File Release Notes and Changelog
Notes:
Long awaited 2.1.0 release, with a lot of exciting new features.
Changes:
* AXIS debug level dialog. Users can now choose verbosity directly from AXIS
* HAL driver & sample config for the pluto FPGA board
* AXIS home-all and pyvcp support
* 'unobtainable step rate' error message. when the user requests a velocity which is too high (improper config) this gets reported as a warning during startup.
* streamer (component for data passing from realtime to userspace)
* removed HAL types s8, u8, s16, and u16. HAL now uses float for analog values, bit for booleans, and s32 or u32 for integer values. The only users who will be affected are those with Universal Stepper Controller cards. See item 9 at http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?UpdatingConfigurationsForDevelopmentVersions
* merged classicladder 0.7.100
* added a feed-hold HAL pin. Added M codes to enable/disable feed override, spindle override, feed hold, and adaptive feed individually. Feed override is M50, spindle override is M51, adaptive feed is M52, and feed hold is M53. G50/51 are no longer used to enable/disable adaptive feed, use M52 instead.
* added support for block delete as defined by Section 2.2.2 in the RS274NGC_3 specs.
* added support for optional program stop as defined by Section 2.2.3 in the RS274NGC_3 specs.
* manpages have been created for most rtapi and hal calls
* added a userspace simulator which includes rtapi threads. Use "--enable-simulator" to enable this mode, which cannot be used to control real hardware
* added support to optionally save joint positions between runs ([TRAJ] POSITION_FILE = position.txt)
* added support to specify UNITS in literal in the ini. (e.g. [TRAJ] LINEAR_UNITS = mm )
* fixed bug #1384883, optional stop was not optional.
* AXIS is now a part of EMC2, not a separate source download.
* Added a spindle-speed override. This allows to override the spindle speed during a program run. The MIN_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE and MAX_SPINDLE_OVERRIDE in the ini assure that speed doesn't get reduced or increased too much. 1.0 is 100%, just like feed override
* Documentation can be built from source with the 'make docs' target
* added realtime support for jogwheels. Three HAL pins per axis: one accepts raw counts from the wheel, one sets the distance moved per count, and one enables that axis to move.
* added 'adaptive feed', a HAL pin that can be used to scale the feedrate in real time. Simular to feedrate override, but can only vary from 0.0 to 1.0, and reacts much faster. Intended for use with EDM and other applications that require closed loop control of feedrate.
* contouring performance is improved when using tolerance mode (G64 Pxxx)
* G76 multipass threading cycle for lathes
* lathe tool shape compensation and offsets
* AXIS gui draws the lathe tool shape as described in the tool table
* index pulse support for the PPMC family (for homing and spindle sensing)
* "extra DAC" support for some PPMC cards
* added FF2 (acceleration feedforward) to PID
* new sample configs including a torch height controller and lathes
* regression test infrastructure
* emcrsh, a telnet based user interface
* xemc and keystick user interfaces for low-powered computers
* kinematics are loaded as modules, eliminating the need for recompiling
* support for safe homing when several home switches to the same input pin
* a "home all" message that homes the axes together or in a particular order
* axis_manualtoolchange, which prompts the user to change the tool when the standard M6 is encountered in the program
* AXIS configurable filtering, where an input file can be run through a filter to create gcode automatically
* some example AXIS input filters for images and python code, and example inputs
* readline support in halcmd
* "net" HAL command which can simplify HAL files by replacing a "newsig" and several "link" commands with one command
* "pwmgen" HAL component to make PWM generation simpler
* leadscrew compensation
* improved backlash compensation
* many new inputs and outputs in halui
* parallel port "X mode" (control port as inputs) which works on some hardware. this gives a nice combination of 8 outputs and 9 inputs.
* many improvements in presentation and usability in halscope
* the configuration picker allows you to automatically copy a sample configuration to your home directory and/or create a launching icon on the desktop