New LinuxCNC Multi-Channel System – Looking for Testers & Feedback

hermann1976 wrote:

It makes it possible to successfully retrofit older machines—such as complete Homag woodworking centers with multiple table zones—using LinuxCNC.

I am pretty sure that can be done already, see G55, G56, etc.

Servus, thanks for your message, nice to meet another Austrian here!

I’m originally from the Amstetten area, but Salzburg is also home for me. I went to HTL in Steyr, and I’ve been self-employed for around 20 years, mainly working in the aerospace and automotive industries.

My background is primarily in PLC programming, CNC machining and industrial automation. Over the years I’ve worked on pretty much everything around metalworking: mechanical engineering, machine automation, fixtures and clamping systems, CNC programming, commissioning, and of course complete machine retrofits.

I also started working with LinuxCNC very early on and was one of the first to use it seriously for machining centers rather than just simpler hobby machines. That experience is actually one of the reasons why I’m now pushing the multi-channel system further, I see a lot of potential for bringing older but mechanically excellent industrial machines back to life.

Your Homag example is interesting as well. Multi-channel control could definitely open up a lot of possibilities for machines with several working areas, tables or independently coordinated processes.

 

tommylight post=350129 Benutzer-ID=17274

hermann1976 post=350128 userid=26821
Es ermöglicht die erfolgreiche Nachrüstung älterer Maschinen —z. B. kompletter Homag-Holzbearbeitungszentren mit mehreren Tischzonen— unter Verwendung von LinuxCNC.
Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, dass dies bereits möglich ist, siehe G55, G56 usw.
 

 

I am indeed referring to a multi-channel control system.
The machine works on a component on the left machining table, while the next part can be set up on the right table simultaneously. Once setup is complete, the program is started and the table moves to a standby position. Only when the left-hand part is finished does the machining head move to the right to execute that program. At the same time, the left table moves out of the machining area to a parking position for re-setup.
There are also multi-head systems, and so on.

At one point in the past I was getting quotes for buying a double router like that. In the end our company decided it was more cost effective and practical to simply buy two separate machines.

I have to agree with Todd, such machine is much more versatile with two separate controls.
A nice local network with a NAS would also add a lot to functionality and ease of use.

Hi, I have a Gildemeister GDM 42 retrofitted with LinuxCNC, featuring two turrets and a sub-spindle. I’m looking forward to a solution like yours and would be happy to test it out.

Hi all,

a quick update from the multichannel LinuxCNC project I posted about earlier (looking for testers with real machines). Everything now lives on our new site: www.cnc.gmbh

What you'll find there:

Try it online – a live test environment where you can run the multichannel system in your browser, load programs for several channels and see how the synchronisation (wait marks, channel coordination, Sinumerik-style syntax) behaves, no install needed.

Download - the current .deb packages for Debian [12/13] (amd64, [arm64]) plus the full source code. Build instructions are included.

Config generation offer, since the most common question is "how do I get my machine running with it", we're offering, for a limited time, to generate the complete LinuxCNC configuration (INI/HAL, channels, axes, spindles, I/O) for your retrofit, works for existing LinuxCNC setups you want to migrate as well as brand-new retrofits. Send us your machine data and drive/IO hardware via the form on the site, and you get a ready-to-run multichannel config.

Feedback, bug reports and especially reports from real machines are very welcome, either here in this thread or via the site.

Thanks,
Daniel

I registered on the site for trying the community edition.
But could not download the deb or the src to be able to try anything.
Even the link to the manual gives a 404 error.
I would appreciate a heads-up on this thread once you get a chance to get the site working.
Thanks,
-automata

getting the same errors here

Hi automata, hi NWE,

thanks a lot for trying it out and for reporting this and sorry for the trouble. You're right: the download section and the manual link on cnc.gmbh are currently broken. The site was just migrated to a new system and the file links didn't make it over correctly.

I'm fixing it right now and will post here as soon as the .deb packages, the source code and the manual are downloadable. Your registration stays valid, so no need to sign up again.

Thanks for your patience and looking forward to your feedback once you have it running!

Daniel