​

Just looking at homing.c source and it has a reminder in a comment.
                   // docs: 'If HOME_SEQUENCE is not specified then this joint
                   //        will not be homed by the HOME ALL sequence'
Do you have a home_sequence set for all joints?

 

Much respect for the traditional way but I would like to come up with a 21'st century option. Digitizing from the image sounds good. I'll look into it.

Thanks,
Tom

I can confirm that it misbehaves if I change my location to SK.

I will look into it further.
 

I had this happen recently and what I discovered is that I had previously removed some packages at the OS level. APT indicated they were no longer used, so I removed them against good judgement.

Once I re-installed them my pendant started working properly.

Thank you it was a fault reply but nice info. I am also thinking about getting some other scales. I think its much faster and a lot more streamlined for my retrofit.

I’d look for a CAD package that lets you import an image and “trace” it. Bear in mind that the time it takes you to do that it maybe just as quick to cut the various members the traditional way.