Another plasma component...

Would that be done in the CAM software?
If so then I don't see a need for kerf width in the GUI config.

Cheers, Phill.

I guess that depends on if you have CAM software and if it has that feature. I'm just thinking out loud and have not followed this thread from the start so I'm just tossing out thoughts while I try and sort out what I'm going to do for my plasma. I have Sheetcam but have not used it in quite some time so I forget how it works.

JT

I thought I understood what was asked for but now I don't think I do and I have no experience to relate to it.

Do you know if there still a 50 odd tool limit in LinuxCNC?
The HT tool table for Sheetcam I was sent had over 100 tools.

Cheers, Phill.

The maximum number of entries in the tool table is 56. The maximum tool and pocket number is 99999.

JT

I was looking at that limit too. I do remember Andy or someone saying it had been increased. There is a note on the lathe page that there is a 99999 limit but I think pockets are involved. I think though most users will only have one machine so a smaller subset (but 56 won't go far). I was looking at my SQL stuff and wanted to try and add an auto incrementing tool ID to the cut chart select statement but not having much luck with SQLITE syntax. If I could do that, it would be much easier as the select statement could limit the data set (to 56)

It would be good if JohnT could share his sql and interface. I kinda think there needs to be a separate toolchanger module that shares the plasmac data.

Either way it won't be easy to map it out. Its kinda like a whiteboard problem. I've really only done a cursory look at tool tables so don't know much more than Phil. Plasmac could parse it on start up and create a gcode subrroutine to reset and load the tools thats called somewhere.

If it gets too hard just add the extra fields for Id and kerf to the materials file for now and we can worry about it down the track once Phills had a rest!

Rod,
Can you explain what you want to achieve with this in layman's terms, I think I got a bit lost somewhere.
I don't understand why we need kerf width in a plasmac config as we don't use it anywhere. My understanding is that it would be used in the CAM software.

Cheers, Phill.