Advanced Search

I'd add a step to move the axis over the travel range and compare the stepgen distance to that reported by the encoder. This can catch encoder misalignment.

Next run a collection gcode script and plot stepgen vs encoder (both directions). This can confirm your encoder alignment and measure backlash over the travel range. If you see weird things in the plots figure them out (before enabling encoder feedback which can complicate funding problems) weird things can include periodic wiggles from bent or misaligned shafts, different slopes from the encoder both parallel to motion, excessive backlash from loose bearings, etc

Encoders can be great especially for faulting before scrapping a part, but they should be carefully verified.

Regarding the brake...

You can buy add-on brakes that work the the Clearpath from Automation 4 Less.  They are specifically designed for Nema23 and Nema34 stepper/servo frame sizes with 3/8" and 1/2" motor shaft sizes.

They essentially go between the servo and the existing mount, and are powered with 24vdc.  When the power is off, a heavy spring engages the brake.  When powered on, an electromagnet releases the brake.

They are not cheap, but neither are they extremely expensive.  Very easy to install, but will require another cable (two wires) to be run through the gantry to the brake, as well as a 24vdc power source and a relay to control the brake on/off. One of the Mesa outputs can be used to trigger the relay with LinuxCNC's "Machine-On" output signal.

www.automation4less.com/product/category...systems/servo-brakes

As was mentioned earlier, a gas spring (or two) would be significantly cheaper, but will require some fiddling and thought to install.  They can get a little awkward to mount as they need twice the Z- stroke length unless you mount them at an angle.

An internet image search for "z-axis counterbalance" should get you some ideas on springs, gas springs, and counterweights.

Over 100 views and no answers... let's ask this a different way. In LinuxCNC 2.9, what parameters/variables are used for ATC Pockets persistently? I'm using the Sim VMC Toolchange.ngc as my building base, which uses #4000 on up for the atc slots, but I've also seen 5190-5200, which wouldn't be enough slots. My .var file does not have either of these ranges included.

CNC is expensive, there is no getting around that. Costs balloon, ideas change. And as was said in Snatch by Boris 'The Blade' Yurinov "Heavy is good, heavy is reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit them with it." Not sure who'd you'd need to hit, maybe yourself at times during the project.

FreeCAD does work but there is a steep learning curve with the Path workbench, but that's no different to any other CAM package.

A parallel port will easily drive 4 axis (assuming 4 for a gantry router), 5 inputs and 4 extra outputs. Add a second parallel port and you can get 12 inputs & 5 outputs.

Now what you need to do is find a PC with a built in Parallel Port, Lenovo ThinkCentres have them but require a proprietary cable eg M72e Tower (which are quite good with an i5). Buying PCie Parallel port cards is a bit of a pick & mix. A lot of new users have issues setting them up.
Now for a little extra a good starting point is a Mesa 7i92 or 7i92T (different FPGA but functionally the same).
Benefits are:
1 Latency constraints arent as stringent as for a Parallel Port based system. As no base thread is required.
2 Ethernet connection, so transferring to another PC is easy as plugging in an Ethernet Port.
3 To begin with can be used with 2 generic Parallel Port break out boards.
4 Later on you can if needed\wanted\can do it without your better half noticing expand your system with other Mesa cards, the 7i73 makes for the basis for an awesome pendant without relying on any USB based ones.
5 The size of the PC can be well physically smaller (if that's an issue)
6 Pete from Mesa give great support, that great of support that he is willing to assist in using Mesa firmware on non Mesa projects. I owe him many thanks.
7 Depending on how many PCie (or PCI) Parallel Port cards you have to try, the cost could be similar to a 7i92.

