I jsut built my first 3 axis machine and now I'm looking for software. I need the software to read teh gcode and output step and dir, as well as some cam software for generating teh gcode files. Can anyone recommend any (preferably free) software that will run in linux?
Thanks
ringo

http://www.linuxcnc.org/

And it works fine for me. I recommend the BDI version unless you already know Linux well. Sherline uses it for their CNC mill.

And it works fine for me. I recommend the BDI version unless you already know Linux well. Sherline uses it for their CNC mill.


Since you have used it do you mind posting a review of it here and also some screen shots? that would help people look at it from a glance to see if they would even want to go to the trouble of loading linux and the cnc software..

thanks, Joe

Great idea. I recently installed Linux (Fedora) on my CNC computer in the garage, just to have a play. Not from a CNC point of view, but out of curiosity. I actually liked it. Seems it has a lot to offer.

May have to try the BDI and see if I can get EMC running. Would be nice to get more info/screenshots, from people using it here.

Regards Terry.....

The laptop I want to install this on only has 192mgs of memory so the live version is out. It looks like the other version has the entire version of linux included, so I'm assuming this would overwrite my existing linux, is this correct? I'm using SUSE 9.2 right now and don't want to risk messing it up.
Ringo

BDI Live will need 256M RAM when run from CD. So one solution is if you can borrow more memory from another machine, install to hard disk, then you can go back to 192M again. When run from CD, it needs RAM to use as a RAMdisk. Then it will not even touch your HD until you choose to install it there.

I find it hard to do a review of a control program. It's like doing a car review, if you followed my recommendations, you would drive the most twisted roads in your county just for fun, but your groceries would have to be brought home in a wheelbarrow. :) It all depends upon what you need it for, and what your preferences and background is.

EMC needs to boot it's own kernel, as it is based on the RTAI real time system that is compiled into the kernel. If you know Linux, it should not be difficult to make it a boot option into it's own partition. EMC cannot be installed just as an application program onto an existing kernel. You can do that if you just want to look at the GUI and run the backplot though. But you can't run your machine then.

I don't think showing screenshots is very useful for several reasons:
- There are at least 3 different user interfaces for EMC. You can choose the one you like the best, or even pick the one closest to your liking and customize it. That would be only if you can do a bit of programming though.
- The user interface is one of the least important points IMO. That's just the "operator panel". It does not help a bit if you like it a lot if the works behind it does not do a good job, and/or it cannot be tied to your hardware.

EMC is very flexible when it comes to connecting hardware. If you start out with steppers, then find that too limiting and want to change to servos no problem, just fix the .INI file to reflect what you have connected. (Some configurations, like servos without step/dir interface need special hardware. Even though it should be obvious, I mention it). This versatility is the main reason I chose EMC and not Mach2. I don't want to be forced to change control program for running high speed servos which is my next stage.

If your need for speed is moderate, it can be connected directly from the parallel port to your step/dir drives. There should be a breakout board in between if your drives do not have galvanically separated inputs (optocouplers).

If you need to go fast, you should consider one of the hardware options that makes this possible. I'm upgrading to pico-systems Universal Stepper Controller. A friend of mine already use it, and his old PC can spit out step pulses faster than any motor can swallow them. Other possibilities are ISAbus or PCIbus analog servo control boards. There are several to choose from at reasonable prices.

As I mentioned, the user interface can be first chosen, then changed. I have an industrial PC with integral LCD touchscreen that I want to use. As all the source code comes with it, I can adapt whatever needed to exploit that possibility.

All this adaptablility comes at a price: You should have a bit of stamina to get it running. If not, you should at least choose one of the example setups. The documentation is scattered and not well updated. I found this frustrating at times, but the EMC community is very helpful, and I got a system I feel can do whatever I want to do in future projects. At the moment it is not suited for lathes (no threading), but this is one of the highest on the priority list for EMC2 that is well on it's way. So I stay confident that when I get to retrofitting my largest lathe, EMC2 can do it.

The closest I found to EMC is Mach2. It's not for me, as it is closed and I would have to live with the existing interface to the drives which to me is not an option, I need more speed and versatility. If you like to just answer "yes" when asked if you want to install, then be up and running the same evening, Mach2 could do that if you just read the nearly excellent manual. BTW, read the Mach2 manual even if you don't intend to use Mach2! My hat off to the guy that wrote it.

