http://diylilcnc.org/forum/tags/emc Free, open-source plans for a low-cost 3-axis CNC mill by Taylor Hokanson and Chris Reilly. Sponsored by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. en-US Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:03:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://diylilcnc.org/forum/search.php http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-568 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:36:27 +0000 Chris 568@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@karandex, I'm not sure what the shipping charges would be. I would recommend contacting Dave Rigotti at HobbyCNC to discuss those details. </p> <p>The HobbyCNC kit comes unassembled with the electronic components needed except for the transformer and case. We link to a transformer supplier in our documentation (in the <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/downloads/">downloads</a> page), but it may be easier for you to find one locally. </p> <p>You will need to solder the electronics together, so a good soldering station is important. </p> <p>There is <a href="http://www.mikebeck.org/cnccontroller1.html">another site that sells the kits already assembled</a>, in cases with transformers. Of course this adds to the expense, but it may be worth it in your case. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-565 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:04:40 +0000 karandex 565@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I have decided to get hobby cnc kit.What does it consist ? I dont need motor and they dont provide transformer. So do they provide other electronics to complete power supply<br /> ?<br /> I am from india so what would be shipping charges like ? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-549 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:31:03 +0000 Taylor 549@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>In our experience, all you need to do is run the EMC stepconf wizard, check your latency, and accept all of the default commands (at least initially). You can also cross-check the step/direction pins against HobbyCNC's setup. This should at least give you jog movement, which you can then refine with experimentation. Beyond that, sit tight and we'll have another look at making this part of our instructions more clear. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-546 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:42:34 +0000 amigaman 546@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Yes, </p> <p>AS your setting up EMC2 your asked a lot of questions about speed and travel rate ect. Since we all have the same hardware we should all have the same answers for these questions. If a tutorial on what the appropriate answers are to facilitate setting up the software would be a big help. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-538 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:26:31 +0000 Chris 538@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@amigaman, I'm wondering if there's something wrong with the instructions--you're the second person this week to mention the EMC section being confusing. </p> <p>We tried as much as possible to link to EMC's existing instructions (which are great, btw) so that when they run updates we won't have to worry about changing our documentation. But maybe it needs to be spelled out more clearly in our pdf? </p> <p>Any more specific advice for us as we work on instructions for v1.0.3? Are there particular steps that you found to be missing/confusing? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-537 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:46:36 +0000 Bill 537@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I've mostly been using <a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/#8876a13/=7zmebp">this bit</a>. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-535 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:58:11 +0000 amigaman 535@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>So i was able to get my CNC machine running by visiting the local CNC users group. they helped me through EMC2 as it is a bit of a pain to initially set up. A tutorial on how to get your DIYLILCNC machine set up though EMC2 would be a nice thing to have since we are all working under the same mechanical specs.</p> <p>Now I need to know what kind of bit everyone is using in their Dremal? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-528 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:39:45 +0000 Chris 528@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Seems like this topic warrants a little clarification of terms. </p> <p>When we talk about the driver, we're talking about a power transformer (and other circuitry) that serves high-voltage, high-current electricity to the CNC's stepper motors.</p> <p>The controller, on the other hand, is a computer (either a traditional desktop or a microcontroller or both) that sends commands to the driver, which in turn moves the motors.<br /> Our controller is a version of Linux made specifically for machine control, called <a href="http://linuxcnc.org">EMC2</a>. There are several other controller software packages out there, like Mach3, as well as different controller-hardware setups like <a href="http://grbl.tumblr.com/">Grbl</a>. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-ninjas-needed#post-526 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:43:08 +0000 Taylor 526@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>All,</p> <p>We're trying to expand the DIYLILCNC design to include a scratch-built linux box with the hobbyCNC driver integrated into one PC tower. <strike>Having a bear of a time with Linux/parallel PCI cards. See the long post here, and post comments in either location if you have any ideas.</strike></p> <p>SOLVED! - See <a href="http://www.linuxcnc.org/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,20/func,view/catid,27/id,3169/lang,english/#3169">this link</a> for details. It's getting harder to find old computers with on-board serial, and newer parts should be more reliable. I think the EMC documentation is a little opaque when it comes to PCI parallel, so hopefully this will help. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-522 Sat, 05 Jun 2010 02:04:24 +0000 DIYengineer 522@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p><a href="http://www.arduino.cc/" rel="nofollow">http://www.arduino.cc/</a></p> <p>Use a Arduino controller. :) </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-521 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:30:52 +0000 Taylor 521@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@karandex,</p> <p>Further, if you're interested in open source control, there appear to be a couple boards under the heading "DIY hardware known to work with emc" near the bottom of the page. They don't appear to be quite as robust as the commercial options - our hobbyCNC kit, for example, features a capacitor the size of a soda can (something I don't see in the DIY kits). Try one out and let us know what you think! </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-520 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:19:41 +0000 Chris 520@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@karandex, the interface is generally done with a parallel port. See page 62 of the assembly instructions in the <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/downloads">downloads</a> section for more details on the computer-to-driver interface. </p> <p>Of the driver boards listed on your link (under Step &amp; Direction Drives), I know that Xylotex and Gecko are commonly used by hobbyists, but I can't say from personal experience whether they're suitable for the DIYLILCNC. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-519 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:04:03 +0000 karandex 519@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>i found some supported hardware from emc site. Please suggest one of them from diy section.<br /> <a href="http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?EMC2_Supported_Hardware" rel="nofollow">http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?EMC2_Supported_Hardware</a></p> <p>And how to interface with board ? what software to install how to configure them. I will start work when all parts are in my reach </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-517 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:45:27 +0000 Chris 517@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@karandex, you might want to take a look at <a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9402">Sparkfun's EasyDriver Stepper Motor Driver</a>. You might run into the same problems with importing, but at least the schematic is available to look at. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/driver-alternative#post-516 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:46:02 +0000 karandex 516@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Hi great project<br /> I also want to build it but i cant get the driver mentioned imported, so can u suggest me any opensource or free driver circuit. I also want to know how to interface it with ,its very confusing. Can u help me and tell some good read regarding interface part, i tottaly understand the hardware part of it. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/emc2#post-503 Thu, 20 May 2010 19:22:50 +0000 Chris 503@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Also, check the <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/downloads">downloads</a> section for an EMC2 configuration made for the DIYLILCNC. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/emc2#post-502 Thu, 20 May 2010 16:31:32 +0000 Chris 502@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@jaunders, that's really exciting! Please send us some pictures if you get the chance.</p> <p>This problem you're describing could be caused by either bad wiring or incorrect software settings. </p> <p>When troubleshooting, I've found it easier to focus on one motor out of the three, usually the X or Y axis motor. </p> <p>Double check that your wiring matches what is described in the HobbyCNC documentation; make sure that the correct color wires are leading to the proper pins on the board.</p> <p>If everything looks like it's connected correctly, try testing the connectivity (with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter">multimeter</a>) of each wire on the motor to make sure it is actually connecting to the board.</p> <p>If the physical connections look OK, then focus on the software settings you're using in EMC. </p> <p>Have you gone through the steps of doing the <a href="http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?TweakingSoftwareStepGeneration#Run_a_Latency_Test">latency test</a>? This will help you figure out the settings to use as you work through the <a href="http://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.3/html/config_stepconf.html">EMC Stepconf Wizard</a>. There's a more detailed version of this process outlined on page 63 of the PDF in the <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/downloads">downloads</a> section.</p> <p>Try those troubleshooting steps and let us know what happens. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/emc2#post-501 Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:26 +0000 jaunders 501@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>we have an almost complete build in New Zeland , however are haivng issues with emc2 and the steppers only making small jittery movements without full rotations does anyone have any ideas or there mill configure file in which we could try ? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-424 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:07:48 +0000 amigaman 424@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Feel free, I will be posting more pics of the actual machine tonight. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-423 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:40:13 +0000 Taylor 423@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Great! Mind if we use some of your pictures? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/my-pvc-build#post-422 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:35:05 +0000 amigaman 422@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I am building my machine from .25" PVC. I had the machine and the controller box laser cut. Posting pics here:</p> <p><a href="http://astromechbuilder.com/mechloader/v/R7Dude/CNC_001/" rel="nofollow">http://astromechbuilder.com/mechloader/v/R7Dude/CNC_001/</a></p> <p>Andy </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-249 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:20:08 +0000 DIYengineer 249@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I have heard good things about Mach 3. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-194 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:22:29 +0000 Chris 194@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>You definitely want a machine with an on-board parallel port. We've tried several other adapter options ourselves, with no success. </p> <p>While there are usb-paralell adapters that can work for things like printers, the real-time control needed for EMC requires a real live parallel port. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-193 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:21:59 +0000 Schweppes 193@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Tuxcnc is an option and if you have some patience you can compile emc2 from source to your mac.</p> <p>At the moment, there doesn't seem to be a darwin port made up already.</p> <p>Bill, there are thousands of usb to parallel adapters...However, I'm not entirely sure if it's fast enough though. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-191 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:31:40 +0000 Bill 191@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>You're never going to find a usable Mac with a built-in parallel port. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-189 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:59:24 +0000 Taylor 189@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@hecsedli,</p> <p>We never found any options for the Mac, but we didn't look that hard either. My guess is that CAM is obscure enough that no one has bothered to port one of the many Linux/PC options that are out there. We'd be happy to be proved wrong, as we're working off of MacBook Pro's on a day to day basis.</p> <p>If the G4 will take Linux and has a parallel port, I don't see why it wouldn't work. You can get a build from linuxcnc.org that comes with EMC preinstalled. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-187 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:19:40 +0000 hecsedli 187@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>What do you think — I have an old Power Mac G4, which has an Nvidia graphic card, and has all the parameters you've mentioned — can I use this for controlling diylil? I can install Ubuntu on it (not the latest one, but a very new release of it is supporting PPC). Or do you have any ideas of a free and good native Mac app for this? Thanks! </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-147 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:29:01 +0000 Taylor 147@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I've used TurboCNC - it's workable and free, but pretty ugly (as it runs straight from DOS) and a little hard to control. VNC might get complicated as the HobbyCNC board requires real-time signaling from the computer. If you remotely ask a computer to run an NC file that is local (to the controlled computer), then you should be OK. Sounds exciting - let us know how your setup works out. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-146 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:15:29 +0000 Chris 146@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>There are definitely Windows alternatives and, while they're not particularly expensive, none [that I know of] are free &amp; open-source. </p> <p>You may want to look at <a href="http://www.dakeng.com/turbo.html">TurboCNC</a> or <a href="http://www.machsupport.com/">Mach3</a>. </p> <p>On a related note, Linux does allow you to install through Windows as a boot configuration, which makes dual booting really, really easy. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-emc2#post-145 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:08:37 +0000 Open Form Architecture 145@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I wanted to ask about the controlling software options. The reason is that I want to be able to control the computer from a remote connection (and not on a local network) such as a LogMeIn type of connection. I have snooped around the web and found the <a href="http://www.skullbox.net/vncserver.php"> VNC Server (link example How-To)</a> for remote connections, but that I might have some difficulties.</p> <p><strong>Concerning the Linux/EMC2 controlling software, is there a Windows based alternative?</strong> I will be running Rhinoceros and RhinoCAM for creating the 3D files, so if I can stay in Windows, that is far better. The dedicated computer we will use to control the CNC machine will be a dual boot setup. Thanks! </p>