And yes I am using a Mesa 7i92, along with a number other Mesa products in my 3 Axis mill. You will hear a lot of people recommending Mesa products, this isn't a "fanboy" situation, its because they work reliably, are well supported and an established company. Tommylight builds Plasma cutters for others in the industry and swears buy Mesa products. Rodw is another who uses them in a commercial situation, and untold hobbyists use them successfully as well.
Now you might see some other projects floating around, I wont mention remora as that is not in this category as that project is geared towards reflashing commercial products to work with Linuxcnc. Having tried some of the other projects and developed my own Mesa based board here are my thoughts.
1 To begin they seem a cheaper option, until you start to think about the electrical interface to the cnc machine, eg level shifting from 3.3 to 5v and back. Can get a little more complicated if you want to go with 12 - 24v signalling.
2 Rarely does the designer develop the above.
3 You are at the mercy of the interest of the developer and how far they want to take it.
4 Some of the hardware it's based on can be difficult to get as time goes one, or the sellers change the hardware and you can left with a piece of hardware that isn't suitable.
5 Getting the development environment together can be tricky.
6 Extra hardware need purchasing to program the devices in most cases.
7 The Linuxcnc drivers are not part of the main tree and need to be built by the end user.
8 Some may need reflashing to change their config, up to a point Mesa products can be configured at run time within the constraints of the firmware.
9 If you ask nicely Pete from Mesa will rebuild to suit your card and situation and no special hardware is required to do the job of uploading new firmware.
10 As these project are being developed new issue expose themselves, so unless you are really interested in a project and want to "get your hands dirty" it can be frustrating. They are fun to be involved in and I tip my hat to the developers, but I'm a curious guy.

So there you have it.
Yes Parallel Port systems are possible, find the right PC that has suitable latency can be frustrating, even same model PCs can give different users different results. Finding the right cards can be a lucky dip, depending on what the vendor sends. The Big Brand cards can be almost the same price as Mesa 7i92.
Oh yeah once you've done your budget on building your machine then the biggest expense is just around the corner...tooling.

Now if you just want to carve wood trays a router and modular jigs would do the job, not every answer is cnc .

No matter which way you jump you'll get lots of help.

Link to ISO

drive.google.com/file/d/1-akVp7OStuMzRxG...Rgi/view?usp=sharing

Ran into this when programming a lathe. Mill may be different.

Rotate your screen so you can see z axis as well.
My guess is it moves z to a "safe height" before traveling via that g53. Just delete that line and see if the output on the screen looks reasonable. If it does when you go to post in fusion set the safe height parameter to something more reasonable.


If that's the issue you can remove it from the post processor entirely

Have you tried to update Debian 12?

JT

Odd, Debian 12 has python3-pyqt5 5.15.9 version.

JT

Rod,

LS iX7 drives use the 402 protocol and are quite nice to work with. Now that AutomationDirect is supplying them there is a good supply chain with excellent support.

www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/ca...cables/ix7nha004u-ad

I reviewed the esi/xml file and it is pretty straightforward stuff as far as I can tell. 

If they cannot be added to the device list how hard would it be to integrate them?

Any help is always appreciated and your opinion is valuable. 

Thanks

Don

When I try to install mesact, I got  message (python3-pyqt5 installed <=  python3-pyqt5 5.15.0)
My version is 5.11.

So I can't install mesact 

I was able to run the file in my simulation without problem. Line N50 G43 Z25. H1 , if distance Z25 to G53 Z0 is lower than toollength, it will give an error.
 

Why are you trying to update python3-pyqt5 on Debian 12?

Mesa CT works fine on Debian 12.
 

JT

RotarySMP wrote:

I used the Schaublin...

 

Do you need a parting tool and inserted threading bar donation?

If you just want a recommendation, I've been pretty happy with the MGMN double-ended holders & inserts (2mm & 3mm), as well as the lay-down insert threading bars.

For small threads P Horn ($$) and Micro 100 ($) solid carbide are nice.

Now get the tool changer going!

Hello together,

after running through multible problems with Fusion360s CAM, now i have one, where i dont see any light.
For some reason im runing out of my soft limits.
As you can see in the attached image, thats not the case. Also Origin is right.

Do you have any ideas?

Lcvette wrote:

it is not uncommon for a code file to have several changes between G64 and G61 also with many changes to the G64 P/Q. 

Good point.

Depending on the post, CAM posts I used for a couple different controllers (including LCNC) tends to use G61 for hole functions (drill/tap/ream), and a combo of G61/G64 with varying P/Q for roughing/finishing.