I also lisenced TurboCNC the other day, so I can probably soon see what's in that program. Reason for that is I need a quick and easy replacement for the ancient controller that my Emco Compact5 lathe came with, and as mentioned EMC can't do threading just now. TurboCNC also comes with source code, so even if the 100-hole spindle encoder of the Emco does not fit in with the program, I can choose to alter the lathe or the program. Whichever I feel give the best result.

Hopefully my ranting have given been of use to you even if it is not a review.

Thanks for the review. I went ahead and installed the DBI with EMC and right off the bat my CNC Router worked with jogging (did not have to set pins or even flip axis), and the spped control is great, it is a good looking cnc program and i believe i will use it instead of other, the only thing i have to figure out is the TPI i use a 1/2" threaded rod and it has 13 turns per inch and use 1/2 step on the hobby cnc board. I think i need to figure out the number somewhere in the EMC.ini file....

any help is apriciated.

How many do we have running Linux EMC????

Thanks, Joe

I've been playing with this too. INPUT_SCALE = 5200, at least that made it move 1 inch when you told it to move 1 inch. 13tpi , 200 steps per rev, half step mode. I like linux and I haven't tossed this one out yet. You'll need to install to a drive.

The EMC guys just recently released a new BDI version 4.16 based on Debian. You can get it from the Sherline website.

http://sherline.com/emc/

I am downloading it now to see what is new since I've been using BDI 2.xx for the past year or so on my converted Harbor Freight Micro Mill. Some minor install issues but it has been running just fine since.

Jim
www.embeddedtronics.com

I haven't tried it yet. It is not yet considered a working version as far as I've understood, so you may want to keep your old one. And 4.18 is the most recent.

I used the Live version, then used the install to drive option.
I just noticed that the axis directions are flipped. How do you fix that? You tell Z to go up, but it goes down. Mach 1 works correctly, so my machine is setup right.

Thanks for letting me know that BDI 4.16 is older. Came home from work and it finished downloading. I now have to find 4.18 and download it instead. Should of checked Linuxcnc.org for latest, I assumed that Sherline would of mirrored the latest version.

To change the direction of your stepper motor in EMC, you can either

1) Swap the motor leads on the stepper

or

2) Change the emc.ini INPUT SCALE parameter by adding a negative (-) sign.
For example:
INPUT_SCALE = -4000 0

Atleast that is what works for me.

Jim

I used the Live version, then used the install to drive option.
I just noticed that the axis directions are flipped. How do you fix that? You tell Z to go up, but it goes down. Mach 1 works correctly, so my machine is setup right.


If you run the live version you can not edit the ini file. you need to do this for the front end you want to run the TKEMC or the MINI, stepper motor increm., and so on.

If you run the live version you can not edit the ini file. you need to do this for the front end you want to run the TKEMC or the MINI, stepper motor increm., and so on.

Install to harddrive with the option. Open the .ini file in kedit.

Open a root console, chmod 777 generic.ini

Then you can save the ini file with your updates.

This is assuming that you were logged in as a user, not root. As root you can do anything. There should be a way to point the emc bin to a ini file saved on a floppy.

Can you just install on a PC not hooked up to drives. So you can look things over?

yeah, just use the live version. It will run.

Thanks for the review. I went ahead and installed the DBI with EMC and right off the bat my CNC Router worked with jogging (did not have to set pins or even flip axis), and the spped control is great, it is a good looking cnc program and i believe i will use it instead of other, the only thing i have to figure out is the TPI i use a 1/2" threaded rod and it has 13 turns per inch and use 1/2 step on the hobby cnc board. I think i need to figure out the number somewhere in the EMC.ini file....

any help is apriciated.
How many do we have running Linux EMC????

Thanks, Joe

JOE,
I have basic unipolar steppers (1.8) I use a simple step/dir controller.
Find your TPI for the screw.
For me it is 1.8 stepper at 200 revs per rotation and 16 TPI screw.
So 200 x 16 = 3200
Put the 3200 in the input scale/output scale
input 3200. 0
output 3200 .0

Also if you use open loop with no encoders on steppers (bipolar)
then use stepper.mod in the EMC.INI

Good luck!

what's the max pulse rate with emc with a printerport?

Thanks, I got it going, i had to put 5,200 for mine since i use 1/2 step so.
200x13x2=5,000
also like to point out to people if your axis are going the wrong way, you need to reverse them by simple putting a - in the number.

input/output = -5,200.0

solarchimesam, can you explain what the stepper.mod does? i'm a little confused on that part.

