#emc | Logs for 2010-06-18

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[00:04:30] <KimK> Let's pick "specify partitions manually".
[00:05:13] <KimK> As long as you have that big drive, and we're going to use the whole thing on Ubuntu, right?
[00:05:21] <Endeavour> I just went ahead and assumed it was doing it in SDB.
[00:05:37] <Endeavour> No, I keep windows on an SSD for quick loading. I put my programs on the standard drive.
[00:05:42] <Endeavour> I gave Ubuntu 60GB.
[00:05:48] <Endeavour> Only planning to run EMC2 anyway.
[00:06:07] <KimK> Oh, OK, that's fine. Yes, you'll have plenty of room to try other distros.
[00:06:45] <KimK> Wow, a 40GB SSD? Nice.
[00:07:56] <Endeavour> Yeah
[00:08:07] <Endeavour> Doesn't seem to cause the OS to load any faster at all though
[00:09:12] <frallzor> ah oh I found a "spp" setting on my mobo, how cute
[00:09:14] <KimK> You can always resize Ubuntu larger from the live CD if you need more room. (And it looks like the leading edge of the front is getting closer.)
[00:09:49] <KimK> spp?
[00:10:07] <frallzor> apparantly thats normal output mode
[00:10:32] <KimK> If the storm knocks me off, I'll be back as soon as I can manage.
[00:12:47] <frallzor> Endeavour 40gig SSD for emc2?
[00:21:02] <KimK> Endeavour: How's your install going?
[00:26:39] <Jymmm> The stupidity of people never ceases to amaze me *sigh*
[00:42:10] <KimK> Jymmm: What did someone do now?
[00:42:26] <Jymmm> I post an ad on CL as follows:
[00:42:32] <Jymmm> https://gist.github.com/2f2c09c38aa53423b1e2
[00:42:41] <Jymmm> So, what do I get for an email response:
[00:42:56] <Jymmm> https://gist.github.com/85be84b03677c7ee006a
[00:43:17] <Endeavour> Install complete.
[00:43:21] <Endeavour> frallzor: No.
[00:43:40] <Endeavour> The SSD is for Windows.
[00:44:46] <KimK> Endeavour: congrats
[00:45:07] <Endeavour> Looks to be running.
[00:45:52] <Endeavour> Also looks as though the WiFi won't work.
[00:46:30] <Endeavour> Yep. Won't log on.
[00:46:31] <KimK> Do have access to a wired network to check for updates?
[00:46:39] <Endeavour> I'll have to drag the cable over.
[00:46:46] <Endeavour> It tries to connect, just fails to.
[00:46:52] <Endeavour> Detects the WiFi fine.
[00:47:16] <KimK> Maybe they fixed it in a update? (crosses fingers)
[00:48:01] <Endeavour> Spinach Souffle. Odd.
[00:48:42] <KimK> Is that someone's network name?
[00:48:51] <SWPadnos> Endeavour, what wifi chipset?
[00:49:00] <ds2> Jymmm: it is short and concise
[00:49:05] <Endeavour> Some PCI card.
[00:49:14] <Jymmm> ds2: what is?
[00:49:20] <ds2> Jymmm: the response
[00:49:22] <SWPadnos> the response to your ad
[00:49:27] <SWPadnos> "Hi,"
[00:49:30] <SWPadnos> was all I saw
[00:49:35] <Jymmm> ds2: It's stupidity.
[00:49:35] <Endeavour> KimK: No, I was eating Spinach Souffle. It's weird.
[00:49:50] <ds2> Jymmm: I find it hard to argue that it is not short ;)
[00:49:55] <SWPadnos> Endeavour, a PCI WiFi card - do you have an antenna attached?
[00:50:02] <Endeavour> SWPadnos: Yes.
[00:50:09] <Jymmm> ds2: no, it's stupid idiot that don't read
[00:50:09] <Endeavour> Wired connection works.
[00:50:20] <SWPadnos> wired has nothing to do with wireless
[00:50:32] <SWPadnos> which Ubuntu version is this?
[00:50:32] <Endeavour> Of course not.
[00:50:35] <ds2> Jymmm: eh? your paste only had "Hi,"... not sure if reading matters
[00:50:46] <Endeavour> I just connected the wired connection because Wireless failed. :P
[00:50:50] <SWPadnos> sure
[00:50:57] <SWPadnos> what version of Ubuntu?
[00:51:02] <Endeavour> Latest.
[00:51:06] <Endeavour> 10.04
[00:51:06] <SWPadnos> 10.04
[00:51:13] <SWPadnos> ok, that will handle both at the same time
[00:51:33] <SWPadnos> click on the wireless icon, does it say wifi is disabled, not connected, what?
[00:51:40] <Endeavour> It detected networks.
[00:51:40] <Endeavour> A
[00:51:44] <Endeavour> Asked for a password
[00:51:46] <Endeavour> Wouldn't connect.
[00:51:47] <SWPadnos> ok, but won't connect
[00:51:50] <Endeavour> Password is, of course, correct.
[00:51:56] <SWPadnos> ok. any security on the networks
[00:51:58] <SWPadnos> ok
[00:52:40] <SWPadnos> you could check dmesg, and/or use the wifi tools (iwlconfig) to see what's going on
[00:52:56] <SWPadnos> I don't know iwlconfig and the other tools well enough to help much
[00:53:11] <Endeavour> How do I update stuff?
[00:53:24] <SWPadnos> with the wired network, for now :)
[00:53:41] <SWPadnos> System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager
[00:53:49] <Endeavour> That's a hell of a name.
[00:53:58] <SWPadnos> what, Synaptic?
[00:54:36] <Endeavour> "Synaptic Package Manager" for "Updates"
[00:54:53] <SWPadnos> well, this is the full fledged package manager, not the simpler update manager
[00:55:06] <Endeavour> Ah
[00:55:13] <SWPadnos> and if it just said "Synaptic" in the menu, only experts would know what it did :)
[00:56:23] <SWPadnos> anyway, click "reload", then "mark all upgrades", then "apply"
[00:56:37] <SWPadnos> and answer yes or OK or whatever whenever it asks you a question
[00:57:09] <Endeavour> Alright
[00:57:15] <Endeavour> Thanks for your help. :)
[00:57:31] <ds2> bring back BDI ;)
[00:57:34] <ds2> * ds2 runs
[00:57:50] <SWPadnos> if we can leave behind the truly BD, I'm for it ;)
[00:58:10] <ds2> think cheap operator pool
[01:14:46] <Endeavour> SWPadnos: I opened up the package manager
[01:14:54] <Endeavour> There's a lot of stuff there.
[01:29:45] <Endeavour> SUCCESS. :D
[01:29:58] <Endeavour> Running on the RTAI kernel now.
[01:30:05] <Endeavour> RTAPI, rather
[01:38:00] <Endeavour> Anyone here?
[01:44:32] <genehacker> EMC2 with lasers?
[01:45:05] <Endeavour> Hey genehacker
[01:45:08] <genehacker> I know someone who put a tank laser range finder on a CNC mill
[01:45:11] <genehacker> yeah what?
[01:45:16] <Endeavour> Time for a celebratory beer.
[01:45:21] <KimK> Endeavour: I'm still around.
[01:45:25] <Endeavour> Got EMC2 working on Ubuntu 10.04
[01:45:34] <Endeavour> Cheers mates. :D
[01:45:35] <KimK> congrats
[01:46:22] <genehacker> neat
[01:46:40] <genehacker> Endeavour, do you use EMC2 reprap?
[01:48:01] <Endeavour> Will be soon.
[01:48:08] <Endeavour> Don't like the RepRap software.
[01:48:15] <Endeavour> KimK: Where can I find drivers?
[01:48:31] <genehacker> do you know if EMC2r reprap supports fiveD?
[01:48:55] <Endeavour> EMC2 won't understand temperature controls, I don't think.
[01:49:34] <genehacker> fived doesn't need the temperature control
[01:49:56] <Endeavour> KimK: My wireless chipset is 21514WLG12041A1
[01:50:02] <KimK> Ha, I'm still waiting for the Mesa drivers to appear in the repository, and the repository itself for that matter. All in good time, I suppose. Make them yourself from git?
[01:50:09] <KimK> Oh, PC drivers.
[01:50:10] <genehacker> fived involves changing the extruder speed
[01:50:54] <KimK> A Synaptic search didn't help?
[01:51:29] <KimK> You might also search for the mfgr's name.
[01:53:43] <Endeavour> genehacker: Not sure.
[01:55:20] <genehacker> looks like not
[01:56:50] <genehacker> the fived stuff is just a special gcode interpretter that runs on the arduino apparently
[02:00:52] <Endeavour> Anyone know how to do latency tests?
[02:03:02] <John_f_> latency-test
[02:03:33] <John_f_> just type the command in a window
[02:04:33] <skunkworks> does anyone know why the print button doesn't exist in the dev version of classic ladder? Is it just me?
[02:04:58] <Endeavour> John_f_: Thanks
[02:05:21] <Endeavour> Got 1077265 as the Max Interval in Servo
[02:05:31] <Endeavour> 35991 in Base Thread
[02:05:41] <Endeavour> 78145 Max Jitter Servo
[02:05:52] <Endeavour> 11013 Max Jitter in Base
[02:05:53] <skunkworks> not good. what computer hardware is this?
[02:06:16] <Endeavour> Fairly modern.
[02:06:40] <skunkworks> did you try your pentium 4?
[02:06:42] <Endeavour> Core i7 processor.
[02:06:52] <Endeavour> No. Got it working with Ubuntu 10.04
[02:07:25] <skunkworks> this is a desktop?
[02:07:34] <Endeavour> Yep
[02:10:13] <John_f_> can I run EMC 2.4 on Ubuntu 6.06?
[02:13:43] <KimK> 6.06 is the only thing you can get to run on your hardware? 8.04 won't run?
[02:14:35] <John_f_> well it is an older computer and I tried a few years back to load 8.04 from the live cd but I didnt have enough memory
[02:14:58] <John_f_> it is just an extra computer that I have in the shop for simulation
[02:15:06] <KimK> Hmm, OK. How much memory does it have?
[02:15:25] <John_f_> I don't remember
[02:15:44] <morfic> for simulation? ever considered a small distro and building sim on it? building sim even i can manage :>
[02:16:24] <John_f_> no I havent considered that . It seems a lot easier to jsut install from the live CD
[02:16:37] <KimK> OK. I have heard people say that if you can borrow memory for the install, then you can put it back the way it was later. I've never tried that myself.
[02:16:52] <morfic> could maybe look at ubuntu netbook edition, see if it's viable, i havent looked yet, buddy likes it for his little (not-net)book
[02:17:28] <morfic> John_f_: most distros, large or small have livecds with installers :) just a thought though
[02:17:36] <John_f_> so are you all saying I can't use 2.4 with 6.06?
[02:18:16] <KimK> My guess would be no, but I can't really say.
[02:19:02] <morfic> John_f_: i do not know, i was responding to your comment of not having the ram to run 8.04
[02:19:45] <KimK> I can tell you that 6.06 is on the way out though. LTS is for 5 years. So what, one year left on it?
[02:20:32] <KimK> Of course, you can run it as long as you like, I suppose, but no more fixes, etc.
[02:20:40] <John_f_> OK I am satisfied with 6.06 and EMC 2.3.5 but I just was thinking of upgrading to the latest
[02:20:50] <John_f_> nothing is really broken on it yet
[02:23:06] <KimK> The wiki doesn't mention 6.06, and you can try 3.4 and go back if you don't like it: http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?UpdatingTo2.4
[02:23:19] <KimK> Oops, 3.4 --> 2.4
[02:23:49] <John_f_> yes that is what I saw too. no mention of what OS versions are good for .24
[02:23:55] <John_f_> 2.4
[02:24:36] <John_f_> so is there a easy way to see how much memory I have without rebooting?
[02:25:00] <KimK> This might be of interest too: http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?EMC2_Pure_Simulator
[02:25:18] <John_f_> I think I could install 8.04 but maybe not from the live CD because it loads into memory first
[02:27:20] <John_f_> I actually have EMC on my 6.06 machine setup with the same configuration as my CNC so I can "test" my programs
[02:27:42] <KimK> If your system has System > Administration > System Monitor, click on the Resources tab for memory. If there's a command line way, I don't know what it is.
[02:28:44] <Endeavour> skunkworks: Bad latency then, eh?
[02:28:52] <John_f_> Hmm it says 243Mb so it must have 256
[02:29:15] <John_f_> 243MiB actually to be exact
[02:31:02] <John_f_> KimK: we met 2 years ago at the CNC workshop
[02:32:34] <KimK> Excellent, are you going to the Ann Arbor one?
[02:32:59] <John_f_> well I was thinking about it but decided not to
[02:33:33] <KimK> OK. Well, maybe next time then.
[02:35:03] <John_f_> I just wasn't sure how much I would get out of it. Though it would be nice to talk face to face with some of the experts.
[02:35:21] <KimK> If you have 6.06 running, could you do the "triple upgrade" method? (Even if wants to uninstall EMC2?)
[02:36:01] <John_f_> you mean first upgrade to 8.04 then put in the realitime patch then EMC
[02:37:29] <KimK> No, I meant from 6.06, install all 6.06 updates, upgrade to x.xx(?), install all x.xx updates, upgrade to y.yy(?), install all y.yy updates, upgrade to 8.04, install all 8.04 updates, re-install emc2. Yeah, lots of bother.
