Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

atlantis
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24 Dec 2020 10:03 #193080 by atlantis

Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected was created by atlantis

Hi

I don't have the Mesa card at hand yet, is there a way to trick PathPilot into starting up and not stopping with a missing Mesa card error? Sorry if this has already been discussed elsewhere and I just couldn't find it.

Regards
Martin

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PCW
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24 Dec 2020 14:33 #193114 by PCW

Replied by PCW on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

This might help, though it may not work with the latest PathPilot versions:

forum.linuxcnc.org/pathpilot/30222-setti...-port-tutoral-part-3

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Vmax549
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24 Dec 2020 15:09 #193120 by Vmax549

Replied by Vmax549 on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

There is a DEMO setup for PathPilot if that is something you would consider.

( ;-)

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snowgoer540
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25 Dec 2020 00:08 - 25 Dec 2020 00:08 #193156 by snowgoer540

Replied by snowgoer540 on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

Not to hijack, but I've always wondered how Pathpilot is able to start without power to the daughter card (their custom board)?

It doesn't complain about all of the pins not existing yet.

I'd love to make my plasma table do the same...

Last edit: 25 Dec 2020 00:08 by snowgoer540.

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PCW
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25 Dec 2020 01:08 #193159 by PCW

Replied by PCW on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

Tormach doesn't use any sserial devices (which are dynamically discovered
at startup) in their daughterboard, so can start LinuxCNC with it being powered.
Though I suspect they will not let the system out of EStop until all is powered
and working.

Why would you want to launch LinuxCNC when it cannot actually run?

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smgvbest
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25 Dec 2020 01:09 - 25 Dec 2020 01:11 #193160 by smgvbest

Replied by smgvbest on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

you basically want to enter SIM mode which there are several ways to do it

1. in your .bashrc add
PATHPILOT_SIM_MODE=1, restart then start PP
2. run in a virtualized environment
3. in the MACHINE section of the ini file put in SIM=1
4. in the specific.ini file for your machine comment out the bit file.

all these force it into SIM mode which will not load the BIT file

Last edit: 25 Dec 2020 01:11 by smgvbest.

The following user(s) said Thank You: gerritv, Dorro1971

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snowgoer540
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25 Dec 2020 02:19 #193163 by snowgoer540

Replied by snowgoer540 on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

PCW wrote:
Tormach doesn't use any sserial devices (which are dynamically discovered
at startup) in their daughterboard, so can start LinuxCNC with it being powered.
Though I suspect they will not let the system out of EStop until all is powered
and working.

Why would you want to launch LinuxCNC when it cannot actually run?

You are correct, can’t do much until power is on and you “reset”.

Honestly, the biggest reason is that I forget to turn the cabinet on and LCNC yells at me :laugh:

Then I have to repeat the process of starting after I remember to turn on the cabinet. Otherwise, probably not much reason.

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PCW
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25 Dec 2020 02:40 #193164 by PCW

Replied by PCW on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

Its probably possible to launch LinuxCNC by deferring the parts of hal that access
the hardware to a hal section that's loaded later.

You could also have a script that determines if the hardware is available and puts
up a "Waiting for Control power" notifier until the hardware is detected

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snowgoer540
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25 Dec 2020 04:54 #193168 by snowgoer540

Replied by snowgoer540 on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

PCW wrote:
Its probably possible to launch LinuxCNC by deferring the parts of hal that access
the hardware to a hal section that's loaded later.

You could also have a script that determines if the hardware is available and puts
up a "Waiting for Control power" notifier until the hardware is detected

I’m not sure how to execute that, but it would be awesome.

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PCW
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25 Dec 2020 16:27 - 25 Dec 2020 16:28 #193183 by PCW

Replied by PCW on topic Start PathPilot without a Mesa card connected

Heres the basic idea:

#!/bin/bash
echo Waiting for control power
(exit 1)
while (($?)) 
do
  ping -c 1 -i .2 10.10.10.10 >/dev/null 2>&1
done
echo Starting LinuxCNC
linuxcnc

Someone with python or tcl smarts could do a nice graphic version

Last edit: 25 Dec 2020 16:28 by PCW.

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