Thanks, Joe

what's the max pulse rate with emc with a printerport?

Sorry I can not give you a good answer on pulse rate for EMC
via printer port. Like I said I am not an expert.
Sherline uses EMC and I wonder if they could help?

I bet someone here at cnczone can answer your question !

Thanks, I got it going, i had to put 5,200 for mine since i use 1/2 step so.
200x13x2=5,000
also like to point out to people if your axis are going the wrong way, you need to reverse them by simple putting a - in the number.

input/output = -5,200.0

solarchimesam, can you explain what the stepper.mod does? i'm a little confused on that part.

Thanks, Joe

Joe I made a mistake (well sorta) by not mentioning I am running direct drive straight form the stepper to lead screw...you picked up on that I see with 200x13x2 = 5,000
I think direct for me would be 200x16x1 then?
There is a nice calculator for that out there online but I can't find it now.

Steppermod or freqmod in EMC.INI
I am old and wear glasses now so anything I say is not parachute data.
I want to say...there is soooo much data my brain gets burned so what I did first was find out what I needed for a step/dir setup.
That is the setup I have.
So I read about the EMC.INI and found that steppermod was for step/dir and I might be wrong on this but freqmod was for closed loop encoder drives.
Anyone can please double check me on that :)

I am still messing with EMC and trying to do things like get it to ramp and what not..I like that ramping. I can push these old used steppers just a tad bit more with that effect. And now when the travel cut reaches the end it does now "overshoot" the corner as bad...like a VW going to fast around
the block and missing only to hit the neighbors mailbox and bouncing off.

Is this cnczone great or what?

EMC.INI
I did some reading online concerning steppermod.o & freqmod.o
I chopped it down to make for smaller posting.

If you have stepper motors and a stepper motor controller that requires phase stepping, then freqmod.o is a solution. Phase stepping requires the computer to output the motor phase signals directly, the stepper driver is just an amplifier.

Freqmod can be used for driving stepper motors however
you need to set the value for P.
(This is located in EMC.INI)
P
I
D

There is a chapter on getting steppers to run with freqmod
You may see it at
http://linuxcnc.org/handbook/part2/freqmod.html

When using freqmod keep in mind the kind of input your stepper
driving hardware needs.
If you require only clock and direction, set
STEPPING_TYPE = 0

EMCMOT=freqmod.o
Set it to 1 if you require phase stepping, and to 2 if
you have a table driven (whatever that means) system.

Steppermod or freqmod in EMC.INI
I am old and wear glasses now so anything I say is not parachute data.
I want to say...there is soooo much data my brain gets burned so what I did first was find out what I needed for a step/dir setup.
That is the setup I have.
So I read about the EMC.INI and found that steppermod was for step/dir and I might be wrong on this but freqmod was for closed loop encoder drives.
Anyone can please double check me on that :)

I use freqmod and have no feedback. It's a "virtual closed loop" in normal cases. But I believe it can alsobe used for real closed loop.

I also use glasses because it is many years since I was born. but I'm not old, as I still actually like it when things demand a bit of Brain Aerobics! :p

Is this cnczone great or what?
To be frank.. I think it is getting bloated! Loading the ad's for the umpteen-thousandths time is starting to make me think if I really want to continue. I'd say it was very nice.

OK let's Bump this thread.

I am currently running turbocnc, definetly adequate, but I am a Linux Junkie, and want the networking and all the Linux goodies like editing and filtering to work my cnc files.

I just did a Deskart run that was 4+ meg and transfered it via 4 floppies to my turbocnc box. painful to say the least, It would have been aneasy transfer with a Linux box.

I hate windows basicly. To damn flacky for me.

I have a Xylotex controller on a taig mill, anyone done this combination with EMC?

You do know that you can do networking in DOS? It's pretty easy to set up.


http://www.dendarii.co.uk/FAQs/dos-net.html

Yeah but it is a pain and what will it do to the real time charecteristics of DOS. THe turboCNC manual recommends no TSR types of stuff loaded in the config.sys or autoexec.bat, not even DOSKEY!

Where a good real time kernel in Linux will set the proper priority to the task and can interupt the kernel as needed.

Do the newer BDI-live distro's support intergrated graphics Mobo's?