[02:38:12] <Endeavour> How do I configure Ubuntu to recognize a PCI Parallel card?
[02:38:54] <KimK> John_f_: You might be better off where you are until you can find a newer PC free on Craigslist or something.
[02:38:57] <ds2> it should just do it
[02:39:04] <Endeavour> Ok
[02:39:19] <ds2> Unless you have a fake PCI Parallel card
[02:39:21] <Endeavour> Guess it's time to figure out how to use EMC2.
[02:39:32] <Endeavour> Any suggestions on just moving steppers around?
[02:39:43] <ds2> the stepconf thing was handy for me
[02:40:32] <KimK> You should see the card in Ubuntu, you'll have to add something like "loadrt hal_parport cfg=0x378" to your hal file to use it in EMC2.
[02:40:56] <John_f_> KimK: I am sort of attached to this one because it is an Allen=Bradley VeraView it is a panel mount dispay and PC all in one box
[02:41:10] <John_f_> VesaView
[02:41:25] <John_f_> VersaView
[02:41:35] <John_f_> finally got it!
[02:43:16] <John_f_> Time to go . Thanks for your suggestions.
[02:43:46] <KimK> Endeavour: This might help you too: http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Parallel_Port_Tester
[02:44:09] <Endeavour> The Fireball CNC has almost no documentation. Fun.
[02:56:57] <Endeavour> "EMC2 terminated with an error."
[02:57:27] <Endeavour> Debug file information:
[02:57:44] <Endeavour> Could not open command file "Fireball" 3167
[03:01:03] <KimK> Is that your ini file?
[03:01:40] <Endeavour> Guess so.
[03:02:17] <KimK> So it's fireball3167.ini then?
[03:02:20] <Endeavour> Nope
[03:02:33] <Endeavour> File like that doesn't exist in the folder.
[03:02:50] <Endeavour> http://www.probotix.com/cnc_downloads/
[03:02:59] <Endeavour> Following the V90 EMC2 Step Conf. Screenshots
[03:03:15] <KimK> What is EMC2 reporting on that looks like ' "Fireball" 3167 '?
[03:03:34] <KimK> OK, looking...
[03:07:18] <Endeavour> KimK: Got it activated. EMC2 didn't like filenames with spaces.
[03:08:02] <KimK> OK, excellent, it looked like they gave you a nice assortment of files there. All ready to go, I presume. Great!
[03:08:29] <Endeavour> Well.
[03:08:31] <Endeavour> Not really, no.
[03:08:49] <Endeavour> I turn on the driver box and the steppers just kind of make noise and get warm.
[03:09:05] <Endeavour> I can't get them to move, either, through jogging the machine via EMC2.
[03:09:50] <Endeavour> With EMC2 open it says ESTOP, No Tool, and Position: Relative Actual
[03:10:00] <Endeavour> I don't have any manual control available.
[03:10:06] <KimK> I even saw PyVCP stuff, panel.xml and custom_postgui.hal and so forth. Post us a screenshot of your panel when you get it going, let's see how it looks.
[03:10:40] <Endeavour> What panel? :P
[03:10:43] <KimK> OK and you're using F1/F2 or clicking estop and machine on?
[03:12:53] <Endeavour> Let me try using the online config files.
[03:13:01] <Endeavour> Is there an equivalent for Windows Explorer in Linux?
[03:13:25] <KimK> Yes, nautilus, but just click "places" up top there.
[03:13:41] <KimK> "Home Folder" will do
[03:14:14] <Endeavour> Thanks
[03:14:28] <Endeavour> Woah.
[03:14:35] <Endeavour> Massive Fail. :P
[03:14:42] <KimK> What happened?
[03:14:44] <Endeavour> Screen went black and froze.
[03:15:02] <Endeavour> Guess that's that.
[03:15:36] <KimK> OK. (You're on two PCs apparently) Have you installed all the updates on the new system?
[03:16:34] <Endeavour> Don't know.
[03:16:47] <KimK> Let's check. Will it restart?
[03:17:10] <SWPadnos> um
[03:17:28] <KimK> Yes, SWP, do you have some advice for us?
[03:17:33] <SWPadnos> does ctrl-alt-delete cause the machine to reboot?
[03:18:31] <Endeavour> Yeah, I'm back into Ubuntu.
[03:18:43] <SWPadnos> I'm not sure what was being done when the screen went blank - it sounds like it was just opening a Nautilus window or something?
[03:18:46] <Endeavour> My original config file didn't cause crashing...
[03:19:09] <Endeavour> No, I tried opening EMC2 using the V90 configs here: http://www.probotix.com/cnc_downloads/
[03:19:18] <Endeavour> That caused the system to crash.
[03:19:28] <Endeavour> Using the files I created in Stepconf it loads EMC2, but it does nothing.
[03:20:37] <SWPadnos> I don't see anything in the config files that should cause the machine to die
[03:20:39] <Endeavour> How can I see if my parallel port is even active?
[03:21:06] <SWPadnos> especially with a black screen - usually if you do something like use too short a BASE_PERIOD, the machine just freezes, but the screen is left alone
[03:22:31] <SWPadnos> are you using F1 and F2 to get EMC out of estop and into the "machine on" state?
[03:23:04] <KimK> SWPadnos: I've seen (rarely) some odd things with 10.04, but it seems to be getting better. Also I had "Remote Desktop Viewer" (Vinagre) cause the black screen of death when I clicked "Connect..." so I've been using KRDC instead with no more crashing.
[03:23:13] <Endeavour> SWPadnos: Just got it into the "On" state.
[03:23:25] <Endeavour> I can't get anything to move with manual controls.
[03:23:44] <SWPadnos> KimK, I'm sure there are things that can make a PC do that, but EMC isn't generally one of them :)
[03:24:17] <SWPadnos> Endeavour, ok, have you gone through the pinout for your machine?
[03:24:26] <Endeavour> Yes.
[03:24:29] <SWPadnos> (I haven't read back much of my IRC log)
[03:24:30] <SWPadnos> ok
[03:24:30] <Endeavour> In Stepconf.
[03:24:44] <Endeavour> I have no idea if that was the right parallel port location or not though.
[03:25:03] <SWPadnos> use 1 for the address, that will use the first port
[03:25:12] <Endeavour> ?
[03:25:16] <SWPadnos> you can use numbers 1-15 to select Linux-detected ports
[03:25:25] <SWPadnos> or actual addresses
[03:25:45] <SWPadnos> have you used lspci to find the port address?
[03:26:14] <Endeavour> That's it!
[03:26:23] <Endeavour> Hahaha! Thanks SWPadnos ! :D
[03:26:26] <SWPadnos> sure
[03:27:50] <KimK> Yes, thanks SWP. Have you observed anything odd or unusual with 10.04? (With or without EMC2?)
[03:28:16] <SWPadnos> I have a few oddnesses on my little laptop, which I think are mostly due to the fact that it has two graphics chips
[03:28:31] <SWPadnos> mainly it's a little "static" on the screen every once in a while
[03:28:33] <skunkworks> my laptop will freeze right after the grub menu - blinking curser. About 50% of the time (I would say)
[03:28:42] <skunkworks> I deal
[03:28:50] <SWPadnos> oh, I haven't had any issues like that
[03:29:11] <skunkworks> sounds like others have the same issue. I have not troubleshot it much
[03:29:23] <SWPadnos> everything works - wifi (at a couple dozen locations so far), the built-in camera, audio, 3D, touchpad ...
[03:29:30] <skunkworks> I want to disable quiet boot and see where it freezes
[03:29:51] <KimK> Well, hopefully they'll get that minor stuff straightened out in due course.
[03:30:06] <skunkworks> other than that - as SWPadnos has said - all the hardware seem to work great
[03:30:08] <SWPadnos> I did have one issue when I tried to use the nvidia proprietary driver, again most likely due to the dual-chipset issue (Intel and Nvidia, one for power saving and the other for performance)
[03:30:34] <Endeavour> Now, how do I do something?
[03:31:05] <KimK> Have you jogged?
[03:31:06] <SWPadnos> oh, I guess there is a problem with things like the backlight and some other ACPI things - it's an Asus machine, and they don't have all the DSDT table info yet
[03:31:09] <Endeavour> Looks like the Z-axis should not be inverted in settings judging by the movement in the virtual window.
[03:31:21] <Endeavour> - moves things up.
[03:31:28] <SWPadnos> Z+ should go up, Z- down
[03:31:32] <SWPadnos> yep, sounds wrong
[03:31:39] <SWPadnos> check X and Y too, and change them all at once :)
[03:31:45] <skunkworks> my laptop sotpped booting yesterday. it would go throught the splash screen and then nothing. blank (black) screen. I uninstalled the proprietary ati radeon driver and it booted normally now since then
[03:32:02] <SWPadnos> what kind of machine is it? (gantry, knee mill, router ...)
[03:32:06] <Endeavour> Router
[03:32:20] <SWPadnos> ok, so the spindle moves all the time, never the work
[03:32:22] <Endeavour> Inversion corrected.
[03:32:22] <SWPadnos> ?
[03:32:45] <Endeavour> The inverted Z
[03:32:48] <skunkworks> Endeavour: did you solve the lateny problem?
[03:32:54] <Endeavour> Nope.
[03:32:54] <skunkworks> latency
[03:33:01] <Endeavour> Not sure how I'd go about dealing with that.
[03:33:10] <KimK> SWP: Here was the link from earlier: http://www.probotix.com/FireBall_v90_cnc_router_kit/
[03:34:57] <skunkworks> I don't know how many people have tested the i7 processor - I know my laptop sucks for latency which is an i7 - but that is normal for most laptops.
[03:35:30] <skunkworks> is the video used shared memory (using system memory for its own?
[03:35:33] <Endeavour> Ah
[03:35:39] <Endeavour> No, discrete graphics card
[03:35:43] <SWPadnos> KimK, ah, ok - I saw the company name in the ini link Endeavour posted
[03:36:09] <SWPadnos> isn't it just the i3 and i5 mobile chips that have integrated graphics?
[03:36:11] <skunkworks> Endeavour: you might want to check what driver the video card is using....
[03:36:19] <skunkworks> (don't ask me how)
[03:36:26] <Endeavour> Hah
[03:36:27] <Endeavour> Ok
[03:36:47] <skunkworks> hmm - my battery is finally getting low...
[03:36:51] <skunkworks> time for bed.
[03:37:02] <KimK> System > Administration > Hardware Drivers?
[03:37:11] <SWPadnos> heh
[03:37:29] <SWPadnos> that's why I have a new laptop - if I had all the driver wizardry of Windows, it would last 12+ hours
[03:37:31] <KimK> goodnight sam, thanks for the info
[03:37:35] <Endeavour> Oh, yes, I have no driver for my card.
[03:37:40] <Endeavour> It complains on the install.
[03:37:43] <skunkworks> (try the generic driver (wow it has been a while) mesa? for vesa...)
[03:37:47] <SWPadnos> as it is (without the nvidia chip powered down), it still lasts over 6 hours
[03:38:22] <SWPadnos> yes, mesa is both a software openGL implementation and an FPGA card manufacturer :)
[03:38:54] <skunkworks> good night.
[03:39:04] <skunkworks> heh
[03:39:10] <SWPadnos> night. me too I think
[03:39:12] <SWPadnos> see you all later
[03:39:12] <KimK> Ha, like the OS hal and the EMC2 hal we were talking about earlier
[03:39:22] <KimK> goodnight SWP, thanks for the help
[03:41:17] <KimK> Endeavour: Don't forget to post a screenshot, we want to see what kind of a front panel they gave you. http://imagebin.ca/
[03:41:39] <Endeavour> I'm not using the V90 thing.
[03:41:44] <Endeavour> Oh boy.
[03:41:50] <Endeavour> Just installed the driver for the video card.
[03:41:59] <Endeavour> I'm just getting a blinking command line cursor...
[03:43:48] <Endeavour> Hm
[03:43:55] <Endeavour> Rebooted again and it fixed itself.
[03:44:07] <Endeavour> Would be nice to get the WiFi working
[03:44:13] <KimK> Ha, the Ubuntu boys are getting sharper.
[03:45:07] <KimK> Have you searched Synaptic for <part_no>, <mfgrs_name>, 802.11, wireless, etc.?
[03:47:14] <Endeavour> I don't know who made the card.
[03:47:21] <Endeavour> It was some generic junker I got at Fry's years ago
[03:48:02] <KimK> You might also check System > Preferences > Network Connections > Wireless to see if there's anything there you can do.
[03:49:26] <Endeavour> Hm
[03:49:29] <Endeavour> Looks like it works now
[03:49:37] <Endeavour> Let's disconnect the ethernet cable...
[03:50:08] <Endeavour> Ok
[03:50:10] <Endeavour> We're in business.
[03:51:54] <Endeavour> "Unexpected Realtime delay: check dmesg for details."
[03:52:23] <Endeavour> "RTAPI: ERROR: Unexpected realtiem delay on task 1. This message will only display once per session. Run the latency test and resolve before continuing"
[03:53:58] <KimK> I don't know if your wireless card causes latency issues, or if it's a one-time install thing. Can you restart EMC2 and continue normally?
[03:56:59] <KimK> * KimK is starting to fade too, need food and sleep...
[03:59:28] <Jymmm> KimK: wuss
[03:59:40] <KimK> haha
[04:00:31] <Jymmm> ;)
[04:02:29] <KimK> Got any more news for us there, Endeavour ?
[04:04:12] <Jymmm> History channel NOW... Fanuc robotic plant
[04:05:31] <KimK> Sorry, Jymmm, got no cable here. Got no TV here, for that matter, lol. You'll have to tell us about it.
[04:07:16] <Endeavour> KimK: Engraving.
[04:07:29] <Endeavour> I'll have photos in a few minutes.
[04:08:05] <KimK> Endeavour: Ha, excellent, I'd say that's working!
[04:09:54] <Endeavour> Yeah, though while it's working, I'm not sure it's "right".
[04:10:58] <KimK> Endeavour: BTW, you were right about there being a bunch of stuff in Synaptic. I suggest a search (each in turn) on: CAD, CAM (although you'll pick up a *bunch* of camera and webcam stuff), and Heeks to start. Grab that free software!
[04:11:11] <Endeavour> Heh
[04:23:19] <Endeavour> http://www.flickr.com/photos/thephoton/4711082304/
[04:27:25] <Guest240> hello everyone
[04:27:46] <Endeavour> Greetings Guest.
[04:28:00] <KimK> Hi Guest240, what's up?
[04:28:11] <Guest240> who can tell me how to use sourse file? thanks
[04:28:21] <Endeavour> KimK: Say I have a grayscale image, how would I make an engraving of it?
[04:30:01] <KimK> I'd use the image-to-grayscale Python program. It's either in the nc_files folder already or you have to install it, I'll look
[04:30:08] <Guest240> could anybody tell me how to use source file?
[04:30:37] <Endeavour> I don't have to make a special GCode file for it or anything?
[04:31:52] <KimK> This wasn't what I was looking for, but you might be interested in it too: http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?GcodeGenerator Still looking.
[04:34:59] <KimK> This *is* what I was looking for, but it turned out to be not what I wanted after all. But I'm getting closer now. http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Simple_EMC_G-Code_Generators
[04:36:45] <Endeavour> Still a little too deep, but much better detail
[04:37:00] <Endeavour> http://www.flickr.com/photos/thephoton/4710470873/
[04:39:34] <KimK> OK, got it. Install this: http://www.timeguy.com/cradek/image-to-gcode and while you're there, install this too: http://www.timeguy.com/cradek/truetype TTT now has an adjustable fill I think it was -l as in -l 10. But it's still kind of undocumented. It works though, I tried it once.
[04:40:18] <cradek> no, use the image2gcode that's part of emc2
[04:40:22] <cradek> mine sucks
[04:40:53] <KimK> Endeavour: OK, not too bad for first try (well, second try, lol)
[04:41:40] <KimK> cradek: Hi, thanks for jumping in. It comes with emc, even the mozmck packaged version?
[04:42:21] <KimK> (And I thought yours *was* the one that comes with emc?)
[04:43:14] <Endeavour> Hello cradek.
[04:43:21] <KimK> Endeavour has installed mozmck's 10.04 packages.
[04:43:28] <Endeavour> Followed your instructions to get Ubuntu 10.04 runing EMC.
[04:43:31] <Endeavour> Thanks. :)
[04:43:48] <Endeavour> Apparently I have terrible latency on my system, but that's a problem for another day.
[04:44:27] <KimK> For now, don't cruise YouTube while engraving, lol!
[04:44:45] <cradek> yuck. is it a laptop?
[04:45:00] <alex|lappy> so I have two gecko 320x drivers and one gecko 320. I got the 320 to work just fine, but when I plug the 320x drivers into the same setup, they do not work
[04:45:19] <KimK> (some will read this later and say, "You shouldn't be cruising the internet on a CNC control *anyway*!", lol)
[04:45:58] <alex|lappy> they are inconsistantly returning to their ready status after faulting, sometimes they do sometimes they dont. when I move the motor shaft it will reset from fault in some positions, but not all
[04:46:33] <KimK> alex|lappy: What's the diff between a 320 and a 320x?
[04:47:37] <alex|lappy> KimK, there is no good breakdown of what they actually are, but as far as I can tell it is mostly a pulse multiplier and some circuits for HEDS encoders
[04:48:03] <cradek> "It was designed as a drop-in replacement for the G320 and is 100% backwards compatible with the G320 and G340."
[04:48:26] <cradek> considering this, maybe you should report the problem to gecko?
[04:48:39] <cradek> or maybe you got two bogus drives?
[04:48:58] <KimK> Is the 320/320x a step/servo drive?
[04:49:03] <cradek> yeah
[04:49:44] <alex|lappy> cradek, I just am having a hard time thinking that they sent me *two* bum drives
[04:49:49] <alex|lappy> it seems.. unlikely
[04:49:56] <alex|lappy> much more likely that it is my fault :D
[04:50:22] <cradek> alex|lappy: we have no idea what makes them different - I think you will need to ask gecko
[04:50:59] <cradek> if you're really replacing just the drive, and leaving all wiring etc alone, they are apparently somehow not compatible
[04:51:38] <alex|lappy> cradek, yeah, i was just kinda flailing about on the internets because it is too late to call them today
[04:53:03] <KimK> alex|lappy: Did you do this: "Before going on, turn the “P”, “I”, “D”, and LIMIT trimpots to the 11 o’clock position. The trimpots are single-turn so be careful not to over-torque them."
[04:53:51] <cradek> oh right, they have knobs to fiddle with
[04:54:04] <alex|lappy> KimK, yeah, i went through their troubleshooting guide a number of times with both drivers
[04:54:14] <KimK> the 320x manual: http://www.geckodrive.com/upload/G320X%20REV-10%20Manual%20Formatted.pdf and the 320 manual: http://www.geckodrive.com/upload/G320-REV-7-Manual.pdf
[04:54:30] <alex|lappy> I am looking at the dip switch settings
[04:57:24] <alex|lappy> h
[04:57:25] <alex|lappy> ah
[04:57:28] <alex|lappy> i think I may have found it
[04:57:45] <KimK> SW8,SW9,SW10 are a 3-bit binary (1 of 8) servo gain selector. It's defaulted to the a "middle" setting, 3 or 4 (the switches are active-low, it appears)
[04:57:55] <KimK> What did you find?
[05:00:40] <renesis> i seriously hate when switch on = 0
[05:01:02] <renesis> like hi this is user docs we dont care how it looks in your microcontroller
[05:01:31] <alex|lappy> k
[05:01:33] <renesis> or jumper installed = 0
[05:01:38] <alex|lappy> yeah, it was an issue with a dip switch
[05:01:50] <KimK> Working better now?
[05:02:03] <alex|lappy> specifically my US digital encoder does not return a high enough voltage to the gecko to activate it
[05:02:15] <alex|lappy> there is a dip switch on the side to make it work, or you can use a pullup resistor
[05:02:34] <alex|lappy> http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89079
[05:02:44] <KimK> Ah, which US Digital encoder model are you using?
[05:02:59] <alex|lappy> h5
[05:03:09] <alex|lappy> 500 line count, no index non differential
[05:04:21] <alex|lappy> oscillating like a mofo though, but it is 10pm and I have been working at this since... fuck
[05:04:22] <alex|lappy> 9am
[05:04:29] <alex|lappy> but I got my motors moving today!
[05:04:45] <alex|lappy> via emc even, not just with my arduino :D
[05:05:08] <KimK> Congrats, welcome to EMC
[05:05:33] <alex|lappy> KimK, I actually have used it before, but with hardware that is... less impressive
[05:05:41] <KimK> cradek: Thanks for your help too.
[05:05:57] <alex|lappy> a little tiny gantry stepper system with a flex shaft die grinder as the spindle
[05:06:10] <alex|lappy> you know, 2A 24V power supply, etc etc
[05:08:28] <KimK> On the US DIgital encoders, I've heard that before but I use US Digital encoders all the time without problems. But I always order the differential version because of this: "For differential versions: the internal differential line driver (26C31) can source and sink 20mA at TTL levels."
[05:08:42] <KimK> I should write up something for the wiki.
[05:09:45] <KimK> I lean toward the kit encoders generally, the E6 if there's room for a 2" disc and the E5 if only a 1" disc.
[05:09:46] <madsci44> that reminds me I have to machine up hubs for my US digital disks...
[05:10:53] <ries_> ries_ is now known as ries
[05:11:10] <KimK> And with that, I'm done. goodnight all.
[05:11:19] <alex|lappy> KimK, if I had known I probably would have purchased something else, but I already had one of them (came with my motors) and I figured that I should have a set that were all the same
[05:12:04] <KimK> No problem. Hey, that's what upgrading is for, haha
[05:12:32] <alex|lappy> yeah, anyone wanna buy 3 US digital H5 encoders :D
[05:14:16] <Jymmm> any one want to buy my flower?
[05:15:20] <KimK> You know, US Digital also makes the little "lump" adapters to fix that, and in both directions: http://www.usdigital.com/products/interfaces/encoder/cable-drivers/ea/
[05:16:27] <alex|lappy> KimK, something to keep in mind, but I think the only thing I lose is the ability for the drive to fault out if the encoder goes tits up, right?
[05:17:21] <KimK> the only thing you lose by doing what?
[05:17:37] <alex|lappy> sorry, i was nonspecific as hell
[05:17:44] <KimK> NP
[05:18:05] <KimK> Just trying to follow (and I'm not very sharp either, right now)
[05:18:15] <alex|lappy> the only thing you lose by turning of the encoder fail detect (thereby allowing the 320x to work with the HEDS encoder) is the ability to quickly falt the drive if the encoder dies
[05:21:11] <KimK> Oh, well, maybe I'm the one that's confused. I was thinking about getting the encoder signals back to EMC for feedback, but you're running a step/servo, so you don't *have to* do that. Although, if you had (or made) an encoder splitter, then you *could* do feedback. At least for following error (missed steps) monitoring.
[05:21:18] <ries_> ries_ is now known as ries
[05:22:20] <KimK> (I think this would work, but it's late and I'm tired. And it would probably "scare the horses" anyway.
[05:22:26] <madsci44> I wanted some way to do feedback with mine running steppers
[05:23:05] <madsci44> have not found much info about it on the web tho
[05:23:35] <spasticteapot> Has anyone here machined corian before?
[05:23:47] <alex|lappy> i have
[05:23:48] <alex|lappy> oh
[05:23:50] <alex|lappy> he is gone :/
[05:23:53] <alex|lappy> it is easy
[05:24:02] <alex|lappy> actualyl, kinda nice stuff to work with
[05:24:05] <alex|lappy> spasticteapot, i have
[05:24:14] <Jymmm> * Jymmm sucks on his new eCigar
[05:24:17] <spasticteapot> I'm hoping to borrow someone's homemade CNC machine.
[05:24:24] <alex|lappy> we got a bunch donated to school and were using it to practice on
[05:24:44] <spasticteapot> I'd like to make a Corian hemisphere roughly 16" in diameter and 3/4" thick.
[05:25:26] <KimK> madsci44: Yes, I plan to add stepper monitoring with encoder feedback to John's BP2 as soon as we can manage after the workshop. The pico USC does have encoder inputs.
[05:25:29] <alex|lappy> spasticteapot, so just a 16" dome?
[05:25:46] <spasticteapot> I figure I can approximate the shape by cutting two pieces of Corian into concentric rings, and stacking them into a sort of hemisphere shape, then router it down.
[05:25:48] <spasticteapot> alex: Yep.
[05:25:58] <spasticteapot> Well, more or less a dome - it's got a sort of fiddly bump on it.
[05:26:28] <alex|lappy> do you have a single chunk big enough to just interpolate it?
[05:26:30] <ries_> ries_ is now known as ries
[05:26:36] <spasticteapot> http://www.luxury-insider.com/Current_Affairs/img/0508-sound-e-motion-1-420.jpg
[05:26:38] <alex|lappy> I mean, the stuff cuts super easy, it would not take a long time to hog that out
[05:26:52] <spasticteapot> alex|lappy: I don't have any yet.
[05:27:01] <madsci44> thats cool Kimk i would be interested in how that turns out
[05:27:26] <madsci44> also plan to share my efforts if they make any progress
[05:27:53] <alex|lappy> spasticteapot, if you could get a big enough slice of it to do it in 2 half spheres, then I would just cut it out of a block.
[05:28:05] <spasticteapot> If I cut two 16" square pieces of 2" thick with concentric circles and alternating stepping (one would be 16", 12", 8", and 4"; the other would be 14", 10", and 6") I can approximate it pretty well.
[05:28:13] <spasticteapot> alex: Where would I get that?
[05:28:30] <spasticteapot> And if you have familiarity with this stuff...any chance I could trade you enough shiny toys that you'd do it for me? :D
[05:29:06] <spasticteapot> Strictly speaking, I need four hemispheres, not two, though the back half of the hemisphere need not be particularly round.
[05:29:16] <spasticteapot> (I'm building a pair of speakers.)
[05:29:17] <alex|lappy> but if that is too expensive/hard to find, you could make a fixture with dowel pins sticking up, then drill and ream holes in each slice of stock in the proper locations. then mount the slices on the fixture plate one by one and contour them, using z axis interpolation to get the curves on the edges
[05:29:45] <alex|lappy> then you just stack them all on a turned rod through the dowel pin holes, glue them together and you would be good to go
[05:30:00] <spasticteapot> I'm afraid I'm extremely new to working with CAD and CNC...but you're saying to round over the edges of each "slice"?
[05:30:04] <spasticteapot> Not a bad idea, really....
[05:30:16] <alex|lappy> the trick is making a fixture that someonhow allows you to keep a common zero point through the entire process
[05:30:37] <spasticteapot> That's not going to be hugely possible, but I see what you're getting at.
[05:30:49] <alex|lappy> well, dowell pins dude
[05:31:06] <spasticteapot> It's a hollow hemisphere with (more or less) 1" thickness all around.
[05:31:11] <alex|lappy> 3 or 4 dowel pins in each slice will locate those parts down to a few tenths
[05:31:24] <alex|lappy> a bit of sandpaper on the outside after you are done to smooth it all out, you will be golden
[05:31:37] <spasticteapot> I might just have to fudge it. :D
[05:31:57] <spasticteapot> I'm trying to build a pair of these:
[05:31:58] <spasticteapot> http://www.luxury-insider.com/Current_Affairs/img/0508-sound-e-motion-1-420.jpg
[05:32:06] <spasticteapot> Well, minus the stupid audiophoolery.
[05:32:24] <spasticteapot> The tweeter is all wrong and the crossover is stupid.
[05:32:32] <spasticteapot> But the core idea is sound.
[05:33:08] <alex|lappy> spasticteapot, it is not expensive tooling to make it happen, you just need an over under 3/8" or so reamer set, a drill for them, and then the endmill for milling out the slices
[05:33:17] <spasticteapot> Can a router designed to machine wood deal with corian? What does it require in a router?
[05:33:33] <alex|lappy> oh yeah, easy
[05:35:33] <alex|lappy> man, i hate having a couple beers and then thinking "hmm, i should go play in the shop"
[05:35:37] <alex|lappy> because I really really really want to now
[05:35:44] <alex|lappy> but that would be bad.
[05:36:34] <spasticteapot> Yep.
[05:37:04] <spasticteapot> Any chance you'd be wiling to trade audio gear for making my corian-spheres?
[05:37:06] <spasticteapot> :D
[05:37:08] <alex|lappy> especially because a spilled beer can make my puny 3A bench supply pretty dangerous
[05:37:21] <spasticteapot> 12V can sting something fierce.
[05:37:26] <alex|lappy> try 30v
[05:37:44] <spasticteapot> Ouch.
[05:37:44] <madsci44> would give inductive kick a whole new meaning too :)
[05:45:09] <madsci44> machining time is going to kill me
[05:45:42] <madsci44> i should have ordered hubdisks
[06:21:47] <ries_> ries_ is now known as ries
[06:47:55] <Endeavour> Hello
[07:01:16] <madsci44> hello
[07:17:21] <alex|lappy> ok, quick pole, can Odo from deep space 9 change his mass, or just his density
[07:28:55] <alex_joni> alex|lappy: I'd say density
[07:42:16] <Endeavour> G'night
[08:05:14] <madsci44> cooking... argh - takes way too much time. .. - I'm going to have to CNC the whole kitchen
[08:15:12] <ries_> ries_ is now known as ries
[08:19:51] <ries_> ries_ is now known as ries
[08:34:30] <ries_> ries_ is now known as ries
[12:06:16] <alex_joni> wow: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100525912373773450724.000488df669787f20600d&t=h&source=embed&ll=35.0072,-81.019366&spn=0.001147,0.001837&z=19
[12:07:02] <archivist> good one
[12:42:03] <cncmachineguy> anybody know how to config W with a 4 axis setup and 1 parallel card?
[12:43:26] <pjm> stepper machine?
[12:43:34] <jthornton> do you have enough I/O?
[12:43:36] <cncmachineguy> sorry yes
[12:43:52] <cncmachineguy> yes, i have it as xzuv now
[12:44:01] <pjm> it should just be possible although u will really be limited on stuff like limit switches etc
[12:44:01] <cncmachineguy> but i want v to be w
[12:44:39] <pjm> should just be a mod to the config file i'd think
[12:44:41] <cncmachineguy> emc wont load if I call out w, says too many arg in stepgen
[12:44:41] <SWPadnos> http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/2.4/html/config_ini_config.html#sub:%5BTRAJ%5D-section
[12:45:12] <SWPadnos> looks like you need COORDINATES=X Y Z W
[12:45:35] <SWPadnos> oh - which axes do you actually want?
[12:45:54] <SWPadnos> X Z U W
[12:45:59] <cncmachineguy> for a foam cutter, i want X Z U W
[12:46:38] <SWPadnos> AXES = 9
[12:46:44] <SWPadnos> since W is the 9th axis
[12:47:05] <cncmachineguy> i need 9 0's for stepgen line - correct?
[12:47:09] <SWPadnos> nope
[12:47:13] <SWPadnos> you only need 4 stepgens
[12:47:29] <cncmachineguy> awesome, i will try that!
[12:47:41] <SWPadnos> the motion controller is a little different, because it deals with coordinating all the axes
[12:48:01] <cncmachineguy> so in hal, stepgen=0,0,0,0?
[12:48:15] <SWPadnos> you will need AXIS_n sections for the right ones though, 0, 2, 6, and 8
[12:48:31] <SWPadnos> what would you expect that to do?
[12:48:38] <SWPadnos> (stepgen=0,0,0,0)
[12:49:01] <SWPadnos> loadrt stepgen count=4 I think
[12:49:24] <SWPadnos> actually, stepgen doesn't change at all, since you already have it set up for 4 axes
[12:49:44] <SWPadnos> the only thing that has to change there is the names of the pins it connects to
[12:49:50] <cncmachineguy> i misunderstood something somewhere, I thought I needed a 0 for every called out axis, not just for used axis
[12:49:57] <SWPadnos> it needs to go to axis.8.* instead of axis.7.*
[12:50:07] <SWPadnos> nope, not for stepge
[12:50:10] <SWPadnos> n
[12:50:37] <SWPadnos> you could use 1 stepgen, 6 PWMs, and an analog output if you wanted
[12:50:39] <cncmachineguy> cool, i think i was confusing .hal and .ini requirenments
[12:51:09] <cncmachineguy> now that would really get my head spinning
[12:51:25] <SWPadnos> hehe
[12:51:36] <SWPadnos> just mix steppers and servos, for a really good time! :)
[12:51:51] <cncmachineguy> thanks SWP, I have to go back to work now, but I will try it in a bit.
[12:52:14] <cncmachineguy> I perfer servos and encoders, but money always winds
[12:52:15] <SWPadnos> remember to change AXIS_7 to AXIS_8 in the ini file
[12:52:19] <SWPadnos> heh
[12:52:37] <cncmachineguy> ok, thank you!!!
[12:52:45] <cncmachineguy> out for now
[12:52:57] <SWPadnos> see ya
[13:06:55] <MattyMatt> I'm beginning to wonder if it was cruel, telling a guy that his inkjet servo is usable as a reprap axis
[13:07:56] <MattyMatt> I have found a few circuits that try and do step dir with a PIC chip, or an AVR
[13:20:11] <skunkworks> you can do closed loop with just a printer port... ;)
[13:22:12] <SWPadnos> well darn. now I don't know if I want to spend $1250-$1500 on a tape drive
[13:24:11] <Valen> spend $4k on one before
[13:24:15] <Valen> or rather somebody else did
[13:24:21] <pcw_home> "tape drive" isn't that like a record player?
[13:24:26] <SWPadnos> yeah, could do the same thing now
[13:24:29] <SWPadnos> on this very drive
[13:24:44] <Valen> now its sitting in a box in a semi enclosed room out the back of my house probably being a home for rats and mice
[13:24:45] <SWPadnos> heh, tape is still the only real backup medium IMO
[13:24:52] <SWPadnos> cool, send it over :)
[13:25:01] <Valen> lol
[13:25:31] <SWPadnos> well, nevermind, the one I'm looking at holds 1.5TB, which is probably more than the rat-infested one
[13:26:59] <pcw_home> does tape store better or is the media cheaper than 1-2 TB hard drives?
[13:27:18] <Valen> i think it was 40gb
[13:27:28] <SWPadnos> media is around $100 for a 1.5/3TB tape (1.5 native, 3 with compression)
[13:27:29] <Valen> how much is the 1.5Tb tape?
[13:27:40] <Valen> 1.5Tb hdds are the same price
[13:27:56] <SWPadnos> tapes are generally more robust than drives
[13:28:52] <Valen> dropping either is bad for their health ;->
[13:29:04] <Valen> and drives can be online
[13:29:05] <SWPadnos> heh
[13:29:12] <SWPadnos> online isn't the same as backup
[13:29:26] <SWPadnos> data availability and data archiving are two separate problems
[13:29:48] <Valen> you can have online backup
[13:29:58] <Valen> for certain values of online
[13:30:18] <SWPadnos> sure, but a lightning strike has a good chance of destroying the backup as well ... :)
[13:30:35] <SWPadnos> offsite, archival, etc etc
[13:32:05] <SWPadnos> it is funny that this tape drive can write 7x as much data per second as my first hard drive could hold
[13:32:08] <Valen> you can have online offsite backup
[13:32:29] <SWPadnos> until I formatted it RLL, then it was a 30MB high capacity beast!
[13:32:34] <Valen> most large companies are ditching tapes for disks is my understanding
[13:32:46] <SWPadnos> I don't think that's true
[13:32:54] <SWPadnos> not for backup and arcbiving
[13:33:12] <SWPadnos> multi-location online copies, sure
[13:33:14] <Valen> i mean they havent just "turned it off" but they archive to disk because an offline archive cant be mined
[13:33:24] <cradek> yeah, [citation needed]
[13:33:30] <SWPadnos> I think it's largely for availability, not backup
[13:33:30] <cradek> :-)
[13:33:33] <SWPadnos> heh
[13:33:35] <SWPadnos> morning
[13:33:38] <cradek> good morning
[13:34:11] <Valen> and with sufficient storage pool size i'd rather have my backups some place where they are active and you know the mice aren't eating them
[13:34:17] <SWPadnos> heh
[13:34:46] <Valen> otherwise my rat nested in tape drive becomes very valuable to you when it comes time to pull 1995 accounting data off that archive tape ;->
[13:35:00] <cradek> In the last couple years I've restored data from 25 year old tapes
[13:36:33] <SWPadnos> and it probably could have fit in your phone :)
[13:36:43] <SWPadnos> but was still important 25-year old data
[13:36:45] <cradek> oh easily
[13:36:58] <xie> hello everyboday
[13:37:05] <SWPadnos> I'm just annoyed that the 32GB micro SDHC cards aren't available yet
[13:37:22] <SWPadnos> how the heck am I to fit all my music in my phone with only 16GB??
[13:37:37] <cradek> it was probably 20-40 MB all together
[13:37:38] <Valen> cradek: you probably could have just kept buying a new hdd every year or do and copying the whole lot across ;->
[13:38:12] <Valen> unless your henry spencer or somebody ;->
[13:38:23] <cradek> Valen: I wasn't there to make the backup 25 years ago, and buying extra hard disks just for copies was not feasible
[13:38:30] <SWPadnos> possible, yes. desirable, not! :)
[13:38:45] <xie> how can i use emc2 sources file i am new user
[13:38:52] <Valen> SWPadnos: so buy 2 and stick one in your dads tv
[13:38:57] <Valen> works for me ;->
[13:38:58] <cradek> xie: use them for what specifically?
[13:39:01] <xie> help me please
[13:39:07] <SWPadnos> xie, what do you want to do with the source files?
[13:39:58] <xie> make my own gui
[13:40:07] <SWPadnos> http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Installing_EMC2
[13:40:25] <xie> i am china user
[13:40:37] <SWPadnos> there are several sections on that page that tell you how to get the source, install various dependencies, etc.
[13:41:58] <xie> i already install emc2 and can see 400 source file
[13:42:15] <xie> how can i use them
[13:42:32] <Valen> SWPadnos: i'm going to put a 2Gb microsd card into a torch ffs, thats 10x the hdd size of my first PC
[13:42:34] <cradek> sorry, you will have to ask a more specific question to get a meaningful answer
[13:42:57] <SWPadnos> if you look at the files in the src/emc/usr_intf directory, you'll see all the existing user interfaces
[13:43:36] <SWPadnos> that's a lot of good sample code to look at while you're writing your own interface
[13:48:39] <xie> thank you tomorrow i will come back test room look that
[13:49:14] <SWPadnos> ok
[13:50:03] <xie> it is use tcl language
[13:50:39] <SWPadnos> tcl, python, C
[13:50:59] <SWPadnos> and another one someone is writing in Pascal, which isn't included in the repository
[13:52:18] <xie> all right i can not see that direction
[13:53:18] <xie> thank you so much see you tomorrow
[13:54:00] <SWPadnos> you're welcome. see you later
[13:54:08] <JT-Hardinge> so far the coolant return and the screens are not as nasty as I thought they would be
[13:54:39] <JT-Hardinge> we will see when I pull out the coolant tank :/ how bad it is
[13:56:51] <pcw_home> Just oil?
[13:58:13] <JT-Hardinge> soluble oil I suspect
[13:58:23] <JT-Hardinge> like ValCool or something
[13:58:33] <JT-Hardinge> plus a little way oil too
[13:59:34] <JT-Hardinge> only a small amount of green goo so far :)
[13:59:44] <pcw_home> I guess water based coolants can get pretty nasty if they ferment
[14:00:53] <JT-Hardinge> on my plasma table I use physan 20 to keep any cridders from growing in the water
[14:02:04] <xie> i am a chinese what time is your. we are not in same when are you online often
[14:02:50] <xie> we are not in same time
[14:02:50] <pcw_home> Eventually you will selectively breed physan resistant super bugs...
[14:03:45] <Valen> that eat metal and crap ....something
[14:05:23] <cradek> xie: in the US it is morning
[14:08:43] <xie> i am in night now. what time will you on line tomorrow
[14:09:17] <SWPadnos> hard to know. you can always ask a question, and look at the logs to see if there is an answer later
[14:09:51] <xie> ok
[14:11:33] <JT-Hardinge> maybe the super bugs will eat sludge and make oil
[14:14:23] <pcw_home> Does the Hardinge have coolant filtering and recirculation?
[14:16:10] <JT-Hardinge> yes it starts with a screen system with about 3/16" holes then to a finer screen with about 1/32 holes then on to the tank
[14:16:49] <JT-Hardinge> two screws, one hose, and disconnect the pump wire and the whole tank slides out the side
[14:17:16] <JT-Hardinge> it holds 30 gallons of coolant
[14:19:09] <JT-Hardinge> * JT-Hardinge wobbles back outside to put up a few more pieces of soffet in the heat
[14:20:12] <pcw_home> Still cool in sunny Calif around 52 now
[14:20:29] <Valen> fuckin freezin here
[14:22:04] <pcw_home> Yah, but its almost summer here...
[14:22:15] <JT-Hardinge> 83 at the moment here and going to 95 or so after while
[14:22:17] <Valen> yeah but its bedtime here
[14:22:22] <Valen> nighty night ;->
[14:23:11] <pcw_home> 'nite
[14:24:02] <pcw_home> JT-Hardinge: we had a few warm days last weekend but ist been cloudy and cool most of the week
[14:24:56] <pcw_home> SWPadnos: got 10 KHz update rate working on our smart serial/8I20 interface
[14:24:58] <pcw_home> Even ran a 3 phase step motor with it (A fairly rare beast 320V 2A)
[14:24:59] <pcw_home> ( may not get to that speed when its all done)
[14:25:18] <SWPadnos> cool
[14:25:42] <SWPadnos> does the hostmot2 driver support the 6-port breakout and/or the SPI daughtercards?
[14:27:07] <pcw_home> Not yet (well Ive written/modified a hal component that runs I/O on it using rawread/write)
[14:28:18] <pcw_home> I wonder if something like the smart serial with SPI would be a solutiion
[14:28:20] <pcw_home> (hide all the details from the driver)
[14:28:49] <SWPadnos> which smart serial?
[14:29:30] <fragalot> Hm
[14:29:55] <fragalot> I've just installed limit switches on my sable 2015, they were picked up nicely for about half a minute and now none of them work >.< *Starts looking for bad connection*
[14:31:48] <JT-Hardinge> the mud dobbers are getting mighty confused now that I have blocked the soffet up :)
[14:31:54] <fragalot> Hm.
[14:32:02] <fragalot> * fragalot thinks there may be a shortage somewhere for some reason
[14:32:03] <fragalot> >.<
[14:32:09] <JT-Hardinge> pcw_home: send me some of your cool and overcast
[14:32:50] <pcw_home> Theres a HostMot2 module that has 1-12 serial ports and a processor
[14:32:52] <pcw_home> with dual ported RAM interface to the host. With firmware for the 8I20
[14:32:53] <pcw_home> for example you have a parallel 32 bit register wher the host writes torque
[14:32:55] <pcw_home> and angle commands and reads card status/temperature/bus voltage
[14:32:56] <pcw_home> (we have thus working now)
[14:33:38] <pcw_home> If you send a little heat this way...
[14:34:17] <fragalot> Why
[14:34:18] <fragalot> the
[14:34:19] <fragalot> fuck
[14:34:55] <pcw_home> all the serial protocol details are hidden so the HM2 driver interface is very simple
[14:37:31] <SWPadnos> well, sure, if some setup can be done at the start (number of words, word length, etc), and then just have the data get shifted out automatically (with SS lines and whatnot controlled by the FPGA), that's ideal from a software perspective :)
[14:38:43] <pcw_home> Maybe thats a solution to the complexity of trying to support so many SPI devices
[14:38:45] <pcw_home> On the other hand if the HM2 driver had an expanded rawread/raw write with read/write lists
[14:38:46] <pcw_home> all the SPI stuff could be done in a HAL component
[14:39:40] <SWPadnos> that's partly true, but there is the issue of getting multiple data bytes between components
[14:40:13] <SWPadnos> HAL only supports individual values on pins, so moving a buffer around is hard, and the components need to know a lot about each other
[14:41:32] <fragalot> * fragalot is deeply confused.
[14:41:58] <fragalot> now it seems that if I hook up the power without the switches connected, the psu bogs down as if it's shorted out.
[14:42:01] <fragalot> why o.O
[14:42:27] <pcw_home> well you really dont want to move buffers
[14:46:56] <pcw_home> It just seems like burying specific SPI chip knowledge in the driver is wrong
[14:46:57] <pcw_home> it should be out in the light where anyone can hack at it...
[14:49:16] <fragalot> balls why did this break
[14:49:17] <fragalot> o.O
[14:51:58] <fragalot> "Warning, when the circular telegram either the revolution inserts or pulls out stepping motor, because connetcor will produce the spark and the instantaneous surging big electric current, will so possibly create driver's damage."
[14:53:07] <cradek> I think I know what they're trying to say...
[14:54:55] <fragalot> cradek: do tell?
[14:55:13] <cradek> don't mess with the wires when power is applied
[14:55:46] <cradek> maybe: specifically don't unplug the motor when power is applied
[14:55:50] <fragalot> 'cos atm my machine is DEAD. :( I've not even had it for a week. only difference was that i've tried to add limit switches, turned the machine back on, they didn't erad right, switched machine off, unplugged them and took it out of the config, and now .. nowthing.
[14:56:05] <pcw_home> telegram?
[14:56:09] <fragalot> the power LED is quite dim when switched on, almost as if it's shorted
[14:56:22] <cradek> the circular telegram part is pretty mysterious...
[14:56:43] <cradek> fragalot: sounds like you need to troubleshoot...
[14:56:53] <fragalot> cradek: trying to figure out how
[14:56:57] <fragalot> any suggestions?
[14:57:21] <cradek> unhook the power supply and test it
[14:57:25] <fragalot> already measured the coil resistance on every motor, which checks out fine
[14:57:46] <fragalot> cradek: define 'test it' ?
[14:58:03] <cradek> um, turn it on and measure its output
[14:58:23] <fragalot> the PSU running without load is 24V as it should be
[14:58:43] <fragalot> but when I connect it to the controller it's instant-death
[14:58:46] <pcw_home> I always liked the instructions with a keyboard I had that called stick-on rubber feet: "regal sticked rubbles"
[14:59:03] <fragalot> lol
[14:59:36] <pcw_home> Single controller?
[14:59:50] <fragalot> single 3-axis board tha twas shipped with the machine
[15:00:18] <pcw_home> working and went bad?
[15:00:20] <fragalot> all that it says that could identify it is "V2.0 090907"
[15:00:25] <fragalot> was working for a week, yes.
[15:00:42] <fragalot> total running time is about 13 hours I think
[15:01:18] <fragalot> only difference, like I said, is that I connected the home/limit switches to it.
[15:01:59] <pcw_home> Switching supply?
[15:02:43] <fragalot> yes
[15:03:30] <fragalot> one of those commonly used shiny ones with the perforated chassis, 2 24V connectors, green LED on it, and a 110/220 volt switch inside of the chassis
[15:04:03] <fragalot> I have a 2nd one of those but I don't want to hook that one up incase it's the controller board and things would go *Poof*
[15:04:04] <cradek> dumb question because it's so obvious but did you check your wiring? if that's the last thing you changed, maybe it's wrong
[15:05:12] <pcw_home> Yes, does rather sound like your switch wiring busted something
[15:05:15] <fragalot> I have checked it yes, (There is no such thing as a dumb question, only retard answers)
[15:06:21] <fragalot> haven't touched the PSU
[15:06:27] <pcw_home> So jsut connecting the power supply to the step driver cause the power supply to be shorted out? (no 24V)
[15:06:36] <pcw_home> (causes)
[15:06:52] <fragalot> pcw_home: causes it's LED to dim completely, I can connect it and measure if you like me to?
[15:07:43] <pcw_home> More data couldn't hurt
[15:07:49] <fragalot> it outputs a staggering 1.5V
[15:07:55] <fragalot> when connected
[15:08:58] <fragalot> stunning board design, looks like thye use 2 diodes in parallel at the power input o.O
[15:09:25] <pcw_home> This is with nothing connected but the step driver and its motors?
[15:09:45] <fragalot> step driver, psu and parallel cable connected atm
[15:09:57] <pcw_home> No motors?
[15:09:58] <fragalot> emc2 in "machine power off" mode
[15:10:03] <fragalot> motors are connected too.
[15:11:39] <pcw_home> Do you have a lab supply? (variable voltage/current)
[15:12:01] <fragalot> only variable voltage with current read-out, but that one only goes up to 1A
[15:14:43] <pcw_home> well you could probably test your driver (with motors disconnected)
[15:14:45] <pcw_home> by running it from the variable supply, starting at 0V and cranking it up slowly
[15:14:47] <pcw_home> it should draw very little current
[15:14:48] <pcw_home> But really, sounds like a warranty type issue
[15:15:08] <fragalot> :(
[15:17:04] <pcw_home> Thats my crude thermal test scheme for power driver cards, crank up a lab supply till the shorted device draws a few amps
[15:17:06] <pcw_home> then feel around for whats warm...
[15:18:41] <telmnstr> I actual had the laser engraver moving from emc last night!
[15:18:42] <elmo40> pcw_home: I just stepped in this room and read your last line... a little provocative, I might say ;)
[15:18:51] <elmo40> feel around for what's warm.
[15:18:53] <telmnstr> I feel progress
[15:18:57] <fragalot> lol
[15:19:13] <elmo40> telmnstr: excellent :)
[15:19:18] <fragalot> I'll try connecting it without motors attached then?
[15:19:24] <fragalot> see if it still bogs down
[15:19:26] <telmnstr> now to figure out switching the Z axis into PWM for firing laser
[15:19:36] <pcw_home> Electronics excites me!
[15:20:04] <fragalot> nope
[15:20:08] <Jymmm> pcw_home: perv
[15:20:11] <fragalot> no motors attached, immediately shorted.
[15:20:28] <Jymmm> pcw_home: ePerv
[15:23:36] <fragalot> I can't believe this broke
[15:23:37] <fragalot> >.<
[15:24:02] <Jymmm> fragalot: on what?
[15:24:16] <fragalot> Jymmm: my Sable 2015.. the 3 axis controller just gave up.
[15:28:09] <Jymmm> link ?
[15:28:24] <pcw_home> Did you connect then limit switches to 24V? maybe the inputs were 5V only (trying to figure out what went wrong)
[15:30:44] <fragalot> Jymmm: www.cnc-sable.nl
[15:31:02] <fragalot> pcw_home: it's got connectors designed for limit switches with a diagram of 'hook up switch here'
[15:31:29] <fragalot> so that's handled internally.
[15:31:50] <fragalot> only difference I can think of is that they had NO switches drawn there, and I used NC
[15:33:59] <fragalot> I gotta go
[15:34:08] <fragalot> thx for the help 0 i'll try to get it sent back for warranty.
[15:34:39] <pcw_home> Well I'd send it back, unless you enjoy debugging/fixing electronics
[15:34:41] <pcw_home> Good luck!
[15:35:17] <Jymmm> fragalot: IF you used NC switches, it would just think it hit a limit switch.
[16:15:28] <Jymmm> If anyone cares... http://www.frys.com/product/5220597
[16:26:42] <elmo40> nice price
[16:26:46] <elmo40> $5
[16:30:35] <SWPadnos> +$8 in ground shipping (for me at least)
[16:30:48] <SWPadnos> it does have an airline plug though, so it may be weorth it
[16:31:18] <SWPadnos> worth
[16:32:49] <Jymmm> or pay tax
[16:33:44] <SWPadnos> if you live within a reasonable distance of Fry's
[16:33:50] <SWPadnos> which you do, but I don't
[16:33:50] <Jymmm> I do
[16:34:30] <SWPadnos> you could pick one up for me, but by the time you (or I) pay for gas, and then ship it, it'll cost $8 anyway
[16:34:33] <Jymmm> Can I help it if you live in BFE?
[16:34:55] <SWPadnos> I live in EFV
[16:35:01] <SWPadnos> Essex Fine Vermont :)
[16:35:14] <Jymmm> cough*bullshit*cough
[16:35:18] <Jymmm> OR
[16:35:28] <SWPadnos> you've never been here, so you don't know
[16:35:39] <Jymmm> It could snugly fit in the coil of some cables (maybe)
[16:35:44] <SWPadnos> heh
[16:35:53] <SWPadnos> well, if you feel like it, grab one
[16:36:01] <SWPadnos> you should get the check soon, by the way
[16:36:21] <Jymmm> Iv ehard it before "the check is in the mail".... blah blah blah
[16:36:30] <SWPadnos> sometimes it's true
[16:36:39] <Jymmm> heh
[16:36:50] <SWPadnos> this ain't alimony :)
[16:36:56] <Jymmm> hahahaha
[16:37:01] <Jymmm> I wouldn't know about that
[16:38:09] <Jymmm> SWPadnos: At this rate, do you just want to leave a deposit? Start with $100, then refill when < $20 ?
[16:39:16] <SWPadnos> wow. an FTDI USB -> serial chip is more expensive than a 32k microcontroller that also has USB and serial ports
[16:39:23] <SWPadnos> heh, not quite yet :)
[16:39:38] <SWPadnos> the bank of Jymmm
[16:39:40] <Jymmm> SWPadnos: I can be your Personal Geek Shopper =)
[16:39:45] <SWPadnos> heh
[16:39:53] <Jymmm> Nah, banks charge interest.
[16:40:28] <Jymmm> I sold a fiber test to some place that buys used TE. Took the check to their bank, they charged me $6 to cash it.
[16:41:20] <Jymmm> I rather pay the $6 fee, then to deposit into my bank acnt and have it bounce.
[16:41:33] <Jymmm> That's why I ONLY accept USPS MO
[16:41:45] <Jymmm> You cna cash them at the PO =)
[16:42:07] <Jymmm> and then it's a federal offense =)
[16:42:28] <SWPadnos> have them mail it to you, and it still should be a federal offense (mail fraud)
[16:42:53] <Jymmm> SWPadnos: Mailing a bad check is a state thing I believe
[16:43:07] <SWPadnos> US post office, should be federal
[16:43:18] <SWPadnos> btu I don't know for sure
[16:43:20] <Jymmm> counterfit a usps mo and it is for sure
[16:43:31] <SWPadnos> yep
[16:43:54] <Jymmm> Just FYI... USPS MO have a watermark, strip in them that says "USPS"
[16:44:03] <Jymmm> just like US currency
[16:44:07] <SWPadnos> you can have them pay with a bank draft too, that's money the bank takes out of their account immediately, and writes you a check drawn on the bank's account
[16:44:09] <SWPadnos> more or less
[16:44:49] <Jymmm> Hell, even certified checks are bogus these days. I ony trust USPS MO and I can cash it right there too, no paying $6 fee
[16:44:56] <Jymmm> only
[16:45:43] <Jymmm> Just remember, if you have someone pay with a USPS MO, they need the payee's name and address to write on the MO
[16:57:53] <Endeavour> Hello
[17:06:12] <andypugh> KimK: Were you asking about the IRAMS module yesterday?
[17:07:06] <Endeavour> andypugh: Machine works.
[17:07:33] <andypugh> Great!
[17:07:51] <Endeavour> Yep. :)
[17:08:06] <andypugh> Not that I can remember which machine yours was. Was that the 10.04 install?
[17:08:12] <Endeavour> Yeah
[17:08:18] <Endeavour> Apparently has terrible latency.
[17:08:20] <Endeavour> * Endeavour shrugs
[17:08:31] <Endeavour> Not sure how to fix that, so I'll live with it for now.
[17:08:34] <andypugh> Whoo! I will beat this Aspergers-like name-blindness yet.
[17:08:52] <andypugh> How bad?
[17:09:01] <SWPadnos> Endeavour, get rid of the proprietary drivers - go back to nv or vesa
[17:09:07] <Endeavour> Don't remember the exact numbers
[17:09:17] <SWPadnos> or whatever it was before you installed video drivers
[17:09:22] <Endeavour> It didn't change when the drivers were installed.
[17:09:34] <SWPadnos> oh, bummer
[17:09:50] <andypugh> SMI might be dangerous on a new board?
[17:10:08] <SWPadnos> sure could be
[17:14:19] <andypugh> Anyway, EMC is still usable with latencies around 50,000 and you can actually cope with worse with a hardware stepgen.
[17:14:47] <Endeavour> Now that everything is installed
[17:14:57] <Endeavour> What would you guys recommend to get started?
[17:16:57] <andypugh> Anyway, by stepping through all the BLDC patterns in sequence with my IRAMS driver I have the motor spinning nicely. The thing is, the code is cycling through the patterns every 10 seconds, and I can't think how to see which are the working ones :-) There is no IO left on the Arduino other than USB, but the Mac is downstairs and the PSUs etc are upstairs.
[17:17:11] <andypugh> Endeavour: Do you have a machine?
[17:19:04] <StonedSlacker> Anyone recall this conversation? SWPadnos? http://pastebin.com/q24TgyR2
[17:19:49] <StonedSlacker> Is there a cheap hardware solution to this? Someone mentioned a ceramic capacitor.
[17:19:57] <Endeavour> andypugh: Yep
[17:20:17] <Endeavour> andypugh: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thephoton/4710470873/
[17:20:36] <andypugh> Endeavour: Stepper motors?
[17:20:42] <SWPadnos> a capacitor won't help
[17:20:54] <Endeavour> andypugh: Yeah.
[17:21:43] <andypugh> In that case, you need the Stepconf Wizard. You should be up and running in about 20 minutes.
[17:22:01] <Endeavour> I've gotten the machine running
[17:22:09] <Endeavour> Just don't know what to do with it now.
[17:22:21] <andypugh> StonedSlacker: The only solution is more volts.
[17:22:25] <Endeavour> I've made some bad engravings using someone else's files: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thephoton/4710470873/
[17:23:00] <andypugh> Endeavour: I know the feeling, I have my machine finished now, and I have rather forgotten what it was I wanted to make.
[17:23:24] <Endeavour> Well, it's not quite so much that, as I have no idea how to make anything.
[17:23:36] <Endeavour> Let's say I want to do a basic photo engraving, what would I do?
[17:23:46] <Endeavour> How do I get the code generated for it?
[17:24:28] <andypugh> http://www.linuxcnc.org/docview/html//gui_image-to-gcode.html
[17:25:45] <celeron55> that's where it can get complicated - there is very expensive commercial software for doing complicated stuff - and less expensive + free stuff for doing less complicated
[17:29:23] <Endeavour> celeron55: Just looking for something simple and functional. A CNC machine is useless without jobs to run on it and I want to put it through its paces ;)
[17:32:56] <StonedSlacker> andypugh: I thought the problem was overly high voltage causing low current. I'm just learning the basics of electronics, so I apologize for goofy questions. How do I address that? New power supply? Tie the 3.3 or 5V rail in with the 12 on my current power supply?
[17:33:44] <andypugh> Those questions transcend "goofy" into "scary"
[17:34:08] <andypugh> What is your current setup?
[17:34:25] <andypugh> (what drivers, etc)
[17:35:32] <andypugh> Is this the Etch-a-Sketch with ULN2003 chips?
[17:35:36] <StonedSlacker> One problem is I havent been able to find out much about my motors. I don't even know what theyre rated at. If anybody thinks they can google that up I would be very thankful. They're Coleco Adams 55SI-25DAWC 7.5 Degrees 36 ohms.
[17:35:49] <StonedSlacker> lol andy
[17:36:07] <andypugh> OK, so that was somebody else then?
[17:36:10] <StonedSlacker> If ULN2003 is the same as NTE2018 then yes
[17:36:32] <Jymmm> StonedSlacker: At 36 ohms, they're not going to be low voltage
[17:36:46] <StonedSlacker> yes that's the project not yes it was someone else
[17:37:51] <StonedSlacker> Now that things kinda almost work I'd like to go back and pay more attention to the driver circuit and make it as good as I can without having to go and buy a driver chip.
[17:38:27] <StonedSlacker> Id actually like to add a couple things to it that I think would let me learn some cool stuff
[17:38:38] <celeron55> double the voltage and put around 36 ohm resistors in series with the coils - or something like that
[17:38:39] <andypugh> You can use up to 50V on the output side, but make absolutely sure it gets nowhere near your P-Port pin side.
[17:39:21] <celeron55> that will allow a more useful speed
[17:39:30] <Jymmm> StonedSlacker: where did you get these motors from?
[17:39:36] <celeron55> but you said the motors vibrate - I don't know what can cause that
[17:39:45] <andypugh> They might be stalling
[17:39:59] <celeron55> he said that happens when they're stopped
[17:40:28] <andypugh> Odd.
[17:40:49] <StonedSlacker> jymmm: My local electronics store is the coolest place on the planet for parts. Like $2 each for thise and I got some smaller ones too.
[17:41:13] <Jymmm> StonedSlacker: Can you post a photo or two?
[17:41:35] <celeron55> also draw the schematic of it
[17:41:40] <andypugh> ULN2003 handles 0.5A, so 50V and 36 ohm motors is still safe.
[17:42:02] <StonedSlacker> The motors vibrate when the feedrate is turned up too high. I have to keep the feedrate low and the motors run decent but as I turn the feedrate up the weakers the motors get until finally they do nothing but vibrate
[17:42:11] <StonedSlacker> Sure
[17:42:12] <Jymmm> andypugh: But 36ohm is awefully high
[17:42:24] <SWPadnos> StonedSlacker, that's how steppers work
[17:42:31] <andypugh> Jymmm: It is. But if that is what he has...
[17:42:35] <SWPadnos> they have full torque from zero speed up to their
[17:42:41] <SWPadnos> "corner frequency"
[17:42:41] <Jymmm> sounds like they came from a copy machine or something.
[17:43:07] <SWPadnos> faster than that, they're constant power devices, which means that torque goes down as speed goes up (since power = torque * speed)
[17:43:15] <Jymmm> andypugh: Just because I have 386 computer, doesn;t mean I should use it =)
[17:43:22] <StonedSlacker> http://picasaweb.google.com/compuslave/Projects#
[17:43:28] <celeron55> StonedSlacker: get a power supply with an output voltage of something like 30-50V and put current limiting resistors so that the coils in series of the coils don't get too much current
[17:44:02] <celeron55> uh, i mean "put current limiting resistors in series of the coils"
[17:44:04] <SWPadnos> using series resistors (or a resistor - I gather these are unipolar) will make the power and heat go up quite a bit
[17:44:09] <Jymmm> StonedSlacker: I want to see the motor label close up
[17:44:16] <andypugh> The issue is one of winding inductance.
[17:44:41] <SWPadnos> even at a few hundred mA, a 10-20V voltage across the resistor will be multiple watts of heat
[17:44:41] <StonedSlacker> What do you mean by current reducing resistors? Are all resistors not current limiting? I ask because you are not the first to specifically say that. What should the value of the resistor be?
[17:44:49] <andypugh> I don't think series resistors will be needed if the resistance is as high as quoted.
[17:44:50] <StonedSlacker> Okay jymmm
[17:44:56] <StonedSlacker> gimme a sec
[17:45:06] <Jymmm> One Mississippi
[17:45:13] <Jymmm> Two Mississippi
[17:45:19] <Jymmm> three mississippi
[17:45:51] <celeron55> 50V in 36 ohms will make awful amounts of heat
[17:46:02] <celeron55> 70W 8)
[17:46:17] <celeron55> 12V is good with no resistors - like he already has
[17:46:24] <andypugh> Less heat than into 1 ohm..
[17:46:58] <celeron55> 70W means the small motors will burn in a few seconds
[17:48:09] <andypugh> Run them underwater?
[17:48:22] <Jymmm> and add salt
[17:48:28] <Jymmm> lil pepper
[17:48:56] <Jymmm> and one clove of garlic chopped.
[17:49:08] <andypugh> More seriously they sound like they are designed to be self-limiting at some arbitrary voltage.
[17:56:46] <pcw_home> So If you add 2 75 Ohm 10W external resistors and a 36V supply you would have about the same (static) motor current
[17:56:48] <pcw_home> and 3 roughly times the speed capability
[17:56:58] <StonedSlacker> As usual you guys are giving me so much good stuff its gonna take me a minute to catch up. Jymmm, that pic is coming up. I see y'all talking about heat, as soon I start EMC, before I ever jog anything or anything the motors lock right up and hold. In about 5 minutes they are hot as hell.
[17:57:04] <frallzor> * frallzor playing around with photosynth and the "cnc shop" :P
[17:57:10] <frallzor> *is even
[17:57:33] <pcw_home> (roughly 3)
[18:00:35] <StonedSlacker> jymmm http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gk4YaHXX47A/TBu0KfaGOeI/AAAAAAAADR4/6LD4gYDeTAw/s800/photo.jpg
[18:00:38] <andypugh> StonedSlacker: Sounds like you already have too much current then.
[18:01:13] <frallzor> http://photosynth.net/edit.aspx?cid=0B4EC3B6-DA76-4143-8805-2A246D02CDC3&firstview=1&wa=wsignin1.0 try if this works =)
[18:01:29] <StonedSlacker> I have no idea what the motor is rated at
[18:02:29] <pcw_home> 333 mA@12V = 4watts/phase Of course it could be a itty-bitty 5V motor
[18:02:30] <pcw_home> (steppers often run uncomfortably hot)
[18:02:56] <StonedSlacker> I have heatsinks for them. I'm thinking I'm gonna need em.
[18:03:26] <frallzor> vhttp://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=0b4ec3b6-da76-4143-8805-2a246d02cdc3 this link I mean :)
[18:05:14] <StonedSlacker> I hooked one of these up to an NTE2013 first and use a simple windows based app that simply stepped the motor along a very narrow range of speeds but it had several modes of stepping you could choose from. One was high torque and I could not stop the motor with my fingers. If it did it then it should be able to do it now. Whats the damn deal?
[18:06:29] <andypugh> As the speed goes up, with a stepper, the torque drops like a stone.
[18:06:53] <andypugh> I would guess you still couldn't stop the motor with your fingers at low speed.
[18:07:16] <andypugh> But at high enough speed a stepper doesn't even have enough torque to turn itself.
