Another plasma component...

JTknives wrote:

Yeah I read through that entire page thats how i was able to get it installed. but when I go looking for these after i type in linuxcnc thy are not listed
Sample Configurations/sim/axis/plasmac
Sample Configurations/sim/gmoccapy/plasmac
Sample Configurations/sim/qtvcp_screens/plasmac

If you followed those directions exactly then I suspect that you have compiled the default master branch of linuxcnc.

If you were to follow the guide again but replace:with:.
You would then have to compile the code in the linuxcnc-plasmac directory rather than the linuxcnc-dev.

After you have cloned the Phil's repo from git you can enter the linuxcnc-plasmac directory to ensure that ./configs/sim/axis/plasmac exists.

Hope this helps
Glenn

Phill

Just amazing all that happens when I am away for a couple of days making deliveries.

I will fix my PP today to produce some working code for use with your plasmac branch. Do I need to do anything except update my install from git? Thanks for all the hard work.

John

Phill

Cut a sheet of parts out today. I think there are a few problems. Here is a video of some of the cutting:



I hope the link works as I really don't know what I am doing with all video stuff. Sorry it is on it's side, rotate monitor or head.

1. Torch always returns to Z max (G53 G0 Z0) every probe. Torch goes to safe Z at end of cut and rapids to next cut, then raises to Z max then probes.
2. On probing error torch stays at safe Z most of the time instead of raising to Z max.
3. IHS skip appears to be broken, tried several settings and none worked, this makes for a slow cut job.
4. Shorted tip probing error is very sensitive compared to my branch, no change in HW.
5. Ohmic Probe button MUST be active when program is paused to check for shorted torch, right now you have no way to check if you actually got the torch clean.
6. Torch pulse button MUST be active when program is paused so you can clear water and debris from plate surface.
7. Had a couple of "lost" in logic events during probing when torch went past Z max and tripped limit switch.
8. What has happened to .thc-enable-ext pin? My thc enable from Gcode is now broken.

TIA for all the hard work.

John

Phill

I have not been careful about keeping a full backup before each change so I can't quickly find the file. From my .hals the pin was plasmac_panel.thc-enable-ext and as I recall the pin was created in plasmac_panel.py. It may also have made it to plasmac_config.py. Sorry for the poor configuration management. This isn't a big thing as I can always add an OR2 and make the connection outside of the handler file (as it probably should be).

Nothing for you to do but I think I am going to add more LEDs to the plasmac_monitor.glade panel to indicate when the THC is enabled from the Gcode and when the torch is enabled (i don't feel good about not have an explicit torch enable button). A spare will fill the empty spot until I find another thing.

John

JTknives wrote:

Yeah I read through that entire page thats how i was able to get it installed. but when I go looking for these after i type in linuxcnc thy are not listed
Sample Configurations/sim/axis/plasmac
Sample Configurations/sim/gmoccapy/plasmac
Sample Configurations/sim/qtvcp_screens/plasmac

if you open a terminal window, typeand look to see what the EMC2_HOME=xxxxx variable states.

If it does not point to the folder you compiled plasmac into eg (maybe its pointing to ~/linuxcnc-dev), then you have not set the environment as I stated.

So linux looks at this variable to decide in which folder it looks for linuxcnc and we all think its looking in the wrong place....