I have downloaded BDI, BDITNG and BDI Live and tried at least five diffented revision's over the last few years, on two different motherboards and three different graphics cards with no success.

A SIS 645 chipset Athlon board, an IBM PIII-800 business box with Intel chipset and intergrated graphics, ATI Expert 2000 or an older PCI matrox graphic card.

The furthest I ever got was with one of the BDI-Live CD's where it got into the reading a zillion files part before locking up on the business box with the matrox card.

In comparision TurboCNC is a real no brainer. Dos is kind of nice. Switch on machine wait ten seconds, start machining. Finish machining, close TCNC kill computor with button on front. Microsofts last stable OS.

Since I have a lathe anyway TurboCNC is a good choice, but for my up-coming mill, that CVC and CutterRadiusComp in EMC is tempting.

I guess I will find out, I was hoping that someone here would have some experience setting it up for use with a Xylotex and taig mill.

Microsofts last stable OS.


It is not a OS, it is a programloader. :)

Do the newer BDI-live distro's support intergrated graphics Mobo's?

A: I don't know.

I have downloaded BDI, BDITNG and BDI Live and tried at least five diffented revision's over the last few years, on two different motherboards and three different graphics cards with no success.

A SIS 645 chipset Athlon board, an IBM PIII-800 business box with Intel chipset and intergrated graphics, ATI Expert 2000 or an older PCI matrox graphic card.

A: Mine runs using a Matrox dual head PCI card. I only use it 1-head though.

The furthest I ever got was with one of the BDI-Live CD's where it got into the reading a zillion files part before locking up on the business box with the matrox card.

In comparision TurboCNC is a real no brainer. Dos is kind of nice. Switch on machine wait ten seconds, start machining. Finish machining, close TCNC kill computor with button on front. Microsofts last stable OS.

A: Well OS might be stretching it a bit by today's standards. ;)

Since I have a lathe anyway TurboCNC is a good choice, but for my up-coming mill, that CVC and CutterRadiusComp in EMC is tempting.
I use EMC for my mill, working OK. But it will not do lathe yet. So that's where I seem to end up too: using TCNC.


Reply is inside quoute if my HTML works.

Dieguy
check this link for xylotex and emc:
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?XylotexBoard
I would suggest to use the radio shack method, you'll understand once you read the material

RotarySMP
You might want to check the archives at:
http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?forum=emc-users
or send an email to the list, also there is an irc channel

jerry

Dieguy
check this link for xylotex and emc:
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?XylotexBoard
I would suggest to use the radio shack method, you'll understand once you read the material
jerry

Thanks, That is exactly what I was looking for. I hate to reinvent the wheel! I will just pull off a recompliation on the BDI install assuming the source is avaialble in the distribution.

Now has anyone played with EMC2. The compliation should not be a problem. Getting the Real time linux might be an issue. I will post back this weekend after I "fix up" the current controller PC with a hard drive and CDROM. It works A-OK with turboCNC but DOS is so featureless.

I bet an AMD XP2400 should be adequate. ;)

I have installed 3 versions of the BDI (Brain Dead Installs) With Varying degrees of success. Mostly due to the lack of updated Driver support and my own lacking of knowledge of how the “Make” utility works. The Debian based version seems to be the most forgiving as far as hardware is concerned but the Morfix BDI lite is would appear to be perfect for those of us not yet good enough at Linux to give up our MS dope just yet. The Debian version comes with QCAD for doing 2d basic CAD stuff. Both of these versions have an option for installing in the free space on your current HD And I believe it will allow you to create a disk to boot to if you wanted a duel boot system. The Red Hat 6 ver. of the BDI didn’t run to well on my test computer (video card support).
We are looking at developing a line of small scale Gantry Tables using the EMC stuff so feel free to send me any wish list type items that would make your lives easier.

So someone waked up this thread again.
You should try out Pico-systems.com Universal Stepper Board. Since my last post above, I installed it here on a EMC BDI RC46. It is just unbelievable how much smoother my steppers runs now! I can now run as fast as my drives/motors will allow. No coarse running as with freqmod. I'm now up to around 3500mm/min compared to 500mm/min before. And the limit is that I have only 70V to feed the motors, not the ability to emit equally spaced step pulses.

As the pulses are generated in hardware, there is no skew or jitter on the pulse train. This works so well I have now mothballed my plans to change to servos. I can no longer see any need for that.

Disclaimer: I have no connection with Pico-Systems other than being a very happy customer.