Re: [Emc-users] EMC Configuration Selector

[Jon E. <el...@pi...>]

On 05/31/2014 01:25 PM, DeshardSystemsMexico . wrote:
> Good day
>
> I'm new to LinuxCNC, I had never used it before, the program I've always
> used is Mach3, but now there are some things I'd like to try, and as far as
> I have read, it's possible to do it on LinuxCNC, but I'm stuck, help!
>
> On the configuration selector there's plenty of options under the sample
> configurations choice, but I don't know which one to use in order to get
> used to the software and feel confident enough to implement it on my built
> CNC, which currently still works with Mach. I don't know what option is
> correct to become familiar with the program environment first.
>
> The CNC I use has servo motors from DMM Tech, and looking through on forums
> and stuff, I found that LinuxCNC works well with the DYN3-H drive, but I
> couldn't find any information on the rest of the drives, and I don't use
> that model, I use DYN2-H.
I'm assuming you are using the drives in step/direction mode?
This will be simple to do in LinuxCNC, but if the resolution 
is high
(high number of step counts/distance moved) then there may
be a limit on the speed.  It may be worth the trouble to get one
of the hardware assist boards from Mesa or Pico Systems (that's
me) to get higher step rates.  But, you can start with the 
sample
config under stepper and then select wither stepper_inch or 
stepper_mm
and try that out.
>   And putting that aside for now, I still don't
> know what option to use when I'm at that configuration selector part, so
> that I can load my G-codes and see if everything works well.
>
>
Once you select a valid config, it will ask if you want to 
copy the
sample to the user's home directory, answer yes.  After a 
moment,
the Axis screen for LinuxCNC will appear.  You can load a file
with the file folder symbol near the upper left, and enable
the machine by hitting F1, then F2.  You can jog the axes
and the on-screen pointer will move.  If you run your G-code,
it will trace out the toolpath.  The screen can be cleared 
with the
broom icon at the upper right.  (Or it may be in a different 
place
depending on the size of your screen.)

Moving the mouse while the cursor is in the main display window
and holding down the buttons allows you to zoom, rotate and
slide the display for best viewing.

There will be rulers on the screen that show the range of travel
required for the part.

Once you have this working, you may want to use stepconf
to create your own stepper config based on the performance
of the computer and the arrangement of the drive and motors.
This can allow you to recreate the same pinout of the parallel
port as used by Mach, so you can just swap plugs and try
out LinuxCNC on the machine without any fear you won't
be able to go back.

Jon