[18:08:27] <StonedSlacker> The 2018 I'm using now is essentially capable of double the current as the 2013. That's why it was recommended to me. Andy, youre right, I could not stop it even at low speed. This is all I want now. Surely I can eek enough torque out of these things to turn a damn etch-a-sketch knob lol
[18:08:30] <andypugh> frallzor: That's pretty cool
[18:09:00] <andypugh> StonedSlacker: Yes, more volts will give the same torque to a higher speed.
[18:09:40] <StonedSlacker> Okay, so I just need to throw a shit ton of volts at it. Weee
[18:09:49] <Jymmm> Selectronic 12V 48 steps / turn (55SI-25D)
[18:10:18] <andypugh> But more volts will mean a lot more heat at low speed.
[18:10:38] <StonedSlacker> What size resistor should I put on it? I dont really understand how resistors are rated, which is a problem.
[18:10:48] <frallzor> andypugh I thought so too =)
[18:10:54] <StonedSlacker> Maybe add my heatsinks and fans
[18:11:33] <andypugh> In theory you could get clever and multiply the stepgen outputs by a PWM function in HAL, proportional to axis speed, to get a rudimentary current-limiting controller.
[18:11:39] <alex|lappy> ok, yesterday I got emc running motors on my bench. today is safety charge pump, e-stop, limit switch and vfd
[18:11:40] <StonedSlacker> jymmm: Dude, I googled like a madman with no luck. You da man!
[18:11:57] <alex|lappy> * alex|lappy is pumpedup
[18:12:01] <alex|lappy> pumped up
[18:12:10] <pcw_home> If the motor is designed for 12V and its 36 Ohms, adding another 36 Ohms series resistor would allow you to raise the power supply to 24V
[18:12:29] <StonedSlacker> andypugh: I'm determined that one day I will understand hal well enough for those sorts of hacks.
[18:12:53] <StonedSlacker> Ahh, simple pcw_home
[18:12:56] <StonedSlacker> Thanks
[18:12:59] <Jymmm> • Stepper motor 7.5 ° (48 steps / rev)
[18:12:59] <Jymmm> • Utilisable en mode unipolaire et • Suitable for unipolar mode and
[18:12:59] <Jymmm> bipolaire sous 12 VDC Bipolar at 12 VDC
[18:13:01] <Jymmm> • 4 phases 36 W et 2 communs • 4-phase 36 W and 2 common
[18:13:03] <Jymmm> • Dimensions : Ø 55 x 25 mm • Dimensions: Ø 55 x 25 mm
[18:13:05] <Jymmm> • Axe : Ø 6,35 x 17 mm • Shaft: Ø 6.35 x 17 mm
[18:13:07] <Jymmm> • Entr'axe de fixation : 67 mm • Distance between fixing: 67 mm
[18:13:30] <Jymmm> StonedSlacker: your google skillz suck0rs
[18:13:31] <SWPadnos> StonedSlacker, the high torque mode may energize two coils at once
[18:13:38] <StonedSlacker> lol
[18:13:58] <SWPadnos> instead of going 1000 0100 0010 0001, the sequence would be 1100 0110 0011 1001
[18:14:14] <SWPadnos> there may be a stepgen mode that will do that
[18:14:25] <pcw_home> 4 resistors needed BTW
[18:14:31] <SWPadnos> and there's also "half stepping" - 1000 1100 0100 0110 ...
[18:14:52] <SWPadnos> (energizes one coil, then the next one (while leaving the first on), then just the second, etc
[18:14:55] <SWPadnos> )
[18:14:56] <StonedSlacker> SWPadnos: That is exactly what I am hoping
[18:15:02] <andypugh> PCW perhaps only one resistor on the common point if unipolar?
[18:15:33] <SWPadnos> yep, try type 6, I think
[18:16:37] <StonedSlacker> Quick question- What does the cycle time parameter do in the ini file?
[18:16:52] <pcw_home> andypugh: not sure how that would work, worth a try
[18:17:02] <SWPadnos> it changes the rate at which the user interfaces update their displays, for some user interfaces
[18:17:31] <SWPadnos> they basically sleep most of the time, but wake up every CYCLE_TIME to see what's changed
[18:17:48] <SWPadnos> StonedSlacker, http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/2.4/html/hal_rtcomps.html#sec:Stepgen
[18:17:57] <SWPadnos> there are diagrams of all the stepgen output types there
[18:18:11] <StonedSlacker> Thanks SWPadnos
[18:18:21] <SWPadnos> sure
[18:18:25] <SWPadnos> bbl
[18:19:22] <andypugh> Yes, 6 looks promising.
[18:19:27] <pcw_home> andypugh: yes you can just use PWM without feedback to control current in a step motor,
[18:19:27] <Jymmm> StonedSlacker: Use google to translate http://www.selectronic.fr/article.asp?article_ref_entier=10.7906-9999
[18:19:28] <pcw_home> imagine just varying the power supply voltage based on speed, works pretty well but needs HS PWM
[18:19:55] <Jymmm> StonedSlacker: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.selectronic.fr%2Farticle.asp%3Farticle_ref_entier%3D10.7906-9999
[18:20:37] <andypugh> I guess it is OK as long as PWM rate is about 10x step rate, but that is likely to rather limit step rate with software PWM.
[18:20:43] <Jymmm> StonedSlacker: they typo'ed in the title, but their index page has the correct PN
[18:20:47] <pcw_home> Also has the advantage of better low speed damping than current control systems
[18:21:05] <pcw_home> kind of like a sensorless VFD
[18:21:44] <andypugh> I am thinking that is will limit current through the driver chip, and save the need for a 50W power resistor (or 4)
[18:22:54] <andypugh> It might take some fiddling to get the right parameters though.
[18:23:12] <StonedSlacker> Changing to type 6 immediatly helped, immediatly.
[18:24:04] <andypugh> No, that was too easy. Find a harder way to do it.
[18:25:13] <pcw_home> Yep, not only getting parameters right but not starting up stuck on and fryola
[18:25:32] <StonedSlacker> You're right, Andy. Searchiong now
[18:28:08] <pcw_home> crap, cant avoid work any longer...
[18:28:10] <pcw_home> bye
[18:28:37] <andypugh> Bye
[18:33:47] <andypugh> Hmm, the PWM current limiting looks like a go-er, You could use 4 x and2 functions to gate the stepgen outputs before they get to the P-port pins. PWMgen has minimum, maximum, scale and offset settings, so could be wired direct to axis.velocity. http://www.linuxcnc.org/docview/html//man/man9/pwmgen.9.html
[18:39:17] <StonedSlacker> Now to tackle the backlash, which is substantial on an etch-a-sketch, as you might imagine :^D
[18:39:27] <andypugh> Now, I wonder if the Xterm in my HP100LX will display Aduino serial output?
[18:42:45] <StonedSlacker> Where is the software backlash adjustment? I don't believe I've saw it.
[18:43:16] <StonedSlacker> I need to go right now and buy a folder so I can print the integrators manual out
[18:44:49] <StonedSlacker> Actually it's siesta time. See you guys in a couple hours :^)
[18:45:22] <telmnstr> HP 100LX? it should be able to do it at 9600
[18:47:39] <alex|lappy> StonedSlacker, iirc it is in your ini file
[18:48:00] <alex|lappy> StonedSlacker, i think the real answer is to upgrade to some nice ground ballscrews
[18:48:08] <alex|lappy> then you don't even need to know where it is
[18:48:13] <alex|lappy> that is what I am going to do :D
[18:53:05] <andypugh> Yeah, the question is whether I can be bothered with the Xterm config and making the cable, or should just bring all the PSUs and stuff down the Mac.
[18:53:44] <andypugh> The scope does show activity on the Arduino serial pins though :-)
[18:54:19] <telmnstr> xterm? Isn't the hp100lx a msdos machine?
[18:55:41] <ds2> MMmmmm hp100lx
[18:57:07] <andypugh> Yes, I meant Xmodem
[18:57:25] <telmnstr> I used to use telix, qmodem, and telemate back in the day
[18:57:34] <andypugh> Slightly different concept
[18:58:56] <telmnstr> I remember xmodem, zmodem and leach zmodem for file transfers
[19:01:03] <SWPadnos> kermit
[19:04:58] <andypugh> Crikey, it even works, after a fashion.
[19:05:17] <andypugh> The output is gibberish, but it is definitely sending something every second
[19:27:36] <kanzure> what was the name of the services/engineering company that specialized in total documentation and moving of a factory? something about matrix.. matrices..
[19:38:15] <PCW> andypugh: would you be interested in adding support for the 8I20 to HostMot2?
[19:38:17] <PCW> Its like the 3 phase PWM without the three phase or the PWM
[19:38:39] <andypugh> Sounds easy then :-)
[19:39:03] <PCW> Null set driver
[19:39:48] <PCW> Well it is 3 phase and PWM but those are hidden from HostMot2
[19:40:24] <andypugh> Values to registers in much the same way?
[19:40:58] <andypugh> kanzure Matrix-Churchill?
[19:43:29] <PCW> Yes one 32 bit write register/axis with 16 bits of torque and 16 bits of angle (65536=360 electrical degrees)
[19:43:30] <PCW> 2 32 bit read registers with 8I20motor bus voltage/ 8I20 temperature/8I20status/communication status
[19:44:27] <PCW> just a little smarter than the 7I39
[19:44:50] <andypugh> Sounds easy enough, to be honest.
[19:45:37] <PCW> Its supposed to be (the hairy communication stuff is all encapsulated in the firmware)
[19:46:37] <andypugh> Does it use a special bit-file?
[19:46:45] <PCW> Yes
[19:47:47] <alex|lappy> apparently you can burn out the motor of a cheap chinese weed wacker in under 30 minutes on just 3 foot tall grass
[19:48:49] <celeron55> :-)
[19:48:59] <andypugh> I am going to conclude that my IRAMS-based servo drive works, but the Arduino code driving it is suspect.
[19:49:04] <PCW> We went to slow mowers last year, rarely burn out but are susceptible to dog attack
[19:49:23] <alex|lappy> PCW, the grass got a bit high for the mower
[19:49:33] <alex|lappy> hence the cheapo wallyworld trimmer
[19:49:42] <alex|lappy> I figure it would last for more then 30 minutes though
[19:49:44] <PCW> Our slow mowers just bite high
[19:49:47] <andypugh> I am guessing that pcw's mowers might go "baah"
[19:49:58] <celeron55> alex|lappy: warranty? :P
[19:50:42] <PCW> We got no warranty but they are self replicating
[19:50:46] <alex|lappy> celeron55, fuck yeah.
[19:50:53] <alex|lappy> I bought it like 2 days ago
[19:51:08] <alex|lappy> i am gonna take that mofo back and get another one, and keep doing it until my lawn looks nice again :D
[19:51:21] <PCW> Have you tried the IRAM with the HostMot2 3PWM
[19:51:22] <celeron55> :D
[19:51:28] <andypugh> PCW: Send me a 7i43 bit file and I will see what I can do.
[19:51:47] <PCW> I need to send you a 8I20 or 2 as well
[19:52:43] <andypugh> That is the next step, once I am confident it won't blow up at 240V I will hook it up to the 3pwmgen and the sinusoidal driver.
[19:52:48] <SWPadnos> hmmm. I think Seb said he can't make it to tje CNC workshop
[19:52:50] <SWPadnos> the
[19:53:10] <alex|lappy> CNC workshop, where is it at?
[19:53:19] <SWPadnos> Ann Arbor, MI
[19:53:30] <SWPadnos> next Tuesday-Friday, I think
[19:53:50] <PCW> I'll send you a bit file on Monday if you want to play (all it will do without he 8I20 is report communication timeout status...)
[19:53:58] <andypugh> PCW: Could the 8i20 onboard DSP handle resolver conversion too? That would be a nice plus.
[19:54:19] <alex|lappy> ah, that is a bit far away
[19:55:33] <SWPadnos> ah yes, Oregon
[19:55:35] <andypugh> But aye, send the bit-file so I can start thinking
[19:56:14] <PCW> No it doesnt get involved in position sensing its just a torque mode 3 phase amplifier but couppled with a 7I51 (7I49 with serial ports instead of analog out)
[19:56:15] <PCW> you can run 6 axis of resolver based servo motors
[19:58:02] <andypugh> I can't remember how the 7i49 works, is that a quadrature emulator?
[19:58:55] <PCW> No it presents parallel registers for absolute position and velocity
[19:59:51] <PCW> (another HM2 module with an embedded processor and dial ported RAM interface to the host)
[20:00:01] <andypugh> Sounds like another driver missing?
[20:00:01] <PCW> (dual)
[20:00:05] <lepton> Sorry to jump in, but while Mesa hardware is being discussed, does anyone know if there are problems with the 5i23 in EMC 2.4?
[20:00:30] <SWPadnos> are you having problems with a 5i23 and EMC 2.4?
[20:00:51] <lepton> No, but I'm working on setting it up and Peter at Mesa (who I just spoke with) thought there might be an issue
[20:00:52] <lepton> but he's not sure
[20:01:07] <SWPadnos> hmmm. maybe I'll bring my 5i23 to the workshop then
[20:01:24] <PCW> Only think Ive heard is someone with a loading problem on the forum (worked with 2.3 fails with 2.4)
[20:01:25] <lepton> I'll be trying it out later on today, but I'm wondering if I should get them to send me a 5i20 (apparently known good in 2.4) so I can have it on Monday if there are issues
[20:01:32] <andypugh> That Peter at Mesa, if only he would habg out here, eh?
[20:01:45] <lepton> I mentioned it to him today!
[20:02:08] <lepton> How often is Chris (pncconf guy) around here?
[20:02:23] <andypugh> cradek?
[20:02:24] <SWPadnos> most of the time, but he's on the road at the moment
[20:02:29] <lepton> I really like pncconf but Peter and I are both a bit confused as to actual what it's doing
[20:02:39] <SWPadnos> now where did I put the PCI bracket for the 5i23?
[20:02:46] <John_f_> Speaking of compatibility, can I run EMC 2.4 on a Ubuntu 6.06 machine?
[20:03:50] <SWPadnos> John_f_, you may be able to, but there are no pre-built packages for 6.06
[20:04:23] <SWPadnos> I don't know if any non-compatible changes were made, but it is possible - I think there are some firmware loading functions that don't work in 6.06
[20:04:24] <John_f_> so I have to complile my own
[20:04:38] <SWPadnos> what hardware are you using?
[20:05:25] <John_f_> I am not sure. I have a old AB VersaView that I use in the shop just for testing and editing programs befor I put them on my CNC
[20:05:49] <SWPadnos> err, I mean Mesa, Pico, parallel prot ...
[20:05:54] <SWPadnos> port
[20:06:11] <John_f_> Oh none.
[20:06:22] <John_f_> Just simulation
[20:06:37] <SWPadnos> in that case you should be fine on 6.06
[20:06:59] <John_f_> but I still need to compile?
[20:07:26] <SWPadnos> the only thing that can't work on 6.06 is Mesa, because the old driver was retired (AFAIK)
[20:07:28] <SWPadnos> yes
[20:07:32] <SWPadnos> there are no packages for 6.06
[20:07:47] <John_f_> thanks
[20:07:50] <SWPadnos> sure
[20:08:02] <andypugh> Even I can compile EMC2 though, how hard can it be?
[20:08:14] <Jymmm> Yes, we have no bananas today
[20:08:35] <John_f_> well I did it once about a year ago. I just always take the easy path
[20:16:18] <andypugh> OK, off upstairs to try my power stage with the full 240V...
[20:17:43] <andypugh> If I am not back in half an hour, it probably means I have blown the fuse and the computer won't work. Or that I am a charred corpse melting in to the carpet. One or the other.
[20:17:56] <frallzor> ohh corpsy
[20:18:06] <frallzor> corpsylicious
[20:20:20] <StonedSlacker> I don't supposed there is a way to rerun/reload the ini file to make any changes current, besides restarting the whole thing, is there?
[20:24:54] <skunkworks> StonedSlacker: there isn't
[20:25:36] <StonedSlacker> I didn't think so
[20:26:19] <StonedSlacker> hmmmm
[20:27:33] <StonedSlacker> From what I can find online etc I should just be able to add the line BACKLASH=0.5 in my ini file to use backlash comp. I get an error, not backlash comp.
[20:27:58] <StonedSlacker> Do I need to load that component first in my hal file? Is it a component?
[20:30:51] <Endeavour> Hello
[20:31:56] <SWPadnos> StonedSlacker, it is not a component
[20:32:20] <SWPadnos> there's no reason for any value in an ini file to cause an error (at least not from reading the file)
[20:32:34] <SWPadnos> you can mis-spell the word, and it will be ignored (not used, ignored)
[20:32:58] <SWPadnos> the only issues should be if you use an invalid value on the right side of the = sign
[20:33:10] <SWPadnos> like BACKLASH=Bilbo Baggins
[20:34:10] <andypugh> I found that the working Hall pattern was an illegal one, so realised there was a problem elsewhere, so Project Exploding Capacitor is postponed.
[20:38:25] <SWPadnos> ha! found it
[20:41:28] <alex|lappy> hmm, anyone know where i would change the frequency of the output of a charge pump?
[20:41:49] <alex|lappy> I am getting a 20 microsecond period, which is 50kHz, and I need 12.5
[20:41:50] <SWPadnos> you don't set a frequency, it toggles every time the thread runs
[20:42:06] <alex|lappy> hurm
[20:42:28] <alex|lappy> SWPadnos, my control board says it needs 12.5kHz
[20:42:28] <SWPadnos> you can move it to another thread, or use something like freqgen instead (with the enable connected to the same thing you would have connected to the charge pump enable)
[20:42:38] <SWPadnos> what's your BASE_PERIOD?
[20:43:36] <alex|lappy> 22600
[20:44:50] <SWPadnos> have you tried it and seen it not work?
[20:44:55] <alex|lappy> yes
[20:45:04] <SWPadnos> bummer, often the frequency is a minimum
[20:45:05] <alex|lappy> and i hooked my scope up to the pin, and it is getting a waveform
[20:45:14] <SWPadnos> sure, but it's at 22kHz or so
[20:45:31] <SWPadnos> 1/(2*22600 ns)
[20:46:50] <SWPadnos> you could try dividing by 2 by hooking up a flipflop
[20:47:00] <SWPadnos> 11 kHz may be close enough
[20:47:23] <SWPadnos> http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/2.4/html/man/man9/flipflop.9.html
[20:50:06] <alex|lappy> SWPadnos, I am having trouble parsing that page
[20:50:59] <SWPadnos> heh
[20:51:37] <SWPadnos> hmm. there's no inverted output, so you need a "not" as well
[20:52:07] <SWPadnos> connect FF out to not in, not out to FF data, and FF clk to charge pump out
[20:52:30] <alex|lappy> SWPadnos, so I can just add a new thread in the INI called say CHARGEPUMP_PERIOD and then addf charge-pump chargepump-thread
[20:52:39] <SWPadnos> sure, you can do that too
[20:52:54] <SWPadnos> set it to double the BASE_PERIOD
[20:53:39] <SWPadnos> I'm not sure if you'll be able to add another thread though, threads are a little weird, and I don't know if you can add a thread that's faster than the slowest existing one
[20:54:11] <SWPadnos> you may need to manually load "threads", and specify all three threads in your hal file *before* motmod is loadsd
[20:54:15] <SWPadnos> loaded
[20:55:09] <andypugh> Why not just use a freqgen? That will stop running if EMC2 freezes just as surely as a charge pump
[20:55:28] <SWPadnos> yep, mentioned that earlier :)
[20:55:41] <andypugh> I was reinforcing your point :-)
[20:55:55] <SWPadnos> heh
[20:56:25] <andypugh> Or a 50% pwmgen
[20:56:36] <KimK> StonedSlacker: Is your machine based in millimeters?
[20:57:29] <andypugh> freqgen will probably manage a closer approximation to the actual frequency required, though.
[20:57:45] <alex|lappy> how would I use freqgen?
[20:57:55] <KimK> * KimK is glad to see andypugh back and chatting, and not charred and soaking into the carpet
[20:58:19] <andypugh> I never left, I noticed a flaw in my code, fixed it, and now it isn't working at all.
[20:59:13] <andypugh> The driver is good, by the way. No problems there. It is the Arduino combination resolver convertor and PWM generator that is not working quite right.
[20:59:19] <alex|lappy> more, what would the syntax be for a freqgen output of 12.5kHz on pin 17
[20:59:55] <andypugh> loadrt freqgen step_type=0
[21:00:15] <andypugh> addf freqgen.make-pulses
[21:00:35] <andypugh> addf freqgen.update-freq
[21:00:46] <andypugh> (You might get away without that last one)
[21:02:11] <andypugh> setp freqgen.0.velocity-scale 1
[21:02:45] <andypugh> setp freqgen.0.velocity 12500
[21:03:27] <andypugh> net cp freqgen.0.step => parport.0.pin-17-out
[21:04:12] <andypugh> (Look at freqgen.0.frequency to see if it is anything like correct)
[21:04:22] <andypugh> (using a Halmeter)
[21:05:19] <andypugh> Oh, and make it type 2 not type 0, you will get a squarer waveform.
[21:10:11] <alex|lappy> hurm
[21:10:23] <alex|lappy> andypugh, "freqgen.update-freq" needs FP
[21:10:51] <andypugh> yeah, put that in the servo thread
[21:11:31] <SWPadnos> or use stepgen in v mode
[21:13:02] <alex|lappy> and now "freqgen.0.step" does not exist
[21:14:42] <andypugh> You are using type 2?
[21:14:55] <alex|lappy> yes
[21:14:56] <andypugh> In that case it becomes stepgen.0.phase-A
[21:15:24] <SWPadnos> use a stepgen in "v" mode
[21:15:30] <andypugh> Errr, freqgen.0......
[21:15:38] <SWPadnos> add 1 to the count, and add ,v to the ctel_type parameter
[21:15:41] <andypugh> Or change them all, indeed.
[21:15:45] <SWPadnos> ctry_type
[21:15:47] <SWPadnos> gah
[21:15:50] <SWPadnos> ctrl_type
[21:15:54] <SWPadnos> gotta run. see you later
[21:16:27] <andypugh> yeah, you already have a stepgen?
[21:16:38] <andypugh> delete all that freqgen stuff :-)
[21:16:45] <alex|lappy> lulz
[21:16:53] <alex|lappy> ok
[21:16:56] <alex|lappy> so if I have a stepgen
[21:17:00] <alex|lappy> and I do
[21:17:18] <andypugh> see the loadrt line? Add one to the number. What is that number now?
[21:18:00] <andypugh> Sorry, let me try again looking at the docs rather than guessing.
[21:18:08] <SWPadnos> num_stepgens
[21:18:10] <SWPadnos> probably
[21:18:45] <alex|lappy> in loadrt the only mention of stepgen is "loadrt stepgen step_type=0,0,0"
[21:18:47] <andypugh> no, it's loadrt stepgen step_type=0,0,0 etc.
[21:19:20] <andypugh> OK, make it say step_type=0,0,0,2 ctrl_type=p,p,p,v
[21:20:34] <alex|lappy> there is no ctrl type there already, so I just threw that on the same line as the stepgen loadrt
[21:20:55] <andypugh> Then you should just need setp stepgen.3.position-scale 60
[21:21:15] <andypugh> Yes, that's an optional parameter that became non-optional just now.
[21:21:35] <andypugh> setp stepgen.3.velocity-cmd 12500
[21:22:43] <andypugh> net cp stepgen.3.phase-A => parport.0.pin-17-out
[21:26:44] <alex|lappy> andypugh, "paraport.0.pin-17-out" does not exist
[21:26:50] <alex|lappy> btw, thanks for the help
[21:26:59] <alex|lappy> the HAL is a bit difficult to get your head around at first
[21:27:48] <andypugh> What are your other parport pins called, it looks like a typo?
[21:29:32] <alex|lappy> yup
[21:29:35] <alex|lappy> paraport instead of parport
[21:32:58] <alex|lappy> hurm, now it is just driving the pin high
[21:34:26] <andypugh> setp stepgen.3.enable true
[21:35:00] <andypugh> (You can do that in the "Machine config" window to see if it does the trick, no need to restart
[21:36:32] <alex|lappy> perfect
[21:36:36] <alex|lappy> you are a HAL lord
[21:36:40] <alex|lappy> kinda like a time lord, but more nerdy
[21:37:12] <alex|lappy> is the position-scale 60 command to conver things into seconds?
[21:43:23] <StonedSlacker> SWPadnos: I tried decimal and non decimal numbers as a value for BACKLASH and got an error no matter what.
[21:43:37] <StonedSlacker> KimK: Nope. Good ol' inches for me.
[21:46:42] <andypugh> alex|lappy: Yes, that was what the 60 was for, to change from units per minute to steps per second. You might want to fire up a halmeter (machine -> hal meter in Axis) and look at stepgen.3.frequency to see if it is right.
[21:47:16] <alex|lappy> andypugh, I just threw my real scope on it and it works well
[21:47:26] <alex|lappy> oh, how would I link the charge pump to the Estop
[21:47:43] <andypugh> And don't forget to add the "enable" to the HAL file...
[21:48:04] <andypugh> ... Ah, right, in that case wire the enable to the estop chain in HAL
[21:49:24] <andypugh> just tag stepgen.3.enable to the end of the estop hal line along with motion.enable and the rest.
[22:14:15] <StonedSlacker> I know the suspense is killing every last one of you, so I'll give you all some relief. The error was being caused by not putting a space on both sides of the equals sign.
[22:40:50] <SWPLinux_> SWPLinux_ is now known as SWPLinux
[22:42:56] <SWPLinux> hey Jymmm, you around?
[22:44:51] <SWPLinux> nevermind
[22:53:19] <PCW_> PCW_ is now known as PCW
[23:45:38] <cncmachineguy> does emc have an index function?
[23:47:00] <fragalot> Jymmm: wrt the NC switches - yeah that's what I thought, and what the 'invert' flag is for in the stepconfig wizard,.. so it's got to be something else.
[23:47:28] <Jymmm> wrt?
[23:47:32] <Jymmm> wart?
[23:47:35] <Jymmm> wrote?
[23:47:39] <Jymmm> write?
[23:47:47] <cncmachineguy> to be more clear, I am used to controls having an index out, what it does is sends a signal to an attached inderer, then waits for a finish signal from the indexer
[23:48:01] <Jymmm> youa speaka da englisha eh fragalot????
[23:49:04] <fragalot> Jymmm: Aye - just means 'about' really
[23:49:28] <fragalot> something I picked up from english IRC channels
[23:49:44] <Jymmm> fragalot: well, drop it and go wash your hands
[23:49:50] <fragalot> nevar.
[23:50:13] <PCW> with regard to
[23:51:02] <fragalot> ^