Lathe in EMC2

[fomaz]

Hello. First of all I am new to EMC2 so please excuse me if I ask something incorrect.

Currently I am a user of Mach, but as I use lathes, I am tired of always expecting bug solutions and implementations that for me are a must in lathe operations.
I have basic knowledge of linux, so I believe that installing EMC could not be a problem. Before I start using EMC, I would like to know a few things, that will make my mind in using (at least trying) EMC.

1) G41 / G42 tool nose compensation is working?
2) Constant surface speed is working?
3) Are there cycles implemented (G71 G72 like in Fanuc machines?)
4) Currently I am using C11 boards from CNC4PC driven by the parallel port and driving my VFD from that board as a step-direction method that the board uses to transform to a 0-10 analog signal. Does EMC allow to use a similar setup?
5) I would not like to change wiring on a existing machine runing Mach. Can I turn to EMC (using the same hardware that I am using now), or there are any special consideration? I use parallel port only.
6) Charge pump is also a feature of EMC?
7) Can the user screen be configurated (add leds, buttons, change colors and so on)?
8) Is EMC, in your point of view, stable enough for everyday use?

Thank you very much.
Any considerations are welcome.

[chester88]

Keeping in mind I don't use lathe features but do a little development for EMC...

1. yes may be small differences. I understand EMC is pickier. No tool wear offsets though.
2. yes
3. g71 is not sure if its exactly like fanuc but is based on it.
4. i'm not sure about the c11 board but I would bet yes. according to the c11 web site yes.
5. EMC can configure the parport as 12 outputs and 5 inputs or 4 outputs and 13 inputs
within that restriction the pins can be any supported signal.
6. yes there is a charge pump component - not familiar with it
7. sort of. buttons and display items can be added as panels on the side of the display.
complete customization of the screen is not easily possible.
8. Most definitely yes! people use it on 5 axis multi ton machines for profit.

In your case look at the HTML docs here: EMC2 Documentation - HTML version
This is the latest released version though 2.5 can be downloaded and used it's almost ready to release.

You will most likely use stepconf to build your configuration. So check the docs on that.
http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/2.4/htm..._stepconf.html

Chris M

[fomaz]

First of all thank you for the reply. This probably will make me want to try the software. Another question that I remember is the following:

In my machine I do not need spindle feedback, as I do not need threading on the lathe, but I need to have CSS where the controller assumes that the commanded speed sent to the VFD is the real speed. Will EMC allow me to have CSS without real spindle speed feedback?

Thanks if anyone knows this.

[fomaz]

About the G71 cycle for example, I saw in:

EMC Documentation Wiki: Lathe Advanced Features

That the cycle is yet to be implemented. Is this correct or it is already implemented?

Thank you

[cncbasher]

Specificly , G71 i believe is not implemented as part of EMC , however their is an additional program called NGCGUI , which allows template and subroutens to be used in EMC quite easily , G71 has been implemented in this fashion. this may or may not suit your purpose.

i am sure you will find a vast improvement in using emc over Mach3 , i know i did !
however their is a learning curve , just about everything is possible and their are many people, myself included using EMC in professional environments, and an active forum for exchange of idea's and implementing new functions , both in the forum and IRC

so you are not alone for advice .

if you have the machine already set for mach3 then it should be a simple operation to copy this across to EMC .

you would find if not already fitted a spindle encoder ( easily made slotted opto disc)
would assist in spindle control at a later stage ,

do not get confused EMC is far more powerful under the hood , than you may think .
and highly configurable .

[fomaz]

>> Specificly , G71 i believe is not implemented as part of EMC , however their is an additional program called NGCGUI , which allows template and subroutens to be used in EMC quite easily , G71 has been implemented in this fashion. this may or may not suit your purpose.

But can I send a Gcode file with G71 and so on to EMC/NCGui and they work together, or the code must pass first in NCGUI and sent to EMC, and then the user sends it to EMC?

[cncbasher]

think of ngcgui as being a configurable addon to EMC , but with the benifit of being stand alone or embedded as part of EMC

here are a few references
NGCGUI
and on G71
LinuxCNC.org - Metric Lathe subroutines - G71, G72, etc etc - EMC Support Forum

but to answer your question emc looks after it all ,
emc is highly scriptable , you will find everything you need .

it's so much easier to get your feet wet and use it .

[fomaz]

Thank you sir,
I will then try it for sure.

Filipe

[CaptainVee]

Not familiar with lathes but am happy user on a mill.

If you want to familiarize yourself why not install it to a usb stick (or a live cd and save the configuration you make somewhere else) and run emc from there. You can try it out and even make a configuration that in the end may work on your production machine.

[ftkalcevic]

6) Beware that the charge pump runs at half the emc internal frequency. The breakout board I was using only worked with a charge pump frequency of 12.5kHz, so the internal frequency had to be 25kHz. Other boards may vary.

As CapatainVee said, get a USB stick, or the live cd and try it. You can run a simulator and try it all out.

I am running an emc lathe. I'm just a hobbiest so I fanuc compatibility is not important. This page shows the G-Codes emc supports - EMC2 "G-Code" Quick Reference That page is linked from the wiki - EMC Documentation Wiki: EmcKnowledgeBase

[chester88]

I apologize yes G71 is not implemented it's G76 I was thinking of.
If the charge pump frequency does not work then I think you could configure a
PWM gen to do the same thing. I remember someone trying that...

EMC has a 'spindle-at speed' input for letting know the spindle is ready.
EMC will check for this before the first feed move after each spindle start or speed change; before the start of every chain of spindle-synchronized moves; and if in CSS mode, at every rapid to feed transition.

you can fake this input always true, or connect it to the VFD at speed output (if available) or use an encoder on the spindle plus a EMC component called 'near' to create the signal.

Chris M

[fomaz]

Thank you for the replys.
Indeed I have tested the EMC instalation and it went very well. My system is quite new (hardware) even so no problems in hardware recognition.
Tested the EMC and the configuration was initially strange. I must be doing this after reading the manual and have time. I believe it requires lots of time.
I will post again if help is needed, but I should not post configuration questions if I did not read the manual.

Unfortunally not having the cycles is bad. Were can I help to implement this? I have done this in the past to a postprocessor, I